In the era of social media, it’s rare to find a love story that predates the likes of Twitter, Tinder, and Facebook. Yet, Aundrea & Ardie’s romance is a charming exception, having blossomed in the early days of MySpace and MSN Messenger. Their tale is as sweet as it gets. To share their joyous celebration with you, we’re thrilled to present stunning wedding photographs by Mark of Gold Hat Photography, taken on a picturesque day in Lavender Bay, Sydney, overlooking the majestic Sydney Harbour.
As a musician and jewellery designer, respectively, Ardie and Aundrea curated a wedding that reflected their unique tastes, talents, and creativity. Expect an abundance of romantic flair, thoughtful DIY details, and lively tunes. The ceremony took place in a serene garden setting, followed by an iced tea cocktail hour, a leisited through a carnival, and heartfelt speeches that left a lasting impression.
Let Aundrea & Ardie’s special day inspire you, not just with the beautiful visuals, but also through their insightful reflections on this unforgettable occasion.
Wedding Day Snapshot
In the era of social media, it’s rare to find a love story that predates the likes of Twitter, Tinder, and Facebook. Yet, Aundrea & Ardie’s romance is a charming exception, having blossomed in the early days of MySpace and MSN Messenger. Their tale is as sweet as it gets. To share their joyous celebration with you, we’re thrilled to present stunning wedding photographs by Mark of Gold Hat Photography, taken on a picturesque day in Lavender Bay, Sydney, overlooking the majestic Sydney Harbour.
As a musician and jewellery designer, respectively, Ardie and Aundrea curated a wedding that reflected their unique tastes, talents, and creativity. Expect an abundance of romantic flair, thoughtful DIY details, and lively tunes. The ceremony took place in a serene garden setting, followed by an iced tea cocktail hour, a leisited through a carnival, and heartfelt speeches that left a lasting impression.
Let Aundrea & Ardie’s special day inspire you, not just with the beautiful visuals, but also through their insightful reflections on this unforgettable occasion.
Our Love Story
It’s a story of serendipity and social media, really. We met in person at Ardie’s 18th birthday party when I was just 16, but the real turning point came earlier – on his Myspace page, where I was an ardent fan. Our conversations evolved from comments to MSN chats, and eventually he invited me to his birthday bash, marking the beginning of our journey together.
Fast forward to the proposal: Ardie pulled off a stunningly intimate affair at Milk Beach in Vaucluse, revisiting the same spot where we’d celebrated Valentine’s Day four years prior. He pretended it was our 75-year anniversary and brought along a delectable picnic spread, complete with Champagne and flowers. I caught on to what was happening from the start but played along beautifully.
For our wedding, I’d choose ‘love-filled’, ‘magical’, and ‘artistic’ – it’s going to be an unforgettable celebration of our love.
The Venue
As we explored various venues, our minds were made up multiple times only to be swayed by the allure of Luna Park. With family members visiting from abroad and a friend traveling from interstate, we craved a setting that would showcase Sydney’s splendor. Having spent our entire lives in this beautiful city, we’ve accumulated a treasure trove of cherished memories alongside the harbour. Therefore, a water view was non-negotiable.
Ultimately, Clark Park presented an enchanting backdrop for a whimsical fairy garden wedding, while Luna Park embodied the playful essence of our relationship, making it a uniquely fitting choice.
The Photography & Videography
As soon as we started planning our wedding, it was clear who we wanted to capture the special moments on camera – videographer Aria Not only is he a talented artist, but he’s also a close friend of ours and has consistently impressed us with his work. It was therefore a no-brainer that we would ask him to record our big day In contrast, finding the perfect photographer proved to be a more challenging task.
After much deliberation, we finally came across Mark, whose style and approach resonated deeply with us. We were confident that he would bring out the unique personalities and aesthetic of our special day in his photographs.
The Refreshments
At the ceremony, guests were treated to a refreshing array of iced teas at the garden party. Meanwhile, the reception featured a sophisticated sit-down three-course meal, accompanied by an assortment of bite-sized desserts and a show-stopping two-tiered naked sponge cake. This masterpiece combined red velvet and cream cheese flavors with caramel sponge and passionfruit curd, all topped with a drizzle of raspberry coulis and delicate gold edible feathers.
The Decor & Details
With a creative flair, my partner and I opted for a hands-on approach to wedding planning, tackling numerous DIY projects that reflected our personalities. One of the most memorable was a photobooth cut out designed by my brother, featuring a glamorous bride with her rockstar husband – a unique and quirky touch that had guests beaming with delight.
Additionally, Ardie and his dad crafted special gifts for the groomsmen, including custom beer bottle holders that added a personal touch to the celebration. I also took on the role of designer, creating bespoke jewellery for my bridesmaids as part of our new collection: The pièce de résistance was a stunning rose gold body chain adorned with blue quartz crystals, symbolizing faith and loyalty, alongside delicate rose gold feathers and an infinity charm.
These handmade pieces were truly one-of-a-kind. To cap off the festivities, we prepared our own wedding favors – infused olive oil bottles harvested from our very own garden. This labor of love took considerable time and effort to perfect, but the end result was well worth it.
Favourite Moments
As we exchanged our vows, my wonderful husband surprised me with an impromptu performance – he sang and played guitar at the reception, dedicating an acoustic version of Warm Water by Banks to me. This heartfelt gesture left a lasting impression on our guests. The speeches were undoubtedly the most memorable moment for us; we chose to be vulnerable and share our true feelings with those we love, which was a departure from our usual reserve.
Ardie’s emotional speech was particularly poignant, bringing tears of joy to many eyes. I also took the opportunity to read a heartfelt letter I’d written to him months prior, feeling it was meant to be shared on this special night. Our wedding wouldn’t have been complete without the talented musicians who came together to create an unforgettable atmosphere. Our friends, all skilled musicians, generously offered their talents, performing unique songs that added to our celebration’s magic.
The Music
As the special day unfolded, the couple’s love story began to take shape. Elvis’ timeless classic ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ set the tone for a romantic processional that left everyone mesmerized. The signing of the certificate was accompanied by Frank Ocean’s soulful tune ‘Thinking Bout You’, echoing the couple’s joy and commitment to one another. As they exchanged vows, John Butler Trio’s emotive ballad ‘Only One’ served as the perfect backdrop for their husband-and-wife introduction.
Later, a beautifully performed rendition of The Paper Kites’ ‘Bloom’ took center stage during the first dance, making it an unforgettable moment in the newlyweds’ journey.