Rain clouds looming on the horizon can be a nightmare for any bride-to-be. But with all our styling and having our loved ones near, we were able to face even the threat of rain in confidence and style. From elegant umbrellas and thoughtfully styled sheltered spaces that offer protection from the elements, there were plenty of ways to make sure our special day isn’t ruined by rain. With black tie and couture fashion, we could enjoy a beautiful wedding no matter what mother nature had in store!
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
I am a vet on Sydney’s northern beaches. My hobby is theatre and playwriting. Nick is a financial planner and a golf fanatic.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
Nick and I went to schools that were next to each other and our social groups were similar. But we didn’t actually meet until after high school when I was introduced by my best friend. Nick was already seeing someone else at the time and we didn’t really have any particular connection at the time. Over the next few years we would occasionally see each other in general social settings and then one day Nick reached out and asked if I wanted dinner with him… I thought that was strange. I’d usually be the sort of person to say no but for some reason went along. After that, there was another year or so where we didn’t really see each other that often and then my friends set us up on an official date!
Was there a proposal? Tell us a little about it…
We were at Bundeena for the weekend with my family and in the afternoon thought it would be nice to go for a casual bush walk. My sister came for the walk as well. Just as we were getting ready to go I suggested that maybe we shouldn’t go and just relax at the house. My sister was very insistent on us going!
So we went for a bush walk to the cliffs at Bundeena. It was quite busy that afternoon with lots of people on the walking track. We got to an area on the cliffs with a beautiful view and Nick suggested we should stop to look at the view. We walked to an area where there weren’t many people around. Suddenly nick said that he had something that he wanted to ask me. I thought he was goofing around and simulating a proposal….until he put his hand in his pocket and presented a ring! Then I realised that it was real!
It was special for my sister to be there to share the moment and when we got back to the house, lo and behold, my family had a bottle of champagne waiting.
Tell us about the vision you had for the mood or style of your wedding.
Planning our wedding was an exciting process. It was also quite a personal one. There were endless possibilities for expressing our unique style. We were dreaming of a classic black-tie affair with a modern edgy vibe. We saw it as an opportunity to express our individual sensibilities through thoughtful details and creative touches. We were inspired by rich tones and textures. You can see this in the bridesmaid and brides-man outfits. The lighting and texture of the restaurant were complemented by the mood of the candles and the florals. Crafting this aesthetic to gather our friends and family was so much fun and it was important that we had perfectly captured imagery. We have such a deep love for our family that we wanted to create something so beautiful for them.
For the photos, it was important to find someone who understood our vision. When it came to capturing the beauty and elegance of our day, Brendan was everything we wanted. From the get-go, he had a natural eye for capturing the most authentic and intimate moments as they unfolded in real time. With his careful attention to detail and unique perspective on capturing light and colour, we were so confident having him there.
The entire event was so beautifully documented that I will never forget how special it was to be surrounded by friends and family while celebrating.
Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?
Rain clouds looming on the horizon can be a nightmare for any bride-to-be. But with all our styling and having our loved ones near, we were able to face even the threat of rain in confidence and style. From elegant umbrellas and thoughtfully styled sheltered spaces that offer protection from the elements, there were plenty of ways to make sure our special day isn’t ruined by rain. With black tie and couture fashion, we could enjoy a beautiful wedding no matter what mother nature had in store! The rain came and went a few times throughout the day but we just had the most amazing time.
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?
The world of fashion moves so fast – even bridal trends come and go faster than ever before. Our vision was to create unique and timeless ensembles that won’t age awkwardly as I look back on my images in the coming decades. For my bridal party, we went with classic yet edgy silhouettes with intricate details.
My gown: When choosing my gown it wasn’t just about looking good – it was about feeling good too. Toni Maticevski’s luxurious fabrics and high fashion designs are designed to make you look and feel your absolute best. His style is so effortless and has such confidence. It’s such a Sculptural gown. The fabric is folded under the left shoulder and gathered in the waist, forming a long and flattering line. I loved the delicate ruffling and the low-cut back. It was sophisticated and chic and brought all the details of my day together.
Ceremony + Reception Location: Circa 1876, @circa1876 / Photographer: Brendan Woods, @brendanwoodsphoto / Flora: Peonies Boutique Weddings, @peoniesboutiqueweddings / Bride’s Dress: Toni Maticevski, @toni_maticevski / Groom’s Attire: Suit Supply, @suitsupply / Shoes: Amina Muaddi, @aminamuaddiofficial / Bridesmaid + Groomsmen attire: Carla Zampatti, @carlazampatti
