Once upon a time, in 2016, fate played its hand, bringing Alana and Charlie together through the intervention of a friend. Little did they know that their love story would take them on a whirlwind journey of surprises, challenges, and joyous moments leading up to their magical wedding day.
The proposal was no ordinary affair, as Charlie had a grand plan to pop the question during a holiday in Port Douglas in August 2021. He picked up the engagement ring in July 2021 and hid it in the pocket of his high school blazer, hanging in his wardrobe! However, life had other plans, and a COVID lockdown dashed their vacation dreams. But amidst the pandemic uncertainty, a delightful surprise awaited Alana – she discovered she was pregnant! As the world emerged from lockdown, love triumphed, and in November, Charlie made his move.
Alana and Charlie decided to get out of town for the weekend and Alana made a reservation at a nice restaurant. When Charlie suggested they “have a picnic on the beach before dinner”, which is very out of character for him, Alana had an inkling. He got down on one knee and proposed to Alana. She joyfully accepted, and soon after, their beautiful baby girl, Sadie, came into their lives.
The wedding planning began in August 2022, and it was clear that Alana and Charlie wanted a day that truly reflected their unique personalities and love story. They chose a destination wedding in Italy, and Castello Oldofredi on Monte Isola, Lake Iseo, was the perfect venue. Surrounded by the enchanting beauty of the Italian lakes, their wedding exuded an air of magic and romance. With 80 of their closest family and friends – 72 from Australia, 2 from Canada, and 4 from the UK, the couple’s dream of a fairy-tale destination wedding came true.
One of the most captivating elements of the wedding was Alana’s exquisite gown, a creation by the talented Luci di Bella in Melbourne. Layers of silk organza and tulle formed a dreamy skirt, while the gathered tulle bodice added a touch of drama. The dress not only looked ethereal but was incredibly comfortable, allowing Alana to feel like the best version of herself on her special day. Alana always thought she would want a second outfit for their reception, but once she found her perfect dress, she said she couldn’t imagine wanting to take it off for something less beautiful.
The couple embraced their individuality by ditching some traditional wedding norms, like the bouquet toss and champagne tower, while keeping cherished traditions like Alana’s father walking her down the aisle and heartfelt speeches from close friends.
Advice from Alana and Charlie to future brides and grooms is to consider a destination wedding overseas. The unforgettable experience of having loved ones on holiday, relaxed and ready to celebrate, made their day truly exceptional. The couple encourages others to embrace the adventure and create lasting memories.
A favorite moment for Alana and Charlie was having a ride on a charming 1960s Riva boat, a picturesque experience that allowed them to steal a private moment together after the ceremony. The boat ride was one of many highlights for them both, apart from when Alana’s veil blew into the water and was dragging behind the boat, still attached to her hair! Thankfully, the crisis was averted.
A not-so-favorite moment from the lead up to the wedding was the night before. Welcome drinks were being hosted at a bar on the mainland and the last ferry was leaving for the island at 7pm. More than half the guests were staying at the wedding venue on the island that night (including Alana) so they left the party and were waiting at the pier for the ferry. A mishap left them stranded on the pier as the ferry drove off before anyone even had time to step on! Luckily their wedding planner’s timely intervention saved the day as she arranged a boat to pick up all 50 of them just 25 minutes later, proving once again that fairy godmothers come in handy even in real life.
Photographer @louloumemphis
Dress @lucidibelladesign
Florist @petalidialice
Wedding planner @simona_agnesi
Makeup @abbeythomassmua
Suit @sohoworkshop
Boat @bellininautica
Earrings @natashaschweitzer
Shoes @sergiorossi
READ MORE: NATASHA OAKLEY TIED THE KNOT IN A DREAMY RESORT WEDDING IN ITALY
