By 
Ryan and I met at an Australia Day barbecue in Perth, but it wasn’t until I moved down to Melbourne a couple of years later that we really got to know each other. He became my designated tour guide for my first couple of months in town. Then my best friend. And within a year we were dating. You can see from the photos where we’ve gotten to from there. Ryan proposed to me at Yosemite National Park. We had summited Mono Pass Trail and were taking a rest after hiking to 3000m. I don’t know if it was the altitude or his nerves but, short of breath, Ryan proposed. He’d hidden the ring inside one
of his camera cases the whole trek. It was incredible, we had the mountains to ourselves and watched the clouds pass over the peaks together as an engaged couple.
At 13C, the day was far from the summery wedding we’d hoped for. But it didn’t rain and the barn was kept cosy with fire pits dotted around. The toi tois were in season and the arrangement of the autumn colours came together to form a wedding that felt like a natural and authentic reflection of us. The sun came out just as the ceremony started and set the romantic tone for the rest of the night.
My dress had a plunging V neckline both front and back and was made from this gorgeous satin material that spilled off my hips. A perfect pairing with the peaks of rose gold in my earrings and shoe straps. We both wanted to look back years from now at our wedding photos and still be proud of the authentic styles we chose. Ryan’s slim fitted tuxedo and white pocket square was timeless and a perfect pairing to an elegant dress.
We both loved the ceremony and are still on cloud nine. With the ambience of the night and everyone there, it just felt like magic. The six-piece Jazz band we found from out of town without ever hearing them live, were a highlight of the night. All guests young and old were up and dancing so the risk definitely paid off!
THE DETAILS
BRIDE’S GOWN Calèche, Australia. BRIDE’S SHOES Nine West BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES Shona Joy, Spurr shoes. GROOM’S, GROOMSMEN’S ATTIRE MJ BALE Tuxedo, Jack London shoes. HAIR Hair by Fi. MAKEUP Nourish Beauty by Natalie. RINGS Blizzards, Brenton Angel Designs. CEREMONY TW Wines, “The Barn”, Gisborne. RECEPTION AND CATERING “The Barn”, Fintray. FLORIST Passion Posies. CAKE Candice Ericson. CELEBRANT Mr. Stephen Thompson. MUSIC The Dave Atkins Band. STATIONERY Personalised stamp, designed by Ryan Beadle and Paddy Thornton. HIRE Martins Hire.
