Julie and Tony's Rochford Winery Wedding

It’s either a brave or completely crazy man who travels around the US with his girlfriend for nearly a month, carrying an engagement ring in the tiny coin pocket of his jeans every day. But Tony did just that, waiting for the perfect moment to pop the question to Julie.

The pair met online nearly three years previously and felt an immediate connection:

“He’s a gentleman. I’m not sure if that’s from his background in the military or he was just raised properly, but it’s incredible, I thought chivalry was dead until I met Tony. He’s just a really lovely person; really generous and really genuine.”

A couple of years into the relationship, Tony was having a beer with his best mate (and soon to be best man). Rob turned to Tony and told him that he hadn’t ever seen him this happy. At that moment, Tony decided he should propose.

He got the ring designed and shared his intentions with some family at his niece’s wedding at the start of their US trip. The pair then travelled through Oregon, Portland, Seattle, Mount Rushmore, San Diego until there was only four days left.

That night in Los Angeles they decided to check out the Urban Light public light installation. Surrounded by beautiful lights and lamps of all shapes and sizes, Julie asked Tony to take a photo. When Tony returned her phone, he dropped to one knee and Julie thought he was doing up his shoelaces.

“But then he was holding this ring. And I was like, “What’s going on? What’s happening?” He couldn’t get the words out… I said, “are you actually asking me to marry you? Is this what’s happening?”

“I was crying and he got a little emotional. And then people around us started applauding; I completely forgot that we were in public, it felt like it was just the two of us.”

When it came to their wedding, Julie and Tony chose their good friend and celebrant Bryan Daly to help them make their love official in front of a small group of family and friends at Rochford Winery. With guests from the US, UK, New Zealand and Adelaide, everyone was completely wowed by the spectacular location as the sun set behind over the lake. Especially considering the entire Yarra Valley was blanketed by heavy fog earlier the same day.

Julie and Tony had decided to do a First Look and photos before the ceremony (which we love!) so once the formalities were over, it was a short walk back to the restaurant for the party to really begin.

Julie and Tony, you guys feel lucky to have found each other and we also feel so lucky to have been your photographers! Yours was truly such a wonderfully happy wedding day and we appreciate so much the trust you put in us – even when we asked you to squeeze between wine barrels! Here’s to many, many more years of travelling the world and having wonderful adventures together.