After embarking on a three month-long trip to the U.S., everyone had a sneaking suspicion that Kyle might propose. Everyone, that is, except for bride-to-be Elise (first featured in Issue 13). £I had no clue, she tells us. £Kyle’s quite the romantic, he organised a morning of ice skating in Bryant Park but as we entered the park, ice skating gave way to a flash mob proposal. YouTube video and all.
Going after a not-so-typical wedding location that also served as a destination, Elise and Kyle landed on the seaside town of Lorne, Victoria (a favourite road trip pit stop for the couple). In all of it’s rustic glory, Allenvale Cottages was bare-bones, granting Elise and Kyle the freedom to create their celebration from scratch.
£I would say the entire wedding was DIY, our to-do list seemed endless! We had to organise power, port-a-loos, catering, hire equipment – the lot! Thankfully we enlisted the help of some amazing vendors that made all of this seem easy, explains Elise, whose all-star supplier team included her graphic designer brother and her pastry chef bestie who whipped up not one? not two? but THREE amazing cakes!
With the venue, grub and decor ticked off the to-do list, the dress was next to be locked in. £My grandmother had lent me her stunning 60-year-old veil, which meant it was more important to match the dress to the veil than anything else. It was a no-brainer once my grandma, mum and bridesmaids gave me the convincing gasp’ as I stepped out from the dressing room, says Elise, who admits that Kyle took the cake when it came to the vows.
£He knocked it out of the park and kinda put mine to shame! I went first and was certain I nailed it, short and sweet but meaningful. Kyle on the other hand tugged at the heartstrings so hard he made everyone cry – I mean EVERYONE. It was the one moment throughout the day that I forgot about every little thing happening in the background and stood staring (and sobbing) at him, absorbing every loving word.
Despite the sometimes overwhelming planning process, Elise and Kyle (whose day was captured by Brown Paper Parcel) tell us that the day itself was worth every painstaking decision and budget consideration – and the night ended with quite a surprise.
£Kyle’s good mate, Leigh, performed a whole David Bowie routine towards the end of the night – lightening bolt makeup and all. A Modern Love’ rendition normally reserved for singing into a vacuum at 4am, was taken up a notch – he had singing lessons months beforehand- and it paid off and went down a treat!
Want to see more amazing weddings like this one? Pick up a copy of Issue 14, on sale now or shop for past issues on line and postage is on us! Missed out on picking up a copy of of our second annual Real Wedding Special? We have just added a limited number for purchase to our online store.
CREDITS Photos Brown Paper Parcel // Florist and Cake Topper Wallflower Ward // Printer Fleetwood Print Group // Ceremony and Reception venue Allenvale Cottages, VIC // Prop and furniture hire Peppersprout Hire // Marquee Occasions Event Hire // Entertainment, Lighting and Sound Hire Luke Legs // Celebrant Mrs Hitch //Bridal gown Dan Jones // Lingerie Lonely Lingerie // Hair and Makeup Studio 2 // Bridesmaid dresses and shoes Kuwaii // Bridesmaid shoes Windsor Smith // Suit and shirt Jack London // Shoes &Attorney // Socks Happy Socks // Groomsmen suits and shoes Jack London.