Sarah + Adam by Finch & Oak

“I spent months looking for the right earrings and finally found the perfect ones in the Gucci store when we were buying Ad’s shoes, but after splurging on my dress I decided to buy some cheaper options. On the morning of our wedding, I opened a gift from Adam and it was my perfect earrings.”

Adam ——We first met at the age of 15 and dated for a couple of years until the end of high school. A few years later, in our early 20s, we happened to catch the same bus on the way to university and started talking again. It was almost like meeting a new person.

Sarah ——As a teenager, I just thought Adam was the coolest guy ever in his incredibly tight jeans and Nike Dunks. The second time we met, I felt a hit of nostalgia and wanted to find out who he was now (and what had happened to those skinny jeans). I was really nervous to talk to him. Luckily, he started the conversation. Adam ——I was pretty certain when we met again that Sarah was the one for me. Everything felt right. Sarah ——I think I also knew when we got back together that it was going to be for the long haul.

One Christmas Eve, Adam planned a surprise getaway for us at the Calile Hotel. When we got there, all I wanted to do was go down to the pool, so he had to get the proposal done right away, which made him a bit flustered. He’d snuck in the ring in a Christmas-themed Chinese take-out box but in the moment, he panicked and handed me the whole thing, soI was a bit confused. We’d been together for seven years at that point so it was funny and very cute to see Adam nervous. Adam ——I thought I had everything planned out perfectly, but it turned into a slightly awkward gift-giving ceremony. It made for a good story though.

Sarah ——Our vision for the wedding was modern, minimalist and romantic. We got married where we got engaged, at the Calile Hotel. It was such a beautiful backdrop that it influenced a lot of our choices. We used mostly muted tones and gold. I’m a graphic designer and I designed our invites, website, stationery and signs, so I was able to customise everything.

I had a really clear picture of my dream dress, to the point where I didn’t think I would ever find it, so when I found it on my first appointment, my budget went out the window. It fit like a glove and I have no regrets. Adam wore his great grandfather’s cufflinks, a nice way for him to be part of our wedding.

I spent months looking for the right earrings and finally found the perfect ones in the Gucci store when we were buying Ad’s shoes, but after splurging on my dress I decided to buy some cheaper options. On the morning of our wedding, I opened a gift from Adam and it was my perfect earrings.

There are a few things we laugh about in hindsight. We had to reschedule the day due to Brisbane going into lockdown, but our flowers had already been ordered so we ended up with a house full of blooms. (We made the best of it and dropped off bouquets to our friends and families.) Then when the new date came around, my brothers were late as we’d changed the time and they had the old invitation, so Adam was waiting at the altar for a while. Also, our dog tried to run away into the pool.

Photographer: Finch & Oak, @paulbamford / Venue, Catering + Accomodation: The Calile Hotel,@thecalilehotel / Planner: Kate Redgen at The Calile Hotel @roamingredgen / Brides attire:Erin Clare Bridal, @erinclarebridal found at White Lily Couture, @whitelilycouture / Grooms Suit: Black Jacket Suiting, @blackjacketsuiting / Veil: When Freddie met Lilly, @whenfreddiemetlilly / Brides Shoes: Kurt Geiger,@kurtgeiger / Flora: Kate Dawes Flower Design, @katedawesflowerdesign / Brides earrings: Gucci, @gucci/ Rings: A.G Designer Jeweller, @agdesignerjeweller / Brides Fragrance: Daisy Loveby Marc Jacobs, @marcjacobsfragrances / Grooms fragrance: Hero by Burberryau, @burberry / Grooms Shoes: Gucci, @gucci / Grooms Cufflinks: Vintage from his greatgrandfather / Videographer: Requelle Aiken Weddings,@requelleaiken_weddings / Makeup: Taylor Kimler, @taylorkmakeup / Hair: Jody Callan, @jodycallanhair / Bridesmaids attire: Shona Joy, @shonajoy / Groomsmen attire: Black Jacket Suiting, @blackjacketsuiting / Celebrant: That Celebrant Guy, @thtcelebrantguy / Singer: Sahara Beck, @saharabeck / Cake: Hansel & Gretel Cakes, @hanselandgretelcakes / Gifting:Wishing well / Stationery: Bride, Sarah Rubie (nee Pattison) / Pet minding: Little Paws Brisbane, @littlepawsbrisbane