The Romance
Brad and I met about 10 years ago through mutual friends. As the years went on we always followed each other on social media but never really thought much of each other romantically. It wasn’t until about 3 and half years ago when I signed up for a two week trial at the local F45. I started my trial and on my first session I bumped into Brad. He caught my eye and I thought no way that can’t be Brad Linford. He was so grown up and better looking than I remember. After the session I messaged him on Facebook to see how he was and see if he was training tomorrow night as well. As my sessions continued through my trial we trained together and realised we had more in common than we ever realised. After my trial I joined and we coincidently happened to be in every training session together. Since then we became best of friends which turned in to so much more, We knew this was meant to be!
The Proposal
April 1st 2018, Brad surprised me with an amazing wine tour around the Swan Valley. Picked up and chauffeured around in a 1930s REO SpeedWagon limousine. I had no idea what the day was going to include. Visiting numerous wineries, lunching and visiting beautiful sites in the swan valley we had a fantastic time. Still oblivious to the idea of what was really happening that day. When we got to the 3rd winery, which was Sandlford, Brad took me down to the lake to have a look at the scenery and go for a nice walk together. At first he gave me an empty box as an Aprils fool joke. You could imagine my face and I threw It back at him. Then he had the real box and ring in his pocket. He got on one knee and both of us were overwhelmed and filled with happiness tears. He made me the happiest girl in the world.
The Planning
I feel like I enjoyed the planning more than Brad haha. I was eager and excited to start planning within weeks of getting engaged bringing home piles of brochures for us to look through. Brad didn’t quite understand the need to get organised, but I was determined to get a date and venue sorted as soon as I could I get that part under control. We visited a few venues then randomly we found out about Rendezvous Scarborough Hotel open day. We were surprisingly impressed with the venue and the service we received so we booked a date then and there.
Once we had a date sorted everything else fell into place and the planning wasn’t stressful at all. Brad and I shared the planning, and both made decisions together. We were engaged for 15 months and we had everything planned and paid for about 1 month before the wedding so the last few weeks we could relax (well as much as we could). We were very lucky, our families didn’t interfere and left the planning to us unless we asked for their help.
The Wedding Day
The day was amazing, I wouldn’t have changed anything about it. It was perfect weather with just enough clouds to stop the sun glare and to be great for photos. Everything ran smoothly, and I can’t praise the suppliers we used enough. The venue was fantastic as well and very accommodating with anything we needed. The photographers, DJ/venue decorations, cake, hairdressers and makeup artist, everyone was amazing on the day.
We both had an Executive Suite each at the Rendezvous Hotel where we were getting married. The night before all the girls hung out in my suite and the boys in Brads. We kept the tradition of not staying together the night before. This really kept the excitement of seeing each other for the first time walking down the aisle. I was cool calm and collected the night before and the morning of the wedding. I knew I was making the right decision and I was just filled with excitement. We had all our family and friends there to celebrate our special day with us.
The Ceremony
The Ceremony was held on the top level of Rendezvous Hotel Scarborough on the Observation Deck. It was great to see all our family and friends as I walked out but as soon as I saw Brad standing there my face lit up and I couldn’t stop smiling. We laughed all the way through the ceremony together. We both personally wrote our vows which made it more special.
The Reception
Our reception as also held at the Rendezvous Hotel in Scarborough in one of the function rooms. The room was set up perfectly. From the moment we walked in as Mr & Mrs Linford it was a fantastic night filled with dancing, drinking and so many laughs. Everyone had a great time and we didn’t want the night to end. Almost all our guests were staying the hotel for the weekend, so it was great to stay until whatever time they wanted to and just walk upstairs.
The Honeymoon
After the wedding we went down south to Margaret River for a ‘mini moon’ for a week to unwind and relax after all the craziness of the past few months. We leave next week for our real Honeymoon to Europe for 6 weeks. Brad has organised the whole trip and I can’t wait to experience it all together. Although I know the country’s we are visiting he has kept it a surprise on the places we’re staying or going to. Celebrating Christmas and meeting his family in the UK, then continuing our travels around Europe. Partying there for New Years and being spoilt by Brad for my 30th in Switzerland which he won’t tell me about. After all this we are ending the trip with another week in Bali to relax and warm up before coming home.
Wedding Advice ...
Take a moment. Grab your husband and go off together for 10 minutes to take in the special day and to have a breather. The day and night go so quickly!!!
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