Here at Modern Wedding, we’re passionate about celebrating love in all its forms. For us, love transcends boundaries of age, sex, culture, or any other defining characteristic. It’s a universal language that speaks directly to the heart. A perfect illustration of this is Jacqui and Temujin’s story – an extraordinary couple who have found each other despite their age difference.
While 61-year-old Jacqui and 28-year-old Temujin may seem like an unlikely pair, they’ve discovered a deep connection that will lead them down the aisle in April. We’re thrilled to share their engagement shoot with you, a beautiful testament to the power of love to bring people together.
The Unlikely Couple…
The undeniable chemistry between Temujin and Jacqui is palpable. As we gaze upon their joyous anticipation of an April wedding, it’s easy to forget that this isn’t just a whirlwind romance. The truth is, their journey began with an innocent friendship – a serendipitous encounter in one of Jacqui’s dance classes. It was there that Temujin first became aware of her infectious personality, and his curiosity was piqued before she even opened her mouth.
At the time, Jacqui was still navigating her marriage, viewing Temujin solely as a student, unaware of the profound connection they would eventually forge.
Fast Forward Two Years…
It was a serendipitous encounter that brought them together again two years after their initial meeting. Jacqui, now single, found herself in Singapore on the same day as Temujin, who invited her to catch his show. As they delved into conversations about life’s struggles, ex-husbands, and the world at large, hours slipped away unnoticed. The sun rose high in the sky, but their engagement only intensified.
“I couldn’t wait to dive back into an extraordinary conversation with someone as unique as Temujin,” Jacqui recalls. And then, one fateful day, their connection blossomed into a kiss that sealed their fate.
The Feedback From Loved Ones…
As Jacqui and Temujin’s relationship unfolded, she initially kept him hidden from public view, sheltered from potential judgment on her houseboat. For her, this marked a first-time experience with a significant age gap between partners. Once their romance went public, they received a mixed reaction from loved ones. While Temujin’s family enthusiastically supported the couple, Jacqui faced disapproval from some of her sisters and mother.
Others, however, required only a glimpse into their connection to understand its authenticity. Over time, the pair have come to acknowledge that age-related discrimination is a common experience many couples face, regardless of the relationship’s essence.
Learning To Love…
A Designer Dream…
The engagement shoot of this loving couple was made even more special by the presence of some of the industry’s top vendors. As they often faced criticism and skepticism about their relationship, it was crucial to have the support of love experts. Nicky Apostolopulous, renowned designer at Velani, joined the shoot as she believes that love is a universal language that should be celebrated regardless of age or gender.
Her inspiring words echoed the couple’s desire to be accepted for who they are and their decision to spend the rest of their lives together. To add a touch of elegance to Jacqui’s look, Nicky dressed her in an exquisite Italian lace bodice with a soft champagne hue, paired with a flowing multi-layered tulle skirt that perfectly captured the whimsical nature of their love story.
Capturing The Love…
Dean and Rachel Bentick of Inlighten Photography were thrilled when Nicky approached them with Jacqui and Tem’s story. The photography duo was eager to capture the couple on their special day, recognizing the unique opportunity to highlight a loving relationship that defied conventional norms. According to Dean and Rachel, couples with age gaps are more common than one might think, typically featuring an older man paired with a younger woman.
However, they had never before photographed or noticed a relationship like Jacqui and Tem’s, where the older partner is a woman and the younger one is a man. With over 20 years of experience capturing love in all its forms, the photographers were struck by their own realization and felt honored to be part of highlighting this extraordinary couple’s love story.
Their hope was that by sharing Jacqui and Tem’s relationship, they would inspire other couples with similar stories to feel confident in celebrating their love, regardless of age or societal expectations.
Beautiful Words From The Beauty Team…
The bride was fortunate to collaborate with an exceptional glam team, comprised of Lizzie Liros and Ann Hassarati. Both professionals were honored to be invited by Nicky from Velani to participate in the shoot. When discussing intergenerational couples, Lizzie expressed a philosophy of acceptance, stating ‘I don’t judge anyone and I won’t judge someone who is in love. Love is love; it’s a blessing to be in love and if two people are happy then that’s all that matters.
‘ Ann shared similar sentiments, noting ‘finding love itself is a blessing. However, love requires effort and dedication; you have to continue choosing the other person. I appreciate those who challenge traditional norms and pursue love and happiness without concern for societal expectations. It’s inspiring and sets a great example for future generations.
‘The engagement shoot featured an impressive array of vendors, including dress designer Nicky Apostolopoulos from Velani, photographer Dean and Rachael Bentick of Inlighten Photography, suit stylist Alex Goodman, hairstylist Lizzie Liros, and makeup artist Ann Hassarati.