Real Wedding – Janine & Jack, Gladstone Park VIC
When Jack first caught sight of Janine, he instantly felt drawn to her, that she was someone special. For Janine, it was his world-class hugs that really took things up a notch. When their wedding plans got 2020-ed, these two super-grounded, super-special stunners drew on this love and created a celebration that was all heart.
Choosing an intimate ceremony means every detail can be meaningful, and we loved that Janine and Jack still felt their nearest and dearest with them on their day. From the cake gifted by a friend to Janine’s One Day Bridal Wifey jacket loaned from a newlywed buddy; to their community, connected over Zoom to watch the ceremony.
Their look was elegant chic, proving that smaller doesn’t mean sacrificing style! Janine glammed it up in a vintage glam number with statement gold heels, a bunch of bright blooms from Flower Head Events providing the perfect pop. Jack cut a dapper figure in his classic black suit, his beaming smile the ultimate accessory.
Cass from Blossom Daisy Creative took these lovers to some of their favourite city spots, and the resulting images capture every emotion-filled moment.
The meeting.
We met at an Indian wedding of a mutual friend of ours, Ash. Despite both of us knowing the Groom for quite some time, we had never met each other previously (although Jack is adamant we had). There was a brief alcohol-induced chat followed by a good old Facebook stalk by Jack to find Janine and the rest is history.
The ‘one’.
Jack: I had a strange feeling when I first saw Janine. She stood out in the crowd, and I was drawn to her.
Janine: I knew Jack was the one when my mum was first diagnosed with cancer after we had been dating for about six months. Without asking him, he was there. Phone calls, hospital visits, meal drop-offs, always checking in and giving the best hugs I have ever experienced to this day.
The proposal.
Jack: I got down on one knee!
Janine: Jack had organized for us to stay at the Langham Hotel in Melbourne as part of our postponed 4th-anniversary celebrations. When we got to the hotel, he suggested we go to the National Gallery of Victoria and then for a walk around King’s Domain.
When we passed a park bench for the second time, Jack slowed down and got down on one knee. He said that because Notting Hill is my favourite movie, he wanted us always to have a place we could come back to.
Planning process.
The planning process has been very up and down. It was very busy at the start, and then there was a lull. Janine’s brother became our unofficial wedding planner, so he’s been a great sounding board when we were just not sure of things. Planning became difficult after Janine’s mum passed away in December 2019, but she had made it clear that she wanted us to go ahead for her, and we wanted to respect her wishes.
Our planning process completely changed again after we postponed our original wedding, which was scheduled for April 3rd 2020, due to COVID restrictions. While it was a difficult and heartbreaking decision to make, we knew we couldn’t proceed with our original plans, especially when so many of our family and friends overseas could not attend.
Once we postponed, we went back and forth about having a small ceremony to at least be married, and when the COVID situation looked like it would never end, we knew we wanted to push forward.
Style inspiration.
The inspiration behind our original wedding was an inner-city warehouse/industrial feel. We fell in love with the exposed beams and blank space in Canvas House and were excited to light it up with lots of candles and flowers. Nash has been a dream to work with, and we are excited to celebrate our reception there next year.
Janine: For our COVID wedding in June, due to the restricted numbers, we knew our wedding would be intimate. We focused on the church service, which we moved to the church my dad has been connected to since moving to Australia. It is the same church my brother and I were baptized and had our communion in, and also went to primary school there.
We focused on beautiful, bright flowers which Helen from Flower Head Events put together for us. We wanted the amazing pictures we knew Cass would take for us to capture the love we were feeling, despite it being a small ceremony.
We were so grateful to all the family and friends who connected via ZOOM to watch us get married.
The look.
Janine: I found my original wedding dress (which I am determined to wear at our reception next year) at Fairytales Bridal Boutique in Moonee Ponds. It is a Zavana dress which Sandra from Fairytales Bridal altered and added sleeves for me which are perfect.
When we decided to have a small ceremony, I knew I wanted to keep my original dress for next year as I felt as though half the spectacle of the wedding dress is your loved ones seeing you in it.
