Yesterday I got to witness the love story in all its glory that is James and Claire! They were surrounded with so much love and it was an absolute joy to be able to capture them both!

Read on below for the team involved, a little bit about them plus the sneak peeks!

Dream Team

DJ: Hey Jack Co
Dress Boutique: Raffaele Ciuca Bridal
Engagement Ring: Parker Diamonds
Florist: La Fleurette
Hair Stylist: Blush Bar
Live Music: Hey Jack Co
Make Up Artist: Blush Bar
Photographer: Wild Heart Photography
Shoes: Siren Shoes
Suit Designer: Black Tie Classic
Venue: The Sands Torquay
Videographer: Wild Heart Photography
Wedding Party Outfit: Billy J Boutique
Wedding Rings: Parker Diamonds
Celebrant: Love With Annie

Tell me about your The Beginning!

We met when we were 11 years old playing mixed hockey together at Essendon hockey club for 1 year (our parents even remember meeting). We kept within reach of each other growing up but finally reconnected properly when we both joined the same new club, PEGS Hockey Club (which we are still heavily affiliated with and have heaps of friends together attending the wedding). We were set up at our pre-season pub crawl with our friend, Sarah Turner, putting a Hawaiian lei over our heads on the dance floor (it was a Hawaiian themed pub crawl). After this we spent 2 hours talking and the rest is history! We have now been together for 6 years.

When and where did you get engaged?

We got engaged in Koh Samui, Thailand in July 2024. James organised a local private photographer without me knowing and she disguised herself as our taxi driver taking us to our dinner reservation. We stopped along the way at a viewpoint that she recommended and this confused me at first but then James revealed his plan by proposing to me. We spent the next 2 hours debriefing about who knew, how he designed the ring and how he planned all of this without me knowing (the ring was even packed in our shared luggage and I never saw it). The photographer took us to some beautiful locations and we got even more photos that we could share with our loved ones when we told them the news. It was really nice being in Thailand and just being able to soak up the engagement to ourselves for a couple more days before telling everything.

What style/theme have you chosen for your Wedding Day?

We have chosen a light blue and white theme for the wedding. Keeping it simple but elegant.

What are you most looking forward to on the day?

The private first look where it is just us two and we can share all of our raw emotions together. This way, walking down the aisle is just going to feel like the celebration of what we have created. Also just excited to have all of our favourite people together.

Top Tips!

Know that things will absolutely go wrong on the day but be sure to include trusted ones in your vision so that they can take care of these problems on the day and allow you to just be the guest of honour at the wedding rather than the hosts.