What a blast from the past! By now Simone and Tom would have happily settled into married life, meanwhile we’re STILL swooning over their gorgeous wedding day which featured in issue five. Today we take a look back at all the things that made this one such a winner.
Two and a half years ago, on their first date, Tom and Simone were stranded. Stuck in Armidale, country New South Wales, with a broken down van and not much else. As they made a bonfire and waited for help, Tom knew Simone was the one’. What he didn’t know was whether or not she’d agree to a second date. If only he’d been able to fast forward a few years when, in the wedding speeches, as Simone tells us, £Tom’s best man Nath told the story of how he and I first met. His impersonations were great. We were all in stitches!
Perhaps it wasn’t as funny at the time but their continued sense of adventure and passion for life has helped their love grow, even when times weren’t quite so peachy. £I actually don’t know how it all worked out. It was definitely stressful at the time, she says about having to plan a wedding while Tom, who is in the Royal Australian Navy, was working away for 12 months in Cairns.
Amidst the stress of planning, Simone also found herself a little indecisive about her dress options – perhaps karmically so, as it left her with the stunner she wore by Pearl Button. £My dressmaker made my dress within one-and-a-half months because I couldn’t decide on a gown until the very last minute. She was so wonderful! I originally wanted something with long sleeves but thank goodness I didn’t, the Australian summer is a hot one.
Despite any hurdles, their day was a bigger hit than Braveheart with amazing flowers by Gypsy Flora and a cute cake topper by From The Owl. Simone tells us, £Everything had a free spirit and a magical feel about it. The reception was rustic, relaxed and vibrant with flowers, raw wood and textures. It was beautiful and personal, which was definitely the atmosphere we wanted for the day!
Photographed by legendary South Coast lensmen Mitch Pohl and held at The Driftwood Shed in Terara on the banks of the beautiful Shoalhaven River, Simone and Tom found clever ways to marry tradition and taste. £Tom and I are both Christian so we had a few formalities included in the ceremony. Our celebrant Pastor Phil gave an incredible message and Tom’s brother and a friend both read out scriptures. Just before the ceremony ended, my youngest sister gave us our first communion as husband and wife, which was super special, says Simone.
CREDITS Photos Mitch Pohl Photography // Bridal gown Pearl Button // Hair piece and flowers Gypsy Flora // Shoes Spurr via The Iconic // Rings Secrets Shhh and Rowe Design // Bridesmaids dresses Asos, Forever New, Lakahdah and Polyvore // Grooms suit Calibre, David Jones and Country Road // Grooms shoes Roger David // Groomsmens suits Topman // Ties River Island and Asos // Ceremony Matron Porter Drive Beach Bush Reserve, NSW // Reception The Driftwood Shed, NSW // Catering Butterfactory Restaurant and Catering // Cake topper From The Owl // Stationary Jade Barclay // Music Grace Pitts // Celebrant Pastor Phil Campbell.