The Special Couple : Tamara + Jack

THE FIST SIGHT

Jack and I met through mutual friends when we were 16. There was an instant love connection; we made each other laugh, and it felt comfortable as if we had been friends for years. A week later, we went on our first date and had a beautiful day in St Kilda, a lovely lunch on the beach, walked on the pier, shared a strawberry milkshake with two straws (very movie-like!), he took me to a nearby library and then ended the date with a long loving embrace undercover hiding from the rain. We were each other's first boyfriend/girlfriend. We said 'I love you' three weeks later and haven't stopped saying it since. We got married on our 10th anniversary. 

THE PROPOSAL

Jack had customised my ring from Brilliant Earth and received it in August 2021. He'd been planning to propose for a while, but with lockdowns, it was hard to organise anything. Jack noted a comment I made, hearing of a friend who got engaged during the lockdown, and I said, ''I would not like that'' – he thought ''noted''. He knew I also wanted it done privately.

In November 2021, when restrictions started to ease, he took us to my favourite park, St Kilda Botanical Gardens, nearby from our first date. Jack surprised me with a picnic basket full of my favourite snacks, and we had a beautiful day in a secluded area under a palm tree, enjoying the sun. After a while, Jack began to pour his heart out, which got emotional for us both. He then got down on one knee, popped the question with the most magical ring I had ever seen, and I bawled my eyes out. Finally, I came to, said yes a thousand times and jumped in his arms. We held each other at that moment, tears on our faces, and I remember thinking ''we have wanted this since we were 16'' and ''God, I hope the ring fits''. It sadly did not and was sent back for a couple of months as the band was too big, but we enjoyed our engagement beforehand. We went on a joyous walk around the gardens before face-timing our friends and chose to tell our family in person that day. There were lots of tears and hugs. It was the most perfect day.

THE INSPIRATION & VENUE

We knew we wanted an outdoor wedding ceremony, surrounded by nature under a giant tree, and a marquee to have the in/out flow during the reception. We have always enjoyed being outside, surrounded by nature and beautiful greenery; that was the colour palette we wanted to tie in. We ended up with earthy neutral tones such as sage, off-whites, latte and hints of Jack's favourite colour, lavender. Having an outdoor wedding in March was a risk, but it was the perfect day. There was a warm, slight breeze blowing my veil and a clear starry night. Another theme we wanted to incorporate was romance and a celebration of love. Our fantastic stylist designed a photo wall with ten years' worth of Jack and I's relationship and another wall called 'Generations of Love' hanging photos of moments shared from both families' past weddings. It was so beautifully designed and truly captivated the theme we wanted, not to mention it surprised our family and guests. Some even moved to tears. It was, overall, a very emotional and heartwarming day.

THE BRIDAL LOOK 

I knew I wanted to be a little off-traditional but still incorporate timeless, modern, and elegant elements. My goal was to highlight my hourglass figure in a fitted dress with a long train and an even longer veil. I was not inspired by any particular person in history but rather what I would feel beautiful in and what Jack would love. The dresses I had been eyeing for years before I was engaged always had details, whether lace, floral design or sparkle, which made it easier for me to decide that I wanted busier dresses rather than simple and plain.

SAYING "YES" TO THE DRESS 

I tried on five wedding dresses at Eternal Bridal Boutique. Odette was the first one, and it was instant tears. After that, nothing could compare to that wedding dress and that emotional moment I had from the start. It was so beautiful and perfect for me, and my heart sang, so I knew immediately. I loved that she had multiple layers and, therefore, was heavy. It felt luxurious. The sand layer matched my skin tone over ivory/white, and the 3-dimensional floral designs on the shoulders made it simply perfect for me. Having a long train was also important for my style as I wanted that in all my wedding photos, with the matching long veil. Every inch of it had a beautiful detail that would give people that 'Wow' speechless moment when they saw me, and that's what I have always dreamed of, especially that reaction from Jack.

Cate, my Eternal Bridal boutique stylist who helped me, was exquisite. She made me feel so confident and beautiful. She related to me and knew what I needed. Cate helped me see dresses in different lighting try on heels and other veils, and it was indeed the best experience ever.

THE HIGHLIGHT OF OUR DAY

The entire day was a highlight. I cannot pinpoint one specific moment, from getting ready with my bridesmaids in the morning to doing a first look with them and my groomsman and father to walking down the aisle and seeing Jack on the other end crying in joy. After saying I do, it was a magical moment as we had white petals tossed on us coming back down the aisle, forever now as husband and wife. We then took our amazing portraits around the gardens I still swoon over. Our emotional and half-rehearsed first dance, where he lifts me in the air, cutting the cake and smearing icing on each other's noses and photos capturing our laughs, there are too many highlights to select a favourite! 

TAMARA'S WEDDING ADVICE 

Do what makes you happy, don't let others get in the way of that.

Tamara wore Odette wedding dress from Enzoani. See more gowns from Enzoani Collection here. 

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