Real Wedding | Rebecca + Joel

Rebecca and Joel got married in Byron Bay. They chose to have a private ceremony at the Pass in Byron Bay with only eight guests present, as it is a sentimental place for both. "Rebecca’s father’s ashes are at the pass and we swim at the Pass when we visit Byron twice a year. We wanted to get married in a place we can visit and take our kids to one day".

They then celebrated with 62 of their closest friends and family at a family property in Uki. The pair, who love amazing restaurants and bars, the beach and their two dogs, wanted to feel like themselves on their wedding day - and mostly didn't worry about following tradition. Their day was captured beautifully by photographer Matt Godkin.

Rebecca and Joel knew very early on that they would marry. Joel typed a wedding proposal on his Grandmas typewriter after three months of being together. He sealed it and wrote on the envelope ‘To be opened when the time is right.’ Rebecca hoped it was a proposal - and wrote her response and sealed it also. Three years later on a roof top in Woolloomooloo watching the sunrise, Joel pulled the letter out and when they got home Rebecca did the same with her answer.

Joel wanted to custom design a suit so he worked closely with Luke from Dyonsu. They created a look that was interchangeable throughout the night. "A three piece suit at first, and as the night got wild, no shirt, suspenders and chains."

Rebecca tried on many dresses and nothing felt right. Rebecca knew she wanted a simple slip, a Dion Lee for the ceremony but didn’t know what to wear for the party. "I came across Mannie from Bowie Rae and booked in for a consult. I saw the Bombo and thought I’d try it on for ‘fun’. I fell in love. It just felt, fun and wild and right. Then Mannie told me that the Bombo was named after a beach down the South Coast, a beach my father regularly surfed at. I knew then it was meant to be. Mannie surprised me by sewing my Dad’s initials into the skirt-which was such a beautiful touch." With the dress being short at the front, Rebecca knew she had to find some amazing shoes and she came across the last pair of the killer Jimmy Choo’s, another ‘meant to be moment.’ Neither Joel nor Rebecca knew what the other was wearing but it came together perfectly.

Rebecca and Joel wanted to transport all their friends and family to a magical part of the world and for them to walk into the space and think- That’s Rebecca and Joel. The couple did this with little touches like a signature cocktail, an oyster bar, an impromptu Disney sing along, amazing food by Eat Drink Catering, and lighting by Elyssium Lighting. The beautiful, bright florals were done by Bramble Haus. When the sun went down they showed everyone the beautiful ceremony film, captured by Troels Thomasen, and then opened the dance floor with a shot of tequila. "The forest lit up (we're so glad we spent money on the lighting) and the party got loose. Just as we wanted it to be."

Speeches and the first dance were the two traditional elements the couple wanted to include on their day. The speeches were always an important part for Rebecca. "It’s a moment you will cherish forever-the day you friends and family fill the room with love through their words. Apart from those two elements, we threw all traditions out the window. We got ready together, walked to our ceremony together. What mattered to us, was doing what made sense to us. "

Any advice to other couples getting married? "Figure out your non-negotiables. For me it was food and photography, for Joel it was food and lighting. Think about why you are including elements, and what is driving your decision. Weddings date in style and with time, but it is a reflection of you at the time you married, so it is perfect. More than anything remember that it is just one day in the tapestry of your life. It’s the blanket that keeps you warm!"