After hitting it off on their first date at Sydney’s Opera Bar, Chris Carter could think of no better place to propose to love of his life Laura O’Loughlin.
On their first anniversary, Chris, 32, took Laura, 28, back to the place where they first met, this time with a diamond sparkler carefully concealed.
“Chris had the engagement ring in his sock because he didn’t want me to feel the box in his pocket during dinner,” Laura recalls.
After dinner, Chris suggested a walk along the promenade before popping the question and, of course, got the answer he was looking for.
The pair knew they wanted a wedding around Circular Quay and chose the Eucalypt Lawn at the Royal Botanic Gardens for their harbourside wedding.
A red carpet was rolled out for the occasion and the couple wed on February 7, 2015 in front of 130 guests.
They then held their reception at the nearby Royal Automobile Club of Australia (RACA).
“I love old heritage buildings so when saw RACA we fell in love immediately,” Laura says.
Chris, from Sydney, and Laura, originally from Christchurch, New Zealand, say there is nothing they would change about their day.
“Everything about our wedding day was absolutely magical, it felt like a dream,” Laura says.
Photos courtesy of Emma Brittenden.
Laura met Chris online and said the connection was instant. “It felt like we had known each other for a long time and was so comfortable right away,” she says.
For bridesmaids’ gifts with a difference, Laura worked with Tessarella House to design earrings for her favourite girls.
Chris describes his first date with Laura as love at first sight. “My jaw dropped the first time I laid my eyes on her,” he says.
Sydney Harbour provided the perfect backdrop for the couple’s big day. “We picked this spot because it is one of the more private lawns in the gardens,” Laura explains.
The RACA suited the couple’s style perfectly. “The vintage chandelier and stained glass ceiling above it are absolutely magnificent,” Laura says.
“I had butterflies in my tummy all day and couldn’t believe how smoothly everything went, just like it was meant to be,” Laura says of her special day.
Bomboniere: Blossom Tree Design / Brides Accessories: Tessarella House / Brides Gown: Maggie Sottero / Brides Shoes: Nine West / Bridesmaid Shoes: Own shoes / Bridesmaids Accessories: Tessarella House / Bridesmaids Dresses: For Her And For Him / Cake: The Cake Designer / Celebrant: Laura Craddock / Ceremony Music: Funkified Entertainment / Ceremony Venue: Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens / Entertainment: Isla Brentwood / Flowers: Daisy Chain / Gift Registry: Riche Travel / Grooms Attire: Calibre / Grooms Shoes: Steve Madden / Groomsmen Attire: Peppers Formal Wear / Groomsmen Shoes: Own shoes / Hair: Mobile Wedding Hair Sydney / Honeymoon: Riche Travel / Invitations: Blossom Tree Designs / Makeup: Makeup by Jessica / Photographer: Emma Brittenden / Reception Venue: Royal Automobile Club of Australia / Rings: Twin Plaza Metals / Transport: Broadway Limousines / Venue Decor: Rocket Events, Secret Garden Wedding Decorations / Videographer: Light Noise Films / Wedding Night Accommodation: Royal Automobile Club of Australia
Maurice Willis says:
I do have a history way back when! To take as many photos of none posed events,where spontaneous things were captured so that the participants could look back at these and remember exactly what they were thinking at the time. I do think you have captured this, and people will love you for it well done!