The Romance
It was 26th January 2016 (Australia Day) and I was with my brother and friend at the kebab shop, having a break from the pubs. We were sitting out the front of the shop having lunch when all of a sudden... "Hi, I'm Scotty". There he was with his hand out to shake mine. I thought he was really cute so I shook his hand and introduced myself. Scott and his friends kept walking and my friend and I finished our lunch before heading to one of our local pubs. When we walked in Scotty was there and we caught eyes and smiled at each other from across the room. Because I don't normally put myself out there, my friend took it upon herself to go over and get his number because she could tell I was really into him. After a while (and a few drinks deep) we started chatting and hit it off straight away.
The next day we were messaging and organised our first date for the weekend. We were messaging like we had known each other forever, but I nearly didn't go on our date because I couldn't completely remember what he looked like (whoops) and was worried that the spark wouldn't be there.. but it was the complete opposite. We found a cafe to have lunch, shared chips and gravy, had a few jokes and got to know each other, and we went for a walk where we ended up looking at bed linen (HAHA). I had never had a guy message me straight after a date, but about an hour after we left each other he messaged me thanking me and saying he had a great day, so we organised another date, and the rest is history!
The Proposal
The way the proposal was planned to go: Scott and I were heading to Condobolin (west NSW) on Saturday for my cousins 18th, and we were going to stop at the Lachlan River to go fishing. While fishing, Scott was going to play music and pop the question when 'It's Your Love' by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill played (one of our songs).
The way the proposal went: Scott had been away for work and had gotten home by the time I finished work on Friday afternoon. I work at a school and we had the Year 12 Graduation that evening, so I was getting ready for this and Scott was having a few beers. We were chatting and he seemed a bit 'off' so I asked what was wrong and he said he wasn't sleeping. We got into a bit of a tiff because I told him he probably needed to see someone about it (his grandfather had passed away only a few weeks earlier, and they were really close, so I assumed that was why he wasn't sleeping). Anyway, I wanted to make up before I left for dinner so I was hassling him to find out what was wrong. We were in the bathroom and I had asked again "What's wrong?" to which Scott replied "Do you really want to know?". I said yes, and next thing I know, he had pulled a ring out of his pocket and was on one knee and asked me to be his wife (our staffy, Tex, sat next to him at the perfect time as well). I was taken completely by surprise, didn't think it was real and cried all of my makeup off. Safe to say I was getting phone calls asking why I was late to dinner.
It was absolutely perfect and totally us! We called our family and close friends (who already knew because Scott was nervous/excited and wanted to tell everyone) and celebrated by dancing into the night to live pub music!
The Planning
Scott thought we would be engaged for at least 5 years, but I just wanted to marry him so we planned our wedding for February 2021 (our anniversary month) which gave us 17 months to plan.
We knew we wanted a rustic/country wedding that was very non-traditional and booked all major vendors pretty much as soon as we had set a date so that we could book who/what we wanted. We were talking to Scott's cousins about venues one night when they suggested the Canobolas Dance Hall - we looked it up and it was exactly what we had imagined! It was the only venue we looked at and we booked it straight away. All of our vendors were amazing, from the team at La Bella Medispa (makeup artist and pre-wedding skin prep), our photographers at Little Image Co, and Sarah from Bespoke Country Weddings with the setup and decor.
We also couldn't have asked for better family or bridal party, who were supportive with whatever we wanted and helped in any way possible. My mum in particular was like our own personal wedding planner. She lives in another town so called all the time and offered to take jobs off our list that she could take over. My sister was also a savior, including when the florist had to cancel a week out and she came up with a backup plan instantly.
The Wedding Day
We had decided not to stay together the night before or see each other before the wedding.
Scott stayed at our house with his groomsmen, cousins and some friends, and they went out for dinner and drinks. Scott ended up getting home early so that he could practice his vows. The groomsmen were given a little 'thank you' gift. I stayed at my sisters house with my bridesmaids, mum, brother, sister-in-law and nieces. We stayed in and enjoyed a few wines with a takeaway dinner. Due to the florist cancelling, we had a florist friend come over and put bouquets together that we had bought from our local market. I gave my mum, bridesmaids and nieces (flower girls) gift packs to say thank you. We all had satin pajama sets for the sleepover.
