Yarra Valley Estate Wedding of Alinta and Andrew

Tell me about your The Beginning!
We met at the age of 22 at a party that Nick (the bridesmaid) invited us both to. We both had wrong first impressions of one another on the first night that we met, but after seeing each other at some other events, we hit it off. We tried to keep it casual in the beginning but we both fell hard, fast. Now we have been together 10 years, living together 9 and have three little rescue dogs together.

When and where did you get engaged?
We got engaged at the start of 2021. As it was during the pandemic we weren’t able to go anywhere where other people were around so Andrew set up a picnic at our local park with my favourite foods.

What style/theme have you chosen for your Wedding Day?
I didn’t choose any particular theme, I just knew that I wanted something small and relaxed. I wanted to be able to have a proper discussion with each person there and not stress about timing or not spending enough time with anyone.

What are you most looking forward to on the day?
I looked forward to spending time with Andrew and our loved ones. I haven’t really left the house in two years, so getting to share such a special moment with those dearest to us meant a lot to me. Phone calls and zoom sessions will never compare to having them all in one place celebrating with us.

Top Tips!
Trust your gut and don’t overthink everything. I am a decisive person, so I didn’t stress about having to choose between various options or what I wanted most. I was able to quickly make up my mind and move on to the next task, which makes a big difference when planning a wedding.
Find suppliers who understand you and what you want. I wanted our suppliers to be ethical, so we chose a carbon neutral venue, an eco-friendly florist, vegetarian and vegan food, and ethical rings. But I also had to remember to be kind to myself and so I understood when I couldn’t find the perfectly sustainable supplier and gave myself lee-way for that too.
Remember that the most important thing is that you are there with the person you love and that the day is about sharing your love for each other. It can be easy to be swept up in planning and stress, so take the time to remember what matters most.