When Emma Cocks took her father's arm and walked up the aisle of St Augustine's Church as a radiant bride, she was retracing the steps of her mother married from that church 32 years ago, and also that of her grandmother who was married in the new St Augustine's Church in 1959.
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The groom waiting at the altar was Emma's high school sweetheart Scott Murtagh. Scott and Emma had been inseparable since their courting days at St Francis Xavier College and had been planning their wedding day together for the past 12 months.
The traditional ceremony and marriage vows were complemented by personal elements such as the individual promises written by the bride and groom and contemporary music choices. The marriage sacrament was personalised and signified by the inclusion of family and friends and because it was formalised by Fr Mick Burke who has known and been a friend to Emma for many years.
While her mother and grandmother wore bridal fashions typical of their day, Emma's dress was classical, timeless and very elegant. She wore a fitted mermaid style ivory gown styled by Demetrios Cosmobella. The stunning gown featured a full lace train and delicate lace straps. The cathedral length veil was highlighted by exquisite and delicate sequinned flowers. Emma carried a bouquet of roses coloured in soft pinks and creams with the stems wrapped with lace from her maternal grandmother's wedding dress and pinned by a family brooch belonging to her paternal grandmother.
The groom wore a Woodford blue merino wool suit in a Super 110s cloth paired with a grey vest and pale pink tie and completed with a buttonhole rose matching that of his bride's bouquet.
Emma was attended by four bridesmaids - Clare Battye, Jess Wrankmore, Courtney Peet and Lauren Cleary - with two flower girls Annabelle McPadden and Summer McCann. The bridesmaids were beautiful and elegant in long gowns of deep navy while the floral pinks of the adorable flower girl dresses reflected the colours of the bouquet roses carried by the wedding party.
Scott's attendants were Mitchell Brain, Ben McAlister, Jared Rich and Michael Irvine, each looking smart in blue suits to complement the groom. The important task of page boy and ring bearer was deftly performed by four year-old Damian Cocks who looked very handsome in navy shorts and braces.
Approximately 100 family and friends celebrated the marriage at a dinner reception held in the ballroom at Hotel Realm in Barton. A feature of the reception included the cutting of the stunning wedding cake made and decorated by family friend Cathy Cleary. Each of the cake's three tiers was a different delicious flavour covered with a sumptuous meringue buttercream icing and decorated with exquisitely petite and delicate peony roses. The other standout of the evening was the endearing and romantic bridal dance incorporating dramatic lifts and dips. The dance had been practised for some months and was performed by the couple to the delight of their audience.
Mr and Mrs Murtagh will honeymoon in the Maldives before returning to their respective public service roles in Canberra and Emma to her work with Yass Gymnastics. They will continue to live in Yass while planning the purchase of their new home in Canberra.