It was love at first sight at 16 years old for Joseph when he first saw Paige at a friends birthday party. He immediately jumped at any opportunity he could to take her out and impress her. She says he still tries to impress her after 9 years of dating! These two high school sweethearts have shared many milestones together and make any fairy tale look weak with their undeniable love and commitment to each other.
#RCRealBride Paige wore the stunning Hadley gown by Sottero and Midgley. This alluring fit-and-flare wedding dress features striking lace motifs, a low back, and a sexy sweetheart neckline accented with a shimmer of sequins and beading. Finished with covered buttons over zipper closure. Just breathtaking!
Photographer – Courtney Laura Photography
THE FIRST SIGHT
After much persistence Paige finally decided to give the kind boy a chance and met him for a coffee where Paige was an hour late! But what touched her heart was that he was still waiting there with a smile when she arrived. For the second date Paige made sure she was on time and Joe made sure he did everything he could to impress his young & gorgeous date, so he ordered an ‘extra spicy meal’, says Paige. “With sweat pouring down his face and his nose dripping from the heat, I asked if it was a bit too hot. He responded “no not at all, I love it”. You could say he has still been trying to impress me like that ever since”.
THE PROPOSAL
Joe planned a full night out in this beautiful city. He told me we were going to see a musical but when our train arrived into the city we were greeted with our closest friends and a horse carriage instead! After much confusion on my part it all made sense as I entered the carriage and he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him!
THE VENUE
We went to a couple of venues around the Yarra Valley, with Inglewood Estate as our first pick. You could say – similar to us meeting – Joe knows whether he likes something immediately and so there was no need to go anywhere else – he had fallen in love (again) and that was it! We loved that it encapsulated everything that we love – large oak trees, greenery, rustic wood and a small, intimate reception area. With it also being only 5 minutes away from our home, it was hard not to say no!
FAVORITE MOMENT
My favorite part was the time that was just us two. After all the formalities, the sun was setting and we left the venue and our guests with just the photographer and was able to just chat about everything that had happened over the past 24 hours. We looked back at the venue and all our guests enjoying themselves and he held me, telling me he loved me forever as the sun was going down – it’s a moment I will never forget.
THE DRESS
The dress made me feel so confident and was exactly what I wanted and saw myself wearing. I loved that the dress fit me perfectly, it was tight impeccably fitted and suited the entire day – rustic and elegant. I found the dress in my first day of looking – I had been to other stores along Sydney Road before my fitting but as soon as I put it on and walked out, my bridal party and grandma started crying and I knew it was the one!
FINDING THE ONE
The staff at RC made me feel like I was the only girl that mattered to them. Joan – the lady that helped in my first appointment knew exactly how to clip the dresses to ensure they fit right and helped with the veil and other tip and tricks that could support making me feel more confident. As soon as I walked out in my dress – she immediately said ‘YEP – that’s the one! I’ve never seen anyone make that dress look so beautiful’ and it was so genuine which made me feel so special
ADVICE FOR OTHER BRIDES
Give yourself time and spend the time planning it with your partner more so than anyone else. This day is special for the both of you – so make sure the decisions are made together. Also – write your own vows. Although it made me so nervous, it is something I will never forget – Joe reading out the words he had carefully put together all about why he loved me – so beautiful. How to keep a happy relationship? Realize that it isn’t always going to be happy and that’s ok! Communicate when you are happy and communicate when you are sad. And never go to be angry!
VENDORS
Venue: Inglewood Estate
Church/Celebrant: Guy Guerney
Flowers: Pick of the Bunch
Cake: Lucy Bakes Melbourne
Hair: Emily Terry Makeup and Hair
Makeup: Emily Terry Makeup and Hair
Shoes: Novo
Invites: Homemade
Suits: Formal Red
Band/DJ: Joel Quinn Music
Bonbonerie: Homemade by my Grandma
Table Centrepieces: Homemade by my Mother
Rings: Michael Hill