14 Jun Mandy + Alex
Mandy + Alex
Married on 31 December 2024
The Proposal
On September 6, 2021, after a crazy week at Muay Thai fight camp, Alex surprised me with a night at Crown Towers. Normally, our trips there are just chill staycations—but this time, he had something different planned. When we arrived, he suggested I grab a cocktail at the bar so I wouldn’t have to wait in line at check-in. I thought, “Awesome idea!” Little did I know, he needed me out of the room so my best friend Megan could sneak in and set up a secret surprise.
After checking in, I found out Alex had upgraded us to one of the apartments. We started the night by lounging by the pool with drinks, then headed back to get ready before hitting up the Crystal Club. Later, Alex insisted we head back to the room instead of checking out more bars. I wasn’t totally sold on the idea, but I went along with it.
The moment we walked in, I noticed rose petals scattered across the floor—and for a second, I actually panicked, wondering if someone else had been in our room. But then I saw it: big letters by the window spelling out “MARRY ME,” along with balloons, a grazing board, and perfectly made espresso martinis. I was in total shock when Alex got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I said yes immediately—even though the ring was a little too small (we managed to snap a quick photo before I had to take it off).
We ended the night with more drinks and dinner, completely wrapped up in the magic of it all. It turned out to be one of the most unforgettable nights of our lives.
Why we chose our venue
We chose Stonebarn because it ticked all the boxes: we wanted a venue with a rustic stone aesthetic, one where we could host both the ceremony and reception, and book for three nights to include welcome drinks and a recovery day—giving us plenty of time to spend with all our guests. It also allowed our dogs to be part of the ceremony and had enough space to accommodate our entire bridal party.
Our Style
We wanted our wedding to feel like one big party! Since it was New Year’s Eve, we were all about creating an epic night that our guests would never forget. We kept the formalities short and sweet so we could focus on what really mattered—celebrating, dancing, and making amazing memories with each other and everyone we love.
Fragrance
One of my bridesmaids gifted me a gorgeous perfume on the day—it smelled amazing and was such a thoughtful touch. Unfortunately, I’ve already managed to lose it and can’t for the life of me remember the name… but I’ll always remember how good it made me feel in the moment.
Highlights of the day
There were honestly too many highlights to count, but a few moments will stay with me forever. One of the most special was our first look—we had a quiet moment alone with no photographers, no one else around, just the two of us. It gave us the space to exchange personal, private vows before the whirlwind of the day began, and it was incredibly grounding.
Our dogs also made the day even more unforgettable. Murphy looked absolutely dapper sitting next to Alex in his tiny tux, while Karma wandered through the ceremony, soaking up the attention and clearly loving every second.
Another unforgettable moment was arriving at the ceremony. My best friend drove us up in Alex’s Land Cruiser—wearing heels, no less—and had to absolutely floor it to make it up the hill smoothly. We were blasting Man! I Feel Like a Woman the whole way, and the energy was just perfect.
The bridal party absolutely nailed their entrance to Black Betty x Dom Dolla, armed with money guns, sunglasses, and props. They brought such a fun, electric vibe and really set the tone for the night. But for me, the absolute highlight was our own entrance—it was a moment I’ll never forget.
Advice for Future Couples
If I could give a few pieces of advice to anyone planning a wedding, the first would be: use a wedding planner. They’re worth their weight in gold when it comes to taking the pressure off and making sure everything runs smoothly.
Most importantly, remember that this is your day. Make choices that feel right for you and your partner, and don’t let other people’s opinions dictate how it should unfold. Your wedding should reflect who you are—not anyone else’s expectations.
And finally, don’t forget to have fun! It all goes by so quickly, so soak up every moment and enjoy the ride.
Wedding Playlist
Signing I Choose You – Ryan Darling
Recessional Higher Love – Whitney Houston
Reception Entrance A Milli – SIDEPIECE Remix – Lil Wayne
First Dance We entered to A Milli – Alex sprayed 2 bottles of champagne on the drop, and we had all our guests jump in and start dancing with us (we didnt do an official first dance so this was it and what we wanted)
Meet the Vendors
Venue/Accommodation Stonebarn
Beverage Supplier Allure Bar Cart
Dessert Get Baked by Hal
Caterer Paella On The Move, Tailored Grazing
Celebrant Kristy Cochrane is Your Celebrant Bestie
Coordinator Erin Hansen Event Management
DJ The Wedding DJ
Engagement Rings She Fine Jewellery
Fashion:
Bridesmaids Tania Olsen
Groomsmen Tony Barlow and R. M. Williams
Wedding Gown Jane Hill Bridal and Aston Bridal
Groom Tony Barlow and R. M. Williams
Florist Farmhouse Flowers
Furniture Hire, Stationery & Signage Hire in Style
Hair Stylist Daniel Cord
Makeup Kally Reddy MUA
Photographer Shannon Stent Images
Videographer/Content Creator Jack Pilton
Save Me For Later
Have you checked out our Pinterest boards yet? Packed with the latest inspo from your favourite vendors, our boards are the perfect starting point for your wedding styling, all our pins are from local vendors, so you can take your inspiration and go right to the source! Happy planning! Love, From This Day