It's quite appropriate that Laura and Andrew, self-confessed film enthusiasts, met at EzyDVD. Andrew interviewed Laura for a position at EzyDVD in the food court at Sunshine Plaza. Andrew liked Laura's glasses and thought she was smart. He decided immediately that the position was hers, though he took three days to offer it to her. Laura was thrilled, as she thought her new boss was handsome and very cool.
Their first date was to Ryan Gosling's latest movie offering, Lars and the Real Girl, and much like the film script, it began a little awkwardly. When Laura made light of the fact that they were both acting far too nervously, they immediately relaxed. Their second date was to a screening of American Beauty and this time there was no hint of awkwardness. In fact, Laura and Andrew shared their first kiss afterward.
It comes as no surprise that a movie features in their engagement story. Laura and Andrew share a particular love of old Hollywood movies. Having received Laura's mum's blessing, Andrew took Laura to the Astor Theatre in St Kilda to see a screening of Gone With The Wind. During the scene when Rhett Butler proposes to Scarlett O'Hara, Andrew began to whisper Rhett's proposal lines to Laura. He then presented her with a beautiful engagement ring. Unlike Scarlett's reaction "Turn me loose, you varmint, and get out of here", Laura's response one of great surprise and sheer delight.
Laura and Andrew were married on a wonderfully warm and sunny day by the Memorial Cross in the Mount Macedon Ranges. The 21 metre high structure, set against the brilliant blue sky, was most certainly an awesome sight to behold.
Laura was accompanied down the dramatically long aisle (it's 200 metres!) by her mother and bridesmaids to Regina Spektor's Real Love. She and her bridesmaids wore stunning Collette Dinnigan gowns, carried peony roses and smiles from ear to ear.
Family and friends came forward and read passages by William Shakespeare Hays, Dante Aligherie and one of my favourites, an excerpt from Victor Hugo's Les Miserables:
You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving. The great acts of love are done by those who are habitually performing small acts of kindness. We pardon to the extent that we love.
Love is knowing that even when you are alone, you will never by lonely again. And great happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved.
Loved for ourselves. And even loved in spite of ourselves.
"In all that lies before us, I pledge my faith to you, as long as we both shall live."
We signed the marriage certificates to Cats & Dogs & Coeur D'Alene by The Head and The Heart.
What a wonderfully sunny and laughter-filled afternoon we had. Congratulations Laura and Andrew on declaring your love from a mountain top. May you always remain as happy as you were on your wedding day. xx
Celebrant: Sally Hughes
Photographer: Corey Sleap Photo
Venue: Mount Macedon Memorial Cross
Stylist: Laura and her mum, Wendy. Rather impressive hey?
Laura's Dress: Collette Dinnigan