On a beautiful and sunny summer day, Amy and Daniel promised to spend the rest of their lives together at the stunning Hedges Estate. Their day was filled with lots of joy and love. Photos of the day show the happy couple surrounded by loved ones and beaming with happiness.
Amy captivated in Judy by Forget Me Knot, a figure hugging fit and flare with a sweetheart neckline and off the shoulder straps. This crepe gown is the epitome of romance and classic elegance, especially with the buttons trailing down to the bottom of the train.
We hope you enjoy reading all about their wedding journey and gain some wedding inspo.
What was it that made this particular wedding dress catch your eye and fall in love?
I went in wanting to try Jenny Yoo gowns, but I wasn't really loving a lot of them. After an hour or so in, I still hadn't found anything I'd loved and my stylist told me to wait as she has a dress in mind that she thought would look great on me. She pulled out 'Judy' and it fit like a glove. We tried it on with a veil and I was immediately sold. The button details on the back of the dress and how the train draped really made me fall for the dress. I think what really sealed the deal was when I came back the second time with my maid of honour. As I walked out from the changing room, the family next to us gasped and said I looked amazing. I thought if strangers thought I looked good too, this is definitely the one!
Tell us about your search for the dress and the experience at Astra Bridal.
I originally came to Astra Bridal in search of a Jenny Yoo gown as I thought her simple/elegant style really suited what I was going for and would really stand the test of time when I looked back at photos in the years to come. When I arrived, I was greeted by my stylist who introduced herself and although we were all wearing masks, I just felt she was so warm and inviting, as if I knew I could trust her. What I really enjoyed about the experience was how honest she was and how she attentively listened to what I was looking for. It felt like she was a friend helping me pick a dress for a special occasion.
Tell us your story, how you both met, and the proposal.
Dan and I have known each other since we were 13 years old, but we only started chatting to each other at our college graduation party. At the party, Dan made me a cocktail that he had learned earlier that day and was just great company the whole night while I was going through a break up. During the summer holidays before university started, we saw each other more as our friendship group started to merge together. One summer evening, after I told Dan I didn't know how to ride a bike, he spent time teaching me while our other friends hung out in the backyard of our friends' house. I started to realise, this guy was pretty awesome.
When university started, the majority of our friends went to another university to Dan and I, so during our lunch breaks we would meet up and I guess feelings started to build from then onwards. On my birthday, June 9th 2012, Dan expressed his feelings for me but it wasn't until the 20th that month that he formally asked me to be his girlfriend.
Fast forward 10 years later, Dan and I planned a getaway to Queenstown for our 10 year anniversary. Our first trip together was to Queenstown, so we thought it was fitting to head back there for our anniversary. I knew a proposal was coming since we had already started looking at engagement rings. However, on the flight, Dan confessed that the ring he had custom made was not ready and that he won't be proposing on this trip but will plan something else later. Little did I know, he had the ring sitting in the pocket of his left jacket.
That night, we headed out for our anniversary dinner and Dan started to act really weird. He was reminiscing about our relationship, which was weird because he is not someone who is like this. After dinner, we strolled along the lake in Queenstown. Dan was trying to get me to take photos with him at every corner (again he never does this). I grew suspicious and as we were heading towards the hotel, he randomly said 'Hey Amy' and for some reason I burst out laughing and said 'Is there something you want to ask me?' We both laughed and he said no so we carried on to the hotel.
Back at the hotel, as I was getting ready for a bath I turned around and Dan was on one knee. Time stopped and honestly, I couldn't remember anything Dan said, but I just remember feeling that this is so unreal.
What was your favourite part of the day?
I really hesitated about doing a first look as a lot of the time, when I see other people's photos, it felt really cheesy for me and didn't feel like us. During the day, we wanted to take some photos at the venue prior to guests coming, so Sarah (our photographer) suggested we do a quick first look to get those venue/couple shots. I was so grateful we did this first look because the emotions that I was able to feel, both for myself and from Dan, were indescribable. Dan said it was the first time he had ever felt speechless, and I was just so happy at that moment.
Tell us about your wedding day as a whole.
I was super nervous about the weather, especially since last January we had a nightmare summer and basically only a handful of days were sunny. At Hedges Estate, there wasn't really a sheltered ceremony area, so I was really betting on the day being at least overcast, otherwise, it would've been a bit of a disaster. I even looked up 10 years worth of weather reports to see what the trend was like for the 13th of January (crazy, I know). Thankfully, it was super sunny and one of the hottest days so far.
As I didn't have a wedding planner or coordinator, I worked with Dan and my Maid of Honor the day prior to set the venue up. I planned it so that the only things that needed to be done the next day was for the florist to pop the floral centrepieces on the table for the reception and build the floral garland for the ceremony arch, as well as the aisle flowers. I think because we did so much the day before, the next day the girls and I just got ready from 9am and everyone was ready by 12pm, ready for photos at 1pm. It was super chill. We even sat around, and started reading and chatting to pass time by. I was always told it would be hectic, so there was a moment where I thought, 'Is something going to go wrong because it seems too calm (ha!)'.
The ceremony was one of my favourite parts of the day. Our wonderful Celebrant/MC helped me to coordinate the timeline and everything just ran smoothly. There were a lot of tears, laughter and joy. The sun was beaming and we couldn't have wished for a better day. We also loved having a harpist there to provide music for pre, during and post ceremony. I walked down the aisle to Young & Beautiful by Lana Del Rey played on the harp. It was a 'dream come true' moment to hear it live.
During the reception, time just flew by and our MC was just awesome by providing entertainment for our guests. Our caterer provided amazing food and I was just stoked that all the guests were well fed and were never thirsty.
Finally, what is your biggest piece of advice for brides to be?
Plan in advance and it's never too early to start planning any wedding, big or small. When we got engaged, people did have a laugh about how early I was planning things, but I think because I started as early as I could, it really made my day super stress free as I was clear on every detail. We did have hiccups, but I think because I wasn't stressed, I was able to solve the issues calmly and quickly.
I also really recommend having a wedding in general. Big or small. We originally planned to just have a surprise elopement dinner, but I'm so glad I didn't. I remember thinking that I would rather regret having a wedding than regret not having one at all.
