Rebekah + David by Zoë Morley

We wanted the day to feel elegant and timeless.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

David and I are quite different in nature, which has always been part of what makes us work so well. I tend to be more detail-oriented and sentimental, while David is naturally calm and grounded. Together, we balance each other in a way that feels both supportive and effortless, and we’re always striving to better understand one another’s perspective. In our day-to-day lives, we’re drawn to simple things like slow weekend mornings, dancing in the kitchen while we cook, time with our friends and family, and evenings curled up on the couch with a glass of wine, talking about our goals and what we want our future to look like. We both value creating a life that feels considered but not overly complicated, where there’s space to enjoy the moment rather than rush through it. We’ve always shared a love for experiences, particularly travelling, which has been a defining part of our relationship. Spending time throughout Africa was especially meaningful for us and continues to shape how we see the world and the life we’re building together. It was also where we realised we wanted to marry each other. At the centre of everything, we share a similar outlook on what truly matters, which has made building a life together feel very natural. We’re both quite future-focused and love working towards our goals as a team, but equally, we value the small, everyday moments. At the end of the day, we just genuinely enjoy being together and even the most ordinary days feel special.

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

We met in the winter of 2021, during one of those strange periods where life still felt shaped by lockdowns and restrictions. After a few weeks of talking, we arranged to meet for a walk from the Spit to Manly. The date almost didn’t happen after I postponed it at the last minute, but David couldn’t have been more understanding and happily agreed to meet the following day. Looking back, it feels fitting that our story began on the Spit to Manly track, a place that would later become part of our proposal story as well. I remember spotting David before he saw me and immediately recognising his smile. From the moment we started talking, everything felt easy. We walked for hours, and by the end of the date it felt less like meeting someone new and more like reconnecting with someone I’d known for years. I was especially drawn to David’s warmth, sense of humour and adventurous spirit. I had always been fascinated by South Africa, so I loved hearing about the place he called home. More than anything though, I was struck by his kindness and how genuinely interested he was in the people around him. David later told me his first impression was that I was “as cute as my photos”, but what stood out to him most was how easy the conversation felt. By the end of the walk, he knew he wanted to see me again. Looking back, we both felt an immediate sense of familiarity, and what began as a simple walk became the beginning of something very special.

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).

From the beginning, we were drawn to a timeless aesthetic rather than something trend-driven, and that became the guiding principle behind every decision we made. We wanted the day to feel elegant and timeless, with every detail contributing to a cohesive visual story. Terrara House itself was such a beautiful setting that we felt it was important to let the venue and its gardens take centre stage. Rather than overwhelming the space, we chose florals that complemented the surroundings, using a palette of soft greens, whites and blush pinks that reflected the freshness of spring while still feeling warm and romantic. For the ceremony, we were drawn to softer, more organic floral arrangements, with blooms cascading from curved plinths to create a romantic and effortless feel. We paired these with dark timber chairs, which added depth and warmth against the garden backdrop. The bridesmaids’ and flower girl dresses introduced much of the colour story, so we kept the floral palette soft and refined. One detail I particularly loved was that each bridesmaid carried a bouquet featuring a single flower variety, while my bouquet incorporated each of theirs. Throughout the reception, neutral linens, tealights, fresh florals and custom stationery featuring soft green striped detailing brought the look together. We chose to hold the reception in the marquee, which allowed the focus to shift to Terrara House itself as evening fell. Seeing the house illuminated after sunset created a striking backdrop and added to the romantic atmosphere. More than anything, we wanted the celebration to feel refined, romantic and effortlessly cohesive.

What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

One of my favourite parts of the planning process was being involved in all of the details. From the beginning, we had a very clear vision for how we wanted the day to feel, and I loved seeing each decision contribute to bringing that vision to life. Rather than viewing the wedding as a single event, we tried to enjoy every part of the journey. Some of our favourite memories from the planning process were sharing wine tastings with friends and family, revisiting the venue with loved ones, and making each decision feel like an experience in itself. My biggest piece of advice would be to start with a clear vision. Whether it’s a mood board, Pinterest board or PowerPoint presentation, having a strong sense of how you want the day to feel makes every decision easier. We found it helpful to come back to that vision whenever we were choosing between options and ask ourselves whether it truly fit the overall story we were trying to create. Most importantly, choose things because they feel like you rather than because they’re trending. Trends come and go, but the most timeless weddings are the ones that reflect the couple. We also trusted our vendors completely, which made the entire process feel relaxed and enjoyable. Above all, have fun with it. You only get to plan your wedding once, and there are so many special moments to enjoy along the way.

Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?

