Jess & James’ Atherton Lakeside Wedding

What do you do if you live in an amazing home and surrounds that graciously overlooks a lake, your property even including your own patch of splendid-for-photo-shoots forest? You transform your place into a fantastic venue for your daughter’s wedding!

When Jess & James knew that they were going to spend the rest of their lives together, they had COVID to contend with, given James is from England. When international travel became possible earlier this year they decided that a quick betrothment was in order, just in case

When Jess told her Mum, Chelley, that they didn’t need a big flash wedding, indeed they would be happy to elope, Chelley submitted a proposal. If she did all of the planning were they open to the big flash wedding? I am SO glad Jess & James agreed.

When Yorkshire meets the Tablelands

Kids make any event sparkle and James’ niece Evelyn and nephew Reigan delivered sparkle with a Yorkshire accent, I couldn’t get enough! (side note for all you it’s-perfectly-acceptable-to-pronounce-nice-as-noice Aussies, here’s a great demonstration of a little girl with a cool Yorkshire accent)

The day went off without a hitch, thanks to the marvelous composition skills of Chelley and her sister Marise setting the atmosphere for the enthusiastic gathering.

The shed shimmered purple against the gold sunset, heralding the legal job done for Jess & James’ love story that effortlessly spanned the Indian & Atlantic Oceans.

How did you two meet and what were your first impressions?

We met via Instagram! After a few weeks of chatting, James flew from Brisbane to the Tablelands to meet me in person. We hit it off straight away, and have been together ever since. James was an English backpacker who had every intention of returning to England after he finished his travels. He has given up a lot to be in Australia with Jess.

What do you love most about each other?

Jess: I love James’ dorky sense of humour. He always brightens up a room with his happy personality.

James: I love how caring and kind Jess is.

I'd love to hear one special memory of your courtship..

For our very first weekend together, we went camping. We didn’t really have a plan in mind, so we just drove and drove until we found somewhere nice to pull up for the night. We rolled out the swag on the back of the ute and just spent all night talking under the stars. That’s when we really realised how compatible we are.

What Does Marriage Mean To You?

Marriage means that you’ve found someone that you can’t imagine doing life without.

How would you describe your day? How did you feel?

James was nervous but excited. Jess was just excited. It was the best night of our lives and the happiest we’ve ever been. We were surrounded by people who love us.