Words: Emily Robinson Pictures: Louisa Jones
They lived on opposite sides of the planet but a chance meeting led to an international romance between Laura McCann and Rhys McConachy.
HOW THEY MET
It must have been Irish luck.
Neither was meant to be out that evening but in 2012 Ireland’s Laura and Geelong’s Rhys locked eyes in a Melbourne bar.
“It was a very random night out,” Laura reflects.
“He was watching the Geelong Cats playing and I was out with some friends.
“We bumped into each other on the dance floor – it was a very chance meeting.”
Soon after, Laura returned to Ireland but kept in touch with Rhys. The bond grew ever stronger.
“We decided we couldn’t do long distance forever, so we made the decision that I would move to Australia and Geelong would be our base,” Laura says.
THE PROPOSAL
Rhys took Laura out for breakfast at Jan Juc.
“After breakfast we went for a walk and were standing at a lookout,” Laura says.
Rhys had planned a walk along the beach but rain literally dampened his plans.
“So he dropped down on one knee at the lookout . It was a real surprise, I didn’t see it coming.
“He proposed with a ring, it’s absolutely beautiful,” says Laura, flashing the princess-cut diamond design with more diamonds in the band.
THE PLANNING
Laura embraced the planning stage by herself and had everything ticked off her list in 14 months.
“I enjoyed taking my time and didn’t feel rushed into decisions.”
For the wedding invitations, Laura came across Tara, from Thanks for the Invitation, who she knew would be able to create just what she had in mind.
And her bonbonnieres?
“I actually made them myself. They were little bird cages with green loveheart chocolates and gold coins inside – they were a nod to Ireland.”
HENS AND BUCKS
For her hen’s day, Laura and friends spent the day in the Yarra Valley.
“We did a winery tour, it was just beautiful,” she reflects.
“Rhys went to the Geelong races with his friends two weeks before the weeding, they had a great day.”
THE WEDDING ATTIRE
A new bridal shop, Embrace Bridal, opened in Geelong two months before Laura went shopping for her dress.
“The dress was one of the first I tried on,” she says.
“I just loved it. It was very lacy and comfortable and didn’t have much weight for a wedding dress.”
Laura also wore a veil, which featured matching lace.
Her best friend from Ireland travelled to Australia to be maid of honour.
“Sheila came here with her husband – we’ve been best friends for 22 years.
“My other bridesmaid was Rhys’s older sister, Jacinta, and we’ve become very close. Rhys’s family have welcomed me with open arms.”
Both bridesmaids wore blue full-length dresses.
Rhys and his groomsmen wore navy blue suits.
HAIR
Laura was lucky enough to have a hairdresser in the family.
“My hairdresser, Maryanne Stuchbery, is Rhys’s cousin’s wife – we’re very connected and close,” Laura says.
THE FLOWERS
Emma, from Flair To Make You Stare, worked her magic on Laura’s big day.
Her bouquet and bridesmaids’ bouquets featured a mix of roses and foliage in a romantic pastel colour palette.
“I highly recommend Emma – she was unbelievable,” Laura says.
“She really goes the extra mile with the planning.”
Emma also created a hanging floral installation which made an impact without distracting from the scenic view.
“The floral arch she made was just so beautiful.”
THE CEREMONY AND RECEPTION
Laura arrived at The Pier Geelong in a sleek black Chevrolet on 2 April this year.
The wedding party stayed at the venue for the reception.
The service was “high-class from start to finish”, Laura says.
“I couldn’t fault it. The terrace at The Pier was so well decorated and the setting was just phenomenal.”
Eighty guests attended.
“It was just perfect,” Laura says.
THE ENTERTAINMENT
Laura chose Irish band Zeon, based in Melbourne.
“They’ve played in Geelong before – they’re very entertaining,” she says.
The couple’s first dance was to Queen’s Crazy Little Thing Called Love.
“It’s very up-tempo, probably not a common first dance song,” Laura explains.
“My dad died five years ago and he was a massive Queen fan.
“It was a nod to my dad because he loved it. We really enjoyed dancing to it.”
The rest of the night consisted of lots of “Irish jigging and dancing”.
THE CAKE
Sonja, from LoveIt Cakes, created a three-tiered beauty.
“Geelong has real talent – our cake was beautiful and very tasty,” Laura says.
“We had three flavours: white chocolate, white chocolate and raspberry, and melt chocolate.”
THE PHOTOGRAPHY
Laura and Rhys met photographer Louisa Jones at a local bridal expo.
“We clicked straight away. She’s lovely and very professional,” Laura says.
“We’re really happy with the work that she’s done – she’s also reasonably priced.”
THE HONEYMOON
The pair spent their first wedded days on Hamilton Island.
“We stayed at the Beach Club for five nights, then we stayed three nights at Noosa,” Laura says.
IN REFLECTION
Laura says her wedding day was “magical”.
“It was more than I ever dreamed of.
“The bridal party laughed and smiled so much that day – that’s what we wanted.”
The couple now lives at Grovedale.
Laura’s dream team:
Dress: Embrace Bridals, Geelong
Suits: Ferrari, Melbourne
Hair: Maryanne Stuchbery, Geelong
Invitations: Thanks For The Invitation, Geelong
Flowers: Flare To Make You Stare, Geelong
Venue: The Pier Geelong
Photography: Louisa Jones Photography
Celebrant: Denis Minogue, Melbourne
Cake: LoveIt Cakes, Geelong
Band: Zeon, Melbourne
