By
Wedding date: 15th February 2019
Number of guests: 110
the proposal:
I had won a trip to Europe and of course took my beautiful boyfriend with me! All of my friends, colleagues, etc were saying “He’s definitely going to propose in Europe!” But I was convinced he already had a plan to propose to me at Christmas that year and was adamant that he hadn’t had the time to organise a ring anyway. As we were packing to leave I sneakily watched him and texted my girlfriends “Suitcase is packed, no ring in sight, you can all stop speculating now”.
While in Europe Jak set up his GoPro to take video/photos of us probably once a day. One night while in Santorini he (seemingly) spontaneously suggested we go to the iconic blue domes in Oia to watch the sunset before dinner. He was OBSESSED with getting this picture of us standing on this rooftop surrounded by the domes and the ocean, but it was completely blocked off and there was no access from anywhere. I was sick of it (read: Hangry) by this point and begged him to give up so we could go and eat. But he wouldn’t quit.
favourite detail.
I loved our Vintage Love Seat, ourPersian Rug dance floor, and absolutely loved the little picnics we set up for our guests for entrees.
dress/suit shopping experience.
I tried on about 50 dresses! I initially thought I knew exactly what I wanted, a fitted, body-hugging, all lace dress, backless, possibly with long sleeves, that I would wear with a flower crown. Ha! I ended up not loving any of the body-hugging dresses I tried. So on about my third dress hunting trip my sister and mum suggested I try something completely different. I really began to gravitate toward a full tulle skirt with a sheer boddess, so started to keep an eye out for “the one”.
One day an ad popped up on facebook. It was a quick video of a warehouse called Jullia Bridal, and it panned across a shop full of dresses. I paused the video and there was a blurry image of the dress that I had created in my head! I called my mum and she excitedly drove over with me. I tried it on and bought it two minutes later.
what does marriage mean to you?
For Jak and I, it’s a way to become each other’s family, in a really tangible and significant way. We talk about marriage as being the outward expression of an inward connection, something that gives us an even deeper feeling of being committed to, and here for each other in this life, no matter what may come.
classic stories.
We hired fancy portable toilets for the day, but didn’t realise the lights weren’t plugged in, so as the night went on and the guests drank more, they were trying to wee in these pitch dark toilets! Thankfully one of the bridesmaids partners noticed and quickly plugged the lights in!
As I said above; Jak’s comments at the beginning of our first dance ha!
Jak and I ran out of time to write speeches in the lead up to the big day. I quickly came up with one while getting my hair done the morning of... Jak, not so much. He decided to wing it, and, let’s just say, he should have written one! Hahah! He ended up going off on a tangent about cows and breastfeeding mothers, don’t ask! HA!
stand out vendors.
wedding songs
We walked down the aisle to 1000x by Jarryd James & Broods
Our recessional song was False Alarm by Matoma
And we did our first dance to Grow Old With You (from the Wedding Singer) performed by OrtoPilot, then went into a version of Let’s Stay Together performed by Craig David
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Number of guests: 110
Joy was working as a midwife and had decided to get a personal training qualification in order to advance her knowledge for herself and her clients. She was 22 and Jonathon (a.k.a Jak) was 25. One year into her course, when Joy was contemplating skipping a class one night after work. Her trainer explained that it was a really important session + that she shouldn't miss it even though there would be a different teacher taking the class.
"So I dragged myself to class. As I walked in, I saw a guy in the teacher uniform standing at the front of the room. He was a BABE! I took my seat and settled in to listen to him as he began to teach. Ten minutes later and I was captivated by him, the way he spoke, what he said, how he moved his hands when he spoke – I was smitten. I was saying to myself in my head “Stop it!! Concentrate! You have no time for boys right now!
"So I dragged myself to class. As I walked in, I saw a guy in the teacher uniform standing at the front of the room. He was a BABE! I took my seat and settled in to listen to him as he began to teach. Ten minutes later and I was captivated by him, the way he spoke, what he said, how he moved his hands when he spoke – I was smitten. I was saying to myself in my head “Stop it!! Concentrate! You have no time for boys right now!
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But I had never felt this taken by a stranger ever in my life. Three hours later and class was dismissed. I immediately texted a friend who also worked there, and asked him is Jak was single. He responded laughing and saying “He sure is! Why do you ask?”, to which I replied - “Oh just because I’ve decided I’m going to marry him”.
