It was at the tender age of 11 and 12 that today’s gorgeous newlyweds – Sophie and Jake first met. “We met at running training!” remembers Sophie. “We had the same coach and trained together for about eight years before becoming closer!”

And a holiday to Hong Kong was just the setting Jake needed to pop the question. “Jake and I went on a holiday to Hong Kong in early 2019. We were celebrating five years of being together. Our special engagement day started with a 15km run up Hong Kong’s Victoria Peak! Very challenging but something that is very Jake and I. Our holidays are always filled with exercise. We started the afternoon with traditional Chinese reflexology followed by a classic high tea at ‘The Peninsula’.
The magical evening was at a lovely Italian restaurant in Wan Chai. At the end of our lovely meal, Jake pulled out a diamond ring for dessert! I was in shock. It was the best day! We couldn’t wait to ring everybody and tell them the news!”

We’re so delighted to share Sophie and Jake’s day with you – it has everything a beachside lover dreams of. A first dance in the sand at a dreamy waterside location, plenty of colour and we get to tell it all with beautiful photography by Matt Elliott. How’s your Tuesday looking now?

Jake donned MJ Bale for the wedding, Sophie noting “Jake wore a classic black suit with a bowtie. He picked it up from MJ Bale and the quality of the fabric was beautiful and refined. His groomsmen wore the same black suits with black ties. With the floral lapel – it was a classic look.”

Sophie worked with D’Italia to custom design her dream gown. She shares “I took a long time to choose my dress. I had a clear vision in my mind but didn’t want to spend $10,000.

I went to shop after shop with my mum and just couldn’t find what I was looking for. I came very close to a dress at one point but my mum stopped me before putting down a deposit and encouraged me to wait.
One of Jake’s friend was recently married and got her dress at D’Italia. She spoke to me about the great experience she had there so I was curious to see! I had a great appointment there and the design and fabric looked beautiful. When I met my dressmaker Eva, I knew she would make my dream dress. I love the way it turned out. Structured, classic yet modern.”

Sophie and Jake were married overlooking the bay at Sorrento Park. “It has lovely views of the bay and is so picturesque!”

Sophie walked down the aisle with her father to “Can’t help falling In love with You” By Elvis Presley. “My dad walked me down the aisle to this song. It was extra special as this was the wedding song of my mum and dad as well! A timeless classic.”

Sophie believes, that the ceremony was guided by someone very special. “When we arrived at the ceremony it was windy and very cloudy. My veil was flying everywhere. My dad had to hold it as we walked down the aisle.
Moments later as Shannon acknowledged both Jake and my parents, the sun began to shine through the cloud. We like to think that this was Jake’s mother, Muffy – there in spirit with us. It was very special. The sun was out for the rest of the day after that.”

Sophie and Jake were married by Shannon Jeans. Sophie shares “This lady is a superstar. Each exchange we shared with Shannon was special. She took the time to get to know us and our story. We loved our ceremony. Shannon wrote one that was distinctly us. Funny in parts and serious when it needed to be. Lots of talk about running and football of course!
We had our sibling sign our wedding register which was special. Sophie’s other brother was also the MC. This meant that all our sibling were included in our day.”

“Enjoy all moments of your day. Starting from when you first wake up to sitting and chatting about the day afterwards,” advises Sophie.

Bright and beautiful orange was a running colour of the day, carried throughout the flowers by floral stylist Woops a Daisy Florist.  “We chose to tie the colour orange in through our flowers as well. We had two beautiful shades of orange roses with Italian Ruscus throughout. We loved the classic look that Amber at Woopsadaisy created. The orange worked so well against the black of the boy’s suits and the white of the wedding dress. It was also the primary colours of our athletic club where we first met!”

Sophie and Jake were thrilled with their choice of photographer, noting “Matt Elliott was a terrific choice for a photographer. We loved his photograph when browsing his social media. His photographs are beautiful and candid. Exactly what we were after. He made us feel relaxed in front of the camera and took some beautiful photos of our day.

Matt has a way of capturing the light just right. In my favourite photographer, we are hugging each other and laughing! I couldn’t stop looking at this photo when I saw it.”

The Baths Sorrento played host to this bayside reception Sophie sharing “For the reception, we chose Sorrento Baths. Jake’s late mother, Muffy, worked there for many years and loved the venue. Aside from the sentimental value – and being like she was there on the day – it was a magnificent wedding venue. Views out onto the bay and a beautiful room with high beams above.”

The speeches remain one of the bride’s favourite parts of the wedding day. “I loved the speeches. Each was so special in their way. From my brother MCing the night with such wit and class. He was fantastic. He would write notes of peoples’ speeches then come up after and share his rebuttal!
My dad made a beautiful speech that was filled with laughter and sentiment. Jake’s dad shared many fond memories and proud moments. My best friend, Rijana, shared her marriage advice and the value of friendship and Jake’s best man James, spoke of their many adventures together as friends.”

I think you’re going to agree that a first dance barefoot on the sand might be the most romantic of ways to end a wedding. Sophie remembering “Our first dance was beautiful at ‘The Baths’. We were down on the beach and the guests watched from up in the restaurant with the window drawn back. The song we chose was ‘Better Together’ by Jack Johnson. The song that we declared ours when I jetted off to the USA for exchange not long after we were together. We always agreed that we were ‘better together’.”

Delighted to be able to include the beautiful film for the newlyweds of the big day, captured by Crystal D Studio.

A big congratulations to you both Sophie & Jake! What a joy to b able to share your story today. Thank you also to Matt Elliott for today’s beautiful images.