A Survivor’s Love Story – When Kate and Daniel vowed to love each other in sickness and in health, they wholeheartedly understood the reality of their words. Kate is an ovarian cancer survivor and throughout months of surgery and chemotherapy treatment Daniel supported and cared for her. Their wedding was a celebration of love and beautiful life.
Kate and Daniel had been dating for six months when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She was 23 at the time. “I was bloated for a few days and experienced extreme pain during intercourse. I went to the GP and he booked me straight into emergency. Days later I was diagnosed with an immature teratoma on my left ovary and I went into surgery soon after,” says Kate.
The surgeons removed her left ovary as well as tumours in her bowel and bladder. Four rounds of chemotherapy followed, including numerous stays in hospital for complications and side effects. Kate remembers the day that Daniel shaved his head, an act of solidarity as she was losing her hair from the effects of chemo. “It was such a loving thing to do and for me, it made the experience a lot easier,” says Kate.
Kate’s experience with cancer was made bearable by Daniel’s unwavering support. Four years after her diagnosis Daniel proposed and they married, nine months later.
Their wedding was a casual, intimate affair shared with their beloved family and friends. Kate found her wedding gown long before any styling details were decided so it did, in a way, dictate the wedding theme. “We went for a vintage-inspired theme with a soft colour palette of cream, champagne and pink tones. We used different fabrics and textures to add depth, including linen, calico, brown paper, crystal and textured card,” says Kate.
Her couture gown and headpiece were created by designer, Helen English and featured beautiful bronze and gold tones as well as exquisite French lace detailing. Her bridesmaids wore champagne pink dresses and carried bouquets inspired by the flowers that grew in Kate and Daniel’s grandparents’ gardens; roses, winter green hydrangea, berries, lisianthus and sweet peas.
After a heartfelt ceremony the newlyweds invited their guests to Bacchus Restaurant for a joyous celebration. Located in an old theatre, the venue was stunning and required little in the way of styling so Kate added sweet, personalised details including luggage tags as name tags, herringbone ribbon ties around the menus, small arrangements of flowers in crystal cut vases and chalk board stakes for table numbers.
Kate & Daniel honeymooned in Europe and are now living in Sydney, basking in the blessing that is their son, Oliver.
Five years after diagnosis Kate was given the all-clear. She is now an OCRF ambassador, a role that has helped put her experience into perspective. It’s important to emphasise that Kate’s story – her diagnosis, recovery and prognosis – is a very rare case.
Photography Jake Thomas Photography Ceremony Venue St Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Newcastle Reception Venue Bacchus Restaurant Bride’s Gown Helen English Bridesmaids’ Dress Review Groom’s Suit Rundles Flowers Jade McIntosh Cake pARTy Cakes, Canberra Hair + Makeup CHIC Artistry