After planning a big wedding on a private farm, postponing it three times, Danica and Stuart decided they just didn’t want to wait anymore. Despite plenty of restrictions still in place, the couple scrapped everything they’d planned and settled on an intimate occasion (with just 30 guests) with a short reception. The result, still absolute perfection. “We loved the intimate feeling and being able to talk to all our guests” Danica sharing.

With the sun shining, beautiful blooms and beautiful photos by Pure Mac Photography this is the story of how two people faced a pandemic head-on and won. The proof was evident in every story every photo and every moment.

It seems, just like their wedding, Danica and Stuart’s love story was always meant to be, says the bride “We met at the local nightclub on a good friend’s birthday. We had an instant connection but we’re both in denial that we were meant to be together. Fate kept bringing us together more and more and we decided to start dating. Almost 11 years later we are now married and have a little baby girl named Stevee.”

And seven years later, Stuart popped the question. “Stu asked my parents for permission to marry me. And then just after our seventh anniversary, he asked me the question.
Stu got down on one knee and proposed to me at Holey Moley (mini-golf) on the last hole, the game of thrones chair, Danica got a hole in one after going first. Stu took his turn and missed. Followed by 30 more tried (he was nervous). I couldn’t work out why he was playing so badly. Then once he got it in he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. The group behind us all cheered. I was so embarrassed haha. We then called our parents and told them.”

 

Stuart kicked off his wedding day look with pieces from Connor. Says Danica “The groom wanted to be comfortable but dressed up. He wore black chinos and a white shirt. He also wore a beige jacket to be a point of difference from the groomsmen. ”

Danica chose Makeup by Alex and Jess of JH Makeup and Hair to style her look for the day. She tells “Alex created the most amazing look for me. Jess from JH Makeup and hair for my incredible Hollywood waves.”

Danica founded her beautiful Essense of Australia off the shoulder gown at  Fairytales Bridal Boutique. She tells “Being a plus-size bride I didn’t have high hopes in the beginning about finding the ultimate wedding dress. I quickly became obsessed with the TV show “Curvy Brides Boutique”  and knew there was a perfect dress for me. I had an idea of what I thought would look nice on me so I was quick to do some research.
I went to Fairytale Bridal Boutique with my mum and best friend maid of honour Sarah. I tried on three dresses in total. The third dress was my choice and I loved it. I didn’t want to take it off. I had the overwhelming feeling you get that brings you tears. My mum was speechless which is rare so I knew it was the one.
To top it off my dress had pockets!! It was meant to be it fit me like a glove and they let me purchase the one off the shelf. It was also my grandfather’s birthday who passed away the day I got my dress which I didn’t know. Fate again.” She finished her look with some sentimental pieces. “My mum made me a special poem and bracelet to wear and a hanky from my grandmother that has passed away.”

One of Danica’s favourite moments of the day was her grand reveal. “I loved doing a reveal of my dress before the wedding to my bridesmaids/mother in law.
Then to my dad and my brothers. This was very special and emotional. It then allowed my brothers and I to give my dad a gift to celebrate his 60th birthday.”

The beautiful floral details for the day were styled by Wildly Flora.  “I wanted pampas grass with dried flowers and greenery” explains Danica. “Zara made my dream flowers come true. She made my vision come true.”

The couple hosted their day at Sunbury venue Goona Warra Vineyard. Says Danica “The winery was amazing they did everything and made my day very relaxing. Our original plan was to get married in front of all of our family and friends at our family farm in Heathcote on Easter Saturday, but due to Covid and having to postpone three times we changed our venue and guest list.
We had our immediate family, wedding party and their partners, and 4 very close family friends. 30 guests in total.
We had a micro wedding so we got married at 4 pm and had our reception from 5:30-8:30 pm. We then had our wedding party back at our house and my family had our family friends back at theirs as it was my dad’s 60th birthday and we had restrictions.”

Danica chose “Walk With You” by Ed McCain to play as she walked down the aisle with her dad. “My dad was very emotional and cried.”

Stuart’s favourite part of the day? “Seeing Danica in her dress for the first time was a very special moment. She told me I would feel a wave of emotions but I didn’t believe her. She looked amazing even more than I thought she could. The whole vibe of the day was very personal and intimate. I also enjoyed the moments Danica and I had in our shoot. To top off the night I loved relaxing with my wife and closest friends at home by the smith’s fire pit with a few drinks.”

Danica and Stuart were married in a relaxed ceremony by Sweet Wonderful You – Erin McMahon.  “The ceremony was full of laughs, love and was very relaxed. Erin from sweet wonderful you made me feel so calm” explains Danica. “We did our vows but no readings. My husband was very emotional and couldn’t do his so I had to go first. It was very sweet.”

Danica shares this advice. “Do the things you want to do. Don’t let others opinions make you doubt your own. I loved not telling anyone details of the day, it made them have an open mind and love my choices on the day. If you are plus size like me don’t settle for a dress; the perfect one is out there for you! Best of luck.”

It was a hard road to get to the aisle for these two, so the support of amazing vendors made all the difference – right down to their choice of photographer, who they both adore “Mickala was incredible. She made me feel so comfortable and relaxed. I didn’t know she was there a lot of the time and she captured everything so naturally which I loved.

We were unable to do our pre-photo shoot due to Covid restrictions but Mickala sent us an amazing wedding gift. A timber print of Stu and me outside the wine cellar which I love. She was very helpful in changing the date of our wedding. I choose PureMac for her amazing photos. I love every single moment she captured. She’s the best!! I would use her again. I am going to do family photos with her when we can.”

The photo Danica loves the most? It’s all about the twirl. “I love the photo of me spinning in my dress. I felt full of confidence which doesn’t happen very often being plus size.”

As wedding favours, Danica and Stuart had personalised acrylic discs made and slipped them onto their guest’s drinks.

For their first dance, the newlyweds chose the classic “Stand By Me” by Ben E King. “Stu and I practised and made up our own little choreography” explains the bride. “I didn’t want to just stand still and talk I wanted to enjoy the moment.”

The reception, being short, meant the dance floor had to pack a punch. And it did thanks to  That DJ. “That DJ was amazing made our wedding vibe!” raves Danica. “He was the host and he got people up and dancing during our short reception.”

Congratulations Danica and Stuart! What a stunning wedding you had and how honoured we are to share it. Thank you both and thank you to Pure Mac Photography for sharing today’s beautiful wedding with us.