Married life hasn’t really changed us. We’ve been each other’s family for nearly a decade, so have found our groove. We know how lucky we are.
Scott is an electrician and I’m a high school teacher. We met at a barbecue in January 2010, bumped into each other over the next two years, and finally started dating after a fateful New Year’s Eve.
Scott is the master of grand gestures so the proposal was beautifully planned. After a family holiday in the Northern Territory, we flew to Singapore for a few days together. I love art and architecture so had a long checklist of locations for us to visit. There was a brightly coloured building in Little India that I really wanted to see, so we caught the bus across town. When we finally found the building, it was in a derelict area with rubbish everywhere from a nearby market. Disappointed, we quickly snapped some pictures and left. We started to head back to the hotel, but Scott hesitated and asked me to go back and take a few more photographs. I had my heart set on a cocktail by the pool so told him that I was heading back to the bus. In a last desperate effort, he took my hand and dragged me towards the building, with me complaining the whole way. Suddenly he got down on one knee, pulled out a beautiful ring and proposed. I was so shocked, and horrified by my diva attitude in the lead-up to this sweet moment, that I burst into tears. I don’t know how long we stood there hugging and laughing.
Scott had planned the proposal to be in that location for months but nearly lost his nerve when it wasn’t as picturesque as planned. He eventually decided he just couldn’t carry the ring around any longer. It was stressing him out! It was such a funny, unexpected day and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
We looked at a few different venues, but nothing felt right. After two years of procrastinating, we were inspired by some friends who used The Elopement Collective to hold a private ceremony. We booked our own secret elopement for April 2020, but the pandemic meant we had to postpone it until August.
After months of uncertainty, we were just so happy to be together. Our day was relaxed and luxurious. The venue was perfect. Our outfits were very low-key. I bought my dress on sale online, without even trying it on. It was elegant and made from beautiful fabric. Scott chose a green linen suit. We had most of the day to enjoy each other’s company. We had a lovely breakfast together and went for a walk on the beach. We just did things at our own pace, like signing our marriage certificate while I was still in my pyjamas with my makeup artist as a witness! Married life hasn’t really changed us. We’ve been each other’s family for nearly a decade, so have found our groove. We know how lucky we are.
photographer Tessa Shannon / bride’s outfit Aje / groom’s outfit M.J Bale / planner The Elopement Collective / ceremony location Cabarita Headland, NSW reception location Halcyon House / celebrant Josh Withers / catering Paper Daisy at Halcyon House / rings Lannah Dunn Fine Jewellery / jewellery & accessories Christie Nicolaides, Bailey Nelson / flora Fifth Avenue Florist / groom’s shoes R.M.Williams / bride’s shoes Billini Shoes / makeup Mia Connor
