Flowers were especially meaningful, grown by Steph’s dad and arranged together in the days leading up to the wedding. “That made it feel even more special,” she says. True to their personalities, the day was filled with creative, theatrical touches. Instead of traditional readings, scenes from Much Ado About Nothing were performed by actor friends during the ceremony, even interrupting the moment before their first kiss. “Guests told us it was the most distinctive ceremony they’d ever seen,” Steph shares. Their joint speech continued the theme, delivered as a playful awards ceremony celebrating the people who helped bring their day to life. Food was another reflection of the couple’s priorities. With the entire wedding outdoors and Steph being coeliac, they opted for a fully glutenfree fish and chip van. “We wanted big crowdpleasing options as fancy sit-down dinners didn’t really reflect what we enjoy as a couple, and what could be more crowd-pleasing than fish and chips?” she explains – and it proved a huge hit with guests. Steph’s dress was a true labour of love, designed and handmade by her friend, costume designer Jade Newman Turner. Featuring a pleated corset, flowing skirt and detachable dramatic sleeves, it evolved throughout the day. “I loved every minute of the process,” Steph says. Hidden details, including embroidered flowers and their wedding date, made it even more special. Billy opted for a classic black tuxedo with modern touches, paired with statement boots and sunglasses for their outdoor setting. His relaxed yet polished look perfectly complemented the creative atmosphere of the day. One of Steph’s most treasured moments was walking down the aisle. “It gave me time to take everything in – our friends, our family, and seeing Billy waiting for me,” she says. After the ceremony, the couple took a quiet moment together beneath the trees. “It was just us, taking it all in.” For Billy, seeing Steph for the first time and their first dance stood out. As they danced to You’re Still the One, they invited their guests to join them, creating a spontaneous group hug on the dancefloor. “It’s one of our favourite memories,” they share. Reflecting on their wedding, the couple’s advice is simple: “Make it about you as a couple. So much of what we love and remember from our day are the things that we did, not because they were traditional, but because they reflected us as a couple.” REAL WEDDINGS 35
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