What’s a better present for your 10 year anniversary than to marry the love of your life? Not much, but you can try with a surprise string quartet as you enter your ceremony on a seaplane! #RCREALBRIDE Kym wore a modern and romantic Nicole Spose 19015. An elegant princess line ballgown layered with tulle, enriched by macrame lace details on bodice and on skirt. The bodice features an exposed bodice with a deep V front and back neckline. Photography by Sorrento Weddings THE FIRST SIGHT Marc and I first met in 2008 while I was working at the Beaconsfield Hotel as a bartender. Marc came to the weekly club night called Cheeky Tuesdays with his groomsman, Layton who was the DJ. Marc was the only guy that didn’t try to get my number, which ironically got my attention, and I started making his drinks stronger until he finally asked me on a date! It was at Blairgowrie beach in January 2009. It wasn’t just his surfer blonde tips that attracted me to him (don’t worry, these are long gone), it was that he was a gentleman. THE PROPOSAL The proposal was a massive surprise. Marc asked me to pack my bags for a couple of nights away, a limousine then took us to the airport where we flew to Hamilton Island. After 5 days of quad biking, parasailing, snorkeling, massages and fine dining, we were having lunch on a private island when Marc started drawing in the sand, it read “Kymmie got proposed to here”. A photographer and videographer were hiding behind palm trees and captured the moment! THE VENUE We had our first date on the beach in Blairgowrie, Marc proposed on the beach in Hamilton Island, my dad grew up sailing in Rye, so it was only fitting that we had our ceremony on the beach at The Baths on our 10 year anniversary. We met the owner and manager of The Baths Helene at the Mornington Peninsula Wedding Expo and she was so supportive of our ideas and helped make our visions come to life FAVOURITE PART There were many amazing moments, including arriving by seaplane and flying over the venue seeing all of the guests with white umbrellas. The groomsmen all wore socks with the brides face printed on them. But the most unforgettable moment was after walking down the pier from the seaplane and seeing a string quartet on the beach that was organised by the groom as a surprise for the bride, playing our wedding song to walk down the aisle to. THE DRESS It was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever worn! But I felt so comfortable with the extra volume, I felt modern with the V plunging neckline and I felt very feminine with the romantic appearance. FINDING THE ONE I purchased the very first dress I tried on. I tried several other dresses on at other various stores, and realised I had already found the one. My consultant, Adelina was amazing, she was very understanding of the relationship I have with my mum where I wanted something modern and mum’s style is more traditional. I really appreciated the time she took to build rapport with us, I felt as though she understood exactly what I was looking for in a dress and made relevant and helpful suggestions. The assistance I received when I needed to order my dress from Italy with only 3 months to go before the wedding day was so reassuring, and everything worked out perfectly. ADVICE FOR OTHER BRIDES Make your wedding unique to you and your partner. Don’t do things just because you think you have to, or because it’s tradition. Don’t worry about anything on the day, everyone is there to support you and if something doesn’t go to plan then just go with the flow. My best relationship advice is to keep making each other smile, and never stop surprising each other.