Jordan

How did you meet your husband and how did you get engaged?

MEETING

Sean and I met in university. We had known each other very superficially as we shared some friends in common but weren’t both single until our final years. I went out during the week one night and he was with a friend of ours. I sat down to have a drink with them and Sean and I just completely hit it off. I loved talking to him and almost immediately developed a crush on him. I got his number and added him on Facebook and about a week later we went on our first date. We talked until the sun came up and pretty much have never been apart since. I told my mom the day after our first date I thought he was the guy I was going to marry and here we are!

ENGAGEMENT

Sean and I knew early on we wanted to be together so when we decided to get engaged we chatted a lot about it – from what marriage meant, whether we needed it to prove we were committed to each other (we knew we didn’t) but that it would help us legally and when we had kids one day. We designed my engagement ring together and while for me the timeline felt a little long between when we started discussing getting engaged to when it happened, it was right on schedule for Sean. I think some women may agree that often your partner may need some firm nudges to get into the swing of things 😊

Where did you get married and why did you choose that venue and time of year for your wedding?

We planned to get married in a laid-back medium size wedding in September of 2020 but COVID-19 changed all of that. After postponing our wedding until March 2021 we realised we just wanted to be married and that the thought and stress of continuing the planning didn’t feel worth it anymore.  Our anniversary was in September so we had always wanted to get married in the Spring.

What was the vibe of your wedding?

We completely re-planned for a tiny ceremony (only 4 guests plus ourselves, officiants and photographer) and live-streamed it to our wedding guests. It was unique and very individual to us and we wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. We then had a small reception at a guest house in Melville that was stunning for photos and really went all out to make us feel special. We had so many friends make our day special, including my aunt paying in secret for all the food and alco0hol at the reception even though she was stuck in the UK, and a group of friends organised a cake with toppers of our pets. That truly made it a day to remember!

How did you hear about The Wedding Collective?

I found you online on Instagram and you really matched the simple design I had in mind, as well as the emphasis on supporting local, female-owned business which is something I am very passionate about in all areas of my life.  The experience was so special and I felt supported and special throughout the design process, no matter what hiccups COVID-19 threw at us!

What made you choose your wedding dress?

I wanted something simple that I felt beautiful in but was also comfortable with. As am above-average sized bride I was very scared of feeling uncomfortable and self-conscious and I wanted a dress that highlighted all the things I love about my body instead of one that made me anxious on the day. When we decided to have a small ceremony I also wanted something I could possibly wear again to make it sustainable and environmentally friendly so I went with the two-piece and hope to make changes so I can wear it in the future.

How was your wedding dress experience from fittings to the final product?

I loved Marié and the Wedding Collective. It was the place I chose for my first fitting and I was so relaxed I never needed to look anywhere else. I knew I was in good hands.

Do you have any advice or tips for new brides-to-be looking for their perfect wedding dress?

Really focus on what you want and not on the opinions of others or what you see online. You deserve to feel beautiful but also remember your wedding is just one day and doesn’t deserve to ruin your happiness by going over budget or wearing a dress you don’t actually feel good in just because others like it on you. Prioritise your own opinion and keep your budget in mind.

Who was your wedding photographer?

Mia Louw who we knew from university. We always loved her candid documentary style and knew it would match our style as a couple perfectly as we are down-to-earth and hate anything too posed or cheesy. We wanted to focus on enjoying the experiencing and not miss too much time from the guests. She did a wonderful job and we couldn’t have enjoyed her company more!

What was your most memorable part of your wedding day?

Spending quality time with my grandmother who is frail and we worried she may not make the wedding. The guest house made the experience so special to have everyone taken care of, greeted and I felt so special. The time I could spend with each guest because we had a micro-ceremony really is etched on my mind because I can remember it all. I would recommend a small wedding to anyone who would want more one on one experiences with guests and is happy if that means fewer guests.

Do you have any advice regarding the overall planning of a wedding?

Be kind to yourself. Do not overload yourself with stress and trying to please everyone, it is about you and your partner and your love so try and prioritise that over other people’s opinions and two-cents. That was a huge way to look after myself and remember what was important for the day.