You may have heard we’re celebrating all things black & white this month and today? We’re delighted to share with you the tale of how Alexandra and Jack tied the knot.
The pair, who opted for a luncheon wedding brought their wedding back to traditional basics. Says Alexandra “We wanted the wedding to be timeless and classic and to radiate simplicity and elegance.” And what better place for a timeless, classic celebration than the historic mansion venue of Quat Quatta? Settle in for this story, with all the beauty captured on camera by All My Wednesdays.
It seems these two were always meant to be, they met in high school! Says Alexandra “We met in high school! He asked me for help on his English homework, and then on his maths homework (he was secretly way better at maths than me anyway) and we never stopped hanging out!”
Jack popped the question over takeaway at sunset. “It was early spring last year and we were at the seaside lookout ‘Eagles Nest’.” Remembers the bride “We had just picked up takeaway Chinese food and I insisted on sitting down and eating (little did I know he had the ring in his pocket and was wanting to propose before the sun set! Oops!). He eventually convinced me to walk to the lookout by bribing me saying that it would make a good instragram photo (yep that’ll do it!). We walked down together and as I was taking photos of the sunset I heard Jack say my name and I turned around to him on one knee holding the ring and asking me to marry him. BEST. SURPRISE. EVER.”
The groom dressed in black and white pieces from Connor, his groomsmen complementing the look in all black. “Jack knew he wanted something that was simple and understated, authentic to his personality but fitting with the elegance of the day.” says the bride. “Jack’s attire was by Connor and he wore a creamy beige coloured suit jacket, black pants and black accessories. I also surprised him a Versace cologne for the wedding morning and his groomsmen surprised him with a stretch hummer (verrry impressive boys!).”
Alexandra found her dream gown at Twelve South Bridal. “I wore a couture silk gown with an understated slim silhouette and buttons down the back. My stunning wedding dress was from the incredible Twelve South Bridal. The boutique is owned and run by Grace who is extremely passionate and made me feel so relaxed and REALLY listened to everything I asked for! The gowns were effortlessly beautiful in silks, crepe and laces that you won’t find everywhere and the store is a dream!”
Alexandra and Jack chose the one venue, Quat Quatta for their day, and they give it five stars! Alexandra telling “We chose the stunning Quat Quatta in Ripponlea for our ceremony and reception! The grand high ceilings and stunning architecture is reminiscent of vintage period dramas (yes I grew up on Pride and Prejudice and Downton Abbey!) so it was a no brainer! The gardens are gorgeous and the courtyard outside is to die for but we chose to have our ceremony in the ballroom because I just couldn’t get over the chandeliers and the second story archways (yes there is a staircase up there, yes I threw my bouquet from the top and yes it was AWESOME.) Also the FOOD! Okay enough said!”
“My most memorable moment was watching Alex walk down the aisle” says Jack, who watched as Alexandra walked down the aisle with her father to “Known” by Tauren Wells. “A meaningful Christian song that Jack and I chose to represent our faith” explains the bride.
The couple were married by the bride’s brother in law, in a ceremony that honoured their faith. “Our ceremony was a celebration of love and of Jesus. We wanted it to feel inclusive and meaningful for everyone present. We had a Bible reading from Ecclesiasties 4: 9-12 to symbolise what marriage meant to us.”
Jack’s advice to you? “Don’t stress about how the day will go because you’re getting to spend the rest of your life with someone you love and it will perfect. (But remember to return the key to your airbnb, that’s sorta important too!).” Alex adds “Enjoy yourself and schedule out time alone with your partner because you’re around people all day! (Also bring bobby pins because your veil may fall off right before you walk down the aisle!).”
It is clear that Alexandra and Jack live their life surrounded by love. “We had 11 people in our wedding party! I included my four sisters and two nieces (one was a flower girl and an actual angel!) and Jack had his two brothers and his three best friends from high school. My bridesmaids wore midi length satin navy dresses and the groomsmen wore black tuxes!”
Love the blooms? Can you believe they were actually put together by Alexandra and her family? “This part is really special to me because my Mum and Dad actually MADE (yes, made!) our bouquets, boutonnieres and our centrepieces/aisle decor! We chose all white (in keeping with the simplistic theme), classic long stemmed roses and delicate white babies breath for the decor.”
“We had the incredible Mardy Bridges from All My Wednesdays photograph and video our wedding” notes Alexandra, who has nothing but good things to say about the couple’s chosen photographer. “Both her and her assistant were a dream to be around all day and often faded into the background so that when I received the photos I couldn’t believe the details and the moments she had captured! It was insane! She was extremely organised (when we weren’t!) and seriously made the day THAT much better! It was like having old friends there and we were so comfortable!”
After deciding to make their own wedding cake, the pair ditched the plan and ordered a cake from My Dream Cake. “A shoutout goes to My Dream Cake for making our wedding cake in under a week (yes I know!) because we tried to make it ourselves and failed miserably! Please don’t make your own cake unless you know how! Funny now though!”
Even the newlywed’s first dance was a classic favourite! Tells the bride “We were (SUPER!) basic here and danced very awkwardly (but lovingly) to “Thinking Out Loud’ by Ed Sheeran. C’mon I couldn’t help it, have you heard that song!”
“The florals and all our hair and makeup were DIY! And so were the invitations/place-cards/signage! (Thanks Etsy and vista print!) But the biggest task I took on was the music! I created Spotify playlists and the incredible staff at Quat Quatta had them playing throughout the day (absolute stars!). We did have a lunch wedding and it was super chill so if you want a party vibe (we are grandparents at heart) then go for a DJ!”
A delicious meal was really important to Alexandra and Jack, the pair choosing a four course luncheon for their reception. “We made sure we picked a four course sit down menu because we love food! ” shares the bride. “We put a lot of thought into the menu and picked things we knew were crowd pleasers (hello pork belly!) and everyone commented on the food afterwards which felt great! I also had to include the bouquet toss because there was no way I was having Jack awkwardly bite a garter off my leg in front of Nanna Betty!”
The couple were lucky enough to have All My Wednesdays also shoot a film for their wedding day.
A big congratulations to you both Alexandra and Jack! Thank you for sharing the stories of your day with us. Thanks also must go to All My Wednesdays for sharing today’s celebration with us!
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