It’s incredible what can happen when two people cross paths — or, in Jennifer and Edward’s case, cross the road. Their stunningly elegant wedding day that embraced heritage, joy, and the people (and pets!) they love most. Set in the light-filled beauty of Chapel 1885 and with Hanna from Art of Grace behind the lens, their day felt like a true reflection of who they are — grounded, warm, and deeply in love.

The year was 2018, and unbeknownst to both Jennifer and Edward, they were working across the road from the love of their lives! “I was working part-time while studying. Edward was a regular customer, always ordering the same thing and very routine-oriented, and I was stepping out of my comfort zone with a new job at the cafe. Our small chats while he ordered food turned into walks together after work to Flinders Station, and those everyday moments eventually led to something really special. Now, we’re happily married!” Jennifer shared.

Moving forward six years to a sunny Sunday afternoon in late 2024, where Edward had disappeared suddenly earlier that morning… “I thought it was strange, but little did I know, he had gone out to pick up flowers! He came back unexpectedly, got down on one knee, and asked if I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him.”

Their warm, elegant wedding took place at Chapel 1885 by Nudo Events – an incredible venue with a gorgeous chapel full of natural light. “The big window in the chapel let in so much natural light, making everything feel warm and airy. Charming and timeless, a mix of rustic and elegant touches. It was the perfect backdrop for our special day.”

To start the wedding events for the day, Jennifer and Edward held a tea ceremony, an honoured tradition in her family. “It was really special for us to honour that. Also, we both wore traditional attire, me in an Indonesian kebaya and Andrew in a Filipino barong — so it felt like a beautiful way to bring both of our cultures into the day.”

Finding and incorporating all the tiny personal details throughout the day was Jennifer’s favourite part of planning their wedding! And thanks to the team from The Goodsmiths, Jennifer could focus on the smaller details she wanted to perfect, while the team expertly executed the larger planning pieces. “From picking out the music to designing activities for the kids, creating illustrations for the wedding favours and napkins, and even getting creative with the wedding invites, it was such a fun process.”

Once he started looking, it was easy for Edward to find his wedding attire. This suit from M.J. Bale was timeless, elegant and perfectly matched the vibes of the day. “We went to one shop, tried a few suits, and found the perfect one. There was a little twist, though; he ended up buying two suits in different sizes because there wasn’t one that fit exactly in between. He had one altered, but in the end, he decided to go with the smaller size! I guess now we have an extra jacket in case he ever needs it, haha!”

For her second look of the day, Jennifer wore an elegant silk halter-neck gown from Grace Loves Lace. “I first tried it on just a month before the wedding and immediately fell in love with it. It was actually the first dress I had been drawn to during my early research. The experience was a bit of a rollercoaster though, when the dress arrived, I had to get some last-minute alterations, and things didn’t go as expected,” she explained. “But the team at Grace Loves Lace, especially Montana, went above and beyond to help me. They express-shipped me a brand-new gown just days before the wedding and even helped with virtual alterations to make sure it was perfect. It was a crazy few days, but I felt so relieved and grateful to have the perfect dress in the end!”

The moment that Edward holds closest to his heart is the moment he saw Jennifer in her wedding dress for the first time. “Seeing my wife in her wedding dress for the first time was such a special moment. And having all our family and friends there to celebrate with us.”

Their beautiful dog Mia walked down the aisle as their ring bearer, just before Jennifer and her dad walked. An instrumental version of “What A Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong soundtracked the journey.

Beautiful pink, white and green-toned hydrangeas, roses and water lilies make up the elegant florals for the day. The warm, romantic palette of the flowers created by Anatomy of Flowers complements Chapel 1885 perfectly.

The ceremony was warm and simple, with Jennifer and Edward surrounded by their loved ones. “We wanted it to feel intimate and heartfelt. We included a reading from Ephesians 3:14-21, which really resonated with us.”

Something both Edward and Jennifer adored about their elegant wedding was just how personalised everything was! “From the old-school music we love to the ceremony reading, everything had a personal feel. We had personalised luggage tags as wedding favours since some guests travelled from overseas, and we included illustrations of our dogs on the napkins. I also had a dog pendant charm with my dog, who couldn’t be there, and Mia, our dog, was our ring bearer, which was so special!”

Jennifer and Edward created their vendor dream team from day one – so they couldn’t have been happier with everyone involved. “Honestly, I can’t pick just one vendor; they all stood out! Grace Loves Lace, especially Montana, my stylist, went above and beyond during a stressful week to make sure everything worked out perfectly. Jenna from Goodsmith was a lifesaver, helping with everything from the planning to coordinating the day and keeping things running smoothly,” she shared before continuing. “The flowers from Anatomy of Flowers were absolutely stunning, and of course, Hanna from Art of Grace captured everything so beautifully. We feel so lucky to have had such amazing people working with us!”

Even though Jennifer’s outfit had so many timeless details, her absolute favourite part was her bouquet! “It was absolutely stunning, and I loved having the dog charm attached. It felt like such a personal touch, and it made me feel connected to Sydney (my dog back in Indonesia).”

Hanna from Art of Grace was the perfect person to capture this elegant wedding, helping Jennifer and Edward feel comfortable in front of the lens. “Our photographer was honestly the best. She made us feel so at ease like we could just be ourselves. Nothing felt forced or awkward, and she captured so many sweet, natural moments throughout the day. We feel so lucky to have had her, especially since we had no idea how to pose or feel comfortable in front of the camera!”

The top five things that made this warm, elegant wedding so unique were:

“1. The personal touches, from the custom illustrations on our wedding favours, napkins, and invites to the personalised stamp and wedding cake design. Everything we chose and designed reflected who we are, making it truly unique to us,

2. The people who were there,

3. The music, we’re both big fans of oldies and making our playlist together was so much fun,

4. The traditions we included, our tea ceremony and wearing traditional outfits,

5. Mia (our dog) walking down the aisle as the ring bearer.”

A piece of advice Jennifer and Edward want to share is this: “Enjoy the planning and make it personal to you as a couple — from the music to the favours. Don’t stress about perfection; your guests are there to celebrate you and your love. A little practice goes a long way (first kiss, first dance!). Also, try to get the dress early, not like me a month before the wedding, and make sure to get comfy heels and break them in beforehand!”

Before the first dance, Jennifer had a father-daughter dance with her dad to “My Girl” by The Temptations.

In preparation for their first dance, Jennifer and Edward went to Alegria Dance Co. for lessons. Nat King Cole’s “Unforgettable” was their song of choice, and thanks to their lessons, they survived without a single toe stepped on! “It was so much fun – especially when we nailed the dip at the end!”

With so many incredible photos, we’re surprised (and elated!) that Jennifer could pick out one for her favourite. But this shot of her and Edward kissing in the middle of the dance floor definitely deserves that spot. “The one photo of us kissing in the middle of the dance floor, and in the background, you can see all our guests dancing and having fun. It really captured the energy of the moment, and I love how it reflects the joy of the day.”

Congratulations, Jennifer and Edward, on your beautiful, elegant wedding! Thanks to Art of Grace for capturing these moments, and thanks to Nudo Events for sharing them with us.