High school sweethearts Michelle and Curtis decided that an intimate wedding with a select group of family and friends was the way they wanted to spend their special day.

Enter Guildhall Event Space in North Fremantle, WA. This chic heritage venue proved to be the perfect space for a relaxed gathering focused around good food and better company. Choosing to meet in the streets of Perth for a private ‘first look’ (captured beautifully below), the pair were married in Guildhall’s open air courtyard and then took the party inside for feasting and dancing.

We chatted to Michelle to get more of their love story.

Tell us about how you met and the proposal.

Curtis and I met 15 years ago during high school. We were good friends for a number of years before taking our relationship to the next level during our second year of university.

We stayed at the Skyhouse Retreat in Denmark, WA, where Curtis proposed to me in the treetops of the Karri forest. This was after a number of foiled attempts as Curtis had originally planned to propose in Elephants Cove and later at Light’s Beach but I always managed to ruin the moment, haha.

What sort of vibe were you hoping to create for your big day? 

Relaxed, rustic, modern romance with an emphasis on quality food, exceptional beverages and the close-knit feel of being back with all our family and friends

Living in Vancouver, we really wanted to take the opportunity to have a small, intimate wedding where we were able to spend time with each and every one of our guests

What advice would you give to other couples leading up to their big day?

Make it your own and don’t feel pressured to do it any other way. Stay relaxed. If something goes wrong, don’t let it ruin the day.

What was your favourite moment on your wedding day?

The small moment where we both had time to ourselves to dance in the moonlit courtyard before dinner was served. There was no music to dance to but the moment shared was just for us (and the photographer, haha).

Any funny stories that surrounded your wedding?

Waking up the next morning after spending the wedding night at a friend’s house and only having our wedding suit and dress to get back into. Our friends threatened to make us walk down the Fremantle strip in our wedding get up as the ultimate walk of marital shame.

Also, the blindfolded impromptu striptease that seemed to happen on the dance floor without any forewarning.

CREDITS: Photos Amanda Alessi // Ceremony and reception Guildhall Event Space // Catering Propeller Cafe // Bridal gown White By Vera Wang // Bridesmaid dresses Sheike and Shona Joy // Grooms suit Indochino // Groomsmen suits Penguins Formalwear // Rings Cavalier Gastown and Peoples Jewellers // Grooms shoes Ted Baker // Ties Beaux // Brides shoes Michael Kors // Jewellery Kendra Scott // Makeup Makeup by Meg and Em // Celebrant Josie Steytler.