Rhianna & Stephanie – Acknowledging LGBTQ+ Elders

Joshua Watson photographed two brides wedding from Victoria Australia (1)

Rhianna & Stephanie acknowledged LGBTQ+ elders during their ceremony, and referenced a novel by Fredrick Backman that spoke of the simplicity of their love, its strong foundations, and their commitment to working together throughout their marriage.

We knew we were perfect for each other when we discovered we both enjoy the simple things in life. Friday nights in having a nice glass of wine, hosting feasts and games nights with friends and family, reading a good book, sleeping in and having a long morning coffee before a run- or a ride- or both- or doing a self-made triathlon. We appreciate and are grateful for the little things in life and frequently turn to each other and say, “I just love our life.”

Tell us about the proposal.

Rhianna planned the proposal four years into the relationship. Stephanie woke one morning to a red “date card” envelope, and Rhianna spent the day driving her around Melbourne, visiting all the places significant to their relationship and reminiscing on cherished memories.

Rhianna proposed with a pear-shaped diamond and together, we shared the experience of designing our rings together the next day.

However, it wasn’t until Easter that Stephanie’s plan to propose, which she had been working on in secret before Rhianna proposing, came to fruition.

While already engaged, Stephanie didn’t want Rhianna to miss out on the experience of being proposed to and proposed with a wedding band she had designed for Rhianna.

Talk us through your wedding day.

On a chilly Autumn Friday in April 2021, we were married in front of our closest family and friends. The rain held out so the ceremony could be held as planned on the grass overlooking the incredible views. After walking down half the aisle with our parents, we walked the remainder of the journey together, hand in hand.

We were married framed by breath-taking floral arrangements on wine barrels, another nod to our passion for wine. Both wearing dresses that fit with our own personal style but were thrilled to see they complimented each other’s given our respective dresses were kept secret in the lead up to the wedding. We held sister bouquets of both dried and natural native flowers, complimenting the invites and setting.

Working with Dean, our celebrant and family friend, to ensure the ceremony captured our love, relationship, and values. Our guests have since spoken of how all in attendance felt our love. Also, we paid tribute to the elders of the LGBTIQ+ community and their allies who fought for marriage equality in Australia. Our favourite book, A Man Called Ove by Fredrick Backman, was referenced repeatedly in the ceremony and vows. Acknowledging the simplicity of our love, its strong foundations, and their commitment to working together throughout their marriage. Just like the protagonists in the novel.

After the ceremony and speeches, we kicked the celebration into party mode with their first dance. DJ Dan Martin of Rutherford Entertainment performed on his saxophone throughout the night to “wow” the guests and ensured the party atmosphere we wanted was actualised.

Advice for other couples planning a smaller wedding?

Our advice for other couples would be to stay true to your values, those that shape you as a couple and use this to envision how you want your wedding will be. We did this by separately writing down the top three values we wanted our wedding to encompass, and we used these to ground us in what was important whenever we were feeling overwhelmed with decisions. Doing so allowed us and may support others to resist the urge to give in to the norms of traditional weddings and ensure the weddings are about you two as a couple.