Prepare yourselves, friends, because Carolyn and Glen’s is the sweetest love story around… “We first met in 1985 when I was backpacking Europe,” Carolyn tells us. “I saw him at the back of a tour bus and was immediately smitten. We made each other laugh and that really hasn’t changed. We didn’t stay together then but knew it was a special time. We both married other people and got on with our lives. Glen’s sister had contacted me via Facebook in 2015 and asked if Glen could give me a call – the connection was immediate. Glen produced all the letters I had written him back in 1985. Knowing him back in the ’80s makes us feel like we’ve been together for so much longer.” Cue a waterfall of happy tears.
What was meant to be a five-month engagement dragged out to two years (COVID, of course) and not keen to wait a minute longer, these two tied the knot with an intimate elopement as soon as gatherings of ten people were permitted. With Elsa Campbell behind the lens and Kate McCleary on makeup, this pair were stoked with their team. Scroll down for more sweet deets…
THE VENUE “Originally we were having the wedding at home – we live on just over four acres down near Torquay. We had a rural garden wedding organised only to cancel it two weeks before due to COVID. For the new intimate wedding, my daughter suggested Fitzroy Gardens and it was simply perfect. We only saw it two weeks beforehand – it was in a quiet part of the gardens and under three silver birch trees. We looked at several lunch venues (all online as we were in lockdown). We loved the look of The European and they were so good with their communication. It was walking distance from the gardens and – importantly – it was the favourite and regular wine venue for our sommelier celebrant, Charlotte. She matched all our wines for our lunch and was on point.”
THE VIBE “All along, we wanted it to be about the ceremony and to keep it simple. Definitely looking for a relaxed fun vibe with lots of laughs and it played out perfectly. We’ve had so many people comment how coordinated the wedding party was however this was all accidental. No planning of colours or shoes occurred – everyone just got their favourite outfits and it wasn’t until we were all getting dressed when we thought, ‘Wow, this colour is ‘happening.’”
FAVE DETAILS “I loved the impromptu nature of the day. We weren’t bound by timeframes and could be a little spontaneous. We planned to try and get some sneaky photography inside the Conservatorium, which was filled with stunning flowers. As it turned out, the attendant happened to step out and we managed to get loads of shots. Strangely, when we sat down for lunch, I realised I had never looked at the planned menu but the food was beyond perfect. For sunset, we headed to Bomba rooftop for cocktails and the final (impromptu!) party was at K-Bar where we hired a room for two hours doing karaoke.”
THE DRESS “I had seen a couple of Zimmermann dresses I liked so was drawn there first when me and my three daughters went shopping. It was literally the first dress I tried on and it fitted perfectly. I remember my eldest daughter saying, ‘Have we just found your dress?’ I was very sceptical – that wasn’t possible. But no matter how much we searched, it didn’t get better than this one.”
REFERENCES “Elsa Campbell was on our radar right from the beginning. My eldest daughter, Madeline Kate, is a wedding photographer so she was great source for all things wedding day. Madeline showed me Elsa’s Instagram and I just loved her photography. The way she captures a moment and the colours… I just knew we would be impressed with her photos. Of course, they blew us away. Madeline organised the hair, makeup and flowers. If you’re looking for a team that is chilled and relaxed whilst chaos and laughter are happening, these guys are your gals!”
Wanna catch more from some of Carolyn & Glen’s rad team? Head on over here for more photographic gold and here for lewks on lewks by Kate McCleary. But for now, you know what to do…
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Elsa Campbell Florist Lulo + Ly Floral Studio Ceremony Fitzroy Gardens Reception The European Celebrant Charlotte Cels (family friend) Rings Brimson Jewellery Design THE BRIDE Dress Zimmermann Loungewear Bed Threads Shoes Loeffler Randall Hair Megan Harrison Makeup Kate McLeary Hair & Makeup Fragrance Narciso Rodriguez Narciso For Women Eau De Parfum THE GROOM Jacket & Pants Gazman Shirt French Connection Shoes Julius Marlow Barber The Bearded Man