A Handcrafted Wedding Dress, and a DIY Filled Wedding
Amanda and Rebekah’s wedding day was one of those celebrations that just felt like “them” – warm, personal, and full of details that reflected their journey together. Their beautifully crafted wedding took place at Fremantle’s historic Roundhouse, embracing the cozy vibes of an autumnal palette. With Amanda’s DIY touches everywhere and Rebekah handling the logistics – a true partnership. And yes, there were plenty of Taylor Swift references along the way!
FALLING IN LOVE
Amanda and Rebekah’s love story began where many modern romances do – on Tinder. After swiping right, they met for a Saturday afternoon drink in July 2021. That single gin and tonic turned into five hours of conversation, and eventually, they moved on to dinner. Instantly smitten with each other, Amanda and Rebekah bonded over their shared love for Taylor Swift, Marvel movies, and musicals. About a month later, the “g-word” (girlfriend!) was first used, and soon after, Rebekah said “I love you” for the first time – with Amanda quickly reciprocating (once she confirmed that was what Rebekah had indeed said).
Since then, Amanda and Rebekah have traveled to six of the eight Australian states and territories, supported their local women’s sports teams (the Fremantle Dockers in the AFLW and Perth Glory in the A-League Women’s), attended concerts and musicals in three cities, and watched (and rewatched) their favorite classic sitcoms many times—all while snuggling with their cat, Bella.
THE PROPOSAL
In October 2022, they bought a house and moved in together, and just a few weeks later, they got engaged. Although marriage and proposals had been discussed (they had already chosen a wedding date!), Rebekah was completely surprised by Amanda’s proposal.
While taking sunset photos at a local beach, surreptitiously drinking wine, and listening to Taylor Swift’s Midnights on its release day, Amanda returned to Rebekah’s side after adjusting the camera tripod (she had tried to set up a video recording but discovered her phone’s storage was full!) and reached into her pocket.
Only then did Rebekah realize what was happening, and she immediately burst into happy tears as Amanda pulled out a ring and uttered those four magic words, “Ha, I’m so sneaky!” – quickly followed by “Will you marry me?”
Rebekah answered with an emphatic “yes.” A few weeks later, Rebekah proposed to Amanda -this time with no tears and little surprise – and Amanda, of course, said “yes.”
WEDDING PLANNING
Amanda and Rebekah began planning their wedding almost immediately, and they found they agreed on everything with very little debate. Both being natural planners and well-organized, their preparation went smoothly. Amanda’s creativity and talent shone through in all the design elements of the wedding—from the Save the Dates and invitations to the signs and table decor—each one crafted from her brilliant mind.
Meanwhile, Rebekah contacted vendors and ensured everything was running smoothly in the months leading up to the big day.
THE WEDDING DAY
Their wedding ceremony took place on a gorgeous Saturday in April 2024, at the historic Roundhouse in Fremantle, overlooking Bathers Beach. The aesthetic embraced warm, autumnal colors – blush pink, vermillion, forest green, and champagne – with gold accents and lush florals showcasing native Australian plants and greenery. These themes carried through to their reception at the nearby Bathers Beach House, where the tables were adorned with flowers, candles, and strands of pearl-adorned fairy lights.
For Amanda and Rebekah, the priority on the day – aside from publicly declaring their love and celebrating with their family and friends – was to ensure the day was fun and enjoyable for everyone while remaining authentically theirs. To that end, they included subtle nods to Taylor Swift, a games table, a sing-along for their first dance, and, in an emotional surprise for Rebekah, a performance by the choir Amanda had founded and directed for the past nine years.Rebekah wore the ‘Eve’ gown by Evie Young Bridal, while Amanda MADE her incredible gown, painstakingly laboring in her sewing room for over one hundred hours – somehow managing to keep the final design a secret from Rebekah until their ‘first look’ on the wedding day. The women in the bridal party were allowed to pick their own dresses, with only the color specified, while Amanda’s Man of Honor complimented them all in forest green pants, suspenders, and a bowtie.
Photography by Shosh Kruger Photography
Cake Single So I Bake
Celebrant The Holistic Celebrant
Ceremony Music Dolce Ensembles
DJ & MC Wedding Music Perth
Florist Joy Botanical
Makeup & Hair Elicia Rose Hair + Makeup Artistry
Videographer Valentine’s Day Studio