Planning a Same-Sex Intimate Wedding in Sydney: A Couple’s Romantic Journey
Love has a way of bringing two souls together in the most beautiful and unexpected ways. For Pawie and Anna, their journey began with a chance meeting that blossomed into a deep and undeniable connection. After years of shared dreams, adventures, and milestones, they decided to seal their commitment through an intimate elopement in the heart of Sydney. In this post, we’ll dive into their love story—from the moment they met to how they navigated the exciting and sometimes challenging process of planning their same-sex elopement in one of Australia’s most iconic cities.
Hi! We’re Pawie and Anna. We met during a beach tour / trip to Calaguas in 2019. We had different group of friends during the trip (we were joiners) and although we noticed each other, we didnt have much conversation during that trip. After the trip, the joiner van took us back to Manila and we waved goodbye to each other. The very next day, Pawie searched for Anna in facebook and saw her profile. And that was it.
It only started a year later when Pawie messaged Anna. It was specifically when the pandemic (COVID) hit the Philippines. Not knowing what to say or if Anna still remembered Pawie from the trip 1 year ago, conversations went going from long chat messages to late night calls. Ours was initially a long distance relationship as Pawie was in Manila while Anna was deployed in Palawan for 1 year. The distance, pandemic, homesickness and longing during the lockdown were some of the struggles we had to go through initially. But we were able to overcome it. After living together for almost 3 years, we decided to get married and Pawie proposed to Anna in Calaguas, the same place where we first saw each other. Before we met each other, we never really thought about getting married, but the moment we got together we knew right away, we are each other’s THE ONE.
Initially, we didnt know how. All we know is that we wanted to get married. We stumbled upon a tiktok video of an LGBT couple getting married in Sydney and from there, we started preparing for it.
First thing we had to do was to choose a date - 0917. Second is to choose a place - we wanted a view of the Sydney Opera House.
Third is to book a wedding officiant - Fiona King; and a wedding photographer - Firstlook Stills.
We then processed our AU visa application which took 21 days before we finally got our visa granted. And then we prepared for the other details of our wedding - NOIM, rings, attire, invite, etc.
We never really thought it was possible, but it is! During our wedding day, we thought it’s going to be awkward as we had our photos taken at the Opera House. With 2 girls both wearing long white dresses, we were surprised that people who passed by us would smile at us and we we would feel how warm and accepting people are here in Sydney. Some would even congratulate us. And it meant a lot to us, coming from a country that is less accepting.
Our wedding day was the most perfect day. The sun was out and the weather was just perfectly warm. We had the place all to ourselves and we were able to get the sunset wedding we dreamed of. We are grateful for a country that embraces diversity and equality; and values and respects love in all forms. #AnnWie0917 #LoveWins #Equality
List of Requirements (as of 09/2024):
1. AU Visa
2. Biometrics
3. Airline Tickets
4. Notice of Intended Marriage
5. Wedding Officiant
6. 2 witnesses
