“We wanted our wedding to unapologetically represent us as a couple”, says bride Jordan who pulled off an incredibly unique Sydney wedding despite the C-bomb (as she politely describes it) ruining their original plans.
For her and Peter, that meant a day of fine food, endless cocktails, vibrant styling courtesy of Ws faves Honey Lane and “enough flowers to almost sink Catalina”. Captured by Siempre and another legendary Ws team Moon & Back, you can see their entire celebration below.
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How did you and Peter meet? A modern love story, we’ll let you use your imagination on that one! After our first date continued for hours, ending with Peter saving my favourite leather jacket from being left behind at The Clock in Surry Hills, we knew we were onto something. It was a relationship built on a very mutual love of wine, fine dining and travelling the world together. I think we booked our first flight together less than six months in! Flights and airports are a recurring theme throughout our time together.
The proposal: Peter proposed as we were checking in for a flight to Paris at Sydney International Airport. I was caught off guard and was not expecting Peter to drop a knee in the middle of the airport! Spewing we didn’t get upgraded, but it was just PERFECT to jet off and spend four weeks in Europe in post engagement bliss!
Wedding venue: For us food was a big part of the day – we love to dine out together and are known to frequent some of Sydney’s finest institutions, including Catalina where we have spent anniversaries. After the C-bomb changed our original wedding plans we downsized and changed the date to February – what better location for a summer party with good food and endless cocktails in an iconic Sydney restaurant. In a nod to our signature cocktail – the Catalina Dreams, the venue truly did live up to that name!
Wedding vibe: We wanted our wedding to unapologetically represent us as a couple. We broke a lot of traditional styling rules – our invites were custom illustrated champagne bottle cut outs, had pistachio striped linen and enough flowers to almost sink Catalina. We wanted our wedding to be a party, celebrating our love and the fact that we made it after many, many changes to plans and bumps in the road. If I had to boil it down, I would call it Italian Summer Luxe – bright red, magenta pink and yellow roses really brought to life and they were a BIG feature of the styling.
Traditions: adopted, adapted or ditched? I wouldn’t say we ditched tradition but we definitely made the day our own. My dad walked me down the aisle but I had my closest male friend stand by my side as a ‘Bridesman’. My dad also definitely stole the show during our first dance. I also made sure as the bride I said a few words. We also had champagne and gelato at our ceremony before dinner!
The outfit/s: After a mishap with the first wedding dress designer I fell into the incredible hands of Moira Hughes and her team. I knew I wanted something that was more fashionable than lacy bridal, the result – a complete custom dress with flowy sleeves and our names and the lyrics of our first dance song embodied into the lace of my dress. I’ve never felt so beautiful in a dress.
Peter didn’t want to miss out on the action of getting an outfit made and worked with Oscar Hunt Tailors to create a sleek black tuxe of his dreams.
Standout vendors: Honey Lane hands down kept us sane and consoled throughout the journey. They also worked hand in hand with Clementine Posy (best florist in biz) to bring our vision to life. After a last minute venue change we had no idea what our ceremony florals would look like but Clementine Posy wowed us – would absolutely recommend. And Moira! Our photos and videos are also magical thanks to Siempre and Moon & Back!
Soundtrack: Aisle song: “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys. Reception entrance: “Empire State of Mind” by Jay Z and Alicia Keys. Father/daughter dance: “Never Tear Us Apart” by INXS (chosen by my Dad as it was my parent’s first dance song). First dance: “Just The Two Of Us” by Bill Withers and Grover Washington. Party starter: “September” by Earth Wind and Fire. Our DJ Mark Matthews DJ also made these songs even more special by playing the saxophone throughout!
Words of wedding wisdom: Make your day YOURS, make your own rules and traditions and roll with the punches. Unfortunately, wedding planning comes with a WHOLE raft of challenges, brush up on your stakeholder management skills and be flexible. We were changing our venue up until the week of – did it matter, nope! Remember at the end of the day saying your vows and committing to forever is the main thing, everything else is a bonus.
I’ll always remember… Jordan – Peter’s reaction to seeing me walk down the aisle and my dad throughout the whole day. His tears showed his love for myself and Peter and our first dance was pretty special.
Peter – I’ll always remember how I felt those few seconds before Jordan walked through the door, thinking that this is finally happening. Dancing and partying all night at the reception with Jordan, our friends and family.
Hit or (near) miss: Forgetting my wedding band, oops! When we arrived at the Palm House ready to walk down the aisle Lara from Honey Lane realised we’d left a pretty important piece of jewellery back at the hotel. Thankfully my nan had given me one of her rings to wear on the day of my wedding, these filled the gap – again, did not having my new wedding band on the day make me less married, nope – we laugh about this so much now.
The future: Travelling the world together! Once the world opens up were keen to finally take that extended honeymoon through South America (and maybe further afield) together.
CREDITS: Photos Siempre // Video Moon & Back // Venue The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney (ceremony) and Catalina Rose Bay (reception) // Celebrant Joanna Fabro Celebrant // Planning and styling Honey Lane // Flowers Clementine Posy // Cake Stacy Brewer Cakes // Stationery Rum Cake Studio // Bridal gown and veil Moira Hughes Couture // Brides shoes Loeffler Randall // Accessories Dior // Rings Baby Anything and Cerrone // Bridesmaid dresses Bec + Bridge // Bridesmaid gifts MAC Cosmetics and While Hugo Sleeps // Robes/PJs Le Rose and Homebodii // Grooms suit Oscar Hunt Tailors // Groomsmen suits yd. // Hair Hair by Trudy K // Makeup Kate Palmieri Makeup // Music D&S Duo and Mark Matthews // Donation NSW Policy Legacy Charity // Transport I Do Wedding Cars // Gelato cart Messina.
