Real Weddings... Amber and Josh

Amber and Josh met through friends and 9 years later Josh surprised Amber with an amazing proposal disguised as a Birthday treat.

This is by far one of the most impressive proposals – all the team at KWH were jealous!

“On my birthday Josh took me out for breakfast in St Kilda where my family also joined us. I received a Spa Voucher then as a birthday gift from Josh for the Aurora Spa Retreat at the Prince Hotel. The voucher was for an amazing 2 hour treatment which Josh also explained was booked in for 12noon that day. Josh delivered me to the spa after breakfast and explained there was an envelope in my handbag that I was to open when the treatment was finished.

The treatment was divine and after it was finished, while relaxing in the lounge, I opened the envelope. It stated that I had 40 minutes to get ready, and that a car would be waiting for me downstairs. There was another envelope inside which I was to open once in the car. I went downstairs to find a driver and a black Statesman waiting for me.

The next envelope revealed a boarding pass for Sydney (and I LOVE Sydney) and a gorgeous letter from Josh. A third envelope was enclosed to be opened in the plane on decent. Excited, I boarded the plane alone with just myself and my handbag. On decent I opened the final enveloped that explained a driver would be waiting for me and would be taking me to the Shangri-La Hotel at The Rocks to meet Josh. I found the driver easily as he had a sigh with my name on it and I enjoyed the drive through Sydney at dusk.

Josh was waiting for me in the lobby. He took my hand and led me up to our stunning Suite with a panoramic view of Sydney Harbor. Josh stood in front of the view with the sunset behind him and got down on one knee and proposed!

Josh had flown up to Sydney while I was at the Day Spa. He packed a bag for me and had contacted my boss to get a few days off work for me. That night we went to The Wharf Restaurant and had a delightful dinner and we spent a few days away enjoying Sydney. We had talked about getting the ring made together, so to mark the occasion Josh gave me a beautiful Tiffany necklace.

Josh felt that because we had been going out for 9 years at this stage, he wanted to really surprise me with a proposal. He therefore chose to do it on my birthday in an attempt to keep me guessing and not expect the proposal. It was perfect, amazing in fact, such a wonderfully romantic experience…”

On a barmy afternoon on June 6^th, 2010 Amber and Josh married in Bali in front of their closest family and friends. 

Amber said on their choice for a destination wedding, “We decided we wanted a wedding that was intimate and simple yet luxurious. A small group of our closest friends and family of 40 people felt like the perfect number and group for us to share not just the day but a holiday and week of celebration.”

Amber chose a ‘Tropical Glamour’ theme featuring Phalaenopsis orchids and colour accents of purples.

Amber looked stunning in her Karen Willis Holmes ‘Veronique’ gown. 

The ‘Veronique gown features a delicate French Chantilly lace on the bodice with a sweetheart neckline and a skirt of tulle circle overlays.  The velvet ribbon tied at the waist was an element Amber particularly loved.  She accessorised her gown with an orchid in her hair, Swarovski jewels and shoes from Alan Pinkus.

Amber’s sister who was her matron of honour wore a dress by La Bella Donna while Josh and his best man wore suits by Calibre and Declique.

Amber and Josh married at The Legain Resort in Seminyak, Bali and held their reception in a private villa called Villa Dew Sri.  By nightfall the lanterns and candles created an amazing and inviting atmosphere perfect for a celebration. “We had Cocktails and Bintang Beer as our drinks choices plus a Gelati Cart which came out after dessert containing 6 flavors (perfect to cool you down after some dancing!),” said Amber.

The couple chose stationary from Paper Rock Scissors, and gave guests wooden fans as bombonieres. Amber and Josh exchanged wedding bands by Peter Arnold Jewelers.  Leanne Hanley, the photographer, took these amazing shots capturing the relaxed glamour and happiness of the couple.

Amber told us “our wedding was everything we hoped for. Nothing too formal or choreographed like so many weddings we have been to before. A beautiful ceremony following by a sensational party back at our private villa. Bali was a stunning destination for our wedding and everyone who attended agreed the whole celebration was amazing…”

Leanne Hanley Photography - http://www.lhfoto.com.au/