Andi and Dan (of Dan O’Day Photography fame) are the kind of couple you really wish you could be best friends with. Hilarious, quirky and a heck of a good time, these lovers have been together since 2013 (and the rest is history). “Since we shagged on the first date and it all rolled downhill from there super fast, we like to consider our first date as the beginning of our marriage. Four and a half years strong!”
Making it a point to skip out on anything that didn’t feel natural to them, Andi and Dan say, “There were a plethora of traditional’ things people do at weddings that we discussed, and then promptly threw out the window because it didn’t represent who we were (like first dances and bridal parties). Just because you’ve seen it at someone’s wedding, doesn’t mean it’s necessary for yours. The more true you stay to yourselves, the more meaningful it’ll all be,” explains Andi, who opted out of the usual cake idea for a real crowd-pleaser.
“I wanted something that was easy for people to enjoy. So, my mom and I hatched a plan to pre-mix & roll about 400 chocolate chip cookies (to freeze and bake once we got to the bush retreat). It was a big day of mixing, then lots of baking ON the wedding morning by many amazing volunteers, but the cookies are all anyone could talk about after the wedding day. People were hoarding them in their bags for the drive home, scooping piles into cups and eating enormous amounts through reception chats. It was the best,” says the bride, adding that finding an all-star cast of vendors wasn’t difficult.
“It was crucial to us to be surrounded by great people all day, not dicks. We don’t have a single regret about having any of our vendors along for the ride – the whole day it felt like we were with friends and everyone did incredibly beautiful work. Work with vendors who are talented as well as being great people – it’ll change the day entirely,” says Andi.
The couple’s dream team included photographer Jessica Tremp of Brown Paper Parcel (“She felt so comfortable for me that I kept clutching her”), Lost In Paris Bridal, Duck Duck Goose Catering & Events, The Vintage Stylus and Todd Hunter McGaw who is Dan’s best friend and a fellow wedding photographer who became a celebrant just to marry the couple. “He’s now doing it alongside weddings, so go get him!,” laughs Andi before perfectly summing up the meaning of marriage.
“It means marrying the person across from you on your wedding day, marrying the person they’ll be in a few years, marrying the person they’ll be with you in different careers, with different haircuts, with various hobbies, with difficult struggles, emotional breakdowns, and life’s biggest joys. It’s all of those people you’re marrying, and the only way to get over how daunting and scary that may feel is knowing that the other person is doing the same for you and all your future personalities. It’s the ultimate romance in dedication and commitment that we don’t get to see much of in our world today.”
Find this story along with many more exclusive wedding features in issue 19 of our paper mag available for purchase online here (AUS, NZ and international shipping available – woohoo!).
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Brown Paper Parcel Cinematographer C2 Films Event Planner / Stylist Bree Gomberg at White Rabbit Projects Florist Jardine Botanic Stationery designed by the bride Printing MOO Ceremony & Reception Venue Bawley Bush Retreat Catering Duck Duck Goose Catering & Events Wedding Favours Officeworks (handwritten letters to every guest) Tables/Chairs/Festoon Lights South Coast Party Hire Glassware and Crockery Pretty Pedestals Plates Kmart Entertainment The Clydesdales Bush Band & The Vintage Stylus Celebrant Todd Hunter McGaw Engagement Ring Doyle & Doyle Manhattan (1950’s Tiffany Vintage) Bride’s Wedding Band Artemer Groom’s Wedding Band Greene & Greene Antiques Transport Rixons THE BRIDE Bridal Gown Designer Lost in Paris Shoes Down Memory Lane Hair Matt Whitaker from White Arrow Hair Boutique Makeup Kate Beinke Party Dress Yesterday People THE GROOM Ceremony Jacket Jack London Party Jackets Asos & Politix Shirt Jack London Black Jeans from General Pants
