After 14 years of a “thrilling” ride, travelling 35 countries and living life to the max, Lang Te and Balke Otene got hitched.

The couple married at their modern elegant wedding on November 18, 2015 in front of 110 guests. They chose Crown Casino in Melbourne for their ceremony and reception and Lang was having “none of that frilly stuff.” “I do not enjoy anything frilly, pink, pastel, and if I did not deem it necessary I did not bother with it,” laughs the carefree bride, aged 33. It was her partner Blake, aged 32, that was more the “bridezillia” according to Lang. “He wanted to fly in on a helicopter!”

Lang and Blake attended high school together in New Zealand and moved over to Melbourne about a decade ago. Since then they have travelled 35 countries, worked on their careers and property portfolio. “It’s gone so fast as we have had so much fun,” smiles Lang.

Weddings are always a busy time but Lang and Blake had a few extra things on their plate. “Once everyone started flying in it became mayhem!” explains Lang. “It was so much fun to have 30 adults and 11 kids all staying in my house.”

The couple honeymooned on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road at the Lorne Hotel.

Photos courtesy of Michelle Ducasse Photography.

Carla Rae Makeup Artist took care of Lang’s picture perfect look.

Lang’s beaded-encrusted strapless gown was sourced from Kylie J. Bridal & Formal.

 

Lang says she and Blake are best friends, but total opposites.

Tradition ruled Melissa Pizzinga and Adrian Zuccarelli’s formal wedding, from their “old school” courtship to their large church ceremony.

“We both have an Italian background and were always under strict rules,” Melissa, 26, explains.

The couple has been dating for more than eight years and Melissa says taking it slow has drawn her and Adrian, also 26, closer together.

“We are so grateful that today we are not only husband and wife, but best friends.”

After a romantic proposal aboard a gondola on the Yarra River, the Melbourne couple could not wait to tell their family and friends.

“We’re a bit old school so wanted to announce the good news to family and friends in person. We believe it is so much more special than… just checking who ‘likes’ our news on Facebook,” Melissa says.

After sharing their happy news the pair began planning their formal wedding for March 28, 2015. The ceremony was held at St Brendan’s Catholic Church in Flemington in front of 280 guests. “I was overwhelmed that there was barely a spare seat in the house,” Melissa recalls.

“The most memorable part of my wedding day was walking down the ailse… In a church full of people he was the only one I could see and he was the only one that mattered.”

The reception was held at Lakeside Banquet and Convention Centre in Taylors Lakes with the couple opting for the large ballroom to cater for the celebrations.

“Our reception was so much fun. Our MC, a comedian, was hilarious and our band had everyone on the dance floor the whole night,” Melissa says.

Photos courtesy of Dolce Vita Photography.

Adrian’s groomsmen looked sharp in suits from Ferrari Formalwear and Bridal.

 

Melissa had some alterations made to ensure she had the perfect wedding gown.

“Adrian and I met at the age of 18, a week into studying at Australian Catholic University,” Melissa says. “A mutual friend introduced us and it’s pretty safe to say it was love at first sight.”

A classy Rolls Royce was the couple’s choice of vintage transport.

“Loving Adrian is pretty easy,” Melissa says. “He is so relaxed, happy and a real gentleman.”

Cakes of Distinction provided the elaborate wedding cake, with its lace design matching Melissa’s gown.

Video by 8 Ounces.

Sophie Broockmann and Blake Virgo’s love story starts with a bit of office flirtation.

“He was charming, funny and – my boss!” Sophie, 28, recalls. “From the start he was always quite flirty, but he’s always denied it,” she laughs.

“One Friday night he invited me me over to his place for a ‘chat.’ In my head all the signs were pointing to a date… then Blake came to the point of the get-together – to talk about work!

“I sent him a message when I got home, making fun of the situation and my embarrassment about thinking it was a date. This was the catalyst for spending more time together and eventually really dating.”

Since then, Sophie and Blake, 29, have been on quite the journey. They went back to university together to become teachers and after graduating the couple packed up their life in Perth bound for Port Hedland.

