J E S S I C A + M A R S H A L

Jessica and Marshal lived only ten minutes away from each other but their paths didn't cross until one fateful trip to Fiji. Eight years later, Marshal got down on one knee and bewildered with excitement, Jessica bust out with "is this real life!?" followed by an ecstatic "YES!" The couple tied the knot in sophisticated style at Double Bay.

F R O M T H E B R I D E

We first met...

We met after finishing Year 12 in 2007 on Beachcomber Island Fiji. While we met overseas we actually only lived 10 minutes away from one another and shared many mutual friends.

We knew it was love...

We survived our first overseas trip together to Hawaii and well the rest is history.

The proposal...

After nearly 8 years of dating Marshal proposed on September 14 ^th 2014 at Watsons Bay, Sydney. After a relaxed Sunday morning breakfast we walked the beautiful streets of Watsons Bay around to a near empty Camp Cove bay. Marshal insisted on walking along the beach, however I declined as I didn't want to ruin my new shoes or get sandy feet. Marshal very quickly changed his plans and walked me down to the near by small waterfront park where he bent down on one knee, presenting me with a beautiful engagement ring. I was completely surprised, saying "is this real life?" followed by a huge YES! We spent the afternoon celebrating with our immediate families.

Our wedding photographer...

Our photographer was the amazing Matt Johnson from The Loved Ones. We loved that Matt's photos were natural and that he captured all of the little moments from a wedding day to tell a complete story. We instantly clicked with Matt's relaxed personality and knew he was the one we wanted to photograph our wedding day.

T H E W E D D I N G

Our dream wedding...

We wanted a relaxed day surrounded by our closest family and friends in an iconic location. It only seemed right to return to where our engagement story began at Watsons Bay. I wanted a classic wedding with modern vintage elements, surrounded by white flowers, greenery and soft candles.

Pre-wedding celebrations...

We were both treated to wonderful hens and bucks day celebrations in the lead up to our big day. I was treated to flower crowns and cocktails at the Gazebo, Elizabeth Bay and Marshal a day at the AFL followed by a city pub crawl.

Our immediate families and bridal party stayed with us at the Watsons Bay boutique hotel the night before our wedding. We enjoyed a fun and relaxed wedding eve dinner together on the sunset deck before we parted ways upstairs to our bride and groom suites.

The ceremony...

Our ceremony was held at St Mary Magdalene's Catholic Church, Rose Bay. The church is over 95 years old with volted ceilings, stained glass windows and a Princess Diana length aisle!

The groom wore...

Marshal was dressed head to toe in MJ Bale. He wore a matching MJ Bale suit to his groomsmen, complete with brown leather shoes, ivory tie and Pocket Square. Marshal had a special sentimental touch on the inside of his suit, a heart cut our from one his late Father's ties.

The dress...

My wedding gown was more than I could have hoped for. When I began my wedding dress search I knew I wanted a vintage inspired gown that I felt myself in. I wore a beautiful Lisa Gowing French lace ivory floor length gown, complete with laced capped sleeves and beautiful lace trimmed veil. The moment I walked into Lisa Gowing's Boutique I knew that was where I was going to purchase my wedding dress. Lisa herself ran the appointment, providing advice and reassurance over my two visits. I walked out with my dress and veil on my second visit no need to wait 6 months for it to be ordered from overseas, it came straight from Lisa's sewing room.

The flowers...

After much Pinterest searching I finally found a beautiful ivory inspired bouquet that included traditional roses and peonies. Piccolo and Poppi organised the talented florists Two Hearts Club recreated my photograph along with shades of pink bridesmaid bouquets finished with soft blush pink ribbons.

The bridal party...

We had three bridesmaids and three groomsmen in our bridal party. This was made up with our closest childhood friends and favourite cousins.

We had our two siblings sign our wedding registry, which was a special touch appreciated by our parents and also by us.

The bridesmaids wore...

The bridesmaids looked beautiful in their floor length blush pink chiffon Amsale gowns from the Bridesmaids Only, Double Bay. They wore Linden Cook bracelets, personalised with their initials, this bridesmaid's gift completed their elegant look.

The groomsmen wore...

The groomsmen looked very handsome in their navy MJ Bale suits with a knitted MJ Bale tie and matching brown shoes and belt. Underneath their suits the boys wore their groomsmen gift- Budgie Smugglers. This made for a fun pre wedding photo opportunity.

