YEN & TIM'S GOLD COAST WEDDING

These two gorgeous people met playing World of Warcraft online a solid 15 years ago. Pretty cute, huh? After a lengthy friendship, eight months of dating long distance and over 100 flights between New Zealand and Australia, Yen and Tim settled in for a 2.5-year engagement. Locking in Shane Shepherd for snaps, Xavier Nicolle for styling and blooms and Karen Willis Holmes for THAT dress, it was all worth the wait (despite a change in venue just two weeks out!). Scroll down for the rest of this pair’s incred day…

THE INSPO “The theme was an inspired winter garden wedding with earthy and soft tones that we felt represented us as a couple. There were small hints of red and gold that linked to my Chinese heritage which we loved.”

FAVOURITE DETAILS “I loved having our own little personal space amid everything. It was so busy with so much going on, but having this little table for two with all these beautiful lights and framing really made it feel like a “safe” space for both of us to sit and catch up with each other throughout the night.”

THE DRESS “My dress was from Karen Willis Holmes! I had seen the Taryn/Camille dress many times in photos and loved it. I went with my one bridesmaid who was in Queensland (the rest were all overseas/interstate) and tried it on. From the moment I put it on I knew. I loved how modern yet classic, minimalistic yet feminine it was. There were little options you could do to customise it to your tastes which I loved. I opted for the buttons on the back and to wear it without the belt. I also loved the split to break up the fabric – I never was a full-length dress kinda girl and the split also made it easier to walk. The girls at the boutique were so lovely and helpful. It was such an easy choice and process!”

FAVOURITE MOMENT “I was so nervous before walking down the aisle. When all the girls and I were lined up and the music started playing I was just overcome with nerves! I was staring at the ground so nervous with both my parents at my side telling me to look up and not be nervous. As I approached the aisle and finally looked up I saw the tip of my dog River’s tail spinning in some crazy excited frenzy as she had just spotted the first bridesmaid walking down and she was trying to get a pat. This just made me crack up and I felt instantly relaxed. Walking down the aisle wasn’t so bad! I knew everyone’s faces and I felt so happy it was all finally happening.”

STANDOUT VENDORS “Xavier Nicolle – She was there from the start and really stepped up at each difficult moment, from the first postponement to the final 2-week change. She was always available from phone calls at 10 pm at night to early morning brainstorming. She went above and beyond in her coordinator role but also in her floral work. She managed to really grasp who we both were as individuals and help create a theme that incorporated both our tastes and preferences. Even from a simple colour palette of our personalities with touches of red from my Chinese heritage. She helped make our dream wedding come true! Shane Shepherd is a hipster wizard behind the camera (playing all the tunes you know from his little boombox on his belt haha) he has a gift for capturing all the little special moments in the day that you do want to remember. He makes you feel so at ease in front of his camera and the pictures you get are so effortlessly and natural.”

Keen to see more from Yen & Tim’s rad team of vendors? Head on over here for more goodness from Shane Shepherd, Karen Willis Holmes and Xavier Nicolle. But first, be sure to scroll all the way down for a v. special four-legged wedding guest…