simple elegance
Where it all began
All through our discussions of planning the wedding, we both had exactly the same image for our wedding day… simple elegance.
Amanda Eaves and Stephen Shields met in June 2015. Amanda was looking for a flatmate to share her house. She tells us “My brother Robbie, {who she had worked with previously} suggested me as a potential flatmate as he had a sneaking suspicion we would get along rather well. His suspicions turned out to be right! After a quick coffee catch up, we both instantly felt comfortable with each other. Once I had moved in, we started spending many nights together, chatting and playing board games into the early hours of the morning, where we formed a deep understanding and friendship. Before we knew it, we were going on holidays together as friends. A holiday bareboating around the Whitsundays in a luxury catamaran was the catalyst for our friendship turning to romance as we both realised we had a secret crush on each other! And we haven’t looked back since.”
The proposal
Stephen shares “Amanda is extremely difficult to surprise, yet she has always wanted to be surprised by a proposal, so I really had my work cut out for me. An elaborate plan was formed to take advantage of a driving holiday we had planned to explore the Victorian and NSW high country. Amanda had never seen snow before, so on the second day I suggested we take a detour to go to Mount Buller, which I had not included on our planned itinerary. Once at Mount Buller, I was trying to convince Amanda to walk high up the mountain to gain the perfect spot to propose, however after living in Queensland for much of her life, Amanda was not used to the cold and she soon wanted to turn back to get warm.”
“This was it then. It had to be here halfway up the mountain, with skiers and snow boarders whizzing past us…I had to make my move. To my horror, the ring box got caught in my jacket pocket and I could not get it out! With Amanda freezing and wanting to get back to the warm, she thought I was clutching my heart and was worried I was having a coronary (I almost was!). At this point, a snowboarder almost collided with us so with Amanda now distracted, the ring box finally came free and when she turned back to face me, I had the box open and the ring facing her. Amanda looked utterly bewildered as I stood in front of her holding the engagement ring.”
“I was unable to get down on one knee for fear of sliding down the hill – it was so steep! So I said the magic words: ‘Amanda, will you marry me?’ With a look of confusion on her face, she didn’t say anything, so after a pause I asked again: “Will you marry me?”
To my amusement she replied: ‘Are you sure?’ I laughed out loud as it was the one thing I have been the most sure about in my whole life. So I chuckled: ‘Yes of course I’m sure, will you marry me?’ She threw her hands in the air in excitement and replied: ’Of course I will…YES!’ She was in such a state of shock that I had to assist her walking back down the mountain and steer her to a nearby bar where we enjoyed a glass of champagne to celebrate. Once Amanda recovered from the shock and was able to speak again, she said she had never been so surprised in her entire life! Mission accomplished!”
Our wedding dates!
Take One – 10 September 2020 was postponed due to Covid and lockdown.
Take Two – 10 September 2021 was postponed AGAIN due to Covid and border restrictions.
Take Three – third times a charm! – 3 September 2022.
The big day
“We were married at Kooroomba Lavender Farm overlooking the vineyards and lavender and the mountains of the Scenic Rim. The venue was so spectacular that we felt it needed very little added decoration. The simple, elegant white roses and greenery we chose accentuated the beauty of the venue perfectly. The evening reception was warmed by candlelight, fairy lights and fireplaces, which also complemented the venue’s rustic elegance.”
“We both agree the moment we placed the wedding rings on each other’s fingers was by far our favourite moment. After four years of being engaged and two devastating postponements, we were both incredibly impatient to call each other ‘Husband and Wife’. At that moment, we both felt an overwhelming sense of peace and belonging.
We had finally made it! We also incorporated a slightly unconventional moment where once the wedding band had been placed on Amanda’s finger, I then placed her engagement ring with the wedding band to symbolise protection and sustainment. In other words, I locked it in! Our other highlight was when the reception really kicked off with the live band starting to play and we were able to properly let our hair down to dance the night away with our wonderful family and friends.”
“We have about three years’ worth of planning advice to share, so where to start? Look for a personal connection when deciding on your major vendors (i.e. celebrant, photographer, florist), and invest time in getting to know each other. Our wedding was made so much more special by our wonderful vendors, who were incredibly engaged and personally invested in making sure our day was perfect. Discuss your ideas for the wedding frequently and early. Weddings can be very emotive affairs, so be kind to one another and listen to each other’s ideas. Just as it is in marriage, open communication and patience is the key to success! On the day, make sure you regularly take time to pause, be present in the moment and enjoy being with each other. The day will fly by before you know it and it’s these special moments that you will remember for a lifetime. And to all the future Grooms out there, get involved in the planning and do your share of the work! It will not only do wonders for your partner’s stress and nerves on the day, but you will also have a great feeling of accomplishment knowing you have helped make the day extra special.”
“Our original honeymoon in 2020 was booked in an overwater luxury villa in the Maldives, however Covid had different plans! Following our wedding, we stayed for a few nights in a beautiful house in the Scenic Rim with our Dachshund puppy, Dexter.”
“We are planning a belated honeymoon touring Europe in the next year or two, which we will start planning once we have finished recovering from the wedding!”
To discuss your wedding photography plans, get in touch!
