ROSE BRIDE // SALLY & BENJAMIN

January 24, 2022

ROSE BRIDE // SALLY & BENJAMIN

A picturesque garden ceremony in their aunt’s home, in the leafy Harbourside suburb of Sydney’s lower north shore. Sally and Ben formalised their love and marriage with an intimate and elegant wedding with their nearest and dearest. Like many others, their reception has been moved to 2022 due to pandemic lockdowns, in the hopes that borders will be open.

If you ask us, an unconventional love story is always the most authentic and romantic kind. Sometimes true love finds us in the most mysterious ways, including laughing at a funny bio on someone’s dating app profile and falling for their looks, wit and charm.

After a few months of banter between Sally and Ben over an app, where his bio read, “a group of pugs is called a grumble”, Sally liked it and told him, “You should probably ask me out.” He did, and although she admits it was unlike her to say that, she remarks, “I’ll always be glad I did.”

On an island off the coast of Tasmania, in chilly March, Sally had insisted they wear the new wool gloves she’d bought them because she was worried about Ben getting sick. Funnily enough, she turned around and saw him drop to his knee with a ring in his hand.

COUPLE’S NAMES

Sally and Benjamin Barnett

WEDDING DATE

23 October 2021

GUEST TOTAL

Around 20

MARRIAGE TO US MEANS

There’s a quote in When Harry Met Sally, “When you realise you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” Marrying Ben marks the start of “possible” to me, and whatever comes next, whatever it be, I look forward to it knowing I do it with him, together, and that anything will be possible. Marriage to us is that feeling.

PHOTOGRAPHY

The wonderful Ona Janzen was our photographer. I found Ona on Instagram and from our first emails I knew we had found the right person. Her natural attention to light and her surroundings is what attracted us to her style and she felt like more of a friend on the day than a vendor.

Sally had originally settled on a different dress for their first wedding date, but about a month out, she knew she wanted something unique for the rearranged plans. After various searches on Pinterest, our ROSE gown was featured and she was immediately drawn to its simple elegance and classic style.

“I reached out to Bo & Luca and they were able to accommodate my tight timeframe in creating it custom for me.”

BRIDE’S DRESS

Angelica by Bo & Luca

WEDDING RINGS

Ben’s ring was his late father’s which was a special sentiment and a way of including him on the day.

HAIR & MAKEUP

Kelly at The Future Mrs co-ordinated the incredible and editorial Kim Pham for my hair and makeup. She understood my desire for a classic look that wasn’t too structured or formal.

WEDDING SCENT

Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Baccarat Rouge 540.

WEDDING DAY ACCESSORIES

I kept it simple, my engagement ring and wedding band from a Sydney jeweler, was my main accessory. It’s a rare ethically sourced Australian sapphire bordered with an antique technique called milgrain from Lizunova Fine Jewels.

ADVICE TO BRIDES-TO-BE

Identify what is most important to you and start there. For me, it was spending time with my partner on the day and getting the time to speak to each guest properly. This shaped the theme, guest list, and overall vibe of the day. Everything happens naturally from there on in.

MOST TREASURED MOMENT OF MY WEDDING DAY

There were some quiet moments between Benjamin and me inside after we signed our wedding certificate when we realised we were formally married that stand out in my memory. He looked so handsome and warm at that moment and I couldn’t love him more.

FLOWERS & BOUQUETS

Ange at Redbud created my posy which included native Australian flannel, which was perfectly in season.

WEDDING CAKE

We ordered a last-minute lemon curd and meringue cake from our favourite bakery, Flour & Stone, for anyone who wanted something a bit sweeter. It was not intended to be a wedding cake, we actually forgot to bring it out until later and were in awe of how beautiful it was, so ended up cutting it as a wedding cake!

FOOD & DRINKS

We kept it simple, Perrier Jouet champagne, for an afternoon garden vibe.

SPECIAL WEDDING SONG

I entered the garden to a piano acoustic version of Slow Mover by Australian artist, Angie McMahon and we laced a lot of Nick Cave through the ceremony.

CEREMONY & RECEPTION DÉCOR

Our Aunt’s eclectic garden spoke for itself. The jacaranda trees were in full purple bloom and her vines were the perfect backdrop.

HONEYMOON

Our reception is still to be held in February and we will see what’s happening with border control after that.