What an absolutely fantastic yesterday was! A first look and portraits before the ceremony meant we captured everything before the rain set in straight after their group shot.
Read on Below for the team that made it possible, a little bit about Emily & Jesse and of course the awesome sneaks!

Dream Team

Celebrant: Ashlee Glen
DJ: Ocean Live
Dress Boutique: Melissa E Bridal, Ballarat
Engagement Ring: Michael Hill
Hair Stylist: Blush & Blow Studio
Live Music: Ocean Live
Make Up Artist: Blush & Blow Studio
Photographer: Wild Heart Photography
Suit Designer: Menz Club
Venue: Farm Dog Brewing
Wedding Party Outfit: Menz Club
Hair Stylist: Ashleigh Motley

Tell me about your The Beginning!

Emily and I both studied Sport Science and we met each other on the second day of uni as we were paired up together for a getting to know you activity. We were paired up because we both arrived late to class. Emily was late because she was stuck in traffic behind a major accident on the highway and I was late because, well, I’m always late to class. After sharing stories about broken elbows and ruptured ACL’s a friendship was born. It didn’t take long until we were both taking off our shirts…. and measuring each others skin folds in class later that week. We stayed close friends for about a year before one of us thought about making a move. After sitting through a screening of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them at the local cinema I finally decided ask Emily out on a date which caused her to freak out in the car park after telling me she would think about it. Spoiler alert, she said no. A couple months later, a night out and a few beverages under the belt, some smooching was done at Lambys. Emily again freaked out. And said no… again. Finally, after much deliberation, I was there for Emily when she really needed the platonic support from a friend and she found herself thinking she wanted to be a bit more than friends. It all kicked off a week later with our first romantic hang out was a home cooked Spagbol dinner and a carefully curated list of movies on the couch. Some movies were better than others but at least there were sparks. I made it official one day on our way out for dinner with friends. I pulled the car over to pretend to fix the window of my car. Instead I gave Emily some flowers and asked her to be my girlfriend. This was all after Emily made sure I knew I hadn’t confirmed anything with her after introducing her to my (sick) grandma as my girlfriend without asking her first. 7 years later we are getting hitched!

When and where did you get engaged?

In June 2023 we went on a holiday to Bali with Emily’s sister Jacqui and her partner Josh. One day of the holiday (was kept free for just us to spend time together so we could celebrate our 6th anniversary as a couple. Emily had a very normal morning, eating plenty of breakfast at the hotel awaiting the day of surprise activities while Jesse barely ate anything. Emily just thought Jesse had Bali belly since he wasn’t very hungry. Emily was unaware of what activities Jesse had planned for our day, but it was quickly spoiled as soon we got in the taxi by our driver who announced exactly where we were heading off to. Despite Jesse telling the driver over previous messages that our plans for the day were a surprise for Emily, the communication barrier was evident and worries of him spilling the secret set in. While the short-lived secret was spoilt, we were on the road to a silver-making class where we could make some jewellery while enduring a very long conversation about ‘happy wife, happy life’. The whole point of the silver-making activity was so that Jesse could sneakily make Emily’s engagement ring himself. But Emily who was clueless to the whole situation was stubborn and wanted to make herself a ring. As she was measuring up her 4th finger on her right hand, Jesse asked, ‘Why don’t you make it for left one?’ Emily responded, ‘That ones only for engaged and married people’ as if he had asked such a silly question. Jesse’s panic set in even further. Still none the wiser, the silver goods were made and packed up into cute little hand-woven boxes and popped in a bag for safe keeping while we travelled to our next activity. Next on the stop list was the most amazing spa near Bali Zoo. Jesse had the most relaxing 3 hours of his life because Emily finally shut up and he could relax without worrying that the driver was going to spill the biggest secret of his life. Post relaxing spa treatment, another LONG car ride was spent enduring ‘happy wife, happy life’ conversations while racing to the beach to arrive at sunset in preparation for the moment. Emily still had no idea. Jesse was being weird and touchy in the car that he does when he is nervous but the cogs never turned. It finally happened when we sat on some bean bags at a beach restaurant, Jesse said he was going to go find Jacq and Josh and took the bag with the silver goods with him. only THEN did it click for Emily that it was happening. One short beach dance and a lot of beading eyes later, a ring was on Emily’s finger and Jesse’s knee was dirty. We aren’t even convinced that Jesse actually asked the question but the sentiment was there. After a long day with a lot of anxiety for Jesse and a great day with a small bit of anxiety for Emily, Jesse settled with a bucket of Bintangs and many celebratory drinks were had!

What style/theme have you chosen for your Wedding Day?

We have not picked a clear theme for our wedding but we hope it is somewhat laid back with good summer vibes. Think floral, bright and colourful.

What are you most looking forward to on the day?

Emily is definitely most looking forward to getting her boogie on the dance floor all night and seeing my face as she walks down the aisle. I am most looking forward to seeing Emily at the first look and spending the day with friends and family.

Top Tips!

By no stretch are we experts at all. We would recommend doing what you want to do. Listen to the opinions of those important to you, take it under advisement, but make your own choice. Sometimes other people do have good ideas that are worth listening to – but ultimately make the choice you want to make.