Real Weddings

Natalie and Joey
Flaxmere House

Photography by Wild & Grace Photography

"It's a modern fairytale: Joey and I both swiped right on Tinder! We spent days chatting and getting to know one another before our first date at Mission Bay. I felt like the stars had aligned for us. I met Joey at a time when I didn't realise how much I needed him, but I really loved his company. Through everything, he has been my rock and my healer. I was totally clueless about the proposal, by the way. We were in Bali, celebrating Joey's 30th birthday, and he waited until the last day to pop the question. There was a powercut at the resort, so we'd spent the day taking silly photos, followed by a massage for Joey and a manicure for me (perfect, I later realised, for an engagement ring to be slipped on). We'd found our favourite restaurant, Silk Road Whole Foods in Canggu, and headed there for dinner. My phone was dying, so I asked to see Joey's so I could look at the photos we'd taken. He started swiping through them, pausing at the super silly ones so we could share some giggles - but then he set the phone down in front of me, face down. When I picked it up, there was a photo of writing in the sand: "Will you marry me?" By that time, Joey was down on one knee with this dainty white box and a beautiful engagement ring inside. I couldn't believe it. It was a feeling I can't even describe. I was buzzing for weeks! He told me later that he carried the ring in his boots, that he left inside his suitcase - very sneaky! We wanted something intimate and relaxed for our wedding. Our day needed to reflect us as a couple, so we planned around the things we liked (for me, that was nature and food). We sprinkled in a little bohemian inspiration, just like our home, and everything came together so perfectly. Thinking about our goals and future plans excite us both so much. I couldn't imagine doing any of it without him by my side."

Thanks to all the contributing vendors:

Venue & caterer: Flaxmere House
Photography: Wild & Grace Photography
Florals, display & arch: Bloomsday (Marayke Bouma)
Celebrant: Sandy James
Makeup: Rebekah Banks
Hair: Sue Arlidge
Cake: The Cake Booth