I’ve been a wedding photographer for 15 years and Hannah is a landscaper. Hannah and I are opening up an elopement chapel, Faithwood Chapel, as our first venture together.
We first matched on Tinder. I sent Hannah a message saying “You’re a lesbian thirst trap, you should be on Tiktok”, which she found hilarious. She later messaged to say she was in the Botanic Gardens. The very instant I laid eyes on Hannah, who was reading a poetry book under a tree, my earth quaked. There is no other way to describe it than the fabric of the universe split and all I could see was Hannah and my path to her.
Hannah —— I swear I felt it throughout my entire body when Jewel arrived. I turned my head and saw her from theother side of the garden, and I knew it was over! I would have married her right then and there.But formalities, you know.
Jewel —— There wasn’t a proposal, which helped keep our elopementa secret. We knew we wanted to get married and chose our anniversary – 22/11/22 – because of the numbers. Hannah and I are both a little ‘woo’ and those numbers can mean love, twin flames, soulmates and being where you’re meant to be. We enjoy wandering through forests and beachesso spent a lot of time searching for the place. I was photographing an elopement that took us to Deep Creek which my family had connections to. We wanted to feel part of the landscape, so we planned for a faux meadow aisle of flowers. Unfortunately, the weather had other ideas. With my experience in weddings, I knew we needed five things: photographer, celebrant, flowers, hair/makeup and location. We managed to keep our budget for the wedding to $5k so we could investour money into Faithwood Chapel.
Hannah —— I splurged on the ring because it’s something that Jewel will wear every day.
Jewel —— I’ve seen hundreds of dresses in my career and I’ve dreamt of what I would wear but Hannah and I were eloping, not having a wedding. I knew I wantedsomething elegant, modern and off-the-shoulder. I came across the Toni Maticevski dress butdidn’t want to spend that much but thankfully the seller gave me a discount.
Hannah——I was unsure what style I wanted. I broadened my search and found a beautiful long-sleeved mermaid-style dress from the UK, but when it arrived it didn’t fit. I ordered three more dresses from ASOS Bridal which I didn’t love. Three days before the wedding, I went shopping and found a beautiful white three-piece suit. Now I have four wedding dresses which we’ll use for styled shoots for Faithwood Chapel.
PHOTOGRAPHER Katy Durn Photographics, @katydurnphotographics / JEWEL’S DRESS Toni Maticevski from Still White, @toni_maticevski, @stillwhite / JEWEL’S ROBE Sports Girl, @sportsgirl / JEWEL’S EARRINGS Studio Tyyli, @studiotyyli / JEWEL’S GLASSES Oscar Wylee, @oscarwylee / HANNAH’S SUIT Kookai, @kookai_australia / HANNAH’S HAT Akubra, @akubraofficial / HANNAH’S BOOTS Miss Gladys Sym Choon, @missgladyssymchoon / HANNAH’S RING Ring Only Zhang, @ringonly_zhang / HANNAH’S EARRINGS Vintage pearl drops borrowed from her Mum / JEWEL’S RING Bell and Brunt, @bellandbrunt / MAKEUP Frankie Makeup & Brows, @frankie.makeup.brows / HAIR Tiffany Decaux, @tiffanydecaux / MATCHING PJ’S The Pommie Press, @thepommiepress / OYSTER RING HOLDERS Bella Lunar Designs, @bellalunardesigns / CEREMONY LOCATION Tangerine Dream Airbnb, Deep Creek @tangerinedreamdeepcreek / CELEBRANT Lauren the Celebrant, @laurenthecelebrant / PLANNING & STYLING Jewel / FLORA Evebud, @evebud / STATIONERY Theresa Cooper Designs, @theresacooperdesigns / VIOLIN & CELLO Leah Zweck at String Source, @stringsource / JEWEL’S FRAGRANCE Christina Aguilera By Night / HANNAH’S RECEPTION DRESS Asos, @asos / BRASS LOBSTER Mr Pinchy & Co, @mrpinchyandco / JEWEL’S COAT Vintage faux fur from Stephen Dattner / CAKE Once Upon A Pie, @amysonceuponapie
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