Reception venue...

Our reception was held at the elegant Dunbar House, Watsons Bay. Guests were treated to picture perfect Sydney weather watching the sunset over Sydney Harbour from the balony enjoying our favourite cocktails. This is where our styling vision came to light. The amazing Ashleigh Carmody from Piccolo and Poppi complimented the already beautiful wedding venue with simple and elegant touches. The venue was filled with clear glass vases, tea lights, fresh white and green florals, green foliage tied with twine to the menus and a beautiful light up LOVE sign on the dance floor. Our MC- my brother lead the night filled with love, laughter and wonderful memories.

Reception décor...

The best decision I made was employing wedding stylist Ashleigh Carmody from Piccolo and Poppi. She decorated our venue beautifully and exactly how I had imagined. I enjoyed meeting with Ashleigh and gaining her wedding advice on how she could style the beautiful Dunbar House. Our tables were filled with a cluster of clear vases, white florals, greenery and soft candle lighting. Ashleigh organised My Creative Space to create place cards that also doubled as thank you cards with an attached yellow daffodil badge as a donation to the Cancer Council.

On the menu...

Our guests were treated to canapés on the harbourside balcony. This was then followed by a three-course sit down dinner. Guests were served alternate entrees and desserts but enjoyed selecting their own main course. Our guests commented on how much they enjoyed the restaurant quality food created by the chefs of Dunbar House.

Bomboniere...

We made a donation to the cancer council on behalf of our guests. The cancer council supplied up with a daffodil pin to attach to our place cards to acknowledge our donation.

Memorable moments...

There were so many memorable moments from our day. We loved being surrounding by our family and friends. It was so nice seeing everyone smiling and happy. My Dad's speech was heart felt and summed up our perfect day. Our dance floor was never empty, including Marshal's Uncle performing his wedding tradition - the rock lobster dance.

Wedding soundtrack...

Our ceremony was made even more special by the musical talents of the amazing violin duo from Diamond Strings. The duo performed while walked down the aisle hand in hand with my Dad to the traditional Pacabel Canon in D. As we signed our wedding register they performed the instrumental version of Thinking out loud by Ed Sheeran. The talented duo then performed a special request, Beautiful Day by U2 as we walked back down the aisle, this was Marshal's late fathers favourite song.

My dad and I danced to My Girl by the temptations surrounded by all of our guests singing along. Our first dance as Mr and Mrs was Your Song by Ellie Goulding we were then joined by our bridal party and wedding guests on the dance floor.

M A R R I E D L I F E

The honeymoon...

We spent 7 days in an over water bungalow in the Maldives at the Lux Resort.

Future plans...

To do some more travelling overseas together.

In 40 years you hope to...

Have created a happy home surrounded by great family, friends and memories.

W E D D I N G W I S D O M

The engagement...

Enjoy every moment it goes by so fast.

The planning process...

Seek out the advice of a wedding stylist they are full of wonderful ideas and have the answers to make your day stress free. They will set up and pack up your day so you and your family can relax.

On the day...

Relax! Take a moment to spend together away from your guests to soak up the months/year of planning and the wonderful memories you are creating.

Wedding stylist: Piccolo and Poppi / Place cards & menus: My Creative Space organised by Piccolo and Poppi / Bouquets: Two Hearts Club organised by Piccolo and Poppi / Photography: Matt Johnson, The loved Ones / Reception venue: Dunbar House / Ceremony: St Mary Magdalenes Catholic Church / Entertainment: Diamond Strings & Impression DJs recommended by Dunbar House / Wedding Invitations: Bespoke Letterpress / Transport: Roll up in a Rolls / LOVE sign: Event Haus / Bomboniere: Cancer Council / Wedding Dress and Veil: Lisa Gowing / Bride's Shoes: Wanted Shoes / Bride Jewellery: Samantha Willis / Hair: Kara Childerhouse, The Studio Hair and Spraytan Sylania / Makeup: Rachel Pitt, The Makeup society Cronulla / Spray Tan: The Spray Tan Society Caringbah / Bridesmaid Dresses: Bridesmaids Only, Double Bay / Suits and ties: MJ Bale / Engagement Ring and Wedding Bands: Midas Jeweller Miranda