Real Wedding | Courtney + Ben, Lucky Chan’s
Ben and Courtney met on Valentine's Day 2014. Well, it was actually at 4am, so technically it was the next day.
Courtney says: “He caught my eye outside of the Hip-E Club, as I was walking back to the car in a tequila haze. I smiled. I would like to say it was love at first sight, but if we’re honest it was probably lust at first sight. I couldn't help but turn and watch him walk past. I wondered if it was my smile or the length of my leather shorts that caused him to turn and run back to me. He always claims it was my bright red hair.
He started to speak and I was instantly smitten. My friends were calling me to the car - thinking by our body language I had just run into a friend.
He said "I really want to keep talking, but it looks like you have to go.”
I threw back at him “Tell me three interesting things about yourself then..”
He started telling me two things, and as my friends started hurrying me up and calling me again, I told him he would have to text me the third thing. He grabbed my number and two days later we went on a date. We’ve been together ever since.”
Their amazingly, beautiful, unique wedding day was captured by Ashleigh Sky Photography.
Courtney’s ring was custom designed with a sapphire inherited from the her late father, and diamonds from her mum’s engagement ring
They planned a destination wedding and got all their family and friends hyped for Vanuatu. They had talked with vendors and everything was booked.
Yet it sat uneasily in their chests - the more they planned their ‘dream wedding', the less it felt like them.
So they chucked it all in, lost deposits, and decided to plan a whole new wedding. One that felt just like them.
The bridal party stayed the night at a heritage Airbnb home in the heart of the city, with a courtyard overrun with vines, and wall to floor glass windows. It was just the vibe the bride was looking for.
Courtney : “We started with the registry office, deciding an intimate quick ceremony was more our style, inviting the closest of friends and family.
“After the ceremony, they all went off for drinks and we snuck off to get some intimate photos - and I got a new tattoo. A huge celebration followed on the rooftop at Lucky Chan’s, our favourite restaurant in Perth. I even went there the night before my wedding for dinner as I was worried I wouldn't get to eat much on my wedding day.
After Lucky Chan’s, we were surprised by our friend with a private section at The Court overlooking the beer garden. We danced the night away, lining row after row of Patron tequila shots up.”
'I did not believe I could be a wife, until I recognised I had my mothers heart, and my fathers soul.
You see we were made to love deeply, we were created for great love. If you are to be loved by us, you are to be enveloped by us, until your smile becomes our smile, and our tears become your own.
We were not made for superficial love, you cannot skim across the surface of our hearts. If you are to be loved by us, you will be pulled into the depths of every ocean, your eyes will be filled with every constellation of every star. Until you forget every lover your soul has known before us, until you realise that this will always be your home.
He loves me with a fearless heart, and an adventurous soul. He knows my love is not built for cages, and he has never tried to clip my wings.
That is how he ‘tamed’ me, by allowing me to love him freely, knowing I will always be a wilder thing.'
Vendor Credits :
Reception Venue : Lucky Chan’s // Flowers : Floret Boutique // Make Up : Teika Eve & Co. // Hair : Hair by Priscilla // Wedding Dress : Spell Bride // Bridesmaid Dresses : Their Own // Bride’s Ring : Jackson & Tait // Bride’s Wedding Ring Tattoo : Kenny Anderson from The Tatt Shop // Amethyst Crown + Groom’s Ring : Etsy // Fur Jacket : Ms Demeanour Boutique // Nails : Tia Jade Nails // Flower Crowns : The Flower Crown Cartel // Groom’s Watch : Gifted by Jacopo Dondi // Photographer : Ashleigh Sky Photography