Wedding Video: Sally and Andrew at Mona Farm

What moments were you most looking forward to watching when you received your film? 

“I was excited to watch myself walk down the aisle and see everyone’s reactions. I am actually legally blind and always wear glasses.  I thought, hey, I am going to go down the aisle without them.  I thought this way, I can’t see Andrew, so I won’t cry. Every time I played my wedding entrance song (Highland Cathedral)    I would cry, so I was nervous about just walking down the aisle hysterically crying. Going basically blind felt like a better idea, and I did not cry and ruin my gorgeous makeup! Also, grateful I did not fall.”

Could you describe a little bit about your relationship and what it meant to have your friends/family with you for this day?

“My brief to Georgie was this needs to feel like a celebration! As a couple, Andrew and I had been through so much, and we knew we were deserving of the joy. Andrew and I began dating in NYC, in 2020, we had decided to come home to take care of my mum, who was dying of cancer. Then the pandemic hit. As we were not married, Andrew was not allowed in the country, and we were separated for 15 months. During that time, I lost my mum in what would be the worst period of my life. But, we survived it, and something that would normally drive a couple apart brought us closer. We were and are so committed to each other. This wedding was a celebration that was much needed and much deserved. My brother told me ahead of the day, this is probably the only time all the people you love are under one roof for you: I took that to heart, and he was right. Doing my speech I was overwhelmed looking into the room, seeing our past and future and all the faces we love in one place. We had 16 people fly in from NYC, which is so special. Several of those people were instrumental in our engagement as well when Andrew popped the question while I was reading a teleprompter for Facebook Live in my office.”

Were there any unexpected feelings / standout emotions that you experienced during the day?

“I was really nervous about how emotional the day was going to be for me. I just lost my mum a year before the wedding (we had postponed it as she passed 3 months before our original wedding date), and I was just so nervous to do this big day without her. She had been talking about my wedding since I was young, the youngest of 3 brothers, so I can understand. Despite all this, I woke up surprisingly calm. I meditated and asked Mum to send me butterflies on the day. Shortly after, from the window, I saw 5 butterflies. I had never seen so many at one time. I felt her with me all day, and I guess that is why I remained so calm, she was giving me the strength to do it, and I was not alone.”

How did you find your planner?

“My MOH told me, ‘If you can afford it, hire Georgie from ATR. She is the best in Australia.’ She was not kidding! From our first meeting to our last, Georgie always brought the warmest, most helpful energy. She helped with every tiny detail, and no job was too big or small. Hiring ATR was the best decision I made while planning.”

Mona Farm: how did you choose your wedding venue?

“I toured some venues with my two besties and Georgie, as Andrew was not yet here. As soon as I landed at Mona Farm, I knew it was the one. It reminded me of where Andrew is from, a small town called Torrence in Scotland. Then I saw the Scottish cows and just knew it was the sign I needed. I loved the forest the most. It was such a special space, and it reminded me of the wedding scene in Braveheart (don’t @ me it’s such a good movie) haha. My grandfather also used to own land in Braidwood, so I had a personal connection to it, and I wanted to be at a space where it was a destination, and I could have my nearest and dearest on the property with me.”

• Planner: After The Rock
• Photographer: Joey Willis
• Venue: Mona Farm