Of COURSE this guy went straight to Jak at work the next day and told him everything (Bro-Code! Ugh!) But to Joy's delight, this made Jak’s day, he loved the flattery of a marriage proposal from a girl he’d never spoken to. After a few days curiosity got the better of him. He found Joy on facebook + sent her a message, and they got along straight away. "We organised a quick coffee date (which happened to fall on Valentines Day), that quick date lasted for eight hours, and the rest is history. 3.5 years after that, Jak proposed.
Of COURSE this guy went straight to Jak at work the next day and told him everything (Bro-Code! Ugh!) But to Joy's delight, this made Jak’s day, he loved the flattery of a marriage proposal from a girl he’d never spoken to. After a few days curiosity got the better of him. He found Joy on facebook + sent her a message, and they got along straight away. "We organised a quick coffee date (which happened to fall on Valentines Day), that quick date lasted for eight hours, and the rest is history. 3.5 years after that, Jak proposed.
I had won a trip to Europe and of course took my beautiful boyfriend with me! All of my friends, colleagues, etc were saying “He’s definitely going to propose in Europe!” But I was convinced he already had a plan to propose to me at Christmas that year and was adamant that he hadn’t had the time to organise a ring anyway. As we were packing to leave I sneakily watched him and texted my girlfriends “Suitcase is packed, no ring in sight, you can all stop speculating now”.
While in Europe Jak set up his GoPro to take video/photos of us probably once a day. One night while in Santorini he (seemingly) spontaneously suggested we go to the iconic blue domes in Oia to watch the sunset before dinner. He was OBSESSED with getting this picture of us standing on this rooftop surrounded by the domes and the ocean, but it was completely blocked off and there was no access from anywhere. I was sick of it (read: Hangry) by this point and begged him to give up so we could go and eat. But he wouldn’t quit.
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He got us to jump fences, and climb over roofs, and even run through a little old Greek couples' dinner on their balcony. Eventually he was satisfied and he went to set up his GoPro. I thought I saw a box in his pocket while he was bending down setting up the camera and my heart was going a million miles an hour.... and then he stood up I saw it was just his wallet. I completely relaxed at that point. He walked over to me, I helped him get up onto the rooftop next to me and then in a massive blur, he kissed me, got down on one knee, and (from the OTHER pocket) pulled out a big box with the most beautiful ring and asked me to marry him!
What led you to decide on your Wedding venue?
As soon as we walked around Karrawingi Park we knew it was PERFECT! An ex-apple orchard, now eight acres of grassland, lakes, willow trees, oak trees and more. The day we saw it the sunlight coming off the lakes made all of the greenery just sparkle.
What led you to decide on your Wedding venue?
As soon as we walked around Karrawingi Park we knew it was PERFECT! An ex-apple orchard, now eight acres of grassland, lakes, willow trees, oak trees and more. The day we saw it the sunlight coming off the lakes made all of the greenery just sparkle.
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theme inspiration.
We had this vision for a summery, outdoor party, kind of vibe. We love summer and had always thought we’d have a beach wedding, but started to lean more toward a boho, relaxed, garden party.
favourite moment/s.
Our first dance! We were just so in love and so wrapped up in each other in that moment. Even though the first few moments Jak said he couldn’t stop looking at my boobs, and then asked me what song we were dancing to again!
Getting ready with our friends in the morning was also so much fun! We all just laughed all day.
We had this vision for a summery, outdoor party, kind of vibe. We love summer and had always thought we’d have a beach wedding, but started to lean more toward a boho, relaxed, garden party.
favourite moment/s.
Our first dance! We were just so in love and so wrapped up in each other in that moment. Even though the first few moments Jak said he couldn’t stop looking at my boobs, and then asked me what song we were dancing to again!
Getting ready with our friends in the morning was also so much fun! We all just laughed all day.
I loved our Vintage Love Seat, ourPersian Rug dance floor, and absolutely loved the little picnics we set up for our guests for entrees.
dress/suit shopping experience.
I tried on about 50 dresses! I initially thought I knew exactly what I wanted, a fitted, body-hugging, all lace dress, backless, possibly with long sleeves, that I would wear with a flower crown. Ha! I ended up not loving any of the body-hugging dresses I tried. So on about my third dress hunting trip my sister and mum suggested I try something completely different. I really began to gravitate toward a full tulle skirt with a sheer boddess, so started to keep an eye out for “the one”.
One day an ad popped up on facebook. It was a quick video of a warehouse called Jullia Bridal, and it panned across a shop full of dresses. I paused the video and there was a blurry image of the dress that I had created in my head! I called my mum and she excitedly drove over with me. I tried it on and bought it two minutes later.
