“As I arrived for Amy and Mark’s wedding, I was like a little child who knew a secret but was sworn to secrecy – bursting with excitement. They were holding their long overdue engagement party in their parents’ backyard, but had revealed to me earlier that they were actually going to surprise everyone and get married,” photographer Jonathan Ong recalled.

The bride wore her mother’s 30-year-old wedding dress with a pink floral hairpiece from Alannah Hill. She, with the help of some very good vendors, had transformed the backyard into a “recycled” and rustic-looking venue, complete with wooden furniture, wine barrels and vintage crates.

Warm-toned spring flowers like gerberas, roses, strawberry fields, gloriosa, tulips, billy buttons, green tricks, sunflowers and dahlias “floated” everywhere in hanging glass bottles of different shapes and sizes. Guests were taken by surprise at the effort the couple had put in for a supposed “engagement party”.

When the party was in full swing, the groom took the microphone and shared the story of how he and Amy met. He then finished by saying that they will be making a commitment to each other in the presence of them all!

Said Amy of the collective gasp that ensued and everyone’s surprised and delighted faces,

I wish I could live in that moment forever!”

AMY & MARK {Australia}

Photography by Jonathan Ong / Hair and Makeup by Beautique Creative / Flowers and Décor by Cecilia Fox / Catering by Atlantic on Site / Art and Stationery by Cavallini & Co. and Zetta Florence / Wedding Rentals by Georgeous Occasions and The Design Depot