TJ Iconic Wedding: Emily + Will by Courtney Illfield

We are bringing back an edit of our top-performing real weddings from the TJ archives that our audience has loved the most. Emily + Will’s wedding is one of our TJ favourites and one we still dream about today.

Emily — Will and I met in Australia, but got together in Bali. I was so nervous I drank about 10 margaritas in five minutes and practically jumped him!..

He’s loved me ever since. I work in social media and we’ve been incredibly lucky to be able to travel the world together for the past four years. When Will’s not travelling with me, he works as a plumber. The most unique part of our relationship is that we’re so chalk and cheese, it’s almost comical. You couldn’t find two more opposite personalities. Will is slow, methodical and quiet, and I’m a fast-paced firecracker with a voice loud enough to burst eardrums. But despite that, it works – he calms me down and I razzle him up.

We get to spend almost every minute with each other, working and travelling, yet we never get sick of each other. Will’s an absolute marshmallow and I love his incredibly kind soul. He’d say he loves my vivacious personality – and my dimples. Will proposed on a yacht off our favourite island in Greece, surrounded by our closest friends. It’s one of my fondest memories.

Our friends were bringing the ring over from Australia and it almost didn’t make it in time. I wanted to get married in Italy and Will wanted to get married in Australia close to all our friends and family, so we compromised and hosted an Italian-style wedding at Deux Belettes, a château in the Byron Bay hinterlands, not far from where we live. We spend a few months of each year in Italy, and it holds a special place in our hearts.

We were inspired by long nights spent drinking wine under the fading Tuscan sun, the earth tones of the countryside and the simple, rustic shared food. I wore a dress custom-made by my beautiful friend in Byron, Kate Willa and a second party outfit – a Hansen & Gretel top and Ellery flares.

Our friends are almost offensively funny, so their speeches were an absolute highlight, but the entire day was memorable from start to finish. To us, being married means we now have fab rings and Will can’t legally leave me. Seriously though, it’s exactly the same as non-married life – happy, fulfilling and full of love. Our advice is never to go to bed angry, no matter how bad the fight. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. 

 Photography: Courtney Illfield | Bride’s gown: Kate Willa Bridal | Groom + Groomsmens’ Attire: MJ Bale|  Ceremony + Reception Location: Deux Belettes | Hair: Marie Cain at Head Studio, assisted by Kyra Arnez | Earrings: AB Ellie + Reliquia | Veil: Twigs & Honey | Makeup: Luciana Rose | Bride’s shoes: Zimmermann & Gucci | Celebrant: Susie Figgis | Bridesmaids’ shoes: The Bali Tailor Bridesmaids’ dresses: Reformation | Flora: Nikau Store | Styling: Emily Yates | Hire: Ha’veli of Byron Bay | Hampton Event Hire | Ceramics: Emma Gale from Nikau Store | Rings: Rings by Angeline | Catering: Eat Drink Catering | Beverages: Dead East Bar Co | Planning: Hayley Cravigan | Entertainment: Deena | Special song: ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’ by Deena