A Beautifully Intimate Celebration at The Old Clare, Sydney
Some weddings have a certain magic about them—an effortless blend of love, laughter, and those once-in-a-lifetime moments that can’t be scripted. This was exactly the case for Grace and Josh, whose intimate celebration at The Old Clare Hotel in the heart of Sydney was nothing short of perfection.
From the moment the day began, there was an undeniable energy in the air. The couple chose to focus on what truly mattered—each other, their closest family and friends, and a celebration that reflected their unique love story. Every detail, from the elegant floral arrangements was styled to absolute perfection, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
As a photographer, capturing the essence of this day was an absolute dream. There were the quiet, heartfelt moments—the tearful exchange of vows, the gentle hand squeezes when no one was looking. And then there were the bursts of laughter—the joyful embraces, the spontaneous dance moves, the clinking of glasses as loved ones toasted to their future.
One of the most striking aspects of the day was how seamlessly it all flowed. The Old Clare provided the perfect setting, with its blend of heritage charm and modern elegance. Against this backdrop, the couple’s love story unfolded in the most beautiful way, and it was impossible not to be swept up in the emotion and joy.
Love was at the heart of every moment, and joy radiated through every frame. It’s weddings like this that remind us why we celebrate love in all its forms, the raw, the real, and the utterly magical.
To Grace and Josh, thank you for allowing me to document your incredible day. Your love is truly something special, and it was an honour to capture these memories for you to cherish forever.
Modern Romance at The Old Clare | Sydney Wedding
Grace and josh
Josh and I met through work when we were both 19 years old. From the very beginning, we knew we had found something very special. Josh proposed on a European holiday in Nice, France. It was a complete surprise and it was absolutely perfect.
How did you two meet? What was your first impression of each other? Tell me about the proposal—how did it happen?
What was your vision for the wedding day? How did you choose your venue and vendors?
Did you have a theme or specific style in mind?
We never imagined having a large wedding, so we decided to plan a small, intimate celebration with 35 of our closest family and friends in Sydney. Supporting small businesses was important to me, so I made sure to consider that, along with reviewing their past work, when choosing vendors. We were aiming for a timeless wedding and loved the idea of a city celebration, both for its convenience for our guests and the stunning backdrop it offered for the event and photos.
Our favourite moment of the day was definitely the ceremony, especially when we exchanged our personalised vows. Seeing each other for the first time was incredible, but it also felt like a bit of a blur.
I wish I could go back and relive the entire day.
Overall, our wedding didn’t follow traditional conventions—we skipped things like a first dance, a bridal party, a sit down meal and a cake, to name a few. Everything went according to plan, and I was truly grateful for that! One piece of advice I’d give to anyone is to write personalised thank you cards for your guests. I know it really meant a lot to our guests, and it was a simple task to incorporate into the planning process. We also had corsage's made for the mother of the bride, the mother of the groom, and a boutonniere for the father of the bride and father of the groom. We also allowed babies to be at both the ceremony and reception, which made the day extremely special.
What was your favorite moment of the day? How did you feel when you saw each other for the first time? Were there any special traditions or personal touches you included? Did anything unexpected or funny happen?
What song did you choose for your first dance?
What inspired your dress/suit choices? What were your favorite decor elements? How did you decide on your color palette?
I wore a short dress with a long veil, and Josh wore a tux. I had never really envisioned myself in a long traditional gown, but when I found the right dress, everything just clicked. As for the decor, we let the venue and the city’s landscape speak for themselves. However, we did incorporate beautiful bud flowers, a large floral centrepiece, candles, an audio guest book (highly recommend) and a polaroid wall to add some special touches.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to other couples planning their wedding? If you could relive one moment of the day, what would it be?
Our biggest piece of advice is to plan the wedding for yourselves. While it’s important to take family and friends into account, ultimately, it’s your special day, and you should feel confident and comfortable with the decisions you make and how the day unfolds. We would both absolutely relive the ceremony—it’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience that we will always treasure.
florist
Flowers by Julia G
Celebrant
Events with Grace
SUIT
MJ Bale
venue
The Old Clare
dress
Odd Muse London
music
Alyssa Cavaleri Music
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