We wanted our wedding to have a summer garden party style.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
I’m Laurel and I’m from Sydney, Australia. I am a registered nurse working in emergency, and Isaac is originally from Wagga Wagga (a country town in NSW) and is an architect. We both currently live in Sydney and during our time off together we share a love for spending time at the beach, if being a beach bum was a job we’d both be professionals. Other than getting everything we own sandy, we love travelling, reading and being active.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
We met in a hotel called Sofitel Sydney Wentworth in 2017; we were both working in the bar there. I was a waitress, and Isaac was a bartender. The first time we ever met Isaac was quiet and reserved because a girl just broke his heart- little did he know he just met his future wife.
The first time Isaac met me, he said he was awestruck. He didn’t believe I would be interested in a country boy like him!
We were originally friends and then quickly came to realise we had a thing for each other. It took Isaac eight months to FINALLY ask me out on a date. Isaac always says he “wasn’t sure” if I was into him when I was so obviously flirting with him. We went to outdoor movies and had a picnic for our first date. Laurel was 19 and Isaac 20- babies!
When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?
I was pretty certain from that first date I would marry him- so now Isaac can never argue I wasn’t right. But once we started dating, it didn’t take long to know. Within weeks, it was clear our connection was something rare. Life without each other quickly became unimaginable. We have so much fun together and really are best friends, which makes spending the rest of our lives together feel like far too short of a time!
Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes etc.).
We wanted our wedding to have a summer garden party style, leaning into the Byron Bay summer and taking advantage of the simple elegance and whimsical aesthetic of Mother Nature.
For the florals, I told our amazing florist I wanted soft pops of colours and to incorporate lots of greenery, which assisted in centring the existing beauty of the Fig Tree ceremony space. She nailed the brief and it looked insane on the day.
The styling elements, the sunshine and the bridesmaid dresses tied in the theme and everything together felt seamless to create that beautiful summer garden style.
What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).
We LOVED our Tommy’s margarita tower; all the guests loved the idea. It really set the vibe for the night (lots of margies and fun), and I loved how it was different to the traditional champagne tower, and also, who doesn’t love a marg?
The venue already had so much natural charm it anchored everything together; less was more at the Fig Tree, as there is already so much natural beauty!
What did you enjoy most about the planning process and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?
Our favourite part of planning was our trips up to Byron for wedding planning – it was definitely an excuse to have more mini holidays up there. We already loved Byron but now being married there makes it even more special.
Isaac and I are both very relaxed people (almost a bit too chill), so we really loved having a wedding planner to assist us and keep us on track. I would highly recommend a planner if you aren’t naturally an organised person!!
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?
I wore Chosen by Kyah Jerri gown for the ceremony, I had this dress pinned for a few years and always thought it could be the one. When I put it on I knew instantly it was the dress I would be wearing. I loved how timeless and classic the dress was. I then got changed into Prea James, the Penelope Corset and Sadie Skirt for the reception. I loved having two outfits because when else is it acceptable to wear two gorgeous dresses in one night?!
Isaac wore an Oscar Hunt tuxedo, he loved the traditional look of a tux that looked and felt luxurious. We went with a lighter fabric choice for the tux as we got married in Byron Bay Summer.
What was one, or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).
Photography, videography and venue. I think it’s so worth spending the money on the people who are capturing your day, as these are the photos you will look back on for the rest of your life! We were so blessed to choose such an amazing team to capture the day, they made us feel so comfortable and were able to have a good laugh with. This shows up in the amazing photos and videos we got! It was everything we envisioned and more.
I think it’s also worth spending on the venue, since I was 14 I always wanted to get married at Fig Tree. Walking down the aisle there was a full circle moment! Choosing a venue that is so naturally beautiful made for very easy styling and the team were incredible and made the day run so smoothly.
Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?
Isaac and I both messed up the legal part of our vows at the ceremony; I called him Peter (his middle name), and Isaac called me his wedded Husband. We both had to say the legal segment again. It got a lot of laughs from us and the guests, and honestly, it added to the ceremony and was iconic. We BOTH did it- truly made for each other.
BRIDE Laurel Anderson, @laurelridley GROOM Isaac Anderson, @isaac.anderson1 VENUE Fig Tree Restaurant, Byron Bay, Australia, @figtreerestaurant PHOTOGRAPHER Konrad of Tropical Romance, @tropical.romance VIDEOGRAPHER Fly On The Wall Films, @flyonthewallfilms CONTENT CREATION All For Luv Creative, @allforluvcreative STYLIST The Sea Salter, @the.seasalter; The Wedding Shed, @theweddingshed PLANNER Sophie of Byron Bay Weddings, @byronbayweddings FLORIST Fontana Floral, @fontanafloral CELEBRANT Benjamin Carlyle, @bc_celebrant ENTERTAINMENT Niall Lochhead, @niall.lochhead.music HIRE The Wedding Shed, @theweddingshed CATERING Fig Tree Restaurant, @figtreerestaurant CAKE Éclair at The Bay, @eclair.at.the.bay STATIONERY & SIGNAGE The Sea Salter, @the.seasalter RINGS Louise Jean Jewellery, @louisejeanjewellery BRIDE’S GETTING READY OUTFIT Kat The Label, @kat_thelabel BRIDE’S WEDDING DRESS Jerri Gown – Chosen by Kyha, @chosenbykyha BRIDE’S RECEPTION DRESS Prea James, @preajames_bridal BRIDE’S SHOE Christy Ng BRIDE’S ACCESSORIES Sarah and Sebastian, @sarahandsebastian; Alana Maria, @alanamariajewellery; Saint Valentine Jewellery, @saint_valentine_jewellery MAKEUP Imogen Ovijach, @imogenovijachmakeup HAIR Amy Spry, @amyspryhair BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Flora Gorgeous Orchid – Gucci, @gucci SUIT Oscar Hunt, @oscarhunttailors GROOM’S SHOE Julius Marlow, @juliusmarlow GROOM’S FRAGRANCE YSL, @yslbeauty BRIDESMAIDS GETTING READY OUTFIT Kat The Label, @kat_thelabel BRIDESMAIDS DRESS Shona Joy, @shonajoy