It would be impossible to choose just one standout supplier, but there were a few who played such an important role in bringing the day to life. Beyond the beauty of Terrara House itself, the team was exceptional. From our welcome event through to the wedding day and farewell breakfast, every detail was handled seamlessly. Their communication, organisation and professionalism gave us complete confidence throughout the planning process and allowed us to be fully present and enjoy the experience. The White Top Venues team played an equally important role in bringing our vision to life. We worked closely with them throughout the planning process, and from the beginning they understood exactly what we were trying to create. They translated that vision beautifully through the florals and styling, ensuring every detail felt thoughtful, intentional and cohesive. Seeing everything come together on the day exceeded every expectation. Our photographer, Zoe Morley, was incredible. She made us feel completely comfortable in front of the camera and captured the day so naturally. What we love most is that the images do more than document the day; they transport us back to those moments and all the emotions that came with them. Our hair and makeup artists, Airlie & Co., also deserve a special mention. One of the most important things to me was that everyone still felt like themselves and that the makeup remained natural, which they understood from the very beginning. Each bridesmaid wore a different coloured dress, so I wanted their hairstyles to reflect their individual look while still feeling cohesive as a group. They executed the brief perfectly, and somehow managed to strike the balance between polished and natural. Everyone looked beautiful, but more importantly, everyone still looked like themselves.

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?

For both of us, it was important that our outfits felt timeless and completely true to who we are. We wanted to look like the best versions of ourselves rather than following a particular trend. My main gown was the Wharton dress by KYHA, and it was only the third dress I tried on. The moment I put it on, I knew it was the one. I loved the simplicity of it. The square neckline, low back and soft A-line silhouette felt classic, elegant and effortlessly beautiful. I have always been drawn to a timeless aesthetic and wanted to channel a modern Audrey Hepburn feel. The dress was altered to refine the fit, shorten the train and make a subtle adjustment to the front hem, which kept it feeling classic while adding a slightly more contemporary edge. My veil featured delicate appliqué flowers, which felt like a subtle nod to spring, and I paired it with pearl stud earrings and simple white heels. I also wore three small pearls in my bun, which became more visible later in the evening and gave my reception look a slightly different feel. For the reception, I changed into the Goldie dress by Grace Loves Lace. With its high neckline, dramatic low back and elegant split, it felt like the perfect complement to my main gown. It was a little more playful and easier to dance in, while still carrying through the same timeless simplicity. David wore a classic black tuxedo, which complemented the overall aesthetic perfectly. More than anything, we wanted to feel like ourselves, just a slightly elevated version.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

For my engagement ring, I wanted something that felt distinct from the traditional diamond, refined and timeless. I’ve always been drawn to blue and green tones, particularly Australian Sapphires, so it felt very natural for this to become the statement of the ring. The stone is oval cut, set in a white gold claw setting designed to allow enough space for my wedding band to sit seamlessly alongside it, which was important to me from the beginning. All of our rings were designed by a local jeweller on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, which made the process feel even more personal. My wedding band is a delicate eternity band, set with round brilliant diamonds in a shared prong setting. I loved the contrast between the softness of the oval sapphire and the classic sparkle of the band. It felt timeless, but still personal. For David, his ring was inspired by something deeply familiar. He has always loved his dad’s wedding band, so he chose a similar style in yellow gold with softly curved edges, which felt especially meaningful. A detail that feels particularly special to both of us is the engraving inside our rings. We each have the other’s name written within them; a quiet way of carrying each other with us every day.

What were 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?).

The two elements we were happiest to invest a little more in were the venue and photography. From the moment we first visited Terrara House, we knew it was something special. The sweeping lawns, manicured gardens and historic house create an incredible sense of occasion, but what drew us in most was the opportunity to create an entire wedding weekend rather than a single day. We welcomed our guests the night before in Chester’s, held our ceremony on the front lawn, and celebrated the reception in the marquee. Having our closest family and friends stay on the property meant we could slow down and spend meaningful time together across the entire celebration. Every space felt considered, beautiful and connected, while the team behind the venue gave us complete confidence that everything would be taken care of, allowing us to be fully present and enjoy every moment. Photography was equally important to us. We wanted images that felt natural, genuine and reflective of who we are, capturing not only the big moments but the quiet ones in between. Rather than feeling staged, we wanted the photographs to tell the story of the day exactly as it unfolded. Looking back now, they have become some of our most treasured keepsakes. They don’t just show us how the day looked; they transport us back to how it felt – the excitement, the joy and all the emotion of being surrounded by the people we love most.

Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?

There were so many moments throughout the day that felt incredibly special, and that we will remember forever. Of course, there were the obvious ones – seeing each other for the first time as I walked down the aisle, exchanging our vows, and our first dance – but there were also quieter moments that meant just as much. One of those was just after the ceremony, when we stepped away and shared a quiet champagne together on the balcony while our guests enjoyed cocktail hour. Popping the bottle and having that private moment to celebrate felt so special. It gave us a chance to pause, take everything in, and talk about our day in the lead-up to the ceremony. It was also so lovely to look out and see all of our guests there celebrating with us. It felt like a rare moment where everything slowed down, and we could simply be together. Another moment that stands out was just before we entered the reception. As our entrance music started playing, we had a private dance together while waiting to go in. Hearing everyone clapping and cheering in anticipation made it feel so exciting.

What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?

For us, marriage is about choosing each other every day. It’s not about perfection, but about showing up for one another through both the easy and the more challenging moments. It’s a commitment to grow together, while still allowing space to evolve as individuals, something that has always been important to us. At the heart of it, we simply love being together. No matter what, we laugh together and are best friends. We’ve also always made time to dream about the future together, whether that’s planning our next adventure or mapping out the goals we’d like to achieve as a team.