'One of the best days of our lives' | Queanbeyan weddings

Anthony de Jongh and Cristina Notarpietro-Clarke first met as teenagers in the combined St Edmund’s/St Clare’s College school band.

As fate would have it, the pair both played trumpet and ended up sitting side by side for six years.

But it wasn’t until the couple re-met studying at Australian National University that they started dating in December, 2008.

Five years later, they were engaged during a romantic weekend away for Cristina’s 27th birthday last November.

“We went for a weekend to the Blue Mountains and Anthony had organised all my favourite things to do,” she said.

“He took me to a lookout called Bridal Veil which is called that because the waterfall looks like a bride’s veil but I hadn’t even noticed the name of the area until after [he proposed].

“It had been raining that day but as soon as he proposed, the sky cleared and it was sunny. I like to think it was an omen. I was in shock. I remember asking ‘is this a dream?'.”

The Sydney-based couple said it was very important to have the wedding in their hometowns so they could be surrounded by their loved ones.

The ceremony was held at St Gregory’s Church with Anthony’s uncle, Bishop Pat Power as celebrant.

“The church is quite special to the [de Jongh] family,” Cristina said.

“Anthony’s brother David was married there and it’s where they have their family baptisms. It is also next to Anthony’s old school, St Greg’s.”

Family is very special to the couple and groom was attended by his three brothers David, Matthew and Geoffrey de Jongh. The bride was attended by her two sisters Gemma Notarpietro-Clarke and Isabella Notarpeitro and the groom’s sister, Melissa de Jongh.

The flower girls were the groom’s nieces, Chloe, Stephanie and Amelia de Jongh.

“It was the happiest and most joyous day of my life. I got to marry my best friend in the company of our family and friends,” Anthony, 28 said.

“I am overjoyed to be married to Cristina. I think we complement each other very well and we get on like old friends because we have been friends for most of our lives.

“The things I admire most about Cristina are her caring nature, her sense of humour, and her joyful persona.”

The bride wore a beautiful strapless, ivory-coloured dress by Spanish designer, Pronovias. The skirt featured 15 layers of material.

Her bridesmaids were dressed in asymmetrical gowns in a spearmint colour to tie in with the ‘spring wedding’ theme.

The reception was held at the CIT Restaurant and entertainment provided by band, Hit Parade. The three-tiered wedding cake was made by the bride’s good friend, Vicki Wilkins.

“It was a gorgeous day, one of the best days of our lives. Being surrounded by everyone we love, our family and friends. Everyone was very happy,” Cristina said.

“Anthony is very intelligent and very humble. He is sensible to a fault but that makes up for my lack of logic.

“He’s a sweet, lovely and kind person.”