Emma And Justin’s Whimsical Wedding Beside Sydney Harbour

E M M A   A N D   J U S T I N

After their love story took them all over the world, Emma and Justin started their new chapter as husband and wife with an elegant garden wedding at Lindesay House. The couple tied the knot with an intimate ceremony surrounded by family, friends, and the iconic backdrop of Sydney Harbour.

London Is Calling…

Emma and Justin first met at work where their relationship started as a secret office romance. “We kept it under wraps for as long as we could!” laughs Emma. However, the story really began when their jobs at the office came to an end. The pair knew they had truly fallen for each other when Emma received an offer to take a new position in London and Justin traveled halfway around the world to be with her. “We fell in love with the city, our new globe-trotting way of life and each other!” shares the bride.

Gently Down The Stream…

Their engagement story also shares a similar theme of romantic international adventures. In May 2018, the couple was enjoying a blissful trip to Japan when they found themselves in the awe-inspiring surroundings of Inokashira Park. In the company of sweet cherry blossoms and serene lakes, Emma and Justin hired a rowboat where Justin managed to keep his balance long enough to get down on one knee and ask Emma to marry him! “We celebrated our engagement with texts and photos sent to our families and friends, and then we toasted our engagement in a Tokyo champagne bar” recalls the couple.

Views And Vows…

After such a romantic proposal, it was clear to Emma and Justin that they wanted their wedding to feature an element of the breathtaking natural beauty that had accompanied the special moment. So, the couple settled on an elegant garden party theme for their big day. “The theme was also inspired by the beautiful venue we selected for our wedding, Lindesay House” shares Emma. Emma and Justin wanted their guests to enjoy the stunning backdrop of Sydney Harbour while still preserving the intimacy that a private garden offers. “Throughout the wedding planning process, we kept coming back to the saying ‘simplicity is key’”, says Emma. “We didn’t want to get caught up in all the details so, as long as the main elements were there, we were happy”.

Dressed To Impress…

Emma and Justin both had two people each in their wedding party. Emma asked her best friend and sister to stand next to her on the big day while Justin chose to be accompanied by two of his closest friends. The groom and his groomsmen looked totally dapper in classic black tuxedos while Emma’s bridesmaids dazzled in pink silk dresses.

Encapsulating Elegance…

Emma’s breathtaking wedding gown was designed by Rebecca Vallance. The heavenly gown featured a classic halter neck and racerback in a white crepe design. “I always knew I would wear a simple gown without lace or other embellishments,” shares Emma, who was attracted to the dress for its simple yet refined and elegant style.

Mr And Mrs…

Emma and Justin’s ceremony took place at St Marks Church in Darling Point. One of the things that made the ceremony so special for Emma was getting to share a touching, sentimental moment with her dad. “We’ve been through a lot of challenging times together so to have him present on the day to walk me down the aisle is something I’ll treasure forever,” shares the bride. The traditional ceremony was expertly captured by Van Middleton who has been specialising in whimsical and romantic wedding photography for over a decade. “We were lucky enough to stumble across his photos online,” says Emma “His photos are timeless, and they capture the emotion and spirit of the day beautifully”.

For The Love Of Florals…

After tying the knot, Emma, Justin and their guests made their way to Lindesay House for an evening of champagne and celebrations! The spectacular venue was brought to life with lots of greenery from the hanging centrepiece, as well as scattered posies of ivory and soft blush pink roses and hydrangeas. “The venue has a large flower-filled garden overlooking Sydney Harbour, so we didn’t want to distract too much from the view,” explains Emma. Instead, the couple opted to adorn the space with a heavenly mix of florals by Petal Met Sugar to accentuate their enchanting wedding colour scheme.

Bon Appétit…

The newlyweds had plenty of time to catch up with their nearest and dearest over a mouth-watering sit-down meal. “We love our food, so it was important that the meal was one of the most memorable parts of the night,” says Emma enthusiastically. The couple chose to serve succulent lamb with almond puree and whole poached ocean trout with shaved zucchini and zucchini flowers. The meal was accompanied by a live three-piece band singing a mix of modern tracks as well as jazz classics.

Time For Dessert…

The fantastic food frenzy didn’t stop with the mains! Emma and Justin continued to wow their guests with a two-tier semi-naked sponge that featured two deliciously tempting flavours: red velvet with cream cheese frosting and caramel sponge with vanilla buttercream.

A Lifetime Of Adventures…

It’s no surprise that these total travel lovers went on a spectacular honeymoon after their romantic celebration! The newlyweds spent their first days as husband and wife on a sublime safari in South Africa. When asked about the future, they shared that they hope their love of adventure will take them all over the world together, “We love to travel, so can’t wait to see more of the world together.”

Photographer: Van Middleton / Editing: Wildernis/ Wedding Planner: Carolyn Dodds / Catering: Plated / Wedding Dress Designer: Rebecca Vallance / Groom Apparel And Accessories: Suit Supply / Bridesmaid Dresses: Bec And Bridge / Make-Up Artist: Angel Hanna / Flowers And Cake: Petal Met Sugar / Hair Stylist: Amy Of Monpere Salon