Sam and Jen first laid eyes on each other in 2018. “I remember that day like it was yesterday,” says Jen. “We met at work, although I use the term ‘met’ loosely because, at first, she seemed to have no idea that I existed. I walked into the office kitchen and there she was, sitting at the table, engrossed in a book. Sam was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen and I couldn’t help but feel an instant connection, even though we hadn’t exchanged a word. Desperate to talk to her, I offered to make her a drink, trying to break the ice. But she didn’t even look up from her book; she simply ignored me. Undeterred, I took a seat nearby and attempted to engage her in conversation, but my efforts fell on deaf ears. It was as though she was in a world of her own. Time seemed to stand still as I sat there, trying to catch her attention. I eventually left and went back to work and when I returned for lunch, Sam had left the room without acknowledging my presence. I looked at the seat that was now empty, feeling a sense of disappointment that I couldn’t shake. Over the next eight months, I found myself actively searching for Sam in the establishment we work in. There are several different departments and her type of role means she could have been stationed anywhere. I couldn’t let this connection slip away. I replayed that first encounter in my mind countless times and it fueled my determination to find her again. Then, one day, nine months after that initial encounter, it happened. I spotted her from across the yard and my heart skipped a beat. I smiled at her, waved, and, to my surprise, she waved back. My heart raced as I approached her, asking for a quiet word. With a newfound sense of confidence, I handed her a slip of paper with my number on it. Sam’s curious eyes met mine and I could feel a connection between us that went beyond words. In that moment, I knew I was falling in love with her.” Jen was shocked when Sam popped the question. “In April 2020, Sam and I found ourselves in the midst of the coronavirus lockdown,” shares Jen. “Sam gently suggested that I go for a walk to clear my mind, assuring me that dinner would be ready upon my return. Little did I know that the evening would turn into an unforgettable moment. When I walked into the dining room after my stroll, I was greeted by a room adorned with flickering candles and soft, soothing music playing in the background. Sam had prepared a delectable meal of pesto and puff pastry chicken with vegetables and she had even included my favourite wine to make the evening special. We sat down together, talked and laughed. Then, as the delicious dinner came to an end, Sam surprised me in the most beautiful way. She bent down to the far side of the table and then returned with a small box. She quickly got on one knee and inside the box was the most exquisite tulip ring (our flower). I looked at her as she asked: “Will you marry me?” I was utterly taken aback by this unexpected proposal, but without hesitation, I exclaimed, “Yes!” It was a perfect moment, an oasis of joy and love in the midst of a pandemic.” SETTING THE SCENE “One sunny afternoon, Sam and I were discussing where to get married,” recalls Jen. “I wanted a place with lots of glass and it needs to be next to the water. Sam knew just the place, so that evening, we decided to stop by The Boathouse, a charming waterfront restaurant known for its stunning views. We ordered a drink and sat by the window, enjoying the peaceful ambiance. Once the restrictions allowed it, we made an appointment to visit The Boathouse as our potential wedding venue. To our amazement, we found out that it was well within our budget, but the icing on the cake was the bonus that I had always dreamed of: arriving at the venue by boat. The Boathouse had its own dock, allowing me to make a grand entrance by water, fulfilling my wedding fantasy. Belinda Minors, the wedding organiser and venue owner, was incredible. Sam and I did not have to think about anything. She was flexible, attentive and even fluffed our dresses as we walked down the aisle. She wanted our dream to be a reality and it would not have been possible without her. “Our wedding day was three years of careful planning,” continues Jen. “We had the luxury of time to envision and shape every aspect of our celebration, creating an event that truly reflected our desires and personalities. When the day finally arrived, it was a manifestation of our shared dreams and aspirations. Our guests could feel the thought and intention behind every detail, from the meticulously chosen flowers to the personalised vows we exchanged. It was a day where our personalities and love story took centre 39 REAL WEDDINGS
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