Words: Elissa Friday Pictures: Louisa Jones
How Surf Coast girl Laura Saw tied the knot with a bloke from the big smoke, Jeremy Sinclair.
WHERE THEY GREW UP
Laura grew up on the coast at Anglesea and Jeremy in Melbourne. The couple now lives at Mt Duneed.
HOW THEY MET
“We met at an end-of-year work Christmas party,” Laura says.
“We both work for the Department of Education and the break-up parties were on the same day and at the same place by coincidence.”
THE PROPOSAL
“Jeremy proposed at home, using the game Jenga,” Laura says.
“We like to play that game together as a pastime.
“Jeremy had burnt on a Jenga block the words ‘I love you will you marry me?’
“He suggested we play a game. I chose a block but it was the wrong one.
“Then he showed me the one he I should have chosen and got down on one knee and proposed while I was reading the writing on it.”
THE WEDDING PLANNING
“We were pretty relaxed,” Laura remembers.
The couple had about 12 months between the engagement and the wedding. Family and friends helped with things like decorations closer to the date.
“A few of my friends had recently married and gave me recommendations, so I locked everything in pretty early,” Laura says.
“I didn’t really have to worry about it until the last month or two before the wedding because everything was sorted.”
HENS AND BUCKS PARTY
Laura had a quiet lunch with family and friends while Jeremy did similarly at dinner and drinks in Melbourne.
THE DRESS
“I purchased a dress form Embrace bridal in Geelong,” Laura says.
She had no set idea on a design but knew the style that suited her.
“It was the second dress that I had tried on,” she says.
“It was pretty easy to find, which was good.”
BRIDESMAIDS
Laura had three bridesmaids: her sister and two friends.
They chose their own non-matching navy blue dresses.
“They chose dresses that suited their shape,” Laura says.
She was happy enough that her bridesmaids felt comfortable and confident.
GROOMSMEN
Jeremy had three groomsmen: his brother and two friends, all in hired, matching blue suits.
THE CEREMONY
Barwon Edge Boathouse was the venue for both the ceremony and reception.
The ceremony was initially planned for outdoors on a lawn but rain forced a retreat inside.
“I’ve got seven nieces and nephews ranging from 18 months to nine years of age and they were all flower girls and boys,” Laura says.
“Everyone was happy to see them walk down the aisle first. Them being first put me at ease, too.
“Nicole Penning, our celebrant, was really organised. We always felt we knew what was happening and when.
“It worked out really well.”
PHOTOGRAPHY
“Louisa Jones was our photographer and we have some amazing photos,” Laura says.
The couple had photos taken with their families at Barwon Edge. They joined the bridesmaids and groomsmen for more pictures at nearby Leach Woods Gardens.
FLOWERS
Pastel pink, purple, white and green flowers decorated all of the tables and also featured in the bouquets.
THE ENGAGEMENT
“We were engaged for just over 12 months, we didn’t have and engagement party because we thought we’d just get on with the wedding,” Laura says.
THE RINGS
The couple found their rings at Duffs Jewellers. Initially they went shopping together to look for Laura’s engagement ring.
“Jeremy took care of my ring himself,” Laura says.
“I loved it because it was pretty much the same style as what I’d chosen.”
Laura was “over the moon” with her white gold diamond halo ring.
Jeremy’s ring was a white gold band.
THE RECEPTION
“It was very simple and not too many decorations,” Laura says.
The reception featured three long banquet tables with flowers in vases as centrepieces. A soloist played acoustic music.
“The first dance was a bit nerve-wracking because I don’t like being in the public eye,” Laura admits.
“We danced to the song Smile, by Uncle Kracker, and people came up and joined us on the dance floor.”
THE CAKE
The couple had a two-tiered cake combining brown and white chocolate layers, made by Two Birds Cake Design.
The flowers on the cake also matched the table decorations.
