The Ideal Wedding to Ourselves

When Ava Green turns twenty-eight, she is told it will be her last birthday. The cancer she fought three years ago is back, and this time it's going to beat her. But Ava is not going to let cancer define her last, precious months - she wants the wedding of her dreams. She doesn't have a groom and she doesn’t have much time . . . but none of that matters. She's going to go it alone.

Inspired by Ava’s journey in Photos of You by Tammy Robinson, the hearties have decided to create their own dream wedding for themselves.

ENGAGEMENT RING
I’d hate to be a total cliché but there’s something about Tiffany rings, and the Tiffany Soleste Pear ring that has me swooning like a maiden in a Mills and Boon novel. Of course, if my future husband wants to drop a cool $22,000 for the 1-carat version then I’d call myself a lucky maiden indeed.

– Alana, Publicity
 

DRESS
I think we all deserve to feel like royalty on our big day, and it just so happens that my dream wedding dress is almost identical to Meghan Markle’s. The first dress that is (are you even marrying into the royal family if you only wear one?). I love skirts that fall unimpeded to the floor, boat necks, silk and trains. And, of course, the look isn’t complete without the tiara! But we’re not as restricted as the royals, so no full-length sleeves for me.

– Antolin, Publicity

LOCATION
This might sound really dumb, but I almost feel like I’ve had a wedding to myself. In 2015 I took a two-week roadtrip through the New Zealand’s South Island – solo. It wasn’t the first time I’d travelled alone, but it was my first solo trip overseas, and it was huge for me in terms of reconnecting with who I was and what I wanted from my life. Winding through rugged country and past sparkling oceans was an act of self-care that totally refreshed me. This is a very long way of saying that I’d throw my ideal wedding to myself in the wilds of the South Island, because it feels like home. I’ve narrowed the exact location down to either Lake Tekapo or Wanaka (don’t make me choose!!). Both places were just so beautiful to look at and to be in. I can’t think of any other spot in the world I’d rather be!

– Stacey, Australian Publishing

(Location: The Church of the Good Shepherd on the edge of Lake Tekapo and Lakeside in Wanaka.) 

THEME
We couldn’t have a BWH wedding without some books which perfectly blends into my rustic theme. With tables filled with wildflowers and candles upon stacks of book, fairy lights draped across the ceiling with book chandeliers dotted in between, it will be like entering a book-themed wonderland.

– Louise, Marketing

FOOD AND DRINK
After all the planning and mayhem of organising a wedding, you deserve a deliciously scrumptious meal paired with an effervescent alcoholic beverage. It is most essential to keep the energy up for all the dancing that is sure to follow. A banquet for the guests would be the dream, with lots of fresh produce and tasty options. A glorified version of comfort food can be served so that there will definitely be something for everyone. With trays scattered along the tables, no one will feel guilty for second and third helpings of good food. Everyone will receive a generous helping of the best champagne
after dinner to sip along as they listen to speeches and toasts.  But we must make room for dessert, with an exquisite banana cake with passionfruit icing. For all the dieters in the room, there can be a long fruit smorgasbord jam-packed with fresh seasonal fruits. Tea and coffee too of course, for those who enjoy a warm hug in a cup after a good meal. 

– Victoria, Product

HONEYMOON
For the honeymoon, I can think of nothing better than relaxing at an overwater villa in the Maldives. With open-to-the-stars bathrooms, private plunge pools and steps directly down into the lagoon, the villas have views that stretch to the far horizon and it sounds like a slice of heaven. With options to go swimming, snorkeling or diving, be pampered in the glamorous spa, night fishing, go on sunset champagne cruises, have picnics on a sandbank, shopping in the islands’ capital Male, going underwater in a whale submarine, seaplane flights and even an option to be marooned on a desert island -  do I need to say more about this dream location?

– Jemma, Publicity