A breakfast-in-bed proposal in 2014 led the loved-up pair to begin planning their modern vintage wedding. “From the moment we started planning our big day we knew we wanted the whole experience to be relaxed, stress-free and simple,” Sophie says.

The couple chose Faversham House, in WA’s historic town of York for their wedding and reception celebrations on September 12, 2015.

“We decided on a weekend wedding where we could spend as much time with family and friends as possible,” Sophie says of the big day, which was enjoyed with 74 guests.

“The vibe was vintage with a touch of country rustic. The ceremony was short and sweet with personal vows and the rain held off long enough to capture some amazing photos,” Sophie says.

“The reception was intimate and cosy with lots of laughter, good food and dancing.”

Photos courtesy of Ayesha Martin Photography.

Sophie’s pink sapphire engagement ring was designed by her and Blake.

Sophie says the couple’s choice of venue made them feel comfortable and at home.

“With help from some amazing people, our wedding day was the most relaxed and happy day of our lives,” Sophie says.

The bridesmaids were dressed in mismatching gowns from For Him And For Her.

The historic Western Australian town of York provided plenty of stunning photography locations.

“The love story of Ivan and I started with the most modern of gestures, swiping right on a smartphone.”

Yes, thank the marriage gods for Tinder – all the romance that would never blossom without it! Jessica Zehetner, 29, and Ivan Pavlovic, 32, were encouraged to download the dating app by friends. “I was a bit sceptical about my prospects at first, but was intrigued by Ivan’s profile,” says Jessica. But then a romance developed in a more old-fashioned way, with the couple speaking for a few weeks before going out for coffee.

One year later Ivan proposed over ice cream and they began planning their romantic wedding for October 24, 2015. Their ceremony at St John’s Chapel at Sydney University was followed by a reception at View by Sydney in Walsh Bay. “It was an intimate affair, and made special with lots of personal touches from Ivan and me,” says Jessica of the day joined by 140 guests. “The most important part was having our family and friends there together, and seeing them happy because we’re one now.”

The couple honeymooned in Fiji.

Photos courtesy of MM Photos.

Jessica’s custom Leah Da Gloria gown included a stunning backless design.

 

Jessica says if she had her time again she would relax more in the lead up to her day – advice for other brides-to-be!

Sydney’s sights created the perfect backdrop for photographs.

Cakes Covers & Candlesticks helped design the classic reception decor.

Video by My Film.

A cross-dressing bridesmaid proposing to a cross-dressing groomsman?

Don’t be too confused. Joel Morrison popped the question to his true love Bree Falla while in costume. The pair were taking part in their annual Winery Walkabout tour with friends where everyone was dressed to the theme “reverse wedding.”

“Joel was dressed as a stunning lady in a blonde wig when he went down on one knee and opened up a carefully sculpted, wax wine bottle which contained a plastic, $2 Shop heart-shaped ring,” laughs Bree.

She adds, “After eight years waiting for him to pop the question, my first reaction was to say, ‘Are you joking?’ – not once, not twice, but three times!”

The Melbourne pair were married on October 11, 2014 with 60 guests at Yarrawonga in Victoria. The ceremony and reception took place at Yarrawonga Yacht Club. The bride says there were many special moments at their vintage country wedding, including having their dog Barney, a beagle pug cross, as the ring bearer.

The first dance was also a highlight, according to Bree. “When the time came for our bridal dance, Joel surprised me by organising the best man and maid of honour to sing a stunning acoustic version of our favourite song ‘Endless Summer’ by The Jezabels.”

The couple headed to the other side of the country for their honeymoon, relaxing in Perth.

Photos courtesy of Duuet Photography.

Bree wore a vintage-inspired lace gown and carried country-style blooms which she arranged herself with flowers from South Melbourne Market.

“We chose Yarrawonga because we lived there for three years… Some of our most treasured memories and best friends where made there,” expains Bree.

