James and Emily’s fairytale Australian wedding in Sydney’s Blue Mountains

Heading to a friend’s wedding a few years ago, Emily Shumack was nervous.

“I really only knew the bride and groom and a few of the bride’s friends… When I saw that I was put on a different table to these girls, they said I should just swap tables, but by that stage there was already someone sitting next to my seat and I didn’t want to seem rude,” Emily, 33, explains.

That person turned out to be James Gardner, 37, and the pair hit it off straight away.

“We started with general chit-chat, and then soon found we had a lot in common and similar interests. We ended up getting coffee after the wedding and chatting till 2am in the morning!” Emily says.

“It only took a few short months to know we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together.”

James, a graphic designer, had a surprise for Emily, an art teacher, taking her back to one of her favourite places from childhood –  the Hydro Majestic in Sydney’s Blue Mountains – to pop the question.

The place was so special that the Sydney couple chose it to celebrate their fairytale Australian wedding.

They married in the gardens where James had proposed, on April 10, 2015, in front of 120 friends and family, with the reception following in the grand ballroom.

“The highlights of the day were when the sun shone through the clouds in time for our ceremony, our dance, and the ability to eat cake and tea for lunch on your wedding!” Emily says.

“Most importantly, we couldn’t wipe the smiles from our faces as we were both so happy to be getting married and starting our lives together.”

Photos courtesy of Matt Penberthy Photography.

“The combination of lace and tulle ensured I felt like a princess,” Emily says of her gorgeous gown.

“I used to visit the Hydro Majestic with my family when I was little, and always thought it seemed magical and grand,” Emily says of the venue.

Vintage Rolls Royces provided old-world wedding transport to complement the couple’s romantic theme.

UK photographer Matt Penberthy, an old friend of James’, travelled to Australia to document the couple’s big day. “We absolutely love our photos,” praises Emily.

“Seeing as we were having a high-tea wedding, we thought it would be perfect to give jam made by James and his mum, says Emily of guest favours.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Rt9_kK77OI

Video by Cinematic Motion.