For Royal Australian Navy petty officer Gabi, marriage means love and companionship – and for her pilates instructor and dance teacher wife, Caitlin, it means “that she has to put up with my OCD cleanliness for the rest of her life and love me in all of my forms, good and bad!”
These two got engaged just before Melbourne’s first lockdown, and while they originally planned on a big wedding in Queensland, COVID had other plans. But after committing to an elopement-style day and cutting their guest list to 20, Caitlin says, “I couldn’t have imagined the day any differently, it was so relaxed and chilled, the perfect day.”
The proof is in the pictures, friends, snapped by Chamorè Creations – and if you’re wondering about those gowns (and we know you are), Gabi went for a form-fitting Grace Loves Lace look while Caitlin opted for “Cinderella vibes” by Chosen by KYHA – and, ahem, they both look phenom! Take a scroll and check out all the goodness from this day.
THE VENUE “We had planned a huge Queensland wedding but once COVID hit, along with the border restrictions, we had to cancel. As soon as we knew we wanted to do a small wedding/elopement-style, Tanglewood Estate was first on the list! We met Donna at the venue and once we had a look around we knew it would be perfect.”
THE VIBE “The vibe was ‘less is more’; ‘nice and simple’ was the theme! We wanted just our family and closest friends, we wanted it to be really intimate and it was. I didn’t even plan to have flowers behind where Gabi and I stood but my mum handmade two arrangements and I am glad she did because the photos are beautiful!”
THE DRESSES “My [Caitlin] dress was a two-piece set from Chosen by KYHA. I had been to one other bridal shop and tried on many dresses but none I liked! I had a photo of this exact two-piece on my phone and once I tried it on in-store with my mum and sister, I knew it was the one! It was the perfect dress for me – nothing too traditional and loved the Cinderella-vibe skirt. I wish I could wear it every day down the street if it was socially acceptable!“
“My [Gabi] dress was from Grace Loves Lace. It was one of the first dresses I tried on – a long-sleeved lace dress with a low back was exactly what I wanted. I don’t usually wear dresses but this was perfect for me, lightweight and comfortable.”
MEMORABLE MOMENTS “When I [Gabi] finally got to put the ring on Caitlin’s finger and call her my wife.”
A WORD OF ADVICE “Remember, the day is for the both of you – ignore what everyone else thinks and wants. It’s your day!”
WE’RE GLAD WE… “So glad that our wedding day ended up having 20 of our closest friends and family and having no huge plans just a small, intimate celebration!”
STANDOUT VENDORS “I think we chose a bloody amazing team of vendors that were all outstanding. However, it all comes back to the Chamorè Creations girls, our photographers – the photos they gave back to us blew our minds. Less than 24 hours after the wedding, we had nine edited photos as a sneak peek that blew up Instagram! These girls really know what they’re doing and I wouldn’t have chosen any other photographers to capture our day.”
If you’re still searching for your dream dress, definitely check out Grace Loves Lace – their sustainability ethos is *chef’s kiss* and their designs are heckin’ dreamy.
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Chamorè Creations Florist Millicent Green (bouquets), Caitlin’s mum (table arrangements) Ceremony & Reception Tanglewood Estate Cake Brendon’s Cakes Celebrant Abbie Frew Celebrant Rings Anton (Caitlin), Cartier (Gabi) THE BRIDE (Caitlin) Bridal gown Chosen by KYHA Shoes Cherrichella Earrings the.littl Hair Kim Toogood Hairstyling Makeup Katie Winkler Fragrance Who is Elijah Her|Her Bridesmaid dresses Bec & Bridge Bridesmaid shoes Cherrichella THE BRIDE (Gabi) Bridal gown Grace Loves Lace Shoes Billini Earrings the.littl Hair Kim Toogood Hairstyling Makeup Katie Winkler Fragrance Chanel Chance
