When Mariafe and Jack told me of their plans to marry at 2pm, overlooking the ocean, in a shade-free park in the middle of summer I was nervous. There were a lot of factors working against me, shadows, squinting, heat, sweat, you name it. In hindsight I was a fool to question it – the beach is their natural environment. When you’ve played in an Olympic gold medal beach volleyball match of course you can handle 33 degrees at Aldinga. And boy oh boy did these guys handle the heat, they absolutely turned it on and celebrated an incredible day with 120 of their loved ones who flew in from all across the globe.
Tell me about your The Beginning!
We met on the 29th of January 2016 in Adelaide.
Jack at the time was working for Chobani, the Greek Yogurt company within their marketing team. The company had decided to send team members from NSW and QLD to both Perth and Adelaide for a month to trial their marketing techniques, guerilla style – think Redbull etc.
On the 29th Jack just so happened to be rostered on to work the afternoon shift with a colleague. Within their shift was a scheduled visit to Mariafes’ house once she had finished her afternoon training session.
Chobani, being setup in Brisbane and Sydney with their branded vans and company phones means the team members don’t need to use their personal phones when contacting people. However, being only a months trial in Adelaide, the team had to use their personal phones to contact the organised drops. Jack just so happened to be the lucky one not driving and it meant he was the one who text Mariafe with the standard “Hey it’s the Choteam, we are on our way……”
When Jack and his colleague arrived at Mariafes’ house they collected the Chobani pots/samples for Mariafe and knocked on the door. Of course, Mariafe knew people were coming for her so she answered and still to this day she say’s she knew there would be a connection in some way, shape or form with this so called “Chobani boy”.
Fast forward 24 hours, Chobani held a yoga/breakfast event at Ayers House. Jack of course, being a Chobani employee was working and throughout the event Mariafe really wanted to capture an iconic Chobani photo, one that was similar to the famous Toyota jump shot.
The event concluded, Mariafe went home and as Jack was busy with work he didn’t get the chance to say good bye and thought that the energetic and bubbly brunette would never be seen again.
Throughout the next few weeks Mariafe and Jack would chat and stay in touch with Jack eventually flying home to Brisbane.
Over the next 3 months, Mariafe and Jack would create a friendship through text messages, phone calls and FaceTime – this is a period that we hold close to our hearts, creating a bond through chatting at all times of the day and night as we both traveled for sport.
Come May 2016, Jack flew to Adelaide for the weekend to catch up with Mariafe and the rest is history 🙂
For the next 18 months we did long distance between Adelaide and Brisbane until Jack finished chasing a rugby ball and was offered the South Australian State Manager role for Chobani in July 2017.
When and where did you get engaged?
Hawaii on the 12th of September 2018
What style/theme have you chosen for your Wedding Day?
Coastal, neutral earthy colours
What are you most looking forward to on the day?
Seeing Mariafe walking down the aisle, celebrating our love for each other with all of our friends and family, having a massive party with everyone towards the end of the night after postponing the wedding 4 times, enjoying the speeches and hearing everyone’s stories about the couple growing up and now.
Top Tips!
Make sure you have moments where it’s just the 2 of you, enjoy it and appreciate all that it is. Whether that’s when you are alone taking photos or simply stepping away from the celebration for a minute or 2.
Venue: Stamford Grand Adelaide
Celebrant: Keryl Beckmann
Videographer: Modn Weddings
Dress Designer: Made With Love Bridal
Florist: Emma Kate
Stylist: Emma Kate
Make Up Artist: Alisha
Hair Stylist: Boris The Cuttery (Adriana)
Dj: Dylan Smith Accoustic
Live Music: Dylan Smith Accoustic
Stationery: Emma Kate
Caterer: Lovemittie
