Stephanie & Tash – Falling in Love Online
A queer Netflix viewing party to foster community during a lockdown, led to an Instagram DM from the writer of the show to say ‘thanks’. And that DM led to a long-distance relationship, and eventually to this romantic wedding in Adelaide.
Finding Love Online
Natasha (Tash), having just appeared on Australia’s Married at First Sight as the first-ever lesbian bride (a disaster pairing, of course), decided to hold an online Netflix viewing party of whatever queer film her Instagram audience voted for, to help soothe the worry of the new lockdown laws coming into place.
No surprises here- the gays wanted Below her Mouth and that’s what they got.
The Daily Mail wrote an article citing that Natasha had done this to create togetherness for the queer community during the first of the covid lockdowns. Far away in LA, Stephanie, the writer of Below Her Mouth, goggled their movie and saw the article. They posted the article on their story and thanked Natasha for using the film to foster community. The two exchanged sweet, yet innocent messages, each thanking the other and that was that.
A few months later, Stephanie (a true Aries) reacted when Natasha posted something on her story slighting Aries, and some heady banter began. In true lesbian fashion, they moved from Instagram to texting, to voice notes and once Stephanie sent Natasha a voice note in Italian saying something too dreamy to share, it was all over.
Fostering a Long-Distance Relationship
The two began a committed never-met long-distance relationship. A Canadian and an Australian. In the middle of the covid pandemic. There were so many FaceTime dates, sending each other Ubereats as a way to have a dinner date, and falling asleep listening to the other breathe.
After nine months of coming up with multiple plans of how they were ever going to meet, at a time when it felt like Australia in particular was never again letting anyone out, or in, Natasha finally got an exemption to travel to Toronto to meet Stephanie.
The love was pure, real, and worth every bit of paperwork, stress, and travel. It truly felt fated, exciting, and comforting at the same time. The emotional and spiritual connection they had built through 9 months of being apart yet communicating constantly served as an incredibly strong foundation.
The Proposal
After falling in love again, in person, Natasha spent 10 months in Toronto with Stephanie. This included a Christmas proposal in front of a fire, Stephanie down on one knee in no shoes, and Natasha with her heart in her mouth, trying not to instantly cry (even though she’s a triple water sign, so that’s wishful thinking)
Everything felt right. Even when it was hard. Even when they each had work to do on themselves that impacted the relationship. Even when their attachment styles butted heads. The deep, profound connection, persevered in the face of every single hardship. Natasha had never been so sure in the depths of her heart, that she wanted to marry this person wholly.
The Wedding
They traveled to Australia together in 2022 and were married by Natasha’s father (who shares the same birthday as Stephanie) in a small, intimate ceremony at Chateau Apollo in Adelaide with a tiny guest list and so much love the venue could have burst wide open.
The ceremony was short, incredibly tender, teary, and nothing short of true love being witnessed by a small group of the closest to Natasha’s heart. Stephanie’s vows were, of course, something of a work of art and Natasha’s father was the perfect celebrant.
After the kiss, signing of the documents, and a quick snack and drink with their wedding party, the newly weds spent a few hours whirling around Adelaide with their photographers capturing what they would soon treasure as the most gorgeous, emotive, and representational wedding photo’s they could possibly ask for.
Heading back to Chateau, they did photos with their guests and then sat to enjoy an Italian feast (to honor Stephanie’s nationality) provided by Midnight Spaghetti, where the food was hearty, full of love and never ending. There were speeches and wine, that rolled into cake which inevitably lead to dancing. They had their first dance to “Beauty” by The Shivers which can still bring Natasha close to tears when she hears it. Stephanie’s closest friend, Melissa, made an appearance on Facetime and everyone tore up the dance floor.
Tears, cowboy boots, Italian food and two people who managed to find each other in a very peculiar way that could only be described as destiny.
As the night wound down, Stephanie and Natasha remained, bodies locked, on the dance floor. Willing the dream of the day to continue.
On May 8th this year they celebrate one year of being married. They are building their life in Toronto, and fall more in love, every single day.
Photography and Videography by Good Day Dwyer
Cake Cherry Darlings Bakehouse
Caterer Midnight Spaghetti
Celebrant Robert Herz Marriage Celebrant
Dress Significant Other
Florist Ethereal Botanica
Hair Salon Seven 32
Makeup Chloe Ellouise
Pants Calibre
Rings The Devil’s Workshop
Shirt Calibre
Venue Chateau Apollo
