A M A N D A A N D M A T T
Amanda and Matt had grand plans to throw an elaborate wedding with hundreds of twinkling lights, walls of fresh flowers and over 150 guests. Then, they found themselves in the middle of a pandemic. The couple didn't quite get to have the wedding they'd planned but their intimate house party alternative was just as romantic and even more sentimental than they could have wished for!
Always Late But Worth The Wait...
Love is all about being patient: a lesson that Amanda and Matt learned very early on in their relationship. On their first date, in fact! The pair had organised to catch up for drinks at the Boat Builders Yard in Melbourne and Amanda was over an hour late! "Matt is easy going by nature and simply ordered himself a beer then waited for me to turn up," laughs Amanda.
Easy Like A Sunday Morning...
Amanda and Matt had a super sweet engagement! "Matt proposed on a Sunday morning in early January 2020," recalls Amanda. She could hear him in the kitchen cooking up a storm for breakfast before he came into the room, dropped to one knee, and asked her to marry him. The newly engaged couple shared their exciting news with their family straight away but didn't make it Facebook official for a few weeks. "It felt like a little love bubble that we wanted to keep to ourselves for a while," shares Amanda.
Dream Wedding...
Amanda and Matt's initial wedding plans involved an elaborate celebration at Mountain Goat Brewery in Richmond. They had invited 150 guests and hired the most awe-inspiring wedding decorations which included M and A illuminated letters, flower walls, and hundreds of meters of fairy lights. "It was big and over the top and we were so excited," shares Amanda, "but then COVID-19 struck and everything changed".
Change Of Plans...
As a nurse at Sunshine Emergency Department, Amanda was very aware of how important it was for everyone to stay safe during these times. So, she and Matt knew they needed to rethink their wedding plans. "Our wedding went from a wild, joyous expression of our love to requiring us to be adaptable," shares the bride. The pair quickly went back to the drawing board because they knew they weren't going to postpone their nuptials. "If the big wedding wasn't going to happen, that was okay," says Amanda. "I ended up planning four weddings on the same day with a different lockdown stage in mind so that we could be prepared for any circumstance."
Improvised Alter...
The winning wedding plan took place on June 20th at a gorgeous property in Eaglemont, Victoria that the pair hired through AirBnB. "The morning of the wedding was chaotic," laughs Amanda. "Our friends re-arranged furniture on the back porch and made a make-shift alter!" Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the pair didn't have any bridesmaids or groomsmen but that didn't stop them from dressing to the nines and looking absolutely dazzling! Matt looked totally dapper in a tailored Hardy Aimes suit!
Modern Bride...
Amanda channeled a glamorous modern bride vibe with her wedding day look! She wore a stunning Anna Campbell two-piece gown which featured a pink champagne top with hand-beaded sparkling sequinned tulle and a daring open back. "It was a spectacular dress and as soon as I put it on. I knew that it was my perfect dress." gushes Amanda. The look was completed with a stunning full-length ivory skirt and a bridal bouquet which exuded romantic Scandinavian vibes with a soft, blush colour scheme.
Zoom Wedding...
The couple live-streamed their ceremony on Zoom so that everyone they loved could be a part of their special day. "We sent the Zoom invitation out to the entire guest list so that everyone could virtually attend," shares Amanda. Plus, the whole magical day was expertly captured by the wonderful Zoe Louise Photography. "Zoe is an incredibly talented photographer who made us smile the whole day. When I look back at our wedding photos, I smile and remember how she made us laugh," says Amanda.
Cotton Cake...
The reception was also held at the Eaglemont property where Amanda and Matt put one of their friends in charge of the reception decorations and the dance floor. Their breathtaking cake was made by Boutique Cake Art and looked like a beautiful piece of edible art. The drool-worthy creation featured lemon and blueberry flavours and was adorned with delicate pieces of sea holly and cotton.
Family Affair...
The whole day was brought together by Amanda and Matt's nearest and dearest who all chipped in to make sure the newlyweds had an amazing wedding celebration. "My younger brother was our bartender, whipping up wicked cocktails, and the music was supplied by Spotify," shares Amanda. "Everyone took turns being DJ throughout the night, picking their favourite songs to play!"
Throwback Vibes...
Although the newlyweds didn't have the extravagant wedding they had planned, they enjoyed every moment of their intimate and joyful celebration. "Imagine an old school house party wedding, in your fanciest clothes, eating and drinking the most delicious food and cocktails," laughs Amanda. Plus, she shares that an added perk of renting an Airbnb for their wedding was the ability to party as late and loud as they wanted without disturbing any neighbours. "All us ladies kicked off our heels and partied in our socks and slippers!" says Amanda.
Love Conquers All...
The actual wedding wasn't the only thing that didn't quite go according to plan—the newlyweds also couldn't jet off to the beaches of Greece and Croatia as they had planned for their honeymoon. This didn't discourage them though, and they still spent a wonderful weekend at a fancy spa in Beechworth. However, Amanda and Matt are aware that during these times, a lot of couples will struggle with their wedding plans. "My advice is that even during the pandemic, you can still have a spectacular wedding that's beautiful and romantic if you work closely with your vendors and suppliers," says Amanda. Although you might have to trim down your guest list and have your overseas relatives joining the celebration on a live stream, Amanda and Matt prove that you can still have a gorgeous and romantic wedding celebration without all the bells and whistles! "Sending socially distanced hugs to all those beautiful brides," signs off Amanda.
Check out our tips for staying safe at a COVID-19 wedding here.
Photograher: Zoe Louise Photography / Ceremony + Reception Venue: Eagleton, Richmond / Bridal Gown: Anna Campbell / Groom Suit: Hardy Aimes / Hair + Makeup: Camille Hair and Make-Up / Videography: Clique Videography / Catering: Fat Cats Fancy Catering / Cake: Boutique Cake Art