To say I was shocked would be an understatement, I was caught completely off guard and brought to so many happy tears, of course I said yes!
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
Where do we begin!? Elias works in digital marketing, in the hospitality industry. If he’s not out trying the latest restaurants, he’s in the kitchen making something YUM. I work in Visual Merchandising in the retail world. I’m a huge fashion lover, and I love baking (I had a side business baking cakes & NY-style cookies). We have a happy balance of savoury and sweet cooks in this house! We are both big foodies and love a good ocean swim, catching up with friends, tennis, running and nature walks.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
We met almost 9 years ago, working in the retail world together! The first day I started, Elias was the first person to put his hand up and show me the ropes. Funny enough I didn’t really think anything of our relationship other than we had a really great friendship and he made me laugh, so much! It wasn’t until one night, after a few months of working together, he made his move on a night out that definitely changed everything! We were basically inseparable from that night on.
My first impression of Elias was, wow, who is this energetic human! He had this happy, positive aura about him that you could tell people just naturally gravitated too!
My first impressions of Chenae, she’s so beautiful! She was super easy to talk to and always had such good chats! I did find it strange she didn’t drink coffee, but all was forgiven after she accepted my burger date offer!
When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?
I think we both knew early on in our relationship that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. We moved in together after about 1 month of dating (you get to know someone pretty quickly when you move in together!) It was unintentional that we moved in so quickly, it all just happened so seamlessly. I think we both just genuinely knew after a few months that we had a connection that was so effortless and easy, and our polar opposite personalities just complimented each other. Elias might say it was after he tried one of my homemade cookies, love at first bite?
Was there a proposal? Tell us a little about it…
There was a proposal! We were on a holiday near Byron Bay, and we went on a hike to Killen Falls (this was one of our first holiday spots together), so it held even more meaning. Off we went on a small hike down to the waterfall to get some photos when Elias got down on one knee (in the mud and all!). To say I was shocked would be an understatement, I was caught completely off guard and brought to so many happy tears, of course I said yes! I was wondering why he wanted to go so early in the morning, this was so we had the entire place to ourselves, we could enjoy such a special moment together just us two.
Tell us about the vision you had for the mood or style of your wedding.
We always knew we wanted to have a more intimate wedding with our closest friends & family. The main thing we always said was we wanted it to be intimate, for everyone to have a good time and feel relaxed. With the style of our wedding, we wanted it to feel romantic and whimsical and for everyone to feel the love on the day! The very first reference we gave to Jerin was the candle scene from Romeo & Juliet.
What was one element you were happy to splurge on?
I would say there were two things we were happy to splurge on. First was definitely the flowers & Styling. We had a vision from the very beginning and new exactly what we wanted so when we found Jerin (Bohemian Blooms) we instantly connected with her and knew she was going to create something so magical, even typing this brings me goosebumps thinking back on it! Secondly was the music. There’s just something about live music that creates even more of an atmosphere on the day and creates more beautiful memories with the band getting involved on the dance floor and singing those special songs for those special moments!
Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?
Nothing crazy happened on the day (thankfully), however in the week leading up to the wedding, we had a large amount of rainfall which flooded the road to our wedding venue, thankfully the heavens cleared 2 days before the big day, with beaming sunshine and open roads (it just made the drive in a little bumpy, adding to the hangovers the next morning).
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?
I purchased both of my wedding dresses from Love Marie Bridal, this held such a special place in my heart, as Amy (the owner) was someone I grew up with as a child. Being able to share that experience with someone I’ve known for so long just meant so much more to me, especially when selecting my dresses.
LOCATION Merribee, @merribeehouse PHOTOGRAPHER Scott Surplice, @scottsurplicephotography FLORIST Bohemian Blooms, @bohemian_blooms VIDEOGRAPHER Keeper Films, @keeperfilms PLANNER Hello Darling Weddings, @hellodarling_weddings CELEBRANT Monty King, @montykingcelebrant ENTERTAINMENT Duke Music, @dukemusicau CATERING Duck Duck Goose Catering, @duckduckgoosecatering CAKE Made by the Bride: Ivory & Belle, @ivory_and_belle STATIONERY Aisle of Lavender, @aisleoflavender FURNITURE Simply Seated, @simply.seated BRIDE’S RING Zoe Pook, @zoe_pook_jewellery; GROOM’S RING Merchants of the Sun, @merchantsofthesun WEDDING DRESSES & VEIL SHOP Love Marie Bridal, @lovemariebridalboutique CEREMONY DRESS & For Love, @andforlove RECEPTION DRESS Alena Leena, @alenaleenabridal BRIDE’S SHOE Billini, @billinishoes ACCESSORIES Headband & Earrings: Lovisa, @lovisajewellery; Amelie George, @ameliegeorgebridal VEIL Untamed Petals, @untamedpetals MAKEUP Samantha Lee HAIR Chelsea Taylor BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Nomad – Who is Elijah, @whoiselijahparfum SUIT Institchu, @institchu SHIRT MJ Bale, @mjbale GROOM’S SHOE R.M Williams, @rmwilliams GROOM’S FRAGRANCE Spice Bomb – Viktor&Rolf, @viktorandrolf MAID OF HONOR DRESS Shona Joy, @shonajoy BEST MAN SUIT Institchu, @institchu
