Real Essense of Australia Bride Kate + Ben

When Kate and Ben met during the global COVID-19 pandemic, little did they know that their first date, a walk in a park, would set the stage for a lifetime of togetherness. Fast forward to their wedding day, where tradition seamlessly intertwined with personal touches, creating a celebration that was both timeless and uniquely theirs.

Our Real Bride Kate embodied understated glamour in her column strapless wedding gown, Style D3509 from Essense of Australia. When she walked down the church aisle toward her happily ever after, she paired the gown with an elegant lace topper.

Check out the stunning images below and prepare to be transported through Kate and Ben’s enchanting love story. With a truly unique proposal and a picturesque reception in England, this couple melts our hearts!

KATE, TELL US ABOUT YOUR PARTNER. HOW DID YOU MEET?

Ben and I met during the global COVID-19 pandemic. For our first date, we went on a walk in a local park. Despite growing up ten minutes away from each other, it wasn’t until our 30’s that we met. We have so many mutual friends and have been to many of the same parties without even knowing! We weren’t destined to meet until later.

Two and a half years after our first date, we went back for a walk in the same park. Ben waited until we got to a quiet spot and the sun started to shine before getting down on one knee to ask me to marry him – with a Haribo gummy ring! He’d been searching for a ring for months and decided that it was time to propose. It meant the world to me, not only because I’m a big fan of sweets, but because I knew he wanted to marry me. I was in such shock, I ate the Haribo ring!

Bride and groom holding hands walking through friends and family after wedding ceremony

Bride and groom cutting a tiered wedding cake adorned with red and pink flowers

DESCRIBE YOUR BRIDAL STYLE. TELL US ABOUT YOUR DRESS SHOPPING EXPERIENCE.  

I wanted to look classic with a modern twist. The beautiful Style D3509 from Essense of Australia was perfect. Every time I tried the dress on, I didn’t want to take it off. On my wedding day, the dress made me feel beautiful, confident and elegant. It was everything I could have ever wished for!

Ben’s beaming look when he saw me walk down the church aisle put me at ease. He adored the dress as well and couldn’t imagine myself wearing anything else.

Detailed view of a bride's lace wedding dress with intricate floral patterns

IN YOUR OWN WORDS, TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR WEDDING.   

We got married at St. Michaels and All Angels Church in Waddesdon, before going to The Dairy in Buckinghamshire for our reception. It was the most magical day. Although it rained in the morning, the sun started to shine when I headed to the church and it looked beautiful.

We made our wedding personal in a number of ways. We chose a venue in the country where we both grew up and included all our favorite foods and drinks on our menu, specifically the St. John’s College port from the university Ben and I attended. Also, my mum is a graphic designer and created the most beautiful invitations, including a stunning pattern used on all the venue signs. We also loved the small bags of Haribo rings we gave our guests. It included a poem my mum wrote:

Ben proposed to Kate
With a ring she immediately ate!
If you’d like to try one
With luck you might find some
Inside the little bag on your plate

I also worked with lots of suppliers that I had met whilst being bridesmaids at my friends’ weddings, which was a wonderful nod to my “something borrowed”. Speaking of: I had my grandma’s necklace that my mum wore on her wedding day.