Jake and Mitchell: An Enchanting Affair

Jake and Mitchell’s ethereal forest wedding was an enchanting affair that left all in awe. Travelling from near and far, guests flocked to bask in the week-long celebration curated by the grooms. When asked about their wedding vision, both gentlemen spoke in unison: “Love. To create a weekend, and a space that exuded our love for each other through thoughtful details and nuance.” The result was nothing short of breathtaking—a wedding that transcended ordinary boundaries and became a captivating testament to their eternal bond.

Photographer Ben Sowry | Location Sutton Forest, NSW, AUS

“Representation matters. Celebrating all forms of love, of connection, it matters to us and it was in deed part of our journey when choosing vendors.”

How and when did you meet?

We met on Tinder 7 years ago.

Tell us a little about that first time you met…

We spent weeks talking on Tinder and then met at Centennial Park for a coffee and a walk. It was a really beautiful first date. We had great chemistry, and it only got better.

What was the first thing you noticed about each other?

Jake: He's adorable, albeit a touch naive. He had this very sweet, sincere, wide-eyed, infectious, and incredibly cute disposition.

Mitchell: Jake's confidence and sense of style. Even from the photos on his profile, I knew I was chatting to someone who had confidence in who he was and how he presented himself. It was intimidating, but from the moment we started talking, he was kind and charming, and it put me at ease.

Tell us about the standout moments in your relationship…

Jake: So many. I think our relationship has been one of constant adventure. We both come from families who travel a lot, so we've both got an eagerness to see and explore the world. We've travelled through Europe, America, Asia, and Australia. We love a road trip and any excuse to discover something new. Major standouts would be our move to London and living in the most charming apartment in Notting Hill, living out this cheesy romcom life. Also, creating our home in Sydney after the pandemic left us with no choice but to move back to Australia. We've created such a warm, and beautiful home here.

Mitchell: Hmmm... That time we won a competition with MTV and Mission Impossible, when I had to jump out of a plane and skydive to win a trip to Mexico. It sounds just as wild as the experience was! That was such a great trip! I think when Jake proposed was a big one. I'm sure there will be question on the proposal, but it was incredibly special!

Have you ever faced any issues of non-acceptance?

Jake: Too many. I think most LGBTQI+ people experience some form of non-acceptance throughout their life. Whether it's a look, a comment, a microagression of sorts, there's always something we're having to be aware of. It becomes an issue of safety. Another thing would be how much heteronormative language and expectation plays into getting married. Everyone from the celebrant to the venue owners asked what my bride's name was, without batting an eyelid. It definitely sets a tone.

What does marriage mean to you?

Jake: Marriage to me is committing to sharing your life with someone. It's finding that person who gets you, who accepts you, and who celebrates you. It's always having someone in your corner, always a shoulder to lean on, or cry on. Beyond the documentation and legalities, marriage is a way of solidifying your love for someone.

Mitchell: Someone who will put up with all my fuckery, and laugh with me through it. Someone who's there for me no matter what. To lift me up when I'm sad, to celebrate the wins, to comfort, to defend and to protect another. It means you've chosen to create, develop and experience a life with someone else, through all the trials and tribulations.

Who proposed? and how?

Mitchell: Jake Proposed. We were in Tasmania, on the west coast, staying at our friend Sarah's beautiful property Captain's Rest. We were sitting on her little row boat, taking some photos of the idyllic surroundings and feeding the ducks when Jake handed me an envelope. After getting a little teary from his words, I looked up to find him holding the cutest little ring box and well yeah. There were a lot of laughs and tears, and we nearly fell into the water! It was so special.

When did you get married?

We got married on April 2nd, 2022.

Jake and Mitchell’s story continues below ↓

What was the main influence behind your wedding day?

Jake: The main influence was love. To create a weekend, and a space that exuded our love for each other through thoughtful details and nuance.

What was the most important thing to you surrounding your wedding?

Mitchell: The most important thing we wanted surrounding our wedding was to celebrate love, and those in our lives. It wasn't a big wedding, but it was all incredibly special and thoughtful. We wanted everyone who was a part of the weekend to feel celebrated and loved.

Did you incorporate any family sentiments or traditions?

Jake: We've been to quite a few weddings, some religious and traditional, some modern, and we wanted ours to be completely focused on authenticity and us. We took the parts of other wedding ceremonies we've connected with and made our very own traditions. I'd say the most significant sentiment was our name change. Our names are an incredibly important part of our identity. They carry deep personal, cultural, familial, and historical connections. They also give us a sense of who we are, the communities in which we belong, and our place in the world today. We chose to change our family name to my maternal grandparents name 'Kriesler'. Both of my grandparents were incredibly brave and brilliant people who epitomise kindness and inspire resilience after experiencing and surviving such incomprehensible atrocities. Taking their name pays homage to their strength, their authenticity and their tolerance. When my grandfather Leslie arrived in Australia after surviving the holocaust, he chose to change his name to reflect a new beginning. A fresh start to a new life in a country of opportunity and provide some much needed hope and heart after his experiences and loss. We only hope to live up to this name that holds so much passion and perseverance.

Mitchell: The other really special detail we added to our ceremony was the Mother's Kiss. Life doesn't come with a manual, but it often comes with a mother. A source of unconditional love and warmth. Our mother's both inspire such love, endurance and courage of conviction. Since they were the first person to kiss us at birth, we wanted them to be the last to kiss us before this next chapter. Don't think there was a dry eye in the house!

Where did you find the bulk of your inspiration?

Jake: Since a lot of my work is very aesthetically driven, I definitely had a very specific vision for our entire wedding. We wanted it to be classic and timeless over trendy and current. We wanted each detail to reflect the way we live our life and celebrate the people we love! The environment and a more sustainable approach was an important feature to our wedding celebrations, as was colour, flavour and fun!

How did you choose your suppliers?

Jake: Representation matters. Celebrating all forms of love, of connection, it matters to us and it was in deed part of our journey when choosing vendors. We wanted unique creatives who showed the same care and appreciation for their craft as I do with my work. We wanted people who understood us, and where we were coming from. Whose approach to their work showed something special, something original, and something timeless.

What was the most difficult thing about planning your wedding?

Mitchell: Jake's Suit! Haha! Disastrous chaos for months, lead to the most gorgeous pink suit - but it was a journey!

Jake: Haha. He's not wrong! I'd say the most difficult thing was balancing what we want and the obligation of others. I have found after having helped a few people plan their own weddings, that they bring out the best and worst in everyone. They can be magical celebrations of love and commitment, but also magnify the issues and mess that already exists. It was rallying through the murky waters of the guest list, wedding party attire, blended families and egos that became our most difficult times during this process.

Where did you spend your honeymoon?

Mitchell: Summer in Europe. It was the best!

Any advice for other couples planning their day and finding it difficult to navigate the journey?

Jake: Do what you want. Don't let trends, friends or outsider voices limit the way you want to express your love and commitment to each other! If you want to wear a green dress, or a cape, or whatever, just do it! Whether something dates, or interests fade, you'll remember the feelings of love, and excitement beyond a puffy sleeve or bow-tie choice!