Ben did the old ‘Barney’s got something in his mouth’ trick, but then knelt down and popped the question as the sun was setting.
Emma —— Ben and I relocated from Sydney to our hometown of Adelaide in 2021 to start a non-alcoholic drinks brand, Polka and have since grown another health supplement brand. We have slightly different stories about when we first met. Mine dates back to a mutual friend’s birthday lunch. Ben sat at the opposite end of the table.
We locked eyes and I felt a little spark. I remember thinking, ‘there’s something about him’. However, when I recalled that moment years later, Ben couldn’t remember meeting me! Our paths crossed again years later, at the same friend’s wedding.
Neither of us can recall who made the first move, but the night ended in a number-swap and a kiss on the way back from the winery. The proposal happened around Christmas 2022 at Ben’s family shack as we were taking our dog for a walk on the beach. Ben did the old ‘Barney’s got something in his mouth’ trick, but then knelt down and popped the question as the sun was setting.
He had crayfish and champagne waiting inside. We’d always talked about eloping or having a very small, low-key wedding. We gave ourselves three months to organise our day. As soon as we visited The Laurels, a beautiful farmhouse in Mylor, we knew it was the perfect location. We were married in the veggie garden, surrounded by chickens and Gertie the goat, then had a backyard garden party reception at my parents’ home.
We splurged on French champagne, great wines and a band that had everyone up dancing. I was nervous when I realised most custom wedding dresses take 6-12 months to make but I found a dress online that I knew was the one and The Bride Lab were incredible helping me with a rush job which only took about six weeks to make. Ben took a more relaxed approach and organised his suit two weeks before the wedding.
PHOTOGRAPHER Captured By Georgie, @_capturedbygeorgie_ CEREMONY LOCATION The Laurels Mylor @the_laurels_mylor BRIDE’S DRESS Ingrid Olić, @ingridolicbridal BRIDAL BOUTIQUE The Bride Lab, @thebridelab GROOM’S SUIT P.Johnson Tailors, @pjohnsontailors RINGS Jeff Tims (family friend), @jeff_tims_jeweller BRIDE’S SHOES Novo, @novoshoes BRIDE’S EARRINGS Grace Loves Lace, @grace_loves_lace BRIDE’S BANGLE Borrowed from her mum FRAGRANCE Mojave Ghost by Byredo, @officialbyredo CELEBRANT Kate Moody @katemoodycelebrant MAKEUP Britt B Makeup @brittb_makeup; Alana Bray @alanabray HAIR Charlotte Powell Bridal @charlottepowell_bridal RECEPTION LOCATION Private property ENTERTAINMENT Shiny Moon Entertainment @shinymoonentertainment HIRE Sash Events, @sashevents; The Queens Quarters, @thequeensquarters FLORA Hue @hue.floral CATERING & BEVERAGES Are You Being Served, @areyoubeingservedadl; Private chef
