When COVID-19 meant their guest list was cut, Amanda and Damien cancelled their original venue and opted instead, for a rooftop celebration for their intimate 34 guest celebration. “We wanted our wedding to be really low key ” admitting bride Amanda. “We both enjoy a long lunch with friends which was exactly how it turned out.”

And relaxed it was, the pair, who invited Rolan John Photo along for the ride, meeting in front of an iconic Melbourne coffee shop for their first look, having their photos taken on the city streets, before they walked down the aisle together and wed with the backdrop of the city behind them.  It is just the kind of wedding we need for the end of a busy week, and I know you’re going to fall in love with these two as much as I did.

It was work that brought these two together, in Amanda’s words “In 2008 my company Guess Jeans were opening and outfitting quite a few new stores in which I oversaw the visual merchandising, and Damien was on the tools for our shopfitter. Our paths crossed frequently at these new store setups, and I thought he was cute and there definitely was some flirting going on between us. Working on the last store for the year I realised that I wasn’t going to see this guy again so I asked my boss to pass on my number to Damien in which he did.
Little did I know that a colleague of mine had already passed on my number to him! So I thought there was no way he was going to call me as I looked desperate – but he did.”

A holiday to Bali was just the decadent moment that Damien needed to decide to pop the question. “Damien and I went on a holiday to Nusa Dua in Bali in August 2019. It was our first holiday just the two of us for a while, so we decided to spoil ourselves and stay in 5-star accommodation which we don’t normally splurge on.

The second morning we were there, we got up early and I got ready to go for a morning run and Damien suggested that we should watch the sunrise which was meant to be beautiful from the area where we were staying. I said ok but I’m going for my run afterwards! We walked out to the beach in front of our accommodation and were waiting to set up for a photo whilst the sun was coming up. I remember a guy was standing in the way for most of the time. Anyway, as the sun was about to come up, we smile for the selfie and then I look at Damo and he is down on his knee with a ring. Wow, I was absolutely shocked! Did not expect it at all, and after 10 years together I didn’t think he was going to ever propose. Obviously, I said yes! And then went for my run.”

The couple met before their ceremony for a first look and photographs. Says Amanda “Rolan was a pleasure to work with and captured our day exactly how we wanted it. Our brief to him was for natural, candid shots of us and the ceremony and guests, and he definitely delivered on this. His style of photography was exactly what we wanted for our day.

The candid shots taken throughout were perfect, and location suggestions around the Melbourne CBD made for some really creative and artistic shots. It was great that he suggested that we take our couple shots pre-ceremony – which meant that we could spend more time with the guests post-ceremony.”

Damien’s favourite memory of the day? “The first thing I remember is seeing my beautiful wife for the first time. Secondly, it was the general feeling of happiness and gratitude. Being surrounded by family and friends to celebrate this occasion will never be forgotten. There was also a sense of accomplishment as we got married during the year of Covid, which threw up a few challenges along the way.”

After their original venue couldn’t accommodate their tiny guest list due to COIVD-19, the couple settled on rooftop venue Siglo. The bride explaining  “Siglo was absolutely perfect for the ceremony and reception – we wanted to be at one venue for both. However this wasn’t our first choice of venue – we had booked the Bowery Room at the Builders Arms initially, but due to covid density restrictions, we could not have our full guest size of 34 people in that space.

Our original wedding date was October 2, and we had to keep pushing the date out, waiting for the restrictions on wedding numbers to ease. We then decided to look for an ‘outdoor’ venue, which would have higher capacity limits. We were so lucky that Siglo had availability for December 21 – so we locked it in. The events team at Spring Street Events were lovely, and the staff on the day were amazingly attentive and professional.”

Amanda’s favourite memory of the day? “Walking up the stairs at Siglo and seeing the love of my life at the top of the aisle waiting for me. Also, just having our family and closest friends altogether was so special.”

Amanda and Damien were married by Margaret Collier. “Damien and I are both pretty relaxed and don’t take ourselves too seriously. We wanted our ceremony to feel this way too. Margaret our celebrant was so warm and approachable and guided us along the way to the day. She was also very accommodating with all of our date changes due to COVID.”

A big congratulations to the newlyweds! Thank you for taking the time to share your beautiful day with us. Thank you also to Rolan John for sharing today’s beautiful celebration.