The Special Couple: Veronica + Matthew

THE FIRST SIGHT

We met online. Matthew was the first person I met in real life from online. I became very nervous right before we were to meet up and tried my best to cancel however decided to go last minute. Then, it was love at first sight for me from the moment I saw him walking towards me in the restaurant.

THE PROPOSAL

Matthew organised for a private seaplane to fly us to south Stradbroke Island. He said he'd organised it because we had not had much "us time" for a long time. He brought no bags or anything, so a proposal was the last thing I was expecting. When we arrived on the island, we hired mountain bikes and cycled to the other side of the island. Then, on a completely deserted beach, he went down on one knee and asked me to marry him. It was the biggest surprise ever! Turns out he had my ring inside a sock in his pocket so that I wouldn't notice a box.

THE INSPIRATION

We wanted a ceremony on the water and then a really fun party for our closest family and friends. We had the wedding on my parents' 40th wedding anniversary, so family was really everything our wedding was about. We hired a beautiful water-front home with a jetty and chartered a yacht so that we could be picked up from the home and have the ceremony and party on the water. It was the best day ever. It was so fun, so beautiful and so relaxed.

THE BRIDAL LOOK

I wanted a dress that I loved today, but that would still look lovely when I have grandchildren one day who want to see photos of what our wedding was like. Something fashionable and classic at the same time.

Originally I thought I wanted a low-cut, fitted mermaid dress. However once I started trying on dresses, I quickly realised that for my body type and style preferences, the A-line cut was best. I tried on maybe 10 dresses but wasn't sure about any. Then when I saw that Eternal Bridal was doing a Galia Lahav trunk show at Versace Hotel, I booked in immediately.

HER SAY "YES" TO THE DRESS MOMENT

The second I tried on the Gala 803, I knew it was the one. In my eyes nothing could compare. My mum cried and I couldn't stop smiling. And then, to top everything off, Galia Lahav allowed me to alter the neckline and even sent extra fabric so that my daughter could have it appliquéd onto her dress to match mummy. What more could a girl ever ask for?!

THE HIGHLIGHT

Every single part of the day was so perfect and fun. If I had to pick one highlight though, I think it would be seeing my now-husband's face as I walked down the jetty towards him. I can't even describe that look except that I think that is the way every woman wants the man they're about to marry to look at them. It made me feel like, to him, I was the most beautiful woman on the planet.

VERONICA'S ADVICE

There's lots of advice I would give my newly-engaged self about lots of things. However in terms of our wedding, I think we wouldn't change anything. We stayed really true to the things we wanted and loved and it was the best fun ever.

Veronica wore ‘GALA 803’ from GALA by Galia Lahav. See more gowns from GALA by Galia Lahav Collection here

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