Joon and Kim’s October 23rd wedding date was originally set for a large, grand wedding with 110 guests. But with every wedding of the past few years, COVID (and ensuing lockdowns) meant their plans had to change. These two decided that they wanted to keep their original date, tying the knot with just family and a few friends, and moving their big celebration to the following year.  The resulting day? Utter perfection! “The intimate ceremony was beautiful and much less hectic than the Big Day; I had more time to take it all in” notes Kim.

The couple, who were joined by photographer Snaps by Tiffany and celebrant Robyn Pattison were blessed with stunning Sydney sunshine, as they wed overlooking the Sydney Harbour Bridge and celebrated, aptly, with delicious cake and plenty of champagne.

Joon and Kim met at work. “Joon invited me to ‘Wine Club’, a group with which we whine, wine, eat cheese and go on food adventures” remembers Kim. “We were friends for a couple of years before we actually got together.”

The proposal was not a complete surprise to Kim, who had picked the engagement ring together with Joon that February, with a plan to get married within the year, says Joon “We then booked our venue and Kim bought her wedding gown in the same month, nearly two months prior to the proposal. I picked up the ring in secret, mentioning to her that it was delayed and prepared a photobook proposal. I’m a crybaby so I knew that I wouldn’t be able to say my speech in full without breaking down. In the photo book, I laid out photos from our second year together with the things that I thought we would continually work towards as a married couple.

I tied it in with a previously planned hike with a couple of our friends. I picked out a relatively easy hike, Lockley’s Pylon. I knew that she would realise it was a proposal once I pulled out the photobook. Hence I planned a surprise within the surprise.. The last photo would be of me at the proposal location with the ring, already on bended knee. I got this photo during a practice hike a week earlier with a couple of my groomsmen. I packed a button shirt and chinos and we scouted out a few locations and took plenty of photos. My knees were extremely sore from the hike to the point I was worried I might not be able to do the proposal hike!

I was pretty nervous on the proposal hike a week later but I kept my cool, even pretending to not know the route whilst hiking. When we got to the spot, I pulled out the photobook and started the proposal sequence. I think Kim quickly realised it was the same spot in the photos and started crying. I was already tearing up but kept my cool as I got down on bended knee and asked her “Will you marry me?” She said “Yes” and we took celebratory photos. Our friends Dianne and Fede had brought 2 mini bottles of sparkling which were perfect for the occasion.”

Suggested by celebrant Robyn, the couple were married at Captain Henry Waterhouse Reserve. “Our amazing celebrant Robyn suggested a few options for a small ceremony and we settled on this Captain Waterhouse Reserve” remembers Kim. “I love the beautiful shady tree, Joon loves being by the water – and the view of the harbour bridge is spectacular from here.”

Can you actually believe that Kim made her wedding dress? “During Covid, I picked up sewing as a hobby, I sewed a linen dress with a fitted bustier style top, the swishiest circle skirt and trailing shoulder ties. I bought the fabric online a while ago, by the time I realised that I needed more I couldn’t find it again. Mum and I spent many hours searching for a matching white fabric of the right weight. A harder task than you’d think!

I love a high heel, and wanted a fun pair of shoes that I could comfortably walk in – and I thought the powder blue was a lovely pop of colour against the white of the dress.”

“Robyn pulled together a condensed but beautiful version for this small ceremony – whilst still saving enough for the Big Day in Feb 2022” explained Kim. “Our guests loved the way that she told our story. The intimate ceremony was beautiful and much less hectic than the Big Day, I had more time to take it all in.”

“Joon loves subtle small details” notes Kim. “He wore a navy suit, his Paul Smith puzzle cufflinks and tie with a little ladybug on it.”

“Our favourite vendors, were of course, Tiffany and Robyn. They were both amazing – it felt like we spent so much time with them between the lead-up sessions, this ceremony and our final wedding celebration. They are both so lovely to work with.”

There had to be cake! A surprise celebration made by Kim’s maid of honour. She tells “My maid of honour Alicia bought us a gorgeous wedding cake. She and her husband Chris also brought in Ikea stools, a crystal cake stand and champagne – a wonderful surprise and a great way to celebrate!”

The flowers? Casual and very special says Kim. “I bought a small bouquet from a local florist and snipped a few flowers from this for Joon’s boutonniere.
It was a last-minute decision by my mum to also get flowers for Joon’s mum, sister and my maid of honour for all their help – so we spent a good part of the morning pulling these together. That’s why some of our guests are holding flowers in the photos!”

The newlyweds celebrated their married status with a meal at Balcon by Tapavino. “It’s one of our favourite restaurants” says Kim, “We loved enjoying a delicious meal with our loved ones after the ceremony (did not get to eat much at our later wedding celebration in Feb!)”

The biggest congratulations to you both Joon and Kim! What an absolutely delightful day to kickstart your marriage. Thank you both and thank you to Snaps by Tiffany for sharing this beautiful celebration with us.