â€‹ABIA gave a lucky couple $20,000 for their wedding day.

What better way to start your wedding planning, than winning $20,000 to spend on your dream wedding day?

Meet Jess & Jake, the down to earth couple that were lucky to win ABIA’s Bride And Groom (BAG ) Competition.

Their wedding story all began on their anniversary around animals!

Jake had just come back from a good 5 months away with the Defence Force.

He wanted to make the proposal magical, and he succeeded with flying colours. The couple travelled down to Sydney’s Taronga Zoo, overlooking the iconic habour.

Simply the perfect setting for a prepared speech, a pop down on one knee, and three magical words: “Will You Marry Me”.

Soon after, Jess discovered ABIA's BAG Competition!

Jess was such a star contender, she was kind, creative and befriended many of the other couples involved in the competition, giving many brides advice and support during their wedding planning.

And then…her & Jake received the special phone call from ABIA Chairman, John O’Meara - “Congratulations, you have won $20,000 towards your wedding day”!

The Wedding Day

From waking up to the luxury of Palazzo Versace, to the beautiful green golf courses of Links Hope Island & a buzzing wedding reception that the guests couldn’t stop talking about – the couple ticked all the right boxes for a perfect wedding.

The funniest moment of their wedding day was when Jess was running an hour and a half late to her own wedding. The darling father-of-the-bride turned up to the wrong venue down the road. So, the friends came to the rescue and picked him up to finally walk Jess down the aisle.

Jess said her favourite moment was when she took a deep breath in and said “I Do”.

Advice from the Couple

"It doesn’t matter if everything doesn’t go to plan because the moment you lock eyes with your husband/wife – will be the moment you will never forget."