The ease of getting to know each other was natural and almost immediately felt like ‘this is it’.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
We are a Christian couple. Paul is from Wales, and I (Hannah) am an Australian through and through. I am currently serving in the Defence Force, and Paul is a trainee carpenter but a firefighter by trade. We love our 45kg big baby bullmastiff, Kodak, and taking him for long walks. We also love camping in our rooftop tent, going to the gym, having friends over for a BBQ and eating beautiful food. Paul is obsessed with golf while I am trying to get into baking but my sourdough starter struggles are getting the best of me – I will persist!Â
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
Paul and I met on deployment in the middle eastern desert. Paul used to serve in the UK Defence Force as a firefighter and I was still serving in the Australian Defence Force. After several games of volleyball and ongoing debates of who spiked who the most (Paul did), a spark had grown, and we went on our first date to the tiny coffee shop on base. We sat in Paul’s work ute and talked for hours about what felt like everything. From there, we hung out every day, and during time away from all that we knew, we were each other’s biggest comfort. Neither of us can really explain our first impressions (but a red-haired firefighter is a sight to be seen). The ease of getting to know each other was natural and almost immediately felt like ‘this is it’.
When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?
We both talk about how instant the feeling was of ‘this feels so right’. We agree we 110% knew we wanted to spend our lives together after Paul visited Australia for the first time. We travelled together for a month, and when Paul had to go back to the UK… nothing consolidates your feelings more than when the person who makes every little bit of life better has to leave to go back home to another continent (props to Paul for fixing that issue).Â
Was there a proposal? Tell us a little about it…
Paul proposed in November 2022 on the Little Cove beach at Noosa. We had planned a weekend away as I love Noosa, and Paul had not been. We decided Paul would plan the activities for Saturday, and I would do Sunday…. It turns out Paul’s ‘activity’ was to propose – I was in absolute shock. He also flew my sister up from Sydney to take photos as it all unfolded. My activity for Sunday was a jet ski tour.
What was one element you were happy to splurge on?
For a while, we put off hiring a videographer, but we did end up doing it and are SO GLAD we did – having that video has been THE BEST thing! Paul also reminded me of our paper splurge for our menus… that was probably a splurge we did not need to do, but I’m very happy we did (and the quality and texture of those menus felt great on the day, even if I was the only one who noticed).
Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?
As I was getting into my dress, somehow, I popped the stitching on the sleeve so that it fell down to my elbow. Luckily, our wedding coordinator and my mum had sewing kits and were straight on it! The fact that my mum even packed a sewing kit on her is something we laugh about now!
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?
A big priority was that the day reflected us; bright, light, timeless, personal. Paul wore an MJ Bale sand suit to tie in with our light, English garden party theme. It was an easy choice for him and he was stoked with the result. The incorporation of different coloured pastel bridesmaids’ dresses was also part of the ‘garden party’ vision, as well as ensured each of them felt most comfortable. I knew I wanted a silky, slimline dress with a splash of ‘that’s different.’ The dress I picked was the fourth one I tried on. It was the material that really stood out, a thicker ‘silk style’ mikado, which allowed the dress to sit on me exactly as I had envisioned. Plus, the bow and pearls on the back, along with the single sleeve, were features I could not look past – classic meets modern! I tried the dress on in Sydney and then found out the designer, Wendy Makin, was in Brisbane, where we were living. I ended up doing my alternations with Wendy which felt so special having the designer work on her own piece with me.
LOCATION Summergrove Estate, Carool, NSW, @summergroveestate PHOTOGRAPHER Created By G, @createddbyg FLORIST Our Little Flower Farm, @flowerhousenewrybar CELEBRANT Pier (Minister from our Church) CATERING Summergrove Estate, @summergroveestate SIGNAGE Made by the Bride SEATING CHART & ORDER OF SERVICE BY LEAH, @by.leah_ ENGAGEMENT RING Beaverbrooks, @beaverbrooksthejewellers BRIDE’S RING Eternate, @eternatejewelry GROOM’S RING Gentlemen’s Bands, @gentlemens_bands BRIDAL DRESS ‘Aura’ Dress – Wendy Makin, @wendymakinbridal BRIDE’S SHOE ‘Alexandra’ Block Heel – HARLO, @harloau ACCESSORIES Pearl Earrings: Borrowed from Mum MAKEUP & HAIR Emilia Maria Makeup & Hair, @emiliamariamakeup GETTING READY PJs Homebodii, @homebodii SUIT & SHIRT ‘Robertson’ Suit – MJ Bale, @mjbale GROOM’S SHOE Florsheim, @florsheimaus ACCESSORIES Belt – Florsheim, @florsheimaus; Watch – Hugo Boss, @boss BRIDESMAID DRESS Billy J, @billy_j_boutique, @billy_j_bridal GROOMSMEN OUTFIT Shirt – MJ Bale, @mjbale; Trousers – Connor, @connor_clothing; Braces – Trendhim, @trendhim
