The “ultimate anti-bridezilla”, Lizzy found herself swamped with work and family life until 12 weeks before her wedding when she realised she hadn’t booked a caterer and didn’t have a dress (first featured in issue 15). Cue event planner extraordinaire, Rachael of The Events Lounge, who happily (and ever so successfully) took on the challenge of creating the celebration Lizzy and Johnny had been dreaming up during their five year engagement.
“On our first meeting I said I needed the ‘works burger’ of wedding planners and that’s exactly what I got. My wedding planner saved my life. I have recommended her 10 times over. Every mature woman needs an event planner in her speed dial. Rachael is now mine,” says Lizzy, who admits she had a few non-negotiable’s with the vibe of her big day.
“I wanted everyone to sit in a circle on the ground for the ceremony (which was overseen by Byron celebrant Cara from Modern Love Ceremonies) and for the reception to be the most gentle, warm and inclusive dinner party I’d ever been to, so we decided to have a luxe picnic as the sun went down with guests sitting on rugs at low feasting tables.”
By the looks of these stunning photos from Sail Me To The Moon Lizzy and Johnny’s low picnic style’ dinner party under festoon lights was the embodiment of the intimate, low-key evening they’d envisioned. “We loved that the night ended with acoustic guitar under the stars by the fire pit rather than a boozy dance floor,” says the bride, one half of cult Aussie label Spell & The Gypsy Collective.
Of the dress Lizzy tells us “I decided I wanted a simple cotton dress, no lace or silk or over the top froufrou. I wasn’t able to find one online so I decided to make it myself along with the girls in the Spell Design work room, who helped me create my dream cotton sundress. I loved it so much, I added it to the Spell Bride ’16 Collection.”
But sporting a super comfy frock was just the beginning of Lizzy and Johnny’s non-traditional nuptials (held at The Grove in Byron Bay, with styling by the oh so talented Events Lounge). Rather than jumping on the conventional bandwagon, the pair opted for no cake, no registry or guest book, she didn’t even have a florist create her a bouquet telling us £I had a women’s circle the day before the wedding and asked all of my female friends to bring a flower. I bundled them up and used them as my bouquet.
But there was one thing Lizzy had in common with every bride that’s come before her – she wished the night could go on forever. “We planned the bus to collect at 10pm but when the bus arrived I was devastated the best day of my my life was about to end so we bribed the driver to pick up a few more weddings first and come back later.” Having created a celebration we’re sure guests were talking about long after last drinks were called we can understand why.
Check out this gorgeous VIC bride in her customised Spell Designs gown, and make sure you’re following all the action on our Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for the latest news, stories and more!
Lizzy and Johnny’s boho garden party was originally featured in issue 15. Want more inspiration? Check out Issue 16 on sale now and stocked in newsagents nationally. Search for your nearest stockist via suburb or postcode here or shop online with Mag Nation or via the HM online store here.
CREDITS Photographer Sail Me To The Moon // Planner The Events Lounge // Stationery Sunshine + Confetti // Ceremony and Reception Venue The Grove, Byron Bay // Catering Anise Catering // Prop and Furniture Hire The Palace & Co, The One Day House, Tigmi Trading, Lovestruck Weddings, The Borrowed Nursery and North Coast Events // Teepee Byron Bay Tipi Weddings and Rainbow Tipis // Entertainment Kyle Lionhart // Celebrant Modern Love Ceremonies // Bridal Gown Designer and Bridesmaids Dresses Spell Designs // Hair and Makeup Luciana Rose // Shirt and Pants Bonobos.