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what does marriage mean to you?
For Jak and I, it’s a way to become each other’s family, in a really tangible and significant way. We talk about marriage as being the outward expression of an inward connection, something that gives us an even deeper feeling of being committed to, and here for each other in this life, no matter what may come.
We hired fancy portable toilets for the day, but didn’t realise the lights weren’t plugged in, so as the night went on and the guests drank more, they were trying to wee in these pitch dark toilets! Thankfully one of the bridesmaids partners noticed and quickly plugged the lights in!
As I said above; Jak’s comments at the beginning of our first dance ha!
Jak and I ran out of time to write speeches in the lead up to the big day. I quickly came up with one while getting my hair done the morning of... Jak, not so much. He decided to wing it, and, let’s just say, he should have written one! Hahah! He ended up going off on a tangent about cows and breastfeeding mothers, don’t ask! HA!
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advice.
Hire an event coordinator! That is our biggest regret of the day. We should have hired someone to ensure vendors set up the day before, and pack down the day after went smoothly. And also to be there on the day to coordinate guests, vendors, bridal party etc.
Hire an event coordinator! That is our biggest regret of the day. We should have hired someone to ensure vendors set up the day before, and pack down the day after went smoothly. And also to be there on the day to coordinate guests, vendors, bridal party etc.
I found myself frequently having to leave the party to organise/advise/assist throughout the night. So definitely hire someone who is not a guest, whose entire job it is to make sure you get to fully enjoy this night that you’ve planned.
Every single vendor was AMAZING but I’ll highlight a few.
Our venue owners Doug and Aileen! They were just so kind, so willing, so caring! We are both so grateful for this wonderful couple. They helped us set up the day before the wedding, Doug on his ride on mower pulling out the longest extension cords in the world, both just so lovely and invested in us!
Dani Cousens - our make up artist. She brought so much vibrance and joy to our morning, but also just absolutely nailed everyone’s make up.
Hailey Birch of One Spoon Two Spoon photography. She made us feel so loved, comfortable and the way she captured our day, I honestly could never thank her enough. Her work is phenomenal.
Nik & Daniel Music. These guys were our DJs and MCs and they raised the vibe of the whole night! They brought lights and smoke machines and just partied with us all night. Such a brilliant addition to our day.
Our venue owners Doug and Aileen! They were just so kind, so willing, so caring! We are both so grateful for this wonderful couple. They helped us set up the day before the wedding, Doug on his ride on mower pulling out the longest extension cords in the world, both just so lovely and invested in us!
Dani Cousens - our make up artist. She brought so much vibrance and joy to our morning, but also just absolutely nailed everyone’s make up.
Hailey Birch of One Spoon Two Spoon photography. She made us feel so loved, comfortable and the way she captured our day, I honestly could never thank her enough. Her work is phenomenal.
Nik & Daniel Music. These guys were our DJs and MCs and they raised the vibe of the whole night! They brought lights and smoke machines and just partied with us all night. Such a brilliant addition to our day.
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Our recessional song was False Alarm by Matoma
And we did our first dance to Grow Old With You (from the Wedding Singer) performed by OrtoPilot, then went into a version of Let’s Stay Together performed by Craig David
Venue Karrawingi Park @karrawingipark Moorooduc
Photographer One Spoon Two Spoon @onespoontwospoon
Videographer Sash Gavrilovic Apertura @apertura_wedding_films
Dress Jullia Bridal @julliabridal
Dress Revamp Dressmaking & Such @dressmaking.and.such
Groom/ Groomsmen Arthur Galan AG @arthurgalang
Hair Image Hair by Amy Monty @imagehairbyamymonty
Make Up Dani Cousens Make Up Artist @makeupby.dani
Furniture Hire/Lawn Games/Lighting/Some rugs/Seating/Tables
One Big Day Event Hire @onebigdayeventhire
Other Rugs/Some cushions A Day to Remember Event Hire @a_day_to_remember_event_hire
Ceremony Arch Dia’s Party Hire and Events @dias_events
Silk Flowers Desflora @desflora_flowers
Rings Janai Jewellery @janaijewellery
Bar and Bar Staff Barz Covered @barzcovered
DJ/MC Nik & Daniel Music @nikanddanielmusic
Celebrant Love Lee Ceremonies @_loveleeceremonies
Toilet Hire Privy the Pretty @privythepretty
Glass Hire & Alchohol Ritchie’s IGA Somerville
Food/Picnics/CakeCrockery/Cutlery/Signs
DIY/Family/Friends
