NMJ Lovers | Annabel & Angelique

Introducing newlyweds Annabel & Angelique...Annabel approached Natalie to create a special bespoke piece for Angelique, featuring a stunning Emerald. We caught up with the newlyweds to look back at the proposal & the process of handcrafting the perfect rings.

 

Wedding Date: Saturday March 30, 2019

Location:  Collingwood, Melbourne

Venue: Rupert on Rupert

Dress: Lounge Suit

Photographer: Shari + Mike

 

How did you both meet? 

We were neighbours in Singapore in the same apartment building, with one floor between us. We met through a group of expats in our block and quickly became close friends. For Annabel it was a friendship that grew into an intense crush, which then turned into Angelique’s polite rejection. Over time the friendship became stronger, and we realised there was an undeniable connection. The crush became mutual.

 

Tell us a little bit about your engagement...

After a year of long distance between London and Melbourne, we finally found home together in Sydney on the Northern Beaches. A few days after Christmas 2017, I surprised Angelique with a night stay at Pier One’s Harbour View suite. We went to the balcony and I’d organised a bottle of her favourite pet-nat sparkling. Standing under the Harbour Bridge in our own private oasis, I was so nervous that I forgot to open the box and pop the question. She still said Yes though.

 

Where and when did you get married? Tell us a little but about your day!

We got married in March in a Melbourne restaurant called Rupert, north-east of the city. The area is a special to us because we often stay nearby when visiting family — plus its food & drink scene is wild! With over 70% of our guest-list traveling in from overseas or interstate, we wanted the weekend to feel like a circuit of Melbourne’s best establishments. Our wedding invite was in the format of a website but essentially doubled as a weekend itinerary. We kicked things off with a Friday afternoon session at The Builders Arms in Fitzroy, lacing the table with local beers and natural wines from Victoria.

 

Saturday was the wedding day, and true to form we got every type of weather. With our ceremony held undercover in Rupert's greenhouse, before the family-style shared dinner in the main dining room. The food was a boasting of local produce and a reminder of the unpretentious food scene that the city is so well known for. After speeches and desserts we had (what we claim) the most lit dance floor of any wedding complete with Annabel’s rendition of Lady Gaga classic ’Shallow’.

 

Showcasing the Melbourne we love, and sharing the things we like to eat & drink with our guests made the weekend a completely immersive experience. Our take-home gift was a bag of Proud Mary Coffee made from our own blend in collaboration with the roasters. We had local artist Natural Born Kriller design and illustrate the coffee labels, and homemade cookies made by our beautiful Matron of Honour, Fiona.

 

What was the highlight?

Seeing each other at the alter — nothing compares to that. Perhaps what came close was the surprise Serbian three-piece band Annabel organised, it got my family up dancing quickly!

 

Tell us about your NMJ rings, what did the process look like?

As soon as I knew I wanted to propose to Angelique back in December 2016, I got in touch with Natalie Marie Jewellery. I spoke with Natalie about my situation, I was in the UK and would need help designing a ring abroad. Being a complete novice to most feminine things, I gave some pretty loose requirements. All I knew was that it needed to be white gold and feature an emerald. Natalie gave me the confidence to start throwing some ideas out, as she sent back feedback. The whole communication was done over email. Before Natalie went out on maternity leave, she introduced me to Em who was also an absolute joy to work with. From there on out we exchanged a bunch of emails, rough pictures, and before I knew it the ring was designed and ready for pick up. Seeing the ring in the flesh was unreal. I was so impressed. 

 

Annabel’s wedding band was always going to be unique, and we first approached NMJ with something bespoke. After trying a few ideas in the studio (back when it was the tiny room), it ended up being the diamond signet that caught her eye. 

 

What drew you to Natalie Marie Jewellery and what do your rings mean to you?

In choosing a ring for Angelique, I knew I wanted someone local to design it and proudly handmade, sustainable and ethical. Growing up in Avalon, NMJ felt like an obvious choice. After some back and forth over email, the connection was instant and I knew I could trust this special purchase with Natalie and the team.

 

Our rings are a combination of our own interpretation and view of each other’s personalities. It’s a bold move to choose jewellery for anyone, let alone such a statement piece that’s on you for life. Having a basic understanding of Angelique's taste and knowing the things that would make her say “Wow”, meant it just came down to how well I could translate those ideas to the team. I am pleased to say it worked and the creation is beautiful.