Clear Mountain Lodge and Spa : Tom + Whitney

Tom and Whitney were married on Saturday 14th September, 2013 at Clear Mountain Lodge and Spa. With the Lodge nestled on the crest of Clear Mountain there are amazing panoramic scenic views, a perfect place for friends and family to enjoy time together. Tom and Whitney exchanged vows in the ceremony garden and followed through with celebrations in one of the onsite rooms.

The coming together of two groups of friends is what led Tom and Whitney to each other. After talking to each other at a party, they began to see each other everyday, becoming very close, until one day Tom eventually asked Whitney out.

Tom proposed to Whitney while on holiday in Europe in 2012. On a visit to Anne Hathaway’s cottage in Stratford, UK armed with ring in his jacket pocket, but not just any ring. The ring is a family heirloom once given to Tom’s great grandmother as an engagement ring. Ok, back to the cottage. Tom found a secluded garden away from the tours. A beautiful lavender garden shaped as concentric hearts with a park bench in the middle. And the rest goes like this (as written by Tom on his travel blog):

Lets go have a photo over here, I said, motioning towards the park bench.

I sat her down on the park bench and took her photo. My heart felt like it was trying to smash its way out of my chest, it was beating so quickly I thought she would notice (which she told me later that she did). She stood back up and gave me a hug. This was it, just go for it Tom.

Whitney, I have something important to ask you, I said reaching into my jacket pocket. Her face went blank and the bottom lip started trembling.

You know that I will love you forever…., I said, still fumbling for the bloody ring. She knew by this time, her legs started wobbling and the tears started. I dropped to one knee.

…and I would like to make it official, will you marry me babe?

She pretty much tackled me and I lost count of how many times she said yes. She was crying at full tilt by this time. We embraced for a long time as I waited for the crying to subside enough to grab a photo.

It was done, we were engaged. I can’t describe the feeling, I was on cloud 9.

If you’d like to read Tom’s story in full, check it out here: http://eurotrip.interwebular.com.au/html/index.php?id=15&p=7&search=

Funniest Wedding Moment: When the best man decided it would be a good idea to walk into the reception for the first time wearing the bride’s veil.

Special Wedding Day Moment: The whole day was so special but a highlight for us was Whitney doing her best not to be overcome with tears of joy as she walked down the aisle.

Special thanks to all of our parents for all of their contributions to the night. Without their help, there wouldn’t have been a wedding.

What was you experience like having Chris & Sonia from Sterling Studios photograph your wedding? Chris and Sonia felt like friends rather than our photographers. They were very accommodating and easy to talk to. The quality of their work speaks for itself.

Advice for other brides-to-be: Your big day will go ridiculously fast, remember to stop take a breath and take it all in. Also, after the wedding whatever you do don’t add up everything you have spent, you don’t want to know.

• Dress: Essense of Australia
• Wedding Bands and engagement rings: custom made by Mark at Girls Love Pearls, Whitney’s engagement ring was a family heirloom, once given to Tom’s great grandmother as an engagement ring.
  
• Celebrant: Rob Moscoso
• Wedding Coordinator & Decorator: Ingrid from Clear Mountain, Whitney and her mother Vivienne
• Hair: Gypsy Jo
• Make-up: Stephanies Mountain Spa
• Hair piece/fascinator: Home made
• Shoes: Benjamin Adams
• Bridesmaid Dresses: Watters
• Groom’s suit: Zenetti
  
• Groomsmen’s suits: Zenetti
  
• Flowers: Redlands Fresh Flowers
• Cake: Cheesecake shop (decorated by Whitney’s mum)
• Entertainment: The Hansen Trio, PartySound
• Photography: Sterling Studios
• Honeymoon: Thailand