There has always been a sense of openness, safety and certainty in our relationship.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
We live in regional Gippsland. Ash works as a national manager for a wine company. Dani is an occupational therapist and has a paediatric practice. Our loves include travelling, experiencing new places and things, spending time with our children, and dreaming up renovation ideas for our home.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
We first crossed paths a few years ago at a local bar that Ash owned at the time—a few months passed before we again met through mutual friends. After this, Ash asked me out, to which I said no! But he was persistent, even following up with a casual hello at school pick-up as our kids attended school together. Eventually, I was pursued by him. Our first date was at his house, sitting on the lounge room floor surrounded by packed-up boxes as he moved house. We ordered takeaway and played board games!
When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?
I’m not sure that there was one specific moment for either of us. Our relationship moved quickly. We faced the many complexities that come with merging families together, which was complicated by the challenges of lockdown periods in Victoria during the pandemic. There has always been a sense of openness, safety and certainty in our relationship. It has genuinely always felt right, and although we both approach life very differently when we are together, anything seems possible.
Was there a proposal? Tell us a little about it…
There was a proposal, but not of the traditional kind. Instead, I proposed to Ash! Both Ash and I have been in previous long-term relationships. Ash was married for many years, so he was unsure if marriage was the pathway he wanted to take again. He jokingly mentioned one day that he would marry me if I proposed to him. So that’s what I did. It was his 40th birthday. We were headed to the city for a weekend away. In the hotel room, I handed him a gift, a large ‘smash’ chocolate heart. He broke it open, thinking he was opening a birthday gift. Instead, inside was a letter asking him to marry me and a toy ring. I had pre-booked a ring selection session at a jeweller. After accepting my proposal, we headed to the jeweller to ask him to choose a band.
What was one element you were happy to splurge on?
The location. We had a really clear vision of what we wanted our wedding to be like for us and for our family and friends. We wanted a location that allowed everyone to stay together for the weekend. Barunah Plains provided that for us. We were able to have our family and closest friends with us the night before and the morning of the wedding. The rest of our guests could stay on site for the night of the wedding and for the night. This meant that we could party into the wee hours of the morning and spend the following day relaxing around the pool, spending quality time with those that we love. One of my favourite memories of the weekend was walking up to the Shearing Quarters late at night to find all my family playing one very competitive game of Uno! I also learned that my Dad, Uncle and Sister had stayed up talking all night around the campfire on our wedding night. These moments were so special to us.
Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?
The heat. It was early November in Victoria, which means the weather could really have been anything! But we managed to have day that sat between 32-33 degrees, and it stayed warm into the evening. Our florist worked desperately to ensure our flowers were okay for the ceremony. Our cakes began to melt even though they were brought out at the last minute, and we had to rush through family photos because it was just too hot. Even the mic system of our celebrant overheated just before the ceremony was to start. Our poor guests were so hot that they had to get ready for the ceremony in their tents. But what was a very hot ceremony turned into a perfect sunset and a beautiful night party under the stars!
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?
Our outfits are really just made up of pieces that we love and feel comfortable in. Ash loves dressing up just as much as I do. He wanted a surprise for the reception so chose to have a second suit jacket. Ash and his groomsmen were all dressed by YSG Tailors. I ended up loving two completely different styles, both from Kyha Studios in Melbourne. Both were nothing like I expected, but both reflected my personality. My favourite element was the way the fabric had been shaped and moved on the sleeves of my ceremony gown! Piecing together and coordinating our outfits, our bridal parties and our children’s was really enjoyable. The bridesmaids’ outfits from Aje were even chosen before my own dress. Being able to include my stepdaughters in the process made it all very special.
VENUE Barunah Plains, @barunahplains PHOTOGRAPHER & VIDEOGRAPHER Emma – Haven Still and Moving Images, @haven_still_and_moving_images FLORIST Ruth and Sally – Pepperberry Flora, @pepperberryflora ON-THE-DAY COORDINATOR & STYLIST Agi – Whole Lotta Love Creative, @wholelottalovecreative SOCIALS Wintermay Photography, @wintermayphotography CELEBRANT Kahani Motiani, @kahanicelebrant ENTERTAINMENT Band and DJ – Hey Jack, @heyjack_co PHOTOBOOTH & AUDIO BOOK The Photobooth Guys, @thephotoboothguys; At The Beep, @atthebeep.co CATERING Fabulous Catering, @fabulouscatering GRAZING TABLES Platter Co. Geelong, @platter_co DRINKS SERVICE Miss Fizz, @miss__fizz CAKE Miss Ladybird Cakes, @missladybirdcakes HIRE Lighting – Festoon Lighting, @festoon_lighting; Hangings – Bangin Hangins, @banginhangins; Tents – Twilight Event Hire, @twilighteventhire; Toilets – Paddock Dreams, @paddock.dreams.amenities; Furniture – Elderberry Event Hire, @elderberryevents_; Social Event Hire, @social.eventhire SIGNAGE & INVITATION State of Elliott, @stateofelliott RINGS Grew and Co, @grewandco; Other rings – belonged to Grandmother and Great Grandmother BRIDE’S CEREMONY DRESS Elle Gown by KYHA, @kyhastudios BRIDE’S CEREMONY SHOE Isabella from a local shoe store BRIDE’S CEREMONY ACCESSORIES Mejuri, @mejuri; KYHA, @kyhastudios MAKEUP Renee at Studio2 Makeup and Hair, @studio2makeupandhair; Laurie Boring Makeup Artist, @laurieboring HAIR Alex Fielding Hair, @alexfieldinghair BRIDE’S RECEPTION DRESS Raffery Dress by Chosen by KYHA, @chosenbykyha BRIDE’S RECEPTION SHOE Nike, @nike SUIT YSG Tailors, @ysgtailors GROOM’S SHOE RM Williams, @rmwilliams GROOM’S ACCESSORIES Watch – Swiss BRIDESMAIDS DRESS/SKIRT & TOP Aje, @_aje_ BRIDESMAIDS SHOE Midas, @midas_shoes GROOMSMEN SUIT YSG Tailors, @ysgtailors GROOMSMEN SHOE RM Williams, @rmwilliams JUNIOR BRIDESMAID’S DRESS Wayne Cooper, @waynecooperclothing JUNIOR BRIDESMAID’S SHOE Pink Inc Shoes, @pinkincshoes JUNIOR GROOMSMAN SUIT Children Salon, @childrensalon
https://www.instagram.com/childrensalon/
