Tell us a little about yourselves!
Ben and I are quite different in many ways and that definitely came through in the wedding planning. Ben leaned towards traditional elements, like publicly reading our vows and getting ready separately, while I preferred steering away from traditions that didn’t feel like us. In the end, we found the perfect balance, creating a wedding that truly felt like the both of us. That’s a lot like our relationship and our lives together - two distinct personalities and preferences that might not seem to fit, but somehow come together in the most beautiful way.
Why did you decide to get married where you did?
We loved the idea of a city hall wedding – small, intimate, and effortless – but when we explored the options, the reality didn’t quite match what we envisioned. Instead, we searched for a venue with a similar vibe: naturally spectacular, requiring no stylist, yet still beautiful and chic. The Shakespeare Room at the State Library of NSW fit the bill perfectly, offering an intimate setting that felt both timeless and unique.
How many guests did you have?
We kept our wedding intimate, celebrating with just 24 of our closest friends and family. Many of our guests travelled domestically and internationally, which made it even more special to have so many of our most loved people together in one place to celebrate with us.
What was your budget?
We were pleasantly surprised at how easily we stayed within our budget, which allowed us to really indulge on the honeymoon!
Tell us about your outfits.
I wore the Claude dress by Monique Lhuillie from the Helen Rodrigues boutique in Sydney. I chose a short dress in keeping with wanting a chic city elopement- nothing too big or over the top. The lace gave it the romantic, bridal look, while the mini length kept it me and modern. I paired it with a long tulle veil, nude Jimmy Choo’s and simple pear drop earrings. Ben looked dashing in a classic Tom ford suit with a waistcoat.
What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?
The most important thing for us was creating a vibe that felt effortlessly chic but also relaxed for our guests. We wanted the day to feel less like a traditional wedding and more like a big, unforgettable party. Delicious food was a top priority as was choosing an amazing photographer, knowing that the moments captured would be everlasting.
Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?
We wanted to include meaningful, personal touches that truly reflected us. One of our favourite details was the custom wedding scent we created, with notes of tobacco, amber, Kakadu plum and pear – knowing that scent has the closest connection to memory.
I also wore my mum’s sapphire and diamond ring as my something borrowed, old, and blue. Ben and I had our wedding rings designed by our family friend/ jeweller, featuring each other’s fingerprints engraved on the inside of the band, combing together to form a heart.
During the ceremony, my sister gave a reading, which felt especially meaningful since I had done the same for her wedding many years ago.
Any tips for couples getting married?
It’s hard to remind yourself of this when you’re in the thick of wedding planning but our biggest advice would be to enjoy the process. You only get to plan such a special day once, and it’s only once it’s all over that you really appreciate everything – the stressful moments, the little victories, and the magic of the day itself.
Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?
Our photographer, Alex Jack, was incredible. We’re so glad we chose to include film photography, as some of our favourite shots from the day were taken on film. Alex went above and beyond to make sure we got all the shots we wanted, including heading back into the city to capture those magical sunset moments.
We also got ready at the Crown Sydney, and they upgraded us when they found out we were getting married. The villa they gave us was spectacular, setting the tone for the day and really kicking off the celebrations on such a high note.
Photographer: Alex Jack @alexjack.photography | Flora: Hermetica @hermeticaflowers | Ceremony Location: State Library of NSW @statelibrarynsw | Reception Location: Shell House @shellhousesydney | Celebrant: Eliza Frances @eliza.frances.celebrant | Getting Ready Location: Crown Sydney @crownsydney | HMUA: Serena Wyllie @serenawylliemakeup | Cake: Stacy Brewer @stacybrewercakes | Dress: Monique Lhuillier @moniquelhuillierbride from Helen Rodrigues @helenrodriguesbridal | Suit:
Tom Ford @tomford | Veil: Helen Rodrigues @helenrodriguesbridal | Shoes: Jimmy Choo @jimmychoo