Sam and Lisa’s story goes back a little while, and is marked by a series of coincidences that led them to the blissful path of married life that they’re on today. “Our parents were friends in Primary school and we met a few times in our childhood but we also attended sixth form together,” says Lisa, a 26-year old teacher. “However, it wasn’t until three years after leaving sixth form, whilst attending the same youth group, that we had our first real conversation. Sam claims he said ‘I want my wife to be like this’ after that evening. We knew pretty early on that this was the real deal. I’d say well into our second year of our relationship, marriage was discussed casually…but often!”
Four years into their relationship, while in Malta on an Easter break, Sam, a 27-year old architect, found a golden opportunity to pop the question to Lisa. “Both he and his sister were reading for a masters in London at the time, so they decided to plan a barbeque at their family home under the disguise of a ‘farewell gathering’ before they left the rock,” she explains.
“I totally fell for it and got kitted up in my best ‘casual barbeque with my closest friends’ outfit (i.e. no makeup and practically PJs). We hung out for a few hours until Sam’s sister decided she wanted to play some ‘campfire-type’ games. Our friends love games so it wasn’t such a strange request… until she wanted to play ‘Telephone’ and specifically kept asking me to sit down in the open spot next to Sam. Well, long story short, he proposed in a game of telephone, where he asked ‘Will you spend the rest of your life with me?’ Most of the people there knew what was happening so we’ve even got this moment filmed.”
Six months after their engagement, wedding preparations began, handled largely by Lisa with the help of her best friend and maid of honour, Michaela. “There weren’t many things I was dead set on, except from the fact that I wanted a meaningful ceremony and a LOT of dancing at the reception. Oh and I also wanted organic confetti, so we opted for olive leaves.”
The date was set for 10th December 2017, with a ceremony at Zebbiegh Church and a reception at Giardini Lambrosa in Rabat. The couple opted for a simple theme of neutral colours and nature, in keeping with their own personalities and common likes. “When I first began planning, I explored many themes, however I eventually settled on choosing what felt was more ‘Sam and I’, so we blended neutral colours and nature, and had lots of neutrals and pops of green.”
Lisa adds that their wedding might not have appeared as the most traditional, as the couple went ahead with whatever struck a chord with them. “Whilst we didn’t go too crazy, there were certain things that came natural to us but I suppose would seem unusual. For example, we had a full-on band during the ceremony, five priests who happen to be close friends of ours con-celebrated the mass, tattoos were exposed and sequins was donned in the morning. Small things that might seem unusual for some, but felt totally natural for us. My students were also invited to the mass and surprised everyone with a rap about Sam and I as we exited the church. We also opened the dancefloor really early on and danced for ages!”
For invitations, Lisa roped in her sister, Kriss, from The Island and The Prairies, who created a custom design that was also quite different but one that totally reflected the couple and their personalities. However, the souvenirs are what took Lisa the longest to choose. “I couldn’t find one that fit our personalities and budgets, until I stumbled upon a picture of a miniature Nutella jar on Pinterest. I did some research, ordered a ton of them online and we printed a personalised sticker to put onto the lid. It was affordable, whimsical and just what we were looking for!”
As for her gorgeous gown, a Hayley Paige dress from Eva Mariee, Lisa says that the one she finally chose was everything she thought she didn’t want! “It had straps, lace, a scalloped V-neck bodice and a large, tiered tulle skirt. I had always imagined myself in a fitted dress with sleeves. I went to the bridal stores with an open mind but with this latter style at the back of my head. In fact, it was my sister, Cecilia, who picked out my eventual dress and dared me to try it on. When I did, it was so comfortable and light that I immediately stopped trying on others. I felt like Thumbelina in it!”
In the run up to the wedding day, Lisa was a little on edge about potential unpredictable mishaps. “Every married person I met leading to the wedding happily shared their personal wedding horror stories. This had me wondering what was in store for Sam and I, but our day went extremely smoothly,” she says. “My maid-of-honour did walk down the aisle in crutches because of an accident she had gotten into a few weeks before our wedding, but I was so thankful that she was alive and there, that I wouldn’t really consider it a mishap.”
There was, however, on moment that she will always look back on with a laugh. “Being the organisation freak that I am, I had written schedules and to-do lists for everybody involved in the wedding. The bestmen were tasked with going to the venue early the morning of the wedding to get a few things done. One task was to place the confetti canons beneath the cake table. When I got to the venue, I saw that the confetti canons had been opened and the colourful glitter confetti were sprinkled all over the wedding cake table...kind of defeating the purpose of the ‘neutral’ theme we were going for with our simple white cake decorated with fresh orchids!”
The couple enjoyed every second of their day, but the ceremony was particularly special and meaningful to both of them. “From the prayerful songs sung by Sam’s sisters, Bettina and Philippa of The New Victorian’s, to the carefully chosen readings and prayers read out by all our best friends, to Fr Brendan Gatt’s excellent homily, it was a dream! The dancing too – Relikc absolutely killed it and I was so happy to put on my Nikes and dance the afternoon away! Lastly, Sam surprised me with a song he wrote ...and so did our sisters!”
Shane Watts photography