Zoe and James surprise guests with elegant classic wedding

Zoe had just one wish for her 30th birthday – to finally be married to long-time love James.

The couple already had two children together when James, 34, popped the question in Fiji.

Zoe, 30, began planning the couple’s elegant classic wedding, before discovering they had another addition to the family on the way.

“A wedding quickly became seemingly out of reach. During a celebratory dinner in recognition of two years engaged James asked what I’d like for my 30th birthday. I told him I always wanted be married by my 30th birthday, his response was ‘well let’s just do it’,” Zoe explains.

“We decided right there that we would throw a cocktail party for my 30th birthday but we would
surprise our guests including our parents and family and friends once they arrive, and that’s exactly what we did.”

The Port Stephens-region pair chose Broughtons on the Bay at Nelson Bay for their surprise elegant  classic wedding on July 7, 2018, celebrated with 60 family and friends.

The cocktail reception was held at the same venue, which Zoe says was perfect for their intimate and low-key event.

“It was so grounding and fulfilling to tie the knot in this way the sheer joy and excitement in our
guests faces when they realised we were being married was priceless a day never to be forgotten,” Zoe says.

Photos courtesy of Scenic Dreams Weddings.

“We reminisce daily on how magical it truly was to finally unite as husband and wife and to now all five of us share a surname,” Zoe says.

Celebrant Jules Amidy wed the couple at their surprise ceremony.

Budget-conscious bride Zoe purchased her beautiful gown off the rack from Brides To Be.

“It was the busiest and most exciting 12 weeks of my life,” Zoe says of wedding planning. “Everything came together perfectly and we were absolutely blessed to work with such wonderful people in the arrangement of everything that made our day possible.”