Jasmine Yarbrough & Karl Stefanovic
The loving couple said ‘I do’ in front of 200 of their closest friends and family, writes WHO editor Keshnee Kemp
After days of unseasonable scattered rain, the sun rose over San José Los Cabos, Mexico, like the perfect wedding gift from the weather gods, illuminating the ocean in front of the One&only Palmilla in a golden glow.
Despite the attention of Australia’s press, desperate to get the first glimpse of the bride and groom, Jasmine Yarbrough, 34, started the day feeling relaxed, tucking into a hearty breakfast and sipping on Champagne.
“There haven’t been any nerves, really,” Jasmine, affectionately known as Jas by those close to her, told me. “It just feels right.”
It’s no wonder Jas’ bridal party were laughing like old friends; most of the sevenstrong group – which included Jas’ sister Jade, Jimilla Houghton, Sophie Pentland, Sarah Johnson, Stoj Bulic, Georgie Fleming and Tamie Ingham – have been friends since high school. As a token of her gratitude, she gifted her bridesmaids personalised slippers from Mara & Mine, the shoe brand she co-owns with Tamie.
Jas told me she wanted her bridesmaids, who wore floor-length black gowns by Rachel Gilbert, to feel comfortable above all else.
“Jas has known her bridesmaids for so long. They’ve all grown into the most amazing women,” Jade told me. “They all have a great sense of humour. Laughter is everything to Jas.”
Across the resort, Karl Stefanovic, 44, was sipping on beers in the pool, surrounded by his groomsmen, Tom and Peter Stefanovic, Jasmine’s brother Josh and his close mates Ben Tilley, Mick Doohan, Steve Marshall and schoolmate Alan Rogina.
The groomsmen, who gathered from across the globe, all had suits made where they lived but wore matching shirts and bow ties.
The entire wedding centred around their combined families – Karl’s mum Jenny Stefanovic walked him down the aisle, her brother Josh walked her mum Cheryl into
“It just feels right...” —Jasmine
the ceremony, Karl’s sister Elisa officiated as the celebrant and Jas’ beloved dad Bob gave her away. “Bobby and Jasmine have the most wonderful bond,” Cheryl, Jas’ mum, told me. Not that she needed to – I’ve seen their close bond over the 30 years I’ve known the family. “She’s always been his sidekick and looked up to him. He’s the person she goes to first for advice.”
Jas’ mum has been by her side, too, throughout the planning process, from helping pick the food to being a trusted eye at dress fittings
During the ceremony, family members took part in a symbolic handfasting ritual – a traditional binding of the couple’s hands with six ribbons. Cheryl and Bob commenced the ritual, followed by
Karl’s mum Jenny and his sister-in-law, Tom Stefanovic’s wife Jenna Dinicola and Peter’s wife Sylvia Jeffreys. Jas’ sister Jade also took part, followed by Karl’s daughter Ava Stefanovic who completed the ceremony by tying white ribbon around the bride and groom’s hands, representing new beginnings.
And although her nana Isabel ‘Bel’ Hollingworth was not able to travel to Mexico, Jas wore her ring because she wanted the 92-year-old with her.
“Nan bought us fireworks as a gift so we could have her in our hearts when we saw the sky light up,” she said, adding, “I’m just excited to share this with all the people I care most about in the world. It’s so rare to have everyone who’s important in your life in the same place at the same time.”
“I’m excited to share this with all the people I care about.” — Jasmine
When my husband Jason, 35, and I arrived just before 5.30pm with our son Xander, one, for the ceremony, the sun was setting over the One&only Palmilla.
We climbed the stairs to the resort’s stunning white chapel, picturesque under a string of fairy lights. Candles illuminated the stairs and abundant white roses wrapped the balustrades, near where the groomsmen stood waiting – telling jokes, of course.
Karl’s brother-in-law Marcus Pointon strummed a guitar and sang softly as Karl appeared, looking dapper in a Tom Ford suit and custom R.m.williams shoes, his arms wrapped with his mum Jenny and long-term manager Sharon Finnigan, laughing on the way to the chapel.
Guests – including Julie Bishop and her partner David Panton, Today co-star Richard Wilkins and his girlfriend Virginia Burmeister, Christian Wilkins and Sylvia Jeffreys – looked on lovingly.
When Jas appeared in a stunning bead- detailed, knee-length gown with a long train and veil by Sydney designer J.andreatta, gasps could be heard from the crowd.
Her signature smile on her face, she was led in by a visibly emotional Bob.
Elisa read traditional vows for the couple then Jas and Karl took turns saying theirs, cracking jokes as they always do together – much to the delight of guests.
With Elisa’s words, “You may kiss your bride, Karl”, the crowd erupted with cheers and a mariachi band appeared from the chapel.
On the beach, lanterns led guests to a tent made up of fairy lights flickering under the Mexican sky, and we all slipped off our shoes to find our spots.
Four guest tables were covered with white roses and black tulips, and candles in oversized glass vases. White Tiffany chairs sunk into the sand as guests clinked glasses and knocked back Don Julio tequila shots, the wedding favours for the night.
There were six speeches, but it was Karl who had the crowd in tears and on their feet cheering. During his speech he broke down as he said, “You are my rock, you are my saviour, you put me back together. I’m a better person because of you, a better friend, a better dad — tonight I celebrate and toast you Jasmine, my wife.”
The dance floor lit up the minute guests were able to get up, their bare feet letting loose to the sounds of DJ Nick Cohen, a good friend of Jas’ who had flown in from New York.
And soon, a series of additional dance parties popped up across the sand – the party Jasmine and Karl had always wanted.
“It’s been such a big year. To end it surrounded by so much love is a reminder of what’s important,” Jas said. “And what’s important are the people you love, who love you back.”
“You are my rock ... you put me back together” — Karl