Joel’s 1963 EJ Holden, which he has been gradually restoring since he purchased it for $99, is almost a family member according to Bree. “It was essential it was our wedding car,” she says.

The bride made all the bunting flags, signs and guest book and collected and hand-painted 60 jars for the guests to drink from.

“Our wedding was joyful, beautiful and outrageously fun,” says Bree.

The spirit of Valentine’s Day carried through to Betty Karagianis and Robert Alacqua’s special day, as it was the night before they said “I do.”

“Our wedding day was filled with lots of romance, being married the day after Valentine’s Day and our setting was very romantic and elegant,” Betty, 32, says of her classic wedding to Robert, 35, on February 15, 2014. The couple based their theme around a quote: “Two hearts, one soul.”

“We are true soul mates,” says the bride. “We had a very strong connection from the beginning.” The Melbourne pair had a church ceremony and celebrated at Witchmount Winery Estate with 170 guests. “We got married at St Nicholas Orthodox Church with a Catholic blessing to honour Robert’s family at St Christopher’s,” describes Betty.

Fitting with Valentine’s Day, the pair focused on romance for the reception décor, including love quotes around the room. “On the bridal table I took a moment and looked around at all our guests and the venue. I would not change a thing — it was perfect,” smiles Betty.

The couple honeymooned in Mauritius.

Photos courtesy of Desiren Photography & Video.

The detail in Betty’s Annette of Melbourne couture gown was the star of the dress.

Robert’s proposed to Betty at one of their favourite spots; a lighthouse.

Cloud 9 Wedding Car Hire provided the stylish and sleek transport on the day.

Google Earth came in handy for this bride and groom when searching for “the perfect mountain” to elope to.

The Victorian couple headed to New Zealand for their Queenstown elopement and followed up with an official ceremony back home in Australia. Amber Williams, a photographer herself, and partner Mark Gracie, rounded up their favourite photojournalist for the big trip. “Combining our passions of photography, mountains, snow, travel, aviation, weddings, love and adventure, we came up with a wedding like no other,” explains Amber, 34 of her and Mark, also 34.

“I spent a long time on Google Earth looking for the perfect mountain top to elope. I expected we would need to travel to Nepal, but fortunately stumbled upon somewhere a little closer to home,” says Amber. Although they technically had a handful of guests (their children, the pilot and the snapper), it was a ‘solo mission.’ “There was no one there to hear us say our handwritten vows,” smiles Amber. “This was about us.”

Back home, the FIFO pair were officially married by the bride’s mother Jacqui Clarke on November 6, 2015 with 100 guests at Gum Gully Farm in Silvan. “Mark is a meat-eater, I am vegan. Mark is an introvert, I am an extrovert. We balance each other out,” describes the bride.

Elopement photos courtesy of Alex Coppel.

Wedding photos courtesy of: Moments Collection Photography, Robyn Slavin Photography & Design and Amber Willliams Photography (the bride!)

 

“Mark moved in with me and I fell pregnant within 10 months,” says Amber of their little family.

New Zealand is famous for its beautiful landscapes.

“I chose Alex for our New Zealand photography because he has the ability to work in extreme conditions and for his skill of reading light,” says Amber. The studied photography together at university.

 

 

Gum Gully Farm is located in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges.

The couple’s rings were sourced from specialists Ralf Fisch Fine Jewellery.

 

Amber is a wedding photographer based in the very location she was married.

Skater boy Alex and roller girl Amy met as teenagers.

Years later they married at their vintage beach wedding on February 21, 2015. “We met at our mutual hangout, Skate FX … we were both young and didn’t have much money so of our first dates were at the beach,” smiles Amy. This meant sandy shores were an obvious choice for their special day.

The proposal was also beach-related, but not exactly smooth sailing in the water! “There were large waves rolling in and we had our kayaks packed,” says 27-year-old Amy about a trip to their “secret beach.” “Alex overestimated my paddling abilities and after pushing me out to sea, and three large waves later, my kayak capsized,” she laughs. Luckily, a quick recovery was made and the pair were engaged.

