If you had to change every wedding plan like 99% of couples in 2020, would you plan your day the same way? Or would you wonder, and dream of what you’d wanted long before? For today’s couple, Oshara and Dru, COVID-19 meant they could re-plan their day, their way. “We had originally planned a wedding overseas but due to COVID-19 we had to cancel those plans” explains the bride. “If we had it overseas, it would have been a traditional poruwa ceremony but instead we chose to have aspects of the traditional wedding customs incorporated into a civil registration ceremony.”

With a warehouse as their wedding venue (hello The Industrial Issue!) that’s not to say there wasn’t plenty of tradition- the bride wore a sari, and they incorporated Sri Lankan tradition both into their ceremony and reception. But these details instead, were beautiful moments, that were honoured in just the way that Oshara and Dru wanted. The couple, who met in high school, became sweethearts and have been together ever since, planned a day, that was, in the bride’s words “intimate, classic, simple, elegant with a hint of rustic”. With just twenty of their favourite people invited, they enlisted Shevan J Photography to capture the moments and details, which we’re thrilled to share with you today.

The bride chose WAX by Pooja Atapattu to make her a custom sari to wear down the aisle. She shares “I wore an ivory Saree which is traditional given my Sri Lankan background. I wanted it to be classic, simple and elegant. I chose silk and had a peach/ salmon toned design with beadwork to add some extra detail.” Dru wore a cream suit from Country Road.

“It absolutely poured down in rain throughout the whole morning and even when I was getting to the venue. Always have a plan for bad weather and whatever happens, don’t let it bring you down.”

The modern space of The Button Factory was just what Oshara and Dru wanted. Says the bride “The button factory is an old button factory which has a few different spaces with its own unique character. I fell in love with the location because it was exactly my style.
We used the garden room for the ceremony and the Maxart room for the reception at night.”

“Seeing Oshara walk down the aisle is my favourite and most special memory of that day” remembers Dru. The bride choosing an instrumental version of “Can’t help falling in love with you” for the walk down the aisle.

Osahra and Dru chose Prabhati Milton to officiate their ceremony, says Oshara “I always wanted the ceremony to only be with closest friends and family. We had about 20 guests and had our family who couldn’t make it attend via zoom.
We didn’t have any readings and only didn’t have much fluff going on. Our vows were also short and sweet.”

The couple did make sure to include special touches, honouring their heritage in their day. “We included certain aspects of a traditional Sri Lankan “poruwa” ceremony” explains Oshara. “I also wore earrings passed down to my mother from my late aunty and a necklace gifted to me by my family who could not be present with us due to COVID-19.”

Of the decor decisions, the couple choose Oopsy Daisy Flowers to help their floral vision come to life, which Osahra executed herself.  “We DIY’ed everything.  From the décor from flowers to the name tags, entrance table and gift table. We also set up traditional food/drink and an oil lamp for the ceremony.

I chose a variety of flowers. I was not too fussed as long as they looked like what I had in mind. For my bouquet, I went with roses and foliage. For décor, I wanted a mixture of ivory and white flowers with lots of greenery I wanted fresh flowers and certain rustic elements to the décor. I also tried to utilise décor pieces that either myself or my friends already had in their homes such as the glass jars and vases so that I was reusing as much as possible.”

“My favourite part of the planning process was actually seeing how all the different elements were coming together and how it all tied in” remarks Oshara. “We loved that our wedding represented our style, was all planned by us and executed by our friends and family and was intimate”

 

Oshara’s advice if you are yet to walk down the aisle? “Just follow your heart. Don’t listen to what everyone tells you they think you should do. This is your day!”

 

Osahra and Dru can not speak more highly of their chosen photographer. “I had seen Shev’s work for a while” admits the bride. “When we decided to have a wedding ceremony in Australia, I knew I had to have him capture our day.
He is super easy to work with and easy to communicate with. I cannot recommend him enough.”

 

The first dance for this happy couple? Completely impromptu laughs Osahra. “We didn’t actually plan for a first dance. It sort of just happened on the day and my friends chose the song “From this moment” by Shania Twain.”

Thank you to you both Oshara and Dru, it was a joy to share your beautiful wedding. Thanks also to Shevan J Photography for sharing today’s celebration!