When Jacob and Olivia first met in April 2019, their connection was rooted in mutual friends, but it wasn’t until their online chats took off that they truly got to know each other. Their first official date took place at the Newmarket Reading Cinemas, though, in an amusing twist, their very first date was technically spent alone by Olivia.
“I had forgotten to confirm the plans with Jacob, assuming we were set—only to discover later that he had been equally unsure of the arrangement”
It was a funny mishap that would become part of their story.
Fast forward to December 2022, on a work trip to Fiji, Jacob took advantage of the picturesque beach setting and, as the sun began to set on their third night, he asked for Olivia's hand in marriage. The moment was emotional, filled with tears, laughter, and a side of ice cream to celebrate the engagement—making for a beautiful and very real, unscripted moment.
For Olivia, the wedding itself wasn’t about grand gestures or traditional expectations—it was simply about a commitment to spend life together, no matter what comes their way. As she put it,
“Marriage isn’t as important to me as most. For me, it was just about agreeing that we’re going to get old and grey together. The most important thing to me was marrying my best friend and remembering it was about the two of us and no one else.”
While some around her were expecting more enthusiasm during the planning process, she was focused on the love she and Jacob shared, rather than the wedding itself.
As for the wedding planning, although it wasn’t her main priority she did have one, when selecting a venue: their dogs. Peanut & Dyson. They wanted a place where their furry companions could join in the celebration. As luck would have it, they found a venue just 15 minutes from their home, nestled in greenery that they both loved, and one that also allowed dogs.
Not only was it important that their furry friends could join, but having all their family present did mean the world to both the bride and groom. The venue’s thoughtful design - allowing guests to drive right up to the aisle - was a major factor in their decision as it made sure everyone could be included.
Continuing on, the next step for Olivia was to find the dress, which wasn’t without its challenges. Olivia had a dream dress in mind that she had spotted on Pinterest, but finding a plus-size gown that matched her vision proved to be more difficult than expected. After visiting a number of bridal shops in Brisbane, where she was told the dress would never be available, she was ready to give up.
“The dress I found on Pinterest was the Illiana gown from When Freddie Met Lilly and when I reached out to find where they were located, I DIED of excitement and booked the very next appointment. Vanessa, Laura and the team were able to customise the gown to my every need and for this; I will be forever grateful. Plus my favourite part was walking down those stairs to the studio and meeting coco, I knew I was 100% in the right place.”
While Olivia found her perfect gown, her groom needed a bit more help with his suit. Lacking some confidence in the process, they worked together to select fabrics and the finer details, making suit shopping a fun and collaborative experience.
The couple made personal touches to their attire, too— adding custom embroidery to Jacob’s suit, while her mother-in-law surprised her with a family heirloom to add to her bouquet. Speaking of florals, Olivia trusted her florist to choose the color scheme, sending them a photo of her gown and letting them take creative liberty. The result was a stunning palette of pale pinks, yellows, and oranges that perfectly complemented the setting featuring poppies, fringed tulips, peonies, ranunculus, and dancing lady orchids—were a dream come true, .
“We didn’t have a bridal party. We just wanted it to be simple and small, which made it feel more personal.”
When it came to the rest of the styling, the couple took matters into their own hands, setting everything up the day before and morning of the wedding with the help of online shopping and a lot of elbow grease. Jacob and Olivia's boutonnières, adorned with small daisies and dancing lady orchids, were the perfect finishing touch to the day.
One of the things Olivia loved most about her experience with When Freddie Met Lily is -
“They are just there to make your wildest wants come true. They don’t size shame or judge your decisions. They are so well priced for a fully custom gown company and I have recommended them to EVERYONE ever since then.”
When it comes to wedding advice, Olivia is all about practicality.
“Remember to stay honest to yourself and your style. The internet can easily influence you to follow trends that don’t feel like you. Dress shop the moment you get engaged as it takes so much longer to arrange than expected. Plus, assign someone to be in charge of all your things! Phone, shoes etc as you will lose them easily. And lastly, find a photographer you mesh well with. Do a personality test shoot to make sure you are 100% happy, as they are such a big part of your day. But, most importantly, just remember to have fun and take in the day”.
It was a beautiful, intimate celebration—one that reflected who Jacob and Olivia are as a couple and what was most important to them. Their advice for future couples? Trust your instincts, stay true to yourselves, and don’t forget to enjoy the journey.
Vendor tags:
Make up: @theballerinamua
Hair: @boho_bridesau
Flowers: @wallflowerbrisbane
Celebrant: @signatureceremonies
Photographer: @lizwilsonphotography
Furniture: @avideas
Location: Samsonvale public hall
Bride: livtheframer
Groom: lolpancreas
