Lauren Fowles and Justin McCue’s love story began in the Adelaide Hills in 2021 after they were connected by mutual friends.
“Our mutual friends planted the seed,” Lauren says.
“Thanks to social media Justin was able to work out convenient spots to run in to me.
“One evening we ‘happened’ to run into each other in the Mt Barker Wetlands.
“Justin joined me on the walk and we chatted and after this we spoke on social media for some time until our first date at the Stirling Hotel.
“From our first moments together we both knew that we had something special.”
Lauren and Justin were married at Mitolo Wines at McLaren Vale on February 10, 2024, after Justin pulled off an intricate proposal just over a year prior.
“It started at the beginning of December when Justin made me activities to do each day for our advent calendar,” Lauren says.
“On December 15, 2022, the activity was to piece together all 15 days of the advent calendar as a puzzle.
“I had not had time to do this throughout the day or before heading out for dinner.
“Justin had told me he was going away for work in Melbourne, but when I got home from a dinner with girlfriends (which he had sneakily organised), Justin had made an aisle of rose petals and candles, he had finished my activity for me, which was a Christmas tree with squares cut out of it, which then spelled out ‘will you marry me?’.
“Justin hid in our closet … finally he came out, got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.
“It was a very memorable moment and we were both very happy.”
Lauren says being surrounded by family and friends at the wedding “meant the world” to them, while Justin’s highlights were his first glimpses of Lauren and hearing each other’s vows for the first time.
Dress: Ingrid Olic Bridal with custom changes
Flowers: Sam Burnell Fabulous Functions
Photographer: Amelia Eime from Travis and Benny