Real Weddings

Ashleigh and Tom

Photography by Jonny Scott

Voted Abel Estate's Wedding of The Year for 2023. After two and a half years together, Ashleigh and Tom decided to take the next step in their relationship. They went ring shopping together and planned to get engaged on their upcoming trip to Samoa. One week after buying the ring, Tom realised he couldn't wait any longer. While watching a movie at home, Tom grabbed the ring from the drawer, got down on one knee and popped the question. It wasn't the grand proposal they had initially planned; it was even better. Ashleigh always knew she wanted to design and create her own wedding dress, and so she did just that. "I designed the dress and beading, then sent it off to be hand beaded. Once I received the beaded pattern pieces, I cut out the layers and pieced it all together. The dress took over 80 hours of intricate hand-sewing to complete." — What was the best investment you made for your wedding? "For us, investing in a great wedding venue was most important as it sets the tone for the wedding. The venue is a big part of what people will remember from the day and provides the backdrop for your wedding photos. The staff at Abel Estate made the whole process so easy and stress-free, especially on the day. They went above and beyond to accommodate our needs, and we couldn't have had a more perfect day." — What is your #1 piece of wedding advice for other couples? The guest list can be more stressful than you think. It is hard when you want to make your own decisions but feel like you must please everyone else. We enjoyed having a smaller wedding, allowing us to spend quality time with guests on the day. Stick to what feels right to you."

Thanks to all the contributing vendors:

Venue, Catering and Coordination: Abel Estate
Photography: Jonny Scott
Flowers: Intimate Floral Studio
Makeup: Kate Solley
Hair: Amelia Rush - Boutique
Bridesmaids Dresses: Trish Peng
Dress: Ashleigh (the Bride)