DANIEL + ANNE by Lauren Campbell

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love, what is unique about you and your relationship:

Daniel and I met at university through mutual friends playing mixed sports.

Anne would say that Daniel fell in love with her sporting prowess. Daniel would say he fell in love with Anne despite her sporting deficiencies.

We both love travelling and have a passion for food. Our weekends are usually spent cooking something delicious or trying one of Melbourne’s many restaurants.

In so many ways we complement each other. Anne is forever planning, driven to accomplish the next task or goal, seldom taking time to smell the roses and easily disheartened when met with a roadblock. Daniel is calm, content and forever reminding Anne to be grateful of the little things in life, the small moments which in a rush are often overlooked. We have grown from uni students to professionals and been each other’s mentors and cheerleaders through life.

Covid19 has been a huge adjustment for us both personally and professionally. We work and live in Melbourne and have endured lock down going on 6 months, commencing 1 week after we got married. It has tested our patience, resilience and strength. However, we could not imagine surviving lockdown with any other person and it has shown us the strength of our relationship.

Tell us about your special day, was there a specific theme or style? Tell us a little about the setting, the styling and some of your favourite details:

We did not embark on a specific theme or style. For the bridesmaids, we wanted to ensure that the girls were comfortable and the dress they wore matched their personal style. This was the reason the dresses matched in colour, but were completely different styles.

We also wanted to give the guests a real sense of union and party. We did not have a bridal table, choosing instead to sit amongst our guests. Food was communally shared so that conversations were aplenty.

The biggest part of our day was that we wanted our friends to be apart of they day wherever possible. Anne’s girlfriend Emily sang a cover of XO by Beyonce. The backing music was created by Daniel, who in his younger days dabbled in music production. She also sang some magic during the canapé hour following the ceremony. The celebrant was the couple’s close friend Tom Clarke. A lawyer by day, and comedian by night, Tom generously agreed to complete the gruelling celebrant course ahead of the couple’s wedding. Shalini, one of Anne’s closest girlfriends, and owner of Cuppalini Cakes, surprised the couple with a three tier wedding cake to die for. Finally, the couple’s friend Brachy planned and executed perfectly his role as the MC for the couple (this included Wedding bingo too)!

What were some of the most memorable/unique moments from the day:

The one moment which stands clearly in our mind is the moments as you walk down the aisle together, hand in hand, a newly married couple. That is a high which is seldom experienced!

Another highlight was dancing with our friends and family during the wedding- It may have been the stickiest dance floor ever- but we would not have it any other way!

Any advice for other couples planning to spend the rest of their lives together:

Do not sweat the small things. Along the planning journey, there will be times and days where you will think “why are we doing this again?” But on the day, it will be worth it. You will not remember the little things which you stressed over and the day will be pure magic.

On the day- take some time just the two of you to appreciate the magnitude of what you have just undertaken. Don’t let that sense of obligation, to see everyone and be everywhere, making sure everything is perfect can take over. The day will pass in a blink of an eye and its so important that you appreciate the little moments together.

Venue & Catering: Olleyville – Shaw Wines | Videographer: Barn Owl Films | Photographer: Lauren Campbell | Celebrant: Close Friend – Tom Clarke | Entertainment: Fresh Princess | Flora: Wiluna | Cake: Cuppalini Cakes | Groom & Groomsmen Suit’s: Institchu | Bride’s Dress: Raffaele Ciuca | Ring/s: Kalfin Jewellery | Shoes: Valentino Garavani | Makeup: Jessica Peris | Nails: The Beautique | Hair: Kathryn Ilijoski | Fragrance: Ellis Brooklyn – Myth| Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Zimmerman