A Coastal Chic Wedding Overlooking Sydney

Featured Members:

Location: Sydney, Australia
Setting: Ceremony – cliff; reception – restaurant
Season: Spring
How long did the couple plan the event: 1 year
Number of guests: 115
Wedding theme/style: Chic, coastal.

Luke and Jillian met on a dating app in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Their first date lasted an impressive seven hours, setting the stage for a whirlwind romance. Just two months later, Luke returned to Sydney, but their connection remained strong. Jillian visited him, and the trip led to her falling in love with Luke and Australia, and she moved to Sydney with her two dogs. “We really got along well as the world shut down just a few months into my Australian life, and we spent all of our time in lockdown together,” Jillian recalls. Luke proposed at the restaurant where they had their first date, presenting Jillian with a ring featuring their birthstones.

When it was time to prepare for the wedding, the couple started looking for a photographer. After extensive research and several recommendations, they discovered Jack Jones, whose portfolio immediately resonated with them. Jack’s ability to capture candid emotions aligns perfectly with the storytelling approach Luke and Jillian desired for their wedding.

On the wedding day, Jillian wore a stunning strapless Madi Lane dress paired with white strappy block heels. She accessorized with an antique solitaire diamond necklace from her step-grandmother and a tennis bracelet from her mother. Her bouquet featured a monstera leaf and a white orchid in honor of her paternal grandmother. Jillian also wrapped her great-grandmother’s handkerchief around her bouquet stem, honoring a family tradition.

“My hair and makeup were done by Gemma Nichols Hair & Makeup, and I loved it! I was very impressed my hair held through the ceremony as it was so windy,” Jillian shares.

Luke looked sharp in a white tuxedo jacket and black pants, with a single orchid boutonniere complementing his bride and the suit perfectly. He added a personal touch by wearing his late father’s watch and cufflinks.

“I brought some black flip-flops for him to wear, and good thing, because his shoes were quite uncomfortable,” Jillian remembers. This practical decision led to a memorable first dance in flip-flops, which the couple fondly laughs about.

The ceremony occurred at Fairlight Reserve, chosen for its dramatic outlook and proximity to the reception. “We knew this was the spot we wanted from the beginning,” Jillian explains.

Although the morning started with rain, the weather cleared just before the guests arrived. The couple enjoyed the dramatic skies and wind, which added a unique touch to their photos. Jillian walked down the aisle to “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” a romantic surprise for Luke, a massive Liverpool fan.

The ceremony featured live guitar music by Benny Vibes, who learned the song for the occasion. A major highlight was their son coming down the aisle to greet them at the end of the ceremony.

After the ceremony, Luke and Jane took a moment to capture the joy and love of their special day through a photoshoot. They chose various scenic spots around Fairlight Reserve, embracing its natural beauty. “The grey, dramatic skies and wind made for some amazing photos. At one point, the wind got so strong that I had to tuck my veil between the arch posts, but it was perfect,” Jillian recalls.

The reception at Manly Pavilion was filled with fun and memorable moments. Their first dance was to “Days Like This” by Van Morrison. A unique Pittsburgh Cookie Table, a tradition from Jane’s hometown, featured desserts made with love by family and friends.

“It meant so much to me that my family and friends came all the way from the USA – it was so surreal to see them all in the same room in Sydney,” Jillian expresses.

Throughout the evening, the wedding party was filled with laughter, dancing, and the shared joy of witnessing Luke and Jane’s love story unfold. “Many of our guests said it was the best wedding they’d ever been to,” the couple said.

Advice from the couple:

• Don’t stress on the day! It will still be the best day ever. Also, have a fantastic team behind you. Our vendors made all the difference in the lead-up to and on the day. There is not one vendor we had on the day that could have been any better. They were all incredible, from the start of the day to the end of the night.