When Sam took Jane to the Brisbane Festival at Southbank he told her, “You’ll love it? it’s a love story”. Little did she know, it was their love story. Having made a video to her favourite song with heaps of pictures and footage of them, halfway through the video 45 family and friends walked out from behind an adjacent building holding candles and surrounded Jane in the shape of the heart drawn on the ground (insert many tears, much emotion). At the end of the video Sam jumped out, got down on one knee, gave an extremely endearing speech and pulled out a sparkly diamond.
“I, of course, said yes! No sooner had all this happened that two young girls in leotards (organised from the local dance school) jumped out and started ribbon dancing around us! Crazy! The organiser of Brisbane Festival also arrived with a large bunch of flowers and we all then proceeded to the surprise, pop-up engagement party at the Spiegel Tent. Best night ever. Sam was never one to do things in halves and he always brings the theatre!”
With a 13 month long engagement in tow, the couple left themselves plenty of time to plan and get to DIY-ing (with a little day-of help from The Events Lounge). Since the celebration was held at a private property, Jane and Sam took on quite a bit, including the favours, balloons, overall styling and the bunting… oh, the bunting.
“I spent so much time gushing over the bunting it’s not actually funny. If I had a dollar for every minute I gushed over that bunting I wouldn’t have been so horrified with our credit card bill after returning from our honeymoon in Italy,” jokes Jane, who wore a bespoke Christina Kim bridal gown.
“I did not walk into one wedding gown shop. I knew I didn’t want a formal gown. I wanted a party dress that just happened to be a wedding dress. I also knew I needed something to fit with the laid back and whimsical feel of the day,” she explains, adding that hiring photographer Todd Hunter McGaw was a no-brainer. “Todd is obviously the biggest legend alive and I cannot thank him enough for his amazing photos.”
CREDITS Photos Todd Hunter McGaw // Bridal gown Christina Kim // Robes Silk and More via Etsy // Shoes Hey Lady // Accessories Heathern1 via Etsy // Hair and makeup Avia Beauty // Rings Bakker Diamonds // Bridesmaid dresses Sonia Rykiel, Montique Clothing, Review, ASOS and More of Me Maternity // Bridesmaid shoes Nine West, Kurt Geiger and Siren //Jacket Jack London // Groom and groomsmen shirts Eton // Groom and groomsmen pants Politix // Bow ties and dog collar Hobo Ties via Etsy // Cufflinks Hugo Boss // Shoes Aquila // Socks Gazman // Event planner / Stylist The Events Lounge // Florist Rose Apple Flowers // Stationery 76th Street Ink via Etsy, Splash of Silver via Etsy and CMYK Printable Design via Etsy // Printer Officeworks and Eprint // Ceremony and reception Private Property, NSW // Catering Your Gourmet // Food trucks/carts Vintage Daisy Days // Other desserts Monsieur Macaron // Prop and furniture hire Hampton Event Hire and Autumn Grove Events // Marquee / teepee Byron Bay Wedding and Party Hire // Lighting / sound hire North Coast Events // Entertainment North Coast Entertainment // Celebrant Benjamin Carlyle.