1When did you meet, and how?
Jess Rose We met in the summer of 2015 on OKC. We had such a ridiculously high compatibility rating (96%!) that we just had to meet up in person to see if it was for real, and it was!
2How did they propose?
Jess Rose We don’t believe in surprise proposals, so we commissioned the rings and waited for the right time. Maja first glitched at a hot spring in Taipei and asked Ade “How about it then?” and on her second try proposed properly (this time with a ring), during a hike in Alishan, Taiwan under the canopy of a 4000-year-old sacred tree. Ade got FOMO and proposed soon after at the top of a tea plantation at sunset.
3Tell us about the rings
Jess Rose The rings were commissioned by Yuki Mitsuyasu, a Japanese designer based in Singapore who specialises in interlocking pieces of jewellery. Ade’s vision for Maja’s ring was to have the engagement and wedding band lock into one, with an infinity twist. And Ade’s wedding band mirrored the design of Maja’s. We chose the stone for Ade’s engagement band together, a sapphire that appears to be either grey, green or blue depending on the light - which resembles the colour of Maja’s eyes.
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4What was your vision for the wedding?
Jess Rose We wanted our wedding to be wholly ours, and a celebration of both our cultures and lives coming together. We wanted the day to be full of queer joy, not too formal, and a party where we and our friends can be our full selves.
5How did you choose your dress/outfit?
Jess Rose Ade didn’t want a traditional white wedding dress, and so went with gold and sparkles with both her dresses – the first one for the ceremony was a flowy, ethereal dress by Savin, and for the party a more glamorous fully-sequinned gown by Galvan London. Maja’s tuxedo was by Orhan, a queer-friendly tailor.
6What was the most important element the wedding to get right?
Jess Rose For it to be about us and our lives together, and to do it our way instead of following traditions.
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7What is your favourite memory from the day?
Jess Rose Exchanging our vows! We cried so many happy tears.
8Was there anything that didn’t go as planned?
Jess Rose We forgot to give notice until a month before the wedding, and realised that because we’re both not British the notice period was for 72 days instead of 28. So, we had to reschedule the wedding (for the 3rd time) at the last minute. Thankfully, all of our vendors were incredibly accommodating and we managed to find a date that suited everyone.
9Tell us about the venue
Jess Rose The reception venue was the West Reservoir Centre in Stoke Newington. We chose this venue because we wanted a space that looks out into nature or water, and as an old sailing centre the architecture of the venue reflected Maja’s childhood spent on ships with her dad.
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10What is your one piece of advice for future couples?
Jess Rose Do things your way instead of giving in to expectations, it’s your day!
11Are there any other special details that you’d like to share?
Jess Rose Natasha Harding is the former Fashion Editor (Digital & Print) at Cosmopolitan & Women's Health UK. Working in fashion journalism for just under ten years, she’s covered over 30 international fashion weeks, hundreds of red carpets and religiously scours the runway every season to create the brand’s bi-annual trend report. Joining Cosmopolitan back in Australia, Natasha moved to London a few years ago and is now the resident expert for celebrity style and industry news, fashion features and e-commerce. Follow Natasha on Instagram
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