Caroline & Matthew
Our Love Story
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I was an exchange student studying at the University of South Florida in Tampa in 2018 when I decided to give dating a try. I signed up for a dating app called 'Coffee Meets Bagel' and I matched with Matt. We could not stop chatting - we talked over different social media platforms and pretty much straightaway set a date for our very first date a week after we matched. We had a lovely dinner at an Italian Restaurant, and the rest is history.
A year later, he came to Australia to meet my family and friends, and everyone loved him! We've spent pretty much our whole dating lives long distance - 4.5 years. We would often fly back and forth once a year each to see each other, but when lockdown happened, clearly that was not an option. So, we would do dates over video call - watching movies, eating our meals that we would order each other via UberEats and kept going like that for the next 2.5 years.
As soon, as borders opened, I immediately booked my trip and went to Tampa to be with him for 6 weeks. This trip was a whirlwind trip - we went to Mexico and Las Vegas for Christmas and then I caught COVID over New Years which was awful! It turns out, that's when he knew he was ready to propose to me. A few days before I left to return to Australia, Matt cooked me dinner and surprised me with a home proposal accompanied with a vase of flowers. I was definitely a surprise considering at the very beginning of the trip, he convinced me that he was not ready to propose to me.
I pretty much planned, booked, and organised the wedding - most of it with him being back in the USA. When he came in June 2023, it felt like our wedding was really happening and we were just so excited to be together and reach this big milestone! We are officially married and so excited for our future together as a married couple, no matter where we decide to live :)
The Day
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Our wedding was just amazing - every vendor exceeded our expectations! Huge shout out to Peter from Wildheart Photography and Ruby from Down the Road Media who were just so chill and fun on the day - the final photo gallery and wedding films turned out AMAZING! We have not stopped getting compliments about their work since we have shared them with our friends and family. Another huge shoutout to Courtney from Torquay Florist who worked with Elly and Laura from Wanderlust Creative to create such a beautiful wedding - the flowers were just beautiful and perfect for us as it was just the right amount of colours and quantity of flowers.
Our ceremony was just fun! Sue Warner, our celebrant was just sensational! She has been so easy to work with from the very beginning till the very end of the ceremony and post 'I Dos'. She was extremely perfect and told our story wonderfully. It was funny how some of the bridal party did not expect to do tequila shots after Matt and I signed our registry, but it was different, fun and totally us! It turned out that the tequila went down well for us...well most of us.
Shout out to DJ Andy Kay from Ministry of DJs who travelled from Melbourne to DJ our wedding - he was awesome since the very beginning and definitely nailed our brief. He brought the music, the lights, the vibes and the fun to the dancefloor and the reception was done seamlessly alongside our MC - a family friend of ours! We had so much fun dancing with all our friends and family. The photos and videos from the reception turned our EPIC!
My dress was made by Mary from Sassi by Andronis who was recommended by Ditalia who provided the materials for my custom made dress and veil. It was so surreal to put it on for real with my mum helping me. Once my dress was zipped up and fluffed by my mum, the jewellery and shoes put on, that's when it really felt real. Having my mum with me to put my dress on was really special - especially since I was her only daughter and last child to get married in the family.
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Venue: Terindah Estate
Caterer & Event Mangement: Truffleduck
Celebrant: Sue Warner, Bellarine Celebrant
Photographer: Peter Taylor. Wildheart Photography
Videographer: Ruby O'Dowd, Down the Road Media
Stylist: Wanderlust Creative
DJ: DJ Andy Kay from Ministry of DJs
Makeup Artist: Cassandra de Bruin
Hairstylist: Amelia Rose Hairstylist
Dress: Sassi by Andronis via D'italia
Accessories: All about Romance (Etsy)
Flowers: Torquay Florist
Table Linen and Napkin: Table Art & Table Threads
Stationary: Rebel Reflect
Invitations: Paperlust
Groom Suit: MJ Bale
Groomsmen Suits: Peter Jackson