How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
We met the old-fashioned way! Lewis and I met in 2010 at the then popular Adelaide night spot, Rocket Bar. Perhaps a few mojitos gave Lewis the Dutch courage to strike up a conversation with me. We stayed together for the whole night and chatted away until the sun came up.
We spent the next day together and have been basically inseparable ever since! Laura – my first impression of Lewis was that he was very tall, charming and handsome. Lewis – my first impression of Laura was that she was very interesting and attractive, and I wanted to find out more about her.
When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?
Laura – I don’t think there was a specific moment for me. I think I’ve almost always known! Lewis just fit so seamlessly into my life and is the sort of person I could do anything or absolutely nothing with and still be having a great time – once I realised that, I was certain.
Lewis –I had felt similarly to Laura for quite a while, though a few years ago I had been through a difficult period moving interstate, starting a long-distance stint with Laura and lost a close friend. Laura’s warmth and unconditional love and support during this time is what made me certain.
Was there a proposal? Tell us a little about it…
Lewis had been planning to propose for some time after psyching himself up to ask my dad for his blessing. Lewis’ original plan for a romantic picnic had been regularly gazumped by my ad hoc plans over a few consecutive weekends. Lewis was uncharacteristically frustrated with the cancelled picnics. When the picnic eventually went ahead, I wondered why he got a haircut, shaved, and was very overdressed. Unbeknown to Lewis, a bulge in his pocket the size of a ring box confirmed my suspicions! We were enjoying the picnic and a few Aperol Spritzes overlooking the Glebe foreshore in Sydney. Lewis proposed with a vintage aquamarine and gold ring that belonged to his beloved great grandmother. Following the engagement, Lewis took me to Natalie Marie Jewellery, where we designed a bespoke engagement ring together.
Tell us about the vision you had for the mood or style of your wedding…
We wanted a relaxed and casual country wedding with a touch of chic. Our venue captured this vibe brilliantly and my Dad helped us decorate the venue with lots of beautiful plants.
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?
There isn’t much of a story behind our outfits- we just wore what was our style and what we would be comfortable in. In line with the rustic country chic theme, Lewis insisted he did not want to look like James Bond so wore an open-coloured shirt and a cream jacket.
What was one element you were happy to splurge on?
Photography and videography to ensure we had a lasting keepsake of our day from beginning to end. Lewis is a self-professed sommelier and wanted to make sure our guests were drinking high quality wine to match the top-notch food and make for a memorable evening.
Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?
Not laugh, but in hindsight I am so grateful that we even got to have our wedding amongst the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, border restrictions prevented approximately 30 interstate guests – including our MC, some family and close friends from attending. We were so lucky to make it to our own wedding as we live in Sydney! I was so upset, stressed, and worried we wouldn’t enjoy ourselves with so many important guests absent. Another close friend who did make it across the border was struck down with gastro on the wedding day (importantly she made it to my bachelorette party!). However, on the day you couldn’t wipe the smiles off our faces. We remembered why we were there in the first place – to celebrate our love– and I know it’s cliché, but we had the best day of our lives! Our guests that were present made us feel so special and we also felt the love from afar.
My wonderful parents took care of all the plant decorations that looked gorgeous around the venue. Mum and Dad looked after the plants for over a year in a hot house Dad especially made to keep them flourishing in time for the wedding. Dad made the gorgeous display of Ivy in the chapel and designed and installed all the plant decorations in the marquee. Lewis and I designed all the stationery and signage and Dad printed and mounted the signs for us. Mum also made all the paper cones for the rose petals, put together the bonbonniere and organised the family photos on display. The florist used my late Grandmas preserving jars to display the table centrepieces in and we also used them as candle holders.
We were also lucky to have Lewis’ friend Miles as our DJ for the evening. We were so lucky that there were no restrictions on dancing in South Australia at the time. The dancefloor went off all night after our first dance and dancing the night away is one of my favourite memories of the wedding.
Ceremony + Reception: Woodburn Homestead | Videographer: Fragment Films | Photographer: Mike Hemus | Celebrant: Married by Ro | Entertainment: Bride and Groom + Family | Planner: Bride and Groom | Hire: Adelaide Hills Party Hire | Marquee: Adelaide Hills Party Hire | Flora: Fleur Social | Catering + Beverages: Cindy’s Classic Gourmet | Cake: Myrtle and Clay | Brides Attire: Prea James Bridal | Grooms Attire: MJ Bale jacket | Ring/s: Natalie Marie Jewellery | Brides Shoes: Loeffler Randall | Grooms Shoes: RM Williams | Brides Earrings: Mariam Seddiq | Brides ring and broach: Vintage family heirlooms | Makeup: Tiffany Smith | Hair: Tiffany Smith + Charlotte Powell | Fragrance: Libertine Parfumerie | Groomsman Attire: Gazman | Bridesmaids Attire: Kamperett + Kitri + Cooper Street
