It was at a coffee shop that Ancille and Dar first met. “We just got to talking and never stopped”. The pair’s instant connection their golden ticket and the story that leads us here today. An epic wedding day (02/02/2020) chosen for a day that was utterly chic.

Captured by Anni Maria Photography, this wedding was filled with both a reflection of the couple’s devotion to their faith, but also to their culture. Because in amongst the beauty – the ballgowns, the white on white blooms, the beautiful setting, was something very personal. And everyone knows that, of course, is our very favourite type of story to tell.

Dar completely caught Ancille by surprise when he proposed, managing to throw her off the scent. Ancille tells the tale “Dar is a very easy going simple guy who doesn’t get bothered by much so when he started caring about me being on time for our date I knew something was up. I got dressed up really nicely and went to dinner expecting a proposal… but it never came.

When we got home I was upset and couldn’t figure out how I got it so wrong. He asked me why I was upset and I told him. I also told him that in a way I’m glad he didn’t propose at dinner because I would want something more private. After I said that he got up walked to the closet and pulled out the ring box and proposed. It was perfect.

At that point, he told me that he had hired out the closed movie theatre that we went to on our first date and had planned for the sign at the entrance to say “Will you marry me”. He didn’t find out till the last minute that the work to get the theatre running again (it had shut down a year ago) wasn’t going to be done on time. So he moved everything back by a week. After I told him I wanted something private he figured what’s more private than at home.”

Dar wore a custom made suit by Institchu, explains Ancille “To keep things interesting we did a white pleated shirt and some patent leather shoes from Hugo Boss.”

The bride chose a classic strapless ballgown for the day from designer Karen Willis Holmes. She tells “I really wanted something timeless and simple. I Went with Karen Willis for my dress because they had the best service and treated me well.”

I wanted to be tall on the day so I bought the tallest shoes I could find from Aquazzura. I kept my jewellery simple and wore pieces that my family had gifted me through the years. My incredible veil was from Steven Khalil.”

Ancille and Dar were married at St Joseph’s Church, Subiaco. The symbolism of a church ceremony incredibly important to Ancille. “I really wanted to get married in a church because I’m Catholic and my faith is extremely important to me. Dar and I having met was a pure act of God. We wanted God to be at the centre of our marriage so getting married in a church by our priest in the eyes of God was the most important part of our wedding.”

Ancille walked down the aisle hand in hand with her father to Pachelbel’s Canon and Gigue in D Major.”

The ceremony was kept simple and traditional. “We just wanted to have the feeling of God’s grace bringing together two cultures in the ultimate commitment.”

The beautiful floral details on the day were styled by Bits & Blooms. “Sticking to the theme of simplicity, we only had one flower which was baby’s breath. We also included Ferns in the flowers at the reception to represent New Zealand as Dar is a Kiwi. All our vendors did such a great job. My best friend did all the graphic design for the wedding which was amazing.”

 

Ancille and Dar chose Anni-Maria to capture their wedding in stills. “Anni Maria was the best Photographer and bride could ever ask for” raves Ancille. “She made us feel so comfortable. The brief was to capture all the genuine moments of the day. We didn’t want to see the photographer at all we just wanted photos of our family having a great time and she delivered. I couldn’t thank her enough.”

Guests gathered for the celebration of the newlyweds at South of Perth Yacht Club – chosen because it had a view of where Ancille and Dar first met.

It was important to Ancille and Dar that their wedding honour both of their cultures, explains the bride. “We included elements from both our cultures. At the ceremony, my family got up and sang a song in our language. At the reception, Dar’s family did a karakia which was a Maori prayer and a haka.”

Ancille and Dar’s first dance? Utterly romantic, like the rest of the day! The bride remembering “Our first dance was to the song “Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts. Dar sang to me the whole time – it was perfect.”

Ancille and Dar, what a joy it was to share your wedding today. Thank you both for sharing your stories and thank you to Anni Maria Photography for sharing today’s celebration with us.