Real Weddings: Rachel & Joel's Romantic Wedding
This blog was originally created by Madeleine Villa.
Rachel and Joel tied the knot on a gorgeous July day surrounded by their family and friends from around the world. Rolling hills and jaw-dropping views set the tone for their romantic wedding, featuring Henkaa’s Dusty Blue Sakura Maxi Convertible Dresses and luscious green bouquets.
Continue reading to learn more about this inspirational couple and their equally inspiring romantic wedding theme!
Could you tell us a little about the two of you?
I’m Canadian, born and raised near Toronto, and Joel is Australian, born and raised in Melbourne. We met in 2017 in Toronto at a school which runs short courses focusing on discovering what issues/traumas have held us back from being the best versions of ourselves, providing tools to work through and overcome them, and then a practical application in how to help others overcome as well.
As you may have gathered by the nature of where we met, Joel and I are very passionate people, both about finding adventures and discovering more of what the world has to offer and in helping people achieve happiness. It’s what drew us together from the very beginning.
Vocationally, Joel works for a small software firm in Marketing, PR and sales based in Melbourne, Australia. I’m a musician by trade but currently, work online in social media marketing and crowdfunding for an Australia-based non-profit organization.
Who proposed? Could you recall the moment?
It was a late summer’s day in 2018, we were on our annual family vacation to Sauble Beach, Canada, with a lot of people in a small cottage. Joel and I felt the need for a day of alone time. A date day, just the two of us to explore the peninsula and just be us together. Joel took me hiking and sightseeing in Tobermory.
We hiked down a lakeside trail and at the end of it was this gorgeous beach looking out on the beautiful Dorcas Bay - aptly named, as we’re both self-proclaimed dorks! Under the guise of a photo shoot with our newly purchased DSLR camera, Joel led me to a rocky outcrop and began snapping photos. He then said to me, “You know, I want to spend the rest of my life with you,” got down on one knee, and asked me to marry him. It was perfect. And, of course, I said yes.
Could you describe your romantic wedding day and how it came together?
Because we got married in the afternoon, I was able to start out my day relatively slowly, which really helped me to stay calm. My makeup artist and hairdresser arrived in the morning and so I spent my time being pampered and listening to my favourite girl power tunes!
My photographer arrived around noon and spent a while snapping pictures of me after I got into my dress. But it really hit me that I was getting married when my florist, who is a close friend and somebody who’s seen Joel’s and my relationship evolution since we met, arrived to deliver the bouquets. This was a day that, for various reasons, until meeting both Joel and I had feared would never come. So understandably, it was a very emotional and joyful day!
The ceremony was beautiful, but a blur, and then the hour and a half photography session afterwards was so much fun. Surrounded by our family and closest friends, we were absolutely ecstatic. The day was perfect.
Some of Joel’s family and friends couldn’t make the trip from Australia, so I coordinated with them to send in little video clips of congratulations, which we showed during the reception. Surprising Joel with that and seeing his reaction was hands down one of my most favourite moments of the day.
One of the other things we loved about the day was seeing (almost) all of the people who’ve impacted our lives in one way or another being there with us as we committed ourselves to each other.
I remember sitting at the head table and together with Joel just looking around and consciously choosing to spend time appreciating each and every person who was able to be with us that day.
Can you recall your favourite moment or most memorable detail?
Honestly, photography was one of my favourite parts of the day. After the ceremony and all of the hugs and kisses and congratulations from friends and family (although it made us feel so loved) our introverted selves were left feeling a little bit overwhelmed by all of the people and attention. We spent the afternoon being driven around in our very own catered golf cart, over rolling hills, finding the most perfect places to take pictures.
Our photographer was amazing. He has a knack for the dramatic backdrop and manages to get some really incredible shots with interesting lighting, which fits perfectly with us and our style as a couple. My very favourite part of the whole day was after the sun went down and our photographer took us outside to get some night shots. The mosquitos were terrible, but it was worth it and made for a really romantic wedding photo session. We don’t have all of the pictures back, but the one we do have from that session is breathtaking.
Why did you choose Henkaa Convertible Dresses?
In 2018 I was a bridesmaid for my sister’s wedding, and she actually chose to go with the Nude Champagne Henkaa Sakura Maxi Convertible Dress. Being somebody who is not partial to wearing dresses in normal, everyday life, I really appreciated the Henkaa convertible dress because it was just so comfortable to wear, and flatters pretty much anybody, regardless of body type or weight.
When it came to my turn to choose what dresses my bridesmaids would wear, I did look around at other places but kept coming back to Henkaa just because of how comfortable the dresses are, and I’m so glad I chose that in the end.
Check out our bestselling Sakura Convertible Infinity Dress here.
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