Once I made that decision, I started to look online for a ceremony appropriate dress. I ordered a few from ICONIC and eventually found the one from ASOS. I loved that it was elegant and very comfortable. I was able to wear my original shoes and veil as well. My friend Kathleen also allowed me to borrow her WIFEY jacket from One Day Bridal for some great photos later in the day.
Jack: I ended up wearing a black suit I had for a while. Our friend Vittoria from Ferrari Formalwear in Myer helped organize my original wedding suit which I will keep for next year.
Favourite moments.
Jack: When we held hands for the first time after greeting each other at the start of the service and walked towards our chairs on the altar. I was a nervous wreck before this.
Janine: Saying our vows. I got quite emotional while standing in front of Jack. I think with all the postponements and heartbreak we had gone through recently; I was just grateful he was standing there in front of me.
Meaning of marriage.
Jack: Marriage means sharing happiness, sadness and laughter with my best friend.
Janine: Marriage, to me, is sharing my life with my best friend.
Wedding soundtrack.
For our church service, we were asked to pick catholic hymns. Janine chose songs which she used to sing at school. For the aisle entrance song, the priest allowed us to use a canon.
Janine: For the entrance song, I found a canon online that had Ed Sheeran’s Perfect mixed into it. This song was my mum and dad’s favourite song, which they danced to at their 40th wedding anniversary last year. After losing my mum, I wanted to honour the love my mum and dad shared, and the song set the tone for a magical day.
All our other song choices we are keeping for our reception next year.
Funny stories or near disasters.
Someone say COVID!
Planning surprises.
How easy it was to put together a small ceremony when you have awesome vendors and supportive family and friends around you.
Words of wisdom.
If you are unsure about what your wedding can look like during these uncertain COVID times, remember why you are getting married. It was a very hard decision to postpone our wedding and then go ahead with a smaller ceremony, but we are so happy we did as it was a very special day and despite our loved ones not being in physical attendance, we could feel their love and support from all around the world.
There are so many things to consider if you have to postpone your wedding. We truly feel for you. In order to help as best we can, our 2020 blog posts are strong on the postponement advice. Check out how to pivot when it comes to your wedding stationary as a starting off point, here.
JACK & JANINE’S VENDORS
Ceremony venue: Church of the Good Shepherd, Gladstone Park
Celebrant/Officiant: Fr. Dishan Candappa
Photography: Cass from Blossom Daisy Creative. We don’t know how we will ever be able to thank Cass. She rode this crazy ride through postponements and COVID with us and held our hands through it all. She has become a member of our family, and we can’t wait for her to photograph many more of our family milestones.
Florist: Flower Head Events. Helen was a dream to work with. After finding her online, I sent her through what we wanted and some inspiration pictures. Despite our plans changing regularly after COVID restrictions came into play, Helen was an ultimate professional and put together wonderful blooms for our special day.
Hair: Janine did her own hair. Cut by Jess at Huntress Hair in Geelong.
Make-up: Lauren Schokman, Janine’s cousin. Lauren has done my makeup for quite a few events and I am so grateful for her being a part of our special day. She has taught me everything I know about makeup and skincare. Thanks so much Lolly!
The dress: ASOS
Veil / headwear: Veil from Fairytales Bridal Boutique, Headpiece from Lovisa.
Shoes: Charles and Keith. I purchased these last year on a family holiday to Dubai.
Rings: We got them hand made at the Gold Souk in Dubai.
Bridesmaid’s dresses: My maid of honour Carla wore her own black dress.
Groomsmen’s suits and bow ties: Jack London
Catering: We went to Rocella Italian Restaurant in the city for dinner following the ceremony. It was amazing and the best way to end the night.
Cake / Cake topper: Our dear friend Carol and her family gifted us a stunning cake from Amarantos Cakes in Melbourne.
Stationery / Signage: All our invites and church booklets were designed by Janine’s brother Stefan.
Honeymoon: Hopefully next year once COVID is over. This will likely be our first holiday as a three as we are expecting a baby in December!
