Southern Highlands

I remember receiving a telephone call from Jazel back in November 2016 enquiring about my services for her forthcoming wedding. I remember the excitement in her voice as, when asked, she proceeded to tell me all about how she and Luke met, the proposal in the Maldives and what they were wanting for their wedding. Over a lengthy conversation, we explored some ideas on how to make the wedding not only very entertaining, but also how to have it reflect them both and their beautiful love.

Fast forward to 4 November 2017 and here we were at Milton Park Country House Hotel and Spa for Jazel and Luke’s wedding day. With rain in the air, there was a chance that we would need to relocate the ceremony from the Tulip Lawn on the magnificient grounds of the property to the indoor backup option. A check of the weather map and the call was made to proceed outdoors!

With love songs filling the air, Jazel and Luke’s family and friends gathered in the Tulip Lawn area for the ceremony. An excited Luke waited with his groomsmen for Jazel’s arrival. As the opening guitar strains of Train’s “Marry Me” began, all eyes turned to watch Jazel and Luke’s adorable little flowergirl daughter Mabel, assisted by Jazel’s mum Ella, walk down the aisle. The bridesmaids followed and then Jazel and her dad, Joey. What followed was a beautiful and fun ceremony officiated wonderfully by Eres Akugner.

Eres commenced the ceremony with Jazel and Luke’s love story, which was as follows;

“So many of you here no doubt have been a part of Jazel and Luke’s journey together and will continue to be for a long time to come. Given the more modern forms of dating like Tinder, Snapchat and Instagram, it could be said that Jazel and Luke found each other the old fashioned way… RSVP.com. So their love story began like many of the 21st Century, little did they both know they were just a few clicks of the mouse away from meeting each other. When Luke came across Jazel’s profile on RSVP.com he was immediately drawn to her as she ticked all the boxes. It was now a matter of how to grab Jazel’s attention…So as one does he sent her a short introductory message. A message from Luke30 (who was actually 31 at the time really) to Bubblegum! A message that had no response for three months and 4 days. Luke30 waited patiently, constantly checking to see if she had finally responded… and there it was. In all its glory… Bubblegum’s response was finally in Luke30’s inbox.  You can only send a certain amount of messages on RSVP. Once Luke reached his quota he had to make a big decision…Should he pay $4.95 to upgrade his account so he could chat more with Jazel? Luke tells me he was so worried to give his credit card details as he was petrified his sister would find out he’s on dating sites! Well all I can say ladies and gents it is certainly the best 5 bucks Luke30 has ever spent and if he hadn’t have done so none of us would be standing here right now!

Their first date was at Public Bar in Manuka. Jazel tells me she had an emergency exit plan with her friend Kristina who was waiting for Jazel just around the corner. Just in case Luke was not what she expected… Luke… had not exit plan.

They both found an instant connection with one another. Over time they encountered various obstacles. Jazel moved to Sydney for work. Luke was working out of state but they managed to keep in contact and they made it work. Jazel met and absolutely fell in love with Xavier. Luke met and fell in love with Jazel’s family. After a year of long distance, Jazel decided to take a leap with Luke and moved back to Canberra.

Jazel turned Luke’s man cave into a liveable home that was suitable for a woman. Three years on, Luke took Jazel on a surprise holiday to the Maldives where him and Xavier proposed to Jazel to be in their lives forever. They were also blessed with a beautiful baby girl that wanted to make sure she witnessed this wedding, gorgeous Mabel Ella. Jazel still gives Luke butterflies, she makes him feel complete and he is obsessed with her cooking. There isn’t a day in Jazel’s life that Luke doesn’t make her laugh. She finds him entertaining, unpredictable, thoughtful and genuine. She is absolutely head over heels in love…even when he is playing FIFA on the PS4.” [Copyright Eres Akugner]

Before we knew it Eres pronounced Jazel and Luke as husband and wife. YAY they were finally married!!!

The Ballieu Ballroom for the reception looked AMAZING! From the spectacular florals by Little Bird Bloom, the detailed wedding cake and sweets by Applemire Cakery, lighting by Luminous Entertainment and the finer details looked after by Jessica Binks Weddings & Events all came together to create a beautiful and elegant feel in the room which provided a fantastic backdrop for photography and videography by SugarLove Weddings and Prolive Productions respectively. In addition, In An Instant Photography entertained the guests with a photobooth in the foyer!

The reception was just so much FUN! Humourous Video love story re-enactment of Jazel and Luke’s first meeting, personalised fun introductions, witty and meaningful speeches, modern and traditional dancing displays, a surprise twist to the father daughter dance, Jazel’s brother Christian singing the first song for open dancing and a dance floor that was never empty!! Jazel and Luke’s family and friends were so happy for them and were determined to celebrate every moment of their reception – you need only take a look at the photographs and videos below to see this.

Jazel and Luke are genuinely lovely and thoughtful people and it was so wonderful to witness them celebrating their marriage surrounded by so many close family and friends. So much attention to detail and love went into making it the amazing day it was.  Jazel and Luke’s wedding day reflected who they are in everything they did.. relaxed, fun and completely perfect for each other! I had such a great time with them and it was an absolute honour to have been able to play a small part in creating their wedding day as their Southern Highlands Wedding MC and Southern Highlands Wedding DJ! Married life is like a young rose bud waiting to burst open. When it blossoms into a beautiful flower it will fill your lives with the everlasting fragrance of love and the beauty of lifelong togetherness. May, love, laughter and music fill your lives forever!!!