Joel and Tam met just over three years ago, and even though it hasn’t been long, the pair knew they wanted to spend their life together. From the very first moment on their first date, Joel and Tam had an instant connection. By the end of the night, they both walked away knowing they had met someone special… and have been inseparable since.
Thanks to Joel’s smart planning, the proposal took Tam completely by surprise. On a random Friday afternoon in mid-July last year, Joel suggested going for a walk after work – which did not raise any suspicions for Tam as it was their regular bonding activity. This time, though, Joel wanted to bring Tam to a new spot he discovered on a recent run. So, they drove to the location and walked up towards a lookout point with a spectacular view of the Camden district farmland and valleys. As the pair admired the beautiful sunset, Joel divulged how much Tam meant to him and how their lives had changed for the better after finding and falling in love with each other. Professing his devotion to be together forever, Joel got down on one knee against the stunning sunset and held out the most divine diamond ring. And of course, they had to share the good news with everyone, facetiming a couple of family members from the top of the lookout to celebrate one of the most unforgettable moments of their relationship.
“Marriage means being with the person I trust and love the most in the world. Marriage is being in a partnership that is encouraging and supportive, protective and non-judgemental, accepting and holding each other’s hand through every season.” – Tam
Knowing they wanted a small, intimate wedding with close family, Joel and Tam immediately started searching for their wedding venue – planning for a spot around their favourite hotel, the Sydney Crown Towers. To them, it was the prime location as it holds good memories, and was perfect for their loved ones to prepare for their wedding and spend the weekend. So, they looked around the area and found an amazing place within walking distance from the hotel – a restaurant located in Barangaroo. The restaurant ticked all the boxes – it was near the hotel, aligned with the couple’s visions and wedding atmosphere, had an amazing selection of food that they loved, and a private room to hold an intimate ceremony and dinner with champagne all in one spot. Immediately, they called it a day and booked the venue.
Going with a non-traditional wedding, the couple skipped the usual program of a long service, a wedding aisle, bridesmaids and grooms, designated seating, traditional speeches and a wedding cake. Instead, they had a relaxing, fun, enormous meal around one large table, spending time together with their 3 children and close family members, enjoying the delectable food, and flowing champagne. All that mattered for Tam and Joel was to be relaxed, have a good laugh and be surrounded by people they love and trust.
Finding her perfect wedding dress took some time. With her heart already set on a champagne-coloured wedding gown, Tam spent more than two weeks looking across multiple bridal websites in Sydney… every day…for hours…with no luck. Going into the third week of browsing for gown options online and with her wedding day approaching in eight months, her hopes started wavering as she felt distressed over not finding her dream gown. She could not sleep and started on her online hunt once again at 2.30 am, when When Freddie Met Lilly came up on her screen for the first time.
“My first glance at the Indira gown and I was IN LOVE!!! It was more than I thought I wanted, it was beyond perfect and the most beautiful dress I had ever laid my eyes on. A gold sparkly dress with pockets was it for me. I unfortunately had to wait until a decent hour to call Vanessa and somehow held myself back until that afternoon. Vanessa answered and from the first sound of her voice, I knew this was going to happen.”
Within a week of the call, Tam immediately booked an appointment and a flight down to our Brisbane studio for her first fitting. She recounts how, although it was her first time trying on wedding dresses, being in the studio surrounded by the most beautiful gowns and guided by someone so lovely, kind and encouraging as Vanessa, was one of the most beautiful experiences of her life.
“Once I arrived (and embarrassingly started crying as soon as I stepped into the studio), Vanessa said she had a couple of other options to try as well, but I went straight for the Indira gown and was sold. More tears – happy tears, feeling beautiful in the gown tears. I was intending on simplicity with just the gown until Vanessa said: “Why don’t we try a veil?” More tears and an absolute YES! I loved both times being at the When Freddie met Lilly studio…..it’s a sanctuary as well as a place where dreams are literally made, because I certainly walked away with my dream dress. I felt special as I was dressed and styled, and I felt beautiful.”
And my oh my, does she look so beautiful in gold too! Joel agrees, as he could not contain THE HUGE-EST smile on his face when Tam walked into the room. As it seems, she took his breath away, as he could only mutter a “wow” before leaning in for a kiss straight away.
With everything in place, Tam and Joel admire their small finishing touches that complement the already gorgeous vibes of the restaurant. Opting for a small, white, classic flower bouquet and candles to set the cozy atmosphere, Tam and Joel’s wedding was a night to remember. They even had a ‘fun table’ nearby for the kids to colour in an activity book about the pair’s relationship, and build puzzles and Lego of a bride and groom at the altar. How cute!
For future brides, Tam and Joel provided a helpful piece of advice: To do what YOU want as a couple.
“Don’t feel like you ‘have to’ do anything…it’s your wedding, have the wedding that you want, with the people you want.”
Vendors:
Venue for ceremony & reception: @nolasydney
Photography: Salava Fine Art
Hair & Make Up: @blossomhairandmakeup
Flowers: @_urban_flower
Bride’s rings: @gsdiamonds
Grooms ring: @tiffanyandco
Bride’s Outfit: @whenfreddiemetlilly
Grooms Outfit: @mjbale
