The love story
Sara & Marty, their love story began back in 2010 at an alternative/emo nightclub called Bang. Their romance was short but sweet, with a bittersweet ending as Marty was set to spend a year studying in the United States. Life moved on and so did they, until fate brought them together again in 2017 – this time at another nightclub, Boney.
History repeated itself in a way, with Marty once again heading overseas, though this time only for three months. Unlike the first time, they stayed in touch – and when he returned, they were both ready to give their relationship the chance it deserved. From there, their love story truly began… and the rest, as they say, is history.
The engagement
As avid nature hikers, Sara and Marty love nothing more than being outdoors together. In Autumn 2023, after a day of foraging, they were driving home through Allambee South when Marty pulled over so they could soak in the beautiful view. While Sara was lost in the scenery, Marty dropped to one knee and proposed with her late Aunty’s engagement ring – a moment filled with love, meaning, and the perfect touch of nature’s magic.
The wedding gown
Sara – “I originally purchased a gown from a vintage boutique, but shortly after, the owner contacted me to say it had been sold in error and my size was no longer available. I was devastated at first, but I began asking around to see if anyone could recommend a seamstress. A close friend of mine, who is a Flamenco dance teacher, connected me with the incredibly talented Mem. From there, Mem and I worked together to bring my dream dress to life. My favourite features are the ruffles paired with the glitter-tulle layer underneath – they gave the gown such a magical touch.
As for the bridesmaids, both of them were eager to wear suits, which I absolutely loved – it suited their style perfectly and was one less thing for me to stress about.”
Marty – “The groomsmen and I hired our suits from Panthers Menswear in Moe, and they were fantastic to deal with. The guys came in for fittings, and we ended up choosing the Ferrari suit hire – complete with an old-style tailcoat jacket. It looked awesome and really set the tone for the day.”
One piece of advice
Be ready to compromise on your plans and ideas – not everything will go perfectly, and that’s okay. The little hiccups won’t take away from the magic of the day. In fact, it’s so wonderful that you barely notice when things don’t go exactly to plan. Most importantly, soak in every single moment – it truly flies by. Our wedding was the best day of our lives, and if we could, we’d relive it over and over again.
The venue
The Thorpy Pub is just five minutes from our home, and it’s our go-to spot for dinners and after-work drinks. We’ve always loved the way it’s been beautifully restored – it truly feels like a second home to us. When Jill, the owner, mentioned they had hosted a few smaller weddings before, we started chatting with her about the layout we had in mind. After a few meetings and plenty of planning, we knew it was the perfect fit and decided to lock it in.
Favourite memories from Sara & Marty
Our wedding was truly a labour of love – a DIY celebration brought to life with the heartfelt support of our family and friends. Inspired by the beauty of the Gippsland landscape, with its rural charm and native florals, we were committed to creating a celebration that was both sustainable and low-waste.
Every detail was infused with meaning: the sticks that formed our wedding arch were gathered from our farm, and each floral confetti cone was carefully glued by hand. Our dearest friends, Devon and Seraphim, lovingly took on the role of unofficial wedding planners, championing our vision and helping set up the space on the morning of the big day.
The way our community rallied around us was nothing short of magical. Their care, love, and effort are woven into every detail of our wedding – a reflection of the joy and connection we felt as we began this new chapter together.
Another beautiful memory – We danced the night away to our friends’ band, Pulse Train, surrounded by the love and energy of our family and friends.
Favourite vendors
Our celebrant and photographer were calm, uplifting, and brought such a positive energy – exactly what we needed on the day.
Sara & Marty – Vendors
Accommodation The Traveller’s Rest Hotel – Thorpdale I Bridal Gown & Veil Designer Mem Flamenco & Retro Yaya Boutique / GypsyQueen by Silvia Ofelia Di Marco I Bridesmaid Suits Vero Moda and Collusion I Cake / Sweets The Traveller’s Rest Hotel – Thorpdale I Catering The Traveller’s Rest Hotel – Thorpdale & Chilean Empanadas by Rosita I Celebrant Love is Magic Celebrant – Sophia Garcia I Ceremony Venue The Traveller’s Rest Hotel – Thorpdale I Entertainment / Music Pulse Train I Favours / Gifts Gippsland Promo Print I Florist Kelsey’s Florist I Grooms Attire Panthers Menswear I Hair Stylist The Distinctive Dame I Hire Services Rustic Creation Party Hire I Invitations / Stationery Gippsland Promo Print I Jewellery Moondust Jewellery I Makeup Artist The Distinctive Dame I Nails / Tan Nails by Quiche Nails I Photographer Kris P Photography I Reception Venue The Traveller’s Rest Hotel – Thorpdale
Kris P Photography
Kia ora! I’m Kris.
Originally from a tiny village in Waikato, New Zealand, I now call Warragul, Gippsland home. I’m a mumma, movie buff, and your new bestie with a camera. My photography journey began in 2020 during the Covid-19 lockdowns. What started as a way to stay busy and leave the house has turned into the most incredible community and a career capturing magical moments. I’m so grateful to every person who’s welcomed me into their story. This isn’t just a ‘job’ – it’s my greatest passion (after my little dude, of course). I travel far and wide to capture unforgettable occasions. If you want a photographer who will hype you up, keep you calm, wrangle family, and share a whisky & coke with you at the end of the day – you’ve found your person!