Sarah and Peter met in high school on a school basketball trip. ‘Because we were in high school, we both kind of “liked each other” before we had spoken. We had a very strong connection straight away,’ says Sarah. The couple were engaged in October 2011 on the beach at Byron Bay where they were holidaying for Peter’s 30th birthday. ‘We both wanted a very relaxed and casual wedding. The most important thing was celebrating the many years we had known each other so we also wanted a party!’
They opted for an outdoor ceremony in Wollongong near the lighthouse on Flagstaff Hill that overlooks the ocean. Sarah and Peter’s siblings made up the bridal party, ‘We wanted to celebrate with our siblings close by,’ says the couple. Photos with the ice-cream van after the ceremony were a real highlight for the couple and their bridal party. ‘They’re not the traditional wedding photos you always see which is exactly what we wanted. The hardest part is choosing which ones to frame, which isn’t such a bad thing.’
‘The wedding dress was plain and simple; I replaced the Swarovski belt with a Champagne sash, as I wanted some colour. My mum and I picked it from Abbey Bridal in Sydney. It was similar to the dress Kate Hudson wears in Bride Wars,’ says Sarah. Peter’s mum made the bridesmaid’s dresses in champagne to match Sarah’s sash.
Their reception followed, just down the hill from the ceremony, at the Harbourfront Restaurant, an Italian seafood restaurant. They kept decorations simple as the venue already boasted amazing ocean views. ‘Fairy lights hung from the ceiling, and five arm crystal candelabras were the centrepieces for the tables, which matched the cracking sunset that we got. Once it was dark everything glowed.’
Guests enjoyed a three course meal and later were invited to help themselves to the lolly bar. After some heartfelt speeches the couple danced the night away with their loved ones. The couple’s plans to walk to nearby Salt apartments at the end of the night were thwarted by their tired dancing feet so they got a lift with Peter’s Aunty Marg.
The newlyweds honeymooned at Seabreeze Resort in Samoa. They are now living in Wollongong, renovating and enjoying their new little puppy!
Here is everyone that made this wedding so much fun:
Photographer: Jetty Blue Photography Ceremony: Flagstaff Hill Reception Venue: Harbourfront Restaurant Bride’s Dress: Abbey Bridal Bridesmaids Dresses: Made by Peter’s mum Flowers: Bunches Decorations: Splash Occasions Cake: Tonnito’s