Describing the lead up to the wedding as “a little crazy”, this Melbourne-born, NYC-based couple explain, “three months before the wedding, Toby got a transfer to his LA office, so we travelled back and forth between LA and NYC. Planning a wedding whilst living in different cities, from the other side of the world (and while I was also starting a business) was pretty hectic.” Sounds like it! And Elsa’s not talking any old business. She began her own line of bridal gowns, MINCA, in the process, creating her very own. “The biggest DIY project was my wedding dress,” she admits. “The entire collection took about a year to create and we then tailored this dress to my figure, which took an extra month or so.” Take a look for yourself, photographer Beck Rocchi got every angle, and we can’t get enough.
THE PROPOSAL Toby proposed to me on my birthday. We took the day off, and went to Williamsburg, where he’d booked day beds by a hotel pool. Not long after we arrived, he told me he had a birthday present for me. He handed me a little box and a letter and told me to read it first. It was about our relationship and our love and at the end, it said he had something to ask me. I looked up and he had tears in his eyes and proposed. It was perfect, romantic and exactly us. He’d organised for champagne to be delivered straight after so we spent the day drinking bubbles by the pool. We called everyone as they were waking up in Australia. It was so nice to have a few hours just to ourselves before we told anyone- it made it all the more special.
THE VIBE We found Gather & Tailor on Instagram. We wanted our wedding to feel relaxed, modern and fun. We didn’t have a theme per se, but I’d say it had an industrial, slightly rustic feel with a hint of Palm Springs. The cacti at Gather & Tailor inspired the flowers, which created that Palm Springs feel. We had planned all of this well before deciding to move to LA, but it felt quite fitting. We also had photos straight after the ceremony in the cactus garden at the Royal Botanic Gardens.
FAVOURITE DETAIL The flowers were created by Babylon Flowers and were beyond stunning! For the bouquets, we had King Proteas, Dahlias, Roses, Nigelia Berzilea, Amaranthus, Seaholly, Olive Foliage, Copper Beech Foliage and Eucalyptus foliage. For the installations above our reception tables, we had Palm Leaves, Tropical Leaves, Robusta Palm Leaves, Eucalyptus, Copper Beech Laurel, Olive Foliage and Amaranthus.
THE DRESS In the process of looking for a wedding dress, I realised there are really limited options that are high quality, stylish and affordable, so I started my own line, MINCA. I designed a collection of dresses in NYC’s garment district and wore one of those dresses on our wedding day. It was really special to wear something that I’d put so much time, energy and love into and I felt so myself in. I loved designing it and worked with the most incredible team in NYC to create it (along with the others in the line).
A WORD OF ADVICE Make a speech! I’ve been to lots of weddings where only the groom speaks. People love hearing from both of you. It was honestly one of my favourite parts of the day – it’s so special having the chance to acknowledge your new husband/wife and also all the amazing people in your life.
STANDOUT VENDORS Our photographer. She was unbelievable, so fun and lovely and such an incredible eye. The team at Gather & Tailor – they have three separate businesses that are all connected – Gather & Tailor (the venue), Pot & Pan (the catering) and Pepper & Sprout (do event hire). We used all three and they were amazing. And Babylon Flowers were beyond incredible – I couldn’t have loved the flowers more! They really brought my vision to life and made it far better than I could have imagined.
REFERENCES I found our photographer, Beck Rocchi, our venue, caterers, furniture rentals, engagement and wedding rings and our stationary through Instagram. I found our hair and makeup people through word of mouth.
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Beck Rocchi Florist