Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
SW- I work at primary school as a learning support worker, I love my job and have a passion for helping kids. I also love to run long distance and we both have a big passion for travelling. Daniel is a high school maths teacher and loves working with kids. He loves to surf and snowboard in his free time.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
SW- We met in Whistler Canada BC in 2015 I thought Daniel was a spunk and very tall. I never imagined I would end up dating him a year later. It was not till I came back to Canada a year later newly single that Daniel walked into the bar I worked at and complemented my new haircut. A couple days later we were at Moe Joes night club and If I’m being honest, I had a few to many. Daniel being the gentlemen he is picked me up when I fell off the stage. After that night we saw each other pretty much every day and we went on the most magical adventures all around whistler. We both felt instantly at home with each other and moved back home to Australia together a year later.
When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?
SW- When his beautiful family came to visit after six months of us dating. I saw how close he was with his family, and I instantly thought how I couldn’t wait to have a family with him one day like the one his parents had raised. Also, when Daniel said I love you it sent shivers through my body like no feeling I had ever had with anyone else.
Was there a proposal? Tell us a little about it…
SW- Yes there was Daniel managed to get it all on film, he said we were going on a adventure and I thought it was a bit suspicious cause he kept mentioning this hike. Anyway, the morning came I thought nothing of it we went the bone yard at Kiama which is so beautiful looking out to the ocean. Daniel said he was taking a photo of me and set up the camera. We sat there snuggling for a bit watching the ocean and I said wow your heart is beating so fast are you okay, not knowing he was about to propose. We then got up to leave it was then when Daniel said I need to tie up my shoelace I thought hold on a second and then turned around to find him tying up his shoelace. I then heard hey Sami and there he was holding the ring on one knee. He then said Samantha Anne Wood will you marry me.
Tell us about the vision you had for the mood or style of your wedding…
SW- Daniel and I wanted our wedding to be fun and very chill the most important thing for us was having all our family and friends there. Most of our vendors including florist, hair etc were friends of ours which was important to us. I trusted them a lot and only gave a very vague idea of what I wanted. They created my dream wedding and when I walked into the reception I cried because the flowers were so beautiful and to see it all come together was a true fairytale.
The most important thing for us was that we got to get married in front of our family and friends and celebrate with them that meant the world. All the extras were just such a bonus.
What was one element you were happy to splurge on?
I was so happy to splurge on my dress I left myself a big budget for it but it turned out my best friend found the perfect dress on sale. Due to covid I could not try any dress’s on so online was my only option. When I received my dress, I was in love it was perfect. It meant that I could splurge on all my hens outfits and accessories instead.
Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?
It was bucketing rain on the way to the outside ceremony with not undercover area I was trying to not have a panic attack. As soon as I saw my to be husband standing with an umbrella at the end of the isle nothing else mattered cause I knew no matter what I was going to marry the man of my dreams today.
The rain made the ceremony more magical than I could have ever imagined all our guests hiding under umbrellas and our amazing celebrant trying to not get blown away from the wind. When Gloria (celebrant) asked Samantha do you take Daniel my step mums umbrella flipped inside out due to the wind all the guests laughed so much.
I went to say my vows and could not stop shaking because I was so cold it was then that Daniel gave me his suit jacket so I could hold my vows without shaking. A few awws cam from the guests and It was one of my favourite moments wearing my to be husbands suit jacket standing under umbrella whilst saying my vows.
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?
SW- My bests friend saw this spell wedding dress online she called me and said you must get it looks like you in a dress. I was not sure at first and due to covid I had to buy a dress online before I ran out of time. When I received the dress and put it on it was everything, I ever imagined my wedding dress to be, low back, thin straps, lace and halter neck. It was perfect and the best thing was it only cost $350 which I still can’t believe! Daniel wore on the day his dads wedding ring and still does to this day which meant so much to him and us both.
Ceremony location: Rhododendron Gardens / Reception location: All Accor / Photographer: Gillian Keough Photography / Celebrant: Married By Gloria / Entertainment: We Play Records / Styling + Flora: Bloomson Darby / Hire: Sweet As Celebrations / Brides Attire: Spell / Grooms Attire: Alexandar Michaels / Ring/s: Michael Hill / Shoes: Senso / Makeup: The Makeup Collective / Hair: The Mane Base / Fragrance: Giorgio Armani