Their wedding at Normanville Beach in South Australia was attended by 110 guests – not all human. “The intimate ceremony consisted of close friends and family, and the dog of course!” says Amy. “The vows and rings were exchanged whilst the waves crashed calmly along the shore.”

The party continued at Corinium Roman Villa where Amy said everything ran smoothly thanks to the hosts.

Photos courtesy of Ricky Corey (CTR Photos.)

Amy and her mother-in-law spent time collecting shells for the unique handmade bouquets.

 

Amy’s beach-proof up-style was created by Anamnesis.

Man to Man dressed Alex for the smart-casual beach affair.

When Lexie McGill and Ben Ewing crossed paths it was a turning point in both their lives.

“Ben had returned from a four-year trip to Europe and I was about to embark on a one-year trip to teach in London,” Lexie, 29, explains. The pair spoke every day while Lexie was away and arranged to meet up in Bali for a holiday. “Safe to say, I quickly returned home.”

The next year the couple built their first house together and two years later Ben, 34, proposed in the Melbourne pair’s local park.

The couple held their modern traditional wedding on December 12, 2015 at St Michael’s Uniting Church right in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD in front of 110 close friends and family.

A cocktail reception followed at Black Rock venue, True South, the stylish venue putting a modern twist on the traditional celebrations.

“I always pictured our wedding to be filled with good friends, food, wine, lots of flowers and music,” Lexie says.

“Ben and I had such an amazing night… The minute we got back in the car I turned and said to Ben ‘I want to do that all again.'”

Photos courtesy of Paul Stevens Photographer.

Lexie’s modern wedding dress by Karen Willis Holmes was in keeping with the day’s overall theme.

“Our wedding was the perfect combination of traditional and modern with the ceremony at St Michael’s and the very relaxed reception at the up-and-coming True South overlooking the ocean,” Lexie says.

The gorgeous surroundings of St Michael’s proved the perfect choice for the couple’s wedding ceremony.

Lexie and Ben met through mutual friends at a breakfast in 2010. “Ben and I instantly knew there was something there,” Lexie says.

“There will be little bumps along the way, even on the day,” Lexie says. “Just take it in your stride as most of the time you’re the only one who actually notices.”

A limited budget turned into a designer’s dream for Danielle Annand and Stefan Orders who spent hours hunting for bits and bobs for their vintage wedding.

The pair, aged 29 and 28 respectively, married at Mt Cootha in Queensland on June 26, 2015. “Because of our limited budget we decided to have a small, intimate, family-only wedding,” explains the groom of their 60-person guest list. He said all of their spare time in the lead up to the wedding was spent making decorations, visiting antique shops and swap meets, collecting items for the day.

“We both love old things so we chose a vintage theme using ivory, beige, and browns in the flowers, decorations, wedding attire and we asked the guests to dress to the theme so everything worked on the day,” says Stefan.

After a few little hiccups the night before and the morning of the wedding, it was “all worthwhile” when the ceremony at the Botanic Gardens kicked off. “To me no moment will be as special as watching Elle as she walked alone down the aisle as a symbol of how far she has come as a person over the years on her own,” smiles Stefan.

A reception at The Summit Restaurant completed the day. “We honestly couldn’t be happier or more proud of ourselves for how our day turned out,” says the groom.

Photos courtesy of Kylie Williams Photography.

Danielle wore a lace strapless gown from Luv Bridal, accessorised with a vintage-inspired birdcage veil

The boys’ old-time look was a creation from Roger David.

“I think what makes our relationship so special to us is that in the years we have been together we have learnt so much from each other,” says Stefan.

The couple spent their first night as husband and wife at Sofitel Brisbane.

Angela Davison and Anthony Kocek’s spicy first date inspired a little bit of Mexico at their Mornington Peninsula wedding.

Angela, a personal trainer, 33, and Tony, an electrical fitter, 26, wed on January, 3, 2016 in an outdoor ceremony at Coolart Wetlands and Homestead, Somers, Victoria. An intimate reception for 45 followed at Somers General Store.