The morning of the wedding, Scott and the boys had a slow morning getting ready, and Scott's brother was doing burnouts with his Harley Davidson (which made for great footage). They all went to the park for photos, where our fur baby Tex joined the action. At my sisters house, my work friend dropped off a beautiful brunch platter, and we enjoyed some mimosas whist getting our hair and makeup done. Thankfully, both Scott and I had a couple of people running around town getting things organised for the day. We both had a beautiful morning with our nearest family and friends, and the morning felt to drag on. We were both nervous and just wanted to get there.
The Ceremony
Our ceremony was 10 minutes out of Orange, on the property of an orchard owner and we married under a large tree. It was quite a hot summers day, and the sun was blazing - thank goodness there was some shade for our guests. When I pulled up, I couldn't see Scott past the guests and was very excited but nervous. We were behind a tree when 'Sanctuary' started playing. Our page boys and flower girls were the first to walk up the aisle, followed by my sister, and then my best friend. My mum and dad both walked me up the aisle, and after a hug and deep breath we were ready to walk up the aisle and walked out from behind the tree.
When Scott and I saw each other, he started to cry and he was the only person I could see. Scott's best friend had his arm around Scott and there were lots of happy tears being shed by our family and friends. When we got to the end of the aisle, my parents gave me away and I was handed over to Scott after hugs and handshakes. Scott was incredibly nervous and I could feel him shaking when we held hands. We were whispering to each other while the celebrant started talking, and I told him to just focus on me. We shared our personally written vows with each other and shared some laughs and tears, and then we were announced 'Husband and Wife' and shared our first kiss, which we hadn't practiced (haha). After signing the papers my eldest niece, Hallie, surprised Scott and the guests with a poem she wrote herself, which ended with "Now lets celebrate this great love, and dance till the sun comes up!" and the party was ready to start!
The Reception
Our wedding reception was just down the hill from the ceremony, by the dam and jetty. We had lounges and hay bales outside, tables and chairs inside, and no seating plan so that everyone could sit where they wanted. We had some people at the ceremony that couldn't stay for the reception (due to COVID restrictions) so we had the bar setup outside with grazing platters for everyone, prior to the official reception. We got all of our group photos taken before mingling with our guests. As people who weren't staying for the reception started to leave, the bridal party jumped on the back of the ute and went up into the orchard for photos, where we enjoyed some laughs and celebration!
The reception officially started when the bridal party was introduced and entered the hall to 'Cotton Eyed Joe', and Scott and I danced into and through the hall past all of our cheering guests. We enjoyed a buffet dinner, speeches, dances, lots of drinks, and celebrated into the night under the stars. Scott and I took some time out for our 'sunset shoot' and our photographers and videographers took us for a nice drive and walk, where Scott and I could spent some time soaking in the day and the fact that we had just become husband and wife! The whole day was a dream come true - there is nothing better than marrying your best friend!
The Honeymoon
Due to work, we left for our honeymoon 6 weeks after the wedding. We did however take a few days off after the wedding to veg out and enjoy being newlyweds.
We had booked a cabin in Kingscliff NSW, but the floods and COVID had us worried about getting there. Fortunately we made it and had an incredible time away. We were away for 2 weeks and had absolutely no plans, so enjoyed walks on the beach and fishing at the river most days, as well as booking to go to 'Draculas' in Surfers Paradise one night. We spent most of our time in Tweed Heads and Kingscliff, and driving down the coast line exploring beaches and finding more fishing spots. We spent a couple of days with Scott's cousins who live in Tweed Heads, and ended the honeymoon by going to Scott's Uncle's 50th birthday party in the Gold Coast (with family who were unable to attend the wedding due the border closures). We plan on celebrating our first wedding anniversary by going back to Kingscliff for a few nights.
Wedding Advice
We had friends tell us to take time out together on the day, and it was the best advice we were given. You get so wrapped up in the day and it goes so quickly after the ceremony, so it's amazing to just be with your new husband/wife for a while and celebrate your love alone. I would also tell anyone who worries about things going 'wrong' to not get fixated on it, as the guests don't know the 'right' way and they will think that all parts of the day are beautiful.
Focus on being excited for the marriage and not just the day. Everyday after the wedding is the best day ever, because you're now married to the love of your life and get to continue building your life together. Like all couples, Scott and I have been through very rocky times. I believe that everything we went through could've easily broke other couples, but our love was the only thing that mattered and got us through. Scott is my best friend, soul mate and partner in crime, and I couldn't imagine my life without him. I love him so so much.
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