This elopement is, put simply, pretty darn perfect. And despite some disappointment from family and friends, the bride and groom think so too – they wouldn’t change a thing! Amanda, who wore a stunning blush dress before changing into black (complete with standout Kitte earrings, no less) lists her fave moment as her son walking her down the aisle and her daughter giving her away to Chris “with a little speech and some flowers.” The cake and donut wall are what our dreams are made of and the venue (lit up by none other than Artaud & Co) provided the perfect space. Photographer Jon Gazzignato and cinematographer Light Noise Films were there to document it all. Scroll down for more – you don’t want to miss this bride’s advice!

THE VENUEWe absolutely love Bruny island. It’s where we went for our third date as Chris is originally from Melbourne. We came across the venue when looking for something unique and with amazing views around us. We were keen on being off the grid, in the open and close to the ocean. Cloudy Bay Beach House ticked all those boxes for us!”

FAVE DETAILSI absolutely loved my earrings from Kitte. I’m a simple gal and don’t love a lot of glitter and jewellery. We also loved our florals, which I created [the foliage stands and arbour]. My bridal bouquet by Beautiful Flowers and Gifts was my favourite thing. I gave my florist an idea of the colour palette and that I wanted something earthy and different and she absolutely nailed it with a lot of Tasmanian flowers in it.”

THE DRESSWhen we decided we wanted to elope I knew right away I didn’t want to wear a white wedding dress. I strolled upon Alamour The Label and found the dress. I didn’t second guess and just purchased it! I added a modesty piece across the front so there wasn’t a lot of cleavage. For me I find dress shopping really difficult having long legs and and long torso so I don’t think I would have enjoyed the whole bridal shop experience. I absolutely love my choice and so glad I didn’t second guess it.”

LITTLE LOLTwo days before the wedding, Chris borrowed a ladder off a friend to decorate the venue. He had it in the back of the ute and walked right into it, split his eye brow open and had to go to emergency to get it all glued up! Our friends tried to help with clearing the bruising but it actually made it worse. He woke on our wedding day with a ripper of a black, purple and blue eye. Then right before we were getting ready, my daughter went to put her dress on and zipped it up before bending over to pick something up and burst her zip open. We couldn’t get the dress off her so had to pin it down and rip it off at the end of the night! Haha!”

A WORD OF ADVICE “We would suggest ensuring that you do you. It’s so important to not get caught up in the politics of weddings. To have who you want and do what you want. We chose to elope for so many reasons and to only have friends also for so many reasons. We chose what we wanted, did what we wanted with no input from the family. I think too many brides think they have to do things to please their family’s when really no one lives your marriage but you so how you choose to get married should be solely about the both of you. Everything else is just an added bonus. Focus on what is important that your marrying the person you love and nothing else matters.”

WE’RE GLAD WE… “Eloped! It cut out a lot of drama and expectation from the family of what we should have or who we should have there. It definitely didn’t go down well with friends and family after we told them. It was really disappointing to see how people reacted and that they kept turning our day around to be about them and how they feel. They didn’t think about us and how we felt. We are so glad we did what we did as it showed us that the most important thing was how we feel and that we got married for us and no one else. I most definitely wouldn’t change a thing. I’m normally a very social and vocal person so I really wanted something small and intimate for just us that not everyone had a part in.  I’m so happy we did it for us!”

STANDOUT VENDORSOur absolute favourites were our photographer and videographer. We literally made Jon Gazzignato choose our date. We also really wanted Jon’s friends at Light Noise Films for our videography, so collectively we chose the date and booked everything around them. We got a lot of alone time with them in the wild weather and had a lot of laughing and joking going on. Their work is beyond amazing and it was ultimately their duty to capture the day for us to share with family after the event. We will be forever grateful for their input in our day and helping showcase our love with our family and friends.”

If you’re keen on a Tasmanian wedding and want to see more from our friends over at Artaud & Co, head to their Directory listing with us here – they are event planner/ stylists and put on one hell of a show! And don’t miss more brides who wore and loved their jewellery from Kitte here – they have something for everyone, friends.

CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Jon Gazzignato Cinematographer Light Noise Films Florist Bride Bouquet & Cake Topper Beautiful Flowers and Gifts Ceremony & Reception Cloudy Bay Beach House Cake OTT Cakes Wedding Favours Etsy Lighting Hire Artaud & Co Signage Bunnings & Etsy (Decal) Celebrant Julia Hern Rings Mayben Jeweller THE BRIDE Bridal Gown Alamour The Label Shoes Billini Accessories Kitte (Earrings) Makeup Claire Hunt Makeup Artist THE GROOM Suit Jacket Myer Shirt yd. Pants General Pants Co. Hat Will + Bear