From set-up to sensational: Temira and John’s rustic romance wedding

Temira Grandi never likes being set up, so it took her a while to warm up to John Morgan.

“We initially met through a friend of the groom who I worked with at a local café. The friend insisted that he set us up but I refused,” Temira, 27, says.

But the Wollongong pair soon realised they lived on the same street, and a month later ran into each other when Temira was having car troubles. John, 30, was more than happy to help out and the rest was history.

After a Hawaiian proposal, the loved-up duo began planning their rustic romance wedding, setting the date for March 11, 2017 and inviting 160 of their closest family and friends.

“The brief for the day was rustic and romantic – lots of greenery! We both agreed that we wanted to get married in a church having been brought up as Catholics and St Francis Xavier is an absolutely stunning church,” Temira says.

Celebrations continued at City Beach Events.

“The reception was everything we could of imagined, styled perfectly and ended up being a massive party with everyone on the dance floor for the entire night.”

“There was a little bit of the tarantella [Italian folk dancing] to satisfy my Italian heritage and a whole lot of Sweet Caroline, better known as John’s family anthem!”

Photos courtesy of Trent Daft Photography.

Temira wore her nonna’s bracelet, which has now been worn by three generations of the family on their wedding day. “I had no idea that I was wearing this until the day when it was given to me as my ‘something old’ – it brought be to tears as my nonna has passed away.

“John and I both love that when we are together we feel like we can achieve anything or get through anything,” Temira says.

Temira loves that John is the perfect balance of calm to her overactive personality, as he reminds her to stop and enjoy the small things in life, while John loves Temira’s big heart.

Complementing the bridesmaids’ midnight blue evening gowns, John and his groomsmen wore navy suits with shoes and accessories from Roger David.

John and Temira travelled in stunning old school Kombi vans from Splitscreen Limousines.

Temira says she was so grateful she hired a wedding stylist. “I was initially sceptical as I was under the impression I could save money by doing it myself,” she says. “But seeing the venue on the day it was absolutely the best money I spent – and meant a lot less stress for me.”

Video by Lachlan Guertin.