Emmaly + Brent by Daniel Chafer - Together Journal

Tell us how you meet each other?

We met through Brent’s little sister and our mutual friends initially. We chatted on social media for years but nothing came of it.

Until one day we saw each other down at our favourite beach spot, it wasn’t ‘love at first sight’ but it was certainly the little spark we were both waiting for.

Tell us about the proposal?

Brent proposed in our most favourite place in the world, Byron Bay. He booked dinner at Raes on Wategos for “my birthday” but instead surprised me down on Wategos beach with a ring. He didn’t exactly get on one knee and his proposal speech didn’t go to plan due to nerves. Instead, he waited till about two minutes before our dinner booking and quickly distracted me with the old “look at that house over there on the hill” trick, and as I took a moment to look and then turn back around he pulled the ring from his pocket and asked me so romantically “what do you reckon?” haha. It honestly could not have been more us, such a simple moment, no need for anything more. Of course I said yes.

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

We both grew up in the south of Sydney by the beach. Our love of the ocean and being outdoors is something we both love to spend time doing. Brent is an Electrician, and I am a Special Education Teacher. We both equally love our career paths and have good work ethic, but we both believe balancing our time apart in our jobs with time spent at home with each other is so important too. We love travelling, especially going on road trips, camping and just being outdoors. We recently bought a house, and are so excited to make it a home and create a family. The renovations have started now that the wedding is over! Since getting married, our relationship has felt stronger, I think marriage gives us both a whole new level of respect and value. It is hard to explain, you just feel different going from engaged to married. I am so grateful for our relationship, we balance each other in so many ways. We make sure we prioritise communication because it really helps get through any tough moments.

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…

I had a vision for our day and it turned out to be exactly that if not more than I ever imagined. I wanted a destination wedding so we could make a weekend of events rather than one day only, I wanted our family and friends to relax and enjoy themselves on a holiday. I envisioned our wedding day to reflect this ‘holiday vibe’ by making it feel coastal, secluded, and relaxed. Our dress code for guests was ‘light and neutral’, at first I was worried about setting a specific colour coordination but on the day it just felt so amazing, everyone wore neutral tones and light colours. We had so many comments on this and it looked so beautiful in our photos and video.

For our day we wanted a balance of secluded hinterland, along with the ocean breeze and beautiful Byron Bay beaches. We decided to split our Ceremony and Reception venues to capture both these locations. We had our ceremony, canapes, and cocktails at Fig Tree restaurant. We got married under the most beautiful and big Fig Tree, the location is a mediterranean hinterland vibe with the most amazing poolside resort style space for the cocktail hour. There were so many amazing photo spots around the property, it is honestly the most magical space. Waking up in the farm style cottage the morning of my wedding was the most relaxed I have ever felt, getting ready while listening to acoustic music and the surrounding hinterland was exactly what I had imagined.

Our reception space was just as magical, only the view changed from hinterland to the ocean. Our reception was styled with a minimalist coastal feel. Beautiful white muslin material, with shells, agave crystals, and selenite candles filled the table settings. Our florals also captured this coastal hinterland feel. Fairy lights were something I had to have, they covered the ceiling both indoors and outdoors and set such a good energy.

Tell us about your main outfits:

To tie in with our light and neutral dress code, Brent wore a sand coloured linen suit from M.J.Bale, together with brown shoes and belt. We wanted our wedding to be relaxed so Brent and his groomsmen went with no tie and a white shirt underneath the suit jacket. Simple was key for us.

For my dress, I had the lovely Amy from Love Marie Bridal boutique show me a range of beautiful dresses. I had an idea in mind what I wanted to wear but ended up with something completely unexpected. I just hadn’t ever imagined my beautiful Alena Leena ‘Ameria’ dress before, this is because it was well beyond my own imagination. When I first tried it on my family said my face lit up. I wasn’t too sure as it was not what I was expecting to wear and I usually like to choose the safe option. So I went on with my search but I just couldn’t get this dress out of my head. I went back for a second try on and my decision was made. We customised my dress to best suit my body, taking a few layers of tulle out and adjusting the sleeve detailing. The team at Alena Leena made me feel so confident, even though it was getting made across the other side of the world in the Ukraine. I was the first bride to have the dress made in the ‘blush nude’ colour and I certainly have no regrets. The dress was so dreamy, it moved in the wind so beautifully, the blush nude tones appeared in different lights, I felt so magical wearing it. Dancing around the location and feeling it move with me is something I will never forget. The sleeves were detachable and I planned on removing them for my reception but I just couldn’t part with them and didn’t take them off until well into the night. I want to wear it again already!

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

Getting ready the morning of the wedding was so relaxing and spent with the girls I love most, I just felt so calm and in the moment. Of course, walking down the isle is the most incredible experience that I will never forget. Having my dad by my side, and walking toward everyone I love was truly so special. We had such a fun time getting out photos taken, you spend so much time on the day with your photographer so it is so important you choose someone you can connect with. Daniel Chafer was such a good positive fun energy to be around. For two people who are somewhat camera shy, to absolutely loving the whole process is definitely a credit to Dan. We felt like we were with a best friend, it is so important to choose a good photographer because you spend most of your time with them on the day.

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

If we were to give relationship advice, we would say communication really is key. If something doesn’t feel right then say it out loud, you cant always guess what each other is thinking or feeling. Stay true to yourself as a person in your relationship, you cant suppress your own personality for someone else long term, be honest and just be you. Our advice for your wedding day. Be in the moment. The day goes so fast and there is no point worrying about something that didn’t go exactly to plan. As a bride it can be overwhelming with everyone wanting you at once, be sure to do exactly what you want on your day, get to the dance floor early, your friends and family will find you wherever you are so no need to worry about finding everyone to chat to. For both of you, make sure you take a moment at some point in the night to step away from the wedding just you two and watch all your loved ones enjoying themselves from afar, take the time to chat and reflect for a moment.

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