Stacey + Regan by Sophie Isabella - Together Journal

Stacey —— We have a pretty chaotic and busy lifestyle. I run my own business as a makeup artist, working on over 140 weddings every season alongside my other kinds of clients. I also do a bit of content creation for brands and am part-owner of an online store, Soleil and Soul. Reg is ex-military, but now enjoys civilian life as a warehouse manager. We love travelling around and chasing the sun. I guess some would call us active relaxers.

We met over five years ago and hit it off straight away. Regan said in his vows that he knew I was the one when we had our first date — he pulled up next to me in the car, flipped me the bird and I laughed. From day one we have always had such a fun and real connection. I don’t think we’ve ever spent a day together not laughing.

Regan asked my mum for permission to propose to me which was really special, as she raised us on her own. He knew that would mean a lot to me and to Mum, too. He proposed to me on the Charming Creek Walkway, on the West Coast. He took us off track and we ended up right under a beautiful waterfall. It was magical.

Our wedding was meant to be in Byron Bay so the theme was going to be soft and coastal. Rattan was likely to feature. We’re both beachy people and my personal style is quite boho. Due to Covid, we postponed the Byron dream three times before we gave up and focused on local options. Orua Beach House ticked all the boxes. It’s such an incredible location.

My dress was pretty awesome. Working in the industry, I didn’t want a dress that was like something I saw every weekend. I’d seen a gown by one of my favourite labels Spell, and loved the lace but didn’t really love the style. I spoke to a local dressmaker about my vision and she made it happen. I purchased two Canyon Moon gowns from Spell (one in my size and another in an XL so we had lots of lace to play with) and Jeanette the magician whipped up my very own custom dress. It was truly perfect. As a lover of fashion I couldn’t resist doing something fun for my reception dress. That’s where Brooke Tyson came in and brought to life my vision for the dreamiest tulle, puff-sleeved, embroidered mini you ever did see. She absolutely nailed it.

Regan wore a really special pounamu that I had handcrafted by Matt Owens and gifted to him on our wedding day. Regan’s Dad passed away when he was younger and he grew up with a different family. The carving in the back of the pounamu is a ruru (morepork) which is his dad’s family name. I managed to contact his birth dad’s brother who blessed the stone. Now Regan will have a piece of his dad walking with him throughout the rest of our adventures together.