Meaghan Lewis

real life wedding inspo

Meaghan & Lewis

photos Timeless Creations Photography mobile 0402 266 901 email info@timelesscreations.com.au web www.timelesscreations.com.au

Meaghan and Lewis spent their whole lives close together, living only a few streets away from each other and even attending the same pre-school, yet it took them almost as long to meet. Many years later, in 2011, they crossed paths again at the Australian National University (ANU), this time making a more memorable impression on each other. By 2013, they had started dating.

After four years of dating Lewis had decided that he wanted to marry Meaghan, but he wanted to make it perfect. A whole year later in 2018 Lewis realised that his nerves had got the better of him and that he needed to be impulsive. The next day he organised a trip to a Japanese style spa in the Blue Mountains which offered relaxing massages and spectacular views. It was here, after a relaxing day spent together, with the view of a beautiful lake in the background, that Lewis asked Meaghan to marry him. A few months later they celebrated their engagement with family and friends at Hotel Kurrajong in Canberra, just weeks before moving halfway across the country. Planning their wedding was a little different, as by this time they had relocated to Cairns, some 3000 kms away from Canberra. Almost all of their planning had to be organised online. This wasn’t as difficult as you’d expect, since they had friends and family to help them with inspecting venues.

They had a handful of international guests, one from as far as Canada. From their Australian guests however, they themselves had the furtherest to travel – all the way from Cairns for their special day. It was around the time of their wedding that surrounding bushfires had created a haze over Canberra. Luckily on the day, it had mostly cleared up. Asked where their dream wedding location would have been if they had the choice, “Canberra” Lewis says, despite the bushfires and distance. “It’s where we grew up, where our friends and family were, and meant the most to us”. With a little over a year to plan their wedding, they paid the most attention to the décor and styling of the reception venue, and their wedding outfits. Meaghan wore a glamorous classic Stella York gown from Annabel’s Bridal Studio for the wedding ceremony and photos, and then slipped into a slinky Grace Loves Lace gown for a few more photos before heading to the reception – but not before running into another bride wearing the exact same gown! Of course, they had to take advantage of the situation and snap a few fun pics for the album.

She looked pretty damn beautiful

The bridal party skipped the traditional bridesmaids dresses, opting instead for a more modern, feminine pantsuit for the day which each of the bridesmaids styled themselves. The groomsmen wore navy suits with ties matching the colour of the bridesmaids pantsuits, while Lewis looked stylish in a light blue suit with a navy tie, all provided by Roger Bartholemew Menswear in Canberra. Holding their ceremony at the Margaret Whitlam Pavilion at the National Arboretum held a special significance to Meaghan. It was one of the favourite places of her recently deceased Nana’s. As Meaghan walked down the aisle, Lewis was surprised at how much he cried. “She looked pretty damn beautiful” he remembers. Their photographer, Mark, from Timeless Creations, captured all of these special moments. “He might’ve been my favourite, non-Meaghan part of the wedding” says Lewis. “The photos we got back from him were extraordinary and I’m usually not great around cameras.” They were both impressed at how Mark was able to make everyone feel comfortable around the cameras. “Mark was wonderful to work with and made us both feel amazing”.

Their reception at the National Portrait Gallery was classic and minimal in its styling. The event staff at the venue and the catering company, Broadbean Catering, were both super flexible, friendly and professional. “Great to work with” Lewis remembers. They looked after all 100 of their guests throughout the night and everyone was really positive. “Neither of us had much experience in throwing big parties before, and a wedding is obviously the biggest party of them all” he says. “We were both so happy with how it turned out, how much fun everyone had, and how much fun we had”. Meaghan and Lewis spent their wedding night at the historic Hyatt Hotel in Canberra, and then honeymooned in Japan. They split their time between Osaka, Kyoto and a small hot spring village called Kinosaki Onsen, visiting spas and restaurants. The highlight being a beautiful stay in a traditional style room at Nishimuraya in Kinosaki Onsen, where they rented their own private onsen.

Lewis & Meaghan’s wedding advice: Don’t take it too seriously.

Wedding Date: 11 January 2020 • Theme: Classic/ minimal • Number of Guests: ~100 • Wedding Song/Dance: City of Stars • Photographer: Mark Jennaway from Timeless Creations • Gown 1: Stella York from Annabel’s Bridal Studio • Gown 2: Grace Loves Lace (Second hand) • Rings: Unique Diamonds in Braddon • Accessories: Francesca and Bride’s Grandmother • Hair: Absolute Hair Queanbeyan • Makeup: Cassandra Lee Hair and Makeup • Groom/ Groomsmen’s Suits: Roger Bartholemew Menswear • Ceremony: Margaret Whitlam Pavilion at the National Arboretum • Celebrant: Julie Rattenbury • Reception: National Portrait Gallery • Entertainment: Capital Club Band • Florist: Blossoms of Chisholm • Cake: Cakelovers Canberra and Sweetbones Bakery (vegan) • Bomboniere: Sustainable Bees Canberra • Transport: Envoy Chauffeured • Menu: Broadbean catering • Entree: Zucchini flowers filled with smoked mozzarella & roasted tomatoes, basil aioli and Caramelised onion & Meredith goat cheese galette with rocket salad. Main: Macadamia crusted wild barramundi, mash and chive lemon butter sauce and Crisp mushroom risotto cakes, red pepper coulis, rocket and shaved parmesan