“One of our first dates was at a cute little Mexican restaurant so we wanted Mexican food for the menu,” says Angela. “We didn’t want a ‘chicken/beef’ wedding, and we wanted to showcase the Mornington Peninsula with it’s incredible food and wine. So the talented and patient Caelen Thorneycroft (of Somers General Store), along with the chefs, compiled a ‘Mexian Fiesta’ for us and our guests. People are still talking about how delicious the food was!”

The gorgeous photographs captured by Michelle Ducasse show off the couple’s modern-vintage aesthetic, with Angela in a sleek Carla Zampatti gown and her hair reminiscent of 1940s actress Veronica Lake. Tony showed off his smart, laid back style in a taupe plaid vest and navy trousers whilst the bridesmaids added a splash of mustard keeping the colour palette lively. Beautiful green and ivory blooms with yellow billy buttons blended with the outdoor surroundings.

“The day went so quickly – too quickly,” says Angela. “But we did it – we described our relationship through each touch, both at the ceremony and the reception. I wouldn’t change a thing, except to do it all over again.”

Photos courtesy of Michelle Ducasse Photography.

 

The couple’s navy blue invitations were printed by Vistaprint.

Angela and Tony first met at work but it wasn’t until her last day with the company that Tony plucked up the courage to message her on Facebook.

“We met on the Mornington Peninsula and it holds the greatest memories for us – so there was no doubt it’s where we would get married,” explains Angela.

In making their honeymoon fund more personal, the couple showcased with photos and a map all the exciting things they wanted to do on their African safari honeymoon.

“We are truly so lucky to have each other. He is my number one, and I’m his,” smiles Angela.

Katherine Lamont had been dreaming of a fairytale wedding since she was three-years-old and prancing around in a bridal gown.

She finally got her wish when she walked down the aisle towards David Bowden in their romance-filled vineyard wedding.

The couple first met at the movies and soon after David, 27, moved to London. Katherine, also 27, followed, with the pair then moving to Ireland to start new lives and exciting careers together.

While they had originally planned to wed in the Emerald Isle, they instead decided to bring a little bit of Ireland to the Yarra Valley, travelling from their current home in Brisbane for their vineyard wedding.

The couple wed at Train Trak Winery in Yarra Glen on September 24, 2015 in an intimate celebration with 50 family and friends.

The reception was held at the venue’s Italian-themed restaurant Zonzo Estate and Katherine says the day was all about the food, wine, flowers and music.

“A baby palomino pony joined us for fun and everybody had a blast,” Katherine says. “The Irish band played in the background and the speeches gave our guests a deeper insight into our love for one another.”

“It was truly the fairytale wedding that I had always dreamed of.”

Photos courtesy of Michael Briggs.

Katherine looked stunning in her princess gown and hair and make-up courtesy of Miss Aimmey Make Up and Hair.

Pony rides, courtesy of this friendly palomino, was a unique touch and a special surprise for children at the big day.

David looked sharp in a charcoal suit matched with a light shirt and tie, while his groomsmen wore suits from Roger David.

 

Video by Apertura Studios.

Lauren Hunt and James Kealy got the best of both worlds when they jetted off for their Hawaii wedding.

“James wanted a large wedding at home and I wanted a very small, intimate wedding overseas,” Lauren, 28, says. “We compromised and decided we would invite everyone to our destination wedding in Hawaii.”

The couple did their homework, heading to the island paradise a year before the big day to check out wedding venues, catering, cakes and hair and make-up.

Lauren and James, 29, from Dural in New South Wales, wed in Oahu on October 22, 2015.

Thirty-six guests made the journey to Hawaii for the celebrations, which were held Loulu Palm Estate. “We had our reception at the same location as our ceremony. We had a beautiful clear-top tent set-up on the lawn, so at night guests could look up and see the stars.,” Lauren says. “It was beautiful.”

“We just enjoyed the night and had fun dancing under the stars, sipping piña coladas and roasting marshmallows by the beach. It wasn’t just the perfect day, it was the perfect holiday with our family and friends.”

Photos courtesy of Rachel Robertson Photography

 

Lauren’s strapless Brides Desire gown was sourced from Brides of Beecroft. “I chose this dress as I wanted something that would suit a beach wedding and also feel comfortable in the humid Hawaiian weather.”

Lauren chose elegant lavender gowns for her bridesmaids’ dresses.

“James is the most patient, kind and loving person I know,” Lauren says. “No one is perfect, but James comes pretty close.”

As their wedding cake, the couple opted for three tiers of cupcakes topped with an elegant single layer cake.

A love for helping others is what brought Melbourne’s Joy Lee and Warren Tu together.

The couple met at a fund-raising morning tea where avid home-chef Joy, 31, had baked 100 cupcakes for the event. “Warren asked to take the leftover cupcakes for his friends doing it tough. [Warren, 30, is the director of homeless charity 300 Blankets.] I was only too happy to oblige but was insistent on the return of my precious Tupperware,” Joy laughs.

“Warren returned my container, but only one! It contained a teddy bear and had a ransom note on it – I had to have a dinner date with him in order to get the rest of the containers back… turns out he wanted to get to know me more.”

One year later Warren surprised Joy with a beach proposal at the aptly named Cathedral Cove in Joy’s home country – New Zealand. The loved up pair then held their Yarra Valley wedding at Stones of the Yarra Valley on Melbourne Cup Day, November 3, 2015.

The couple invited 185 friends and family to join in the celebrations and they sparked tears with their personal vows at the ceremony, held at the venue’s chapel. The reception followed in the spacious barn. Joy says the rustic charm was exactly what they were after. “The green lush vineyards and the backdrop of the rolling hills was a stunning and perfect backdrop to our day,” she says.

The couple planned most of the wedding themselves and the day was dotted with personal touches, from Warren’s unique hand-made Lego cufflinks to Joy’s mini blackboards, collection of mismatched bottles and table numbers made of ribbon-wrapped chopsticks.

“When I think of our wedding I smile and remember happiness, beauty and love – a day which was truly personal, reflecting the two of us and filled with all of our favourite people,” Joy says.

Photos courtesy of Will Chao Photography.

Joy chose a stunning  Mia Solano gown from Luv Bridal for her ceremony, it featured a ballgown tulle skirt, chapel-length train, illusion neckline and lace and beading overlay.

Flowers were a major element of the day. “I wanted lots of spring flowers – with pops of blues and lots of green foliage.

Sugar Bee Flowers provided plenty of spring blooms for the day.

For the reception, Joy changed into an Anna Campbell lace and silk dress and flat shoes so she was free to kick up her heels.

As the rustic reception venue began to fill up, The Daedels got everyone onto the dancefloor.

Leaving your jacket behind at a party could be the easiest way to land a husband!

At least that’s what happened when Kimberley McMullan, 28, met Mark Jordan, 27, through mutual friends seven years ago. “I left my jacket behind and Mark purposely collected it and took it home so he could see me again,” says the Camden, NSW local.

The bride says Mark spent weeks trying to plan a time for them to meet and hand it back. Eventually a time was made and: “To this day he still recalls the entire outfit I wore on the day he took my jacket,” smiles Kimberley.

Five years later, Mark proposed. “While walking through Trafford Square in London whilst a busker was playing Passenger’s ‘Let Her Go’, Mark got down on one knee and asked me to marry him,” smiles Kim.

The pair married at their rustic wedding on October 24, 2014 in front of 115 guests. “I dream that we could relive that day a million times over,” recalls the bride. Their ceremony at Centennial Vineyards in Bowral was followed by a reception at the same location. “We cut out a lot of formalities as they were personally not ‘us’,” says Kim.

Photos courtesy of Dean Snushall Photography.

Kim chose a natural pony tail style for her wedding hair.

Macarthur Weddings and Events handled the flowers and decorations on the day.

“We are complete polar-opposites, but that’s what makes us work,” smiles Kim.

“He is a true gentleman in every sense,” says Kim of Mark.

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“Take a moment during the reception to stop, take a breathe and take it all in,” is Kim’s advice for other brides.

When Kelly Oliver first met David Goudkamp, it may well have been love at first sight – except for one tiny deal-breaker.

Kelly, 24, recalls, “The first time I saw David, I thought: Cute! Blonde! Tall! A SMOKER. No, thank you! But after working together for a few months and lots of ‘coincidental’ trips to the kitchen every time I was in there, I just so happened to start falling for his amazing personality.”

The Southern Sydney pair started dating but soon hit a “hump” in the road. “I had a one-way ticket to England with a two-year visa,” Kelly explains. “I was still planning to go, but I was really falling for him so it was tough. I convinced him to meet me over there and we ended up travelling for seven months. I loved every bit of it… and I just knew he was the one. He proposed to me 18 months later, on a mountain in New Zealand. Such a picturesque backdrop, I couldn’t ask for a better way.”

Admitting they did things “a little backwards,” Kelly and David, 31, then welcomed a baby boy into the world, before marrying on November 7, 2015. Their Hamptons-inspired, roving cocktail wedding was celebrated with 180 guests at Zest, Point Piper in it’s elegant beach house at the Royal Motor Yacht Club.

“I married my best friend, an amazing man, and wonderful father.” smiles Kelly.

“Oh, and I forgot to mention – he is now going on four years no smoking! He must love me too!”

Photos courtesy of Luna Imagery.

In choosing a wedding dress, Kelly opted for a delicate Berta Bridal gown with a low back, that perfectly showed off her figure.

The couple travelled in style in white Range Rovers from Rolls Royce Hire Sydney.

Celebrant Coral Kortlepel wed the pair with stunning views of Rose Bay behind them.

Playful props created plenty of opportunities for fun in the couple’s photo booth.

An Alaskan wedding was a breathtaking setting for this couple who fell in love in country Victoria.

Erin and Kelsey met through a mutual friend in Bendigo, Victoria, while Kelsey was there for work from the US. “We started seeing each other shortly before Kelsey had to go back to the US,” explains Erin. But before she headed home, Erin’s new love surprised her with a four-day trip to Alaska. “When I left there I knew I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life without her,” smiles Erin.

A few months later Erin, 34, flew back over to the US with a big surprise – an engagement ring. A treasure hunt set 28-year-old Kelsey on a mission to the jewellery store. “She always joked she couldn’t get married because she’d broken her ring finger and a ring wouldn’t fit on it,” says Erin. “I’d just tell her that she would just have to wear it on a necklace.”

So one necklace purchase later and a surprise romantic picnic at home, Erin proposed with the ring which Kelsey would then wear on her new necklace.

The couple were married at Stillpoint Lodge in Alaska on July 25, 2015, for their destination wedding with an intimate guest list. “The scenery and wildlife that we were able to show everyone is something that we all will never forget,” smiles Erin. “How many people have seen an otter swimming out their window the morning of their wedding?”

Photos courtesy of Elisha Ross Photography.

One of the girls’ closest friends, Heidi, of Heidi for Hair, came over to style their elegant up-dos.

“We asked for our favorite cuisine to be on the menu,” says Erin. “So our guests dined on Mexican where we had freshly caught halibut and elk enchiladas – meats that none of the Australian guest have ever had.”

Erin’s sister, photographer Elisha Ross, travelled over from Melbourne to capture the couple’s big day. “The photos captured our day beautifully…the scenery is so breathtaking you would hardly believe it was real,” says Erin.

The votes have been tallied!

From 300 beautiful Real Weddings we featured last year, down to just 12 incredible finalists, Sydney’s Rachel Levy and Brad Cohen, together with their photographer, Nadine Saacks, have won our 2015 Wedding of the Year competition.

Congratulations! We’re so thrilled for them.

Their wedding day last January was a gorgeous mix of spiritual tradition honouring their Jewish faith, combined with jaw-dropping styling – dozens of lush trees brought inside for a magical indoor-garden dinner party. And the reception, well, it’s one of the most fun we’ve seen, with Nadine capturing the sheer enjoyment of 300 guests beautifully.

“[A] truly memorable celebration,” commented one guest, David. “Traditional spiritualism followed by youthful exuberance. Exactly what a wedding should be.”

We couldn’t have said it any better!

Rachel and Brad have won five nights at the InterContinental Fiji, flying in fine style with Fiji Airways for a magical second honeymoon to celebrate. “OMG, I’ve never won anything!” exclaimed Rachel when I phoned her with the exciting news. “Thank you SO much for this opportunity, we’re soooo excited!”

Thanks to our other 11 finalists who have been such an inspiration and for that we’re truly grateful.

Here are some of our favourite photos from Nadine Saacks Photography that sum up this winning wedding perfectly.

Smug boyfriend in your selfie? He might be about to pop the question.

Queensland’s Carly McCormack, 24, and Jake Salomon, 26, headed down to Thredbo for a little getaway. Although Carly was suspicious of a proposal, it wasn’t until she noticed a certain smirk in their selfies that she knew something was up. “When we were out skiing one day, we stopped to share a picnic on the mountain for lunch. We were actually taking some selfies, and I noticed Jake was looking a bit smug,” explains the bride. “When I turned around to put my phone away he had crept around onto one knee.”

As Carly’s mother and grandmother had chosen their own engagement rings, she wanted to do the same. So Jake gave her the keyring off his GoPro until they headed home to choose a more permanent fixture. “I wore the keyring for the rest of the day,” smiles Carly. “We then ventured back to Toowoomba and picked the ring together, keeping it quiet from friends and family until we had mine.”

The pair exchanged vows at their black-tie wedding on June 27, 2015 in Toowoomba at Gabbinbar Homestead. Carly noted the highlights as walking down the aisle, leaving the cathedral as husband and wife and “feeling all the love and warmth in the room.”

They honeymooned in the Maldives.

Photos courtesy of Salt Studios.

Jake and his trusty crew were dressed in smart black-tie by Ferrari Formalwear & Bridal.

Carly’s bridesmaids picked their own shoes, which they wore with their full-length pastel pink gowns. “I wanted them to be comfortable,” she says.

Underneath Carly’s stunning Casar Elegance wedding gown were custom shoes from Shoes of Prey. “Pink glitter and satin bows!” describes Carly. “They were inscripted, ‘Mrs Salomon – 27/6/15′ in the sole.”

Video by Brandon Saunders.

A thoughtful proposal made it easy for Kristy Locke to say yes to boyfriend Mark Vass.

The Home Hill, Queensland pair had just moved towns and Mark proposing (on a Monday) was the last thing on Kristy’s mind.

“He had hired a lady to sing ‘our’ song and play guitar, she walked up behind us and as I turned around, Mark [29] got down on one knee,” Kristy, 25, recalls. “Lucky for me he was prepared and caught the moment on his GoPro, so our families were also able to see.”

The couple selected Port Douglas for their romantic rustic wedding. “We chose it for its beautiful surroundings, it wasn’t too far for our guests to travel but just far enough to be on holidays,” Kristy says.

They married at Pullman Sea Temple Resort and Spa on September 19, 2015 in front of 110 family and friends. “Mark and I wrote our own vows, which led to a few laughs and some tears… it was the perfect way to express our love to each other,” Kristy says.

The celebrations continued at the venue’s Aqua Restaurant and the Temple Room. “We ended with a lot of dancing, singing and a fair few pairs of heels had been put to the side,” Kristy says.

“We knew everyone enjoyed themselves judging by the weary guests the next morning at the recovery breakfast!”

Photos courtesy of Azure Photography.

The bride’s stunning gown was complemented by powder blue bridesmaid dresses and vibrant magenta bouquets.

Kristy looked fresh and natural for her big day with hair and make-up by Rachael Gregory Hair and Make-up Artist.

“Our connection was instant and easy,” Kristy says of her relationship with Mark.

Video by Mod Videos.