Vivienne & Alexander Quach

MARRIED 2 MAY 2021

Have you ever been overseas with your loved one, only to come home and cry about how much money you spent while overseas? Well, Vivienne & Alex have! But let’s be fair, it was a trip to Japan, and specifically to Universal Studios where Alex could live out his dream of being Harry Potter, and you simply can’t put a price on that experience (unless of course you ask a travel agent!).

Now of course, a relationship that can take that sort of fun and money-spend and stay together is one that has been together for quite a while, and these two have been together since September 2013, which is amazing! It was a mutual friend connection through a university event that brought them together, and they’ve honestly and literally been inseparable ever since. And everyday, almost since the very beginning, they’ve been ensuring that they make the most of it, laughing at each other’s expense where appropriate, and generally keeping each other on their toes to ensure that neither of them ever has the upper hand.

When we asked them if there was ever a defining moment where they knew they were in love with the other, Vivienne said she thinks she always knew, that she couldn’t imagine a life without Alex. Since meeting, they had always been together through everything so it got to a point where it was weird if he wasn’t around. Alex said that there was a moment where he was able to define Vivienne as his best friend, but as soon as that happened, the moment blurred very quickly into the love of his life. He simply realised he couldn’t think of a world where he didn’t have her there to ground him when he felt lost, to listen when he needed to be heard, and to be present when needed most.

But the reasons they fell in love are so much more profound. And while you people reading this might think we just copy and paste what our couples write to us, that’s never the case as we usually have to elaborate a little more. (Which isn’t a bad thing - we love a good love story!) But in this case, these next words around why Vivienne & Alex fell in love are so perfect, we didn’t want to change a thing:

Vivienne wrote: “Alex is quite the character. He has the loudest laugh in the room and is obnoxiously loud, he knows how to have a good time. When you get to know him, you’ll find he’s a very caring person who will always make time for his friends and family, regardless of what else is going on at the time. He takes the time to make you feel special and on many occasions has surprised me with his thoughtfulness. Even the small things like cooking comfort food when I am sick, or bringing a sweet treat after we’ve had an argument (I think it’s a bribe).”

Alex wrote: “Vivienne is an under-spoken and kind-hearted [person], who is more brave/charismatic than she realises. She is not afraid to say what is on her mind and is willing to give things a try even if it is outside her comfort zone (a lot of convincing/peer-pressuring is needed prior). She is incredibly stubborn (as am I), and I admire that she is unwavering in her beliefs and is true to herself (she says that it is a bribe when I bring a sweet treat for her after an argument, but it’s really a pity treat because I feel bad for her for being wrong). She is great being able to take a joke and is able to handle her own when it comes to returning back a joke. She is my best friend and my better half.”

So when Alex proposed to Vivienne, it came as no surprise to her that he wanted to marry her - they’d been talking about it for ages! But he was waiting for the right time. And that was the 1st of September 2019. As it’s the beginning of Spring and symbolises new beginnings, it felt perfect. Alex arranged for the both of them to be taken to a place just outside the hustle and bustle of Canberra, free from the noise and the disturbances our modern city life brings. There, they enjoyed a picnic and each others company. During the picnic, he popped the question, and with a giggle, knowing full-well he was going to ask the question, she said “Of course!”

During their entire time together, they have enjoyed many awesome times, including that fateful (and expensive) trip to Japan, but they also graduated university together, bought an apartment, and are the proud parents of two fur-babies with more on the (much to Alex’s dismay!) The future is very bright for the both of them and we couldn’t be happier.

Their wedding day was something we truly enjoyed starting with two traditional tea ceremonies held in the homes of their respective parents, paying tribute to ancestors and providing prayers of good fortune to all involved. We then headed to Hotel Realm to prepare for the rest of the day, changing outfits, etc before heading back into the Margaret Whitlam Pavilion at the National Arboretum for their ceremony, spending time afterwards in the Himalayan Cedar forest, followed by a quick stint at James Turrell’s Skyspace before heading to Pialligo Estate for their reception. Here is just a spattering of the images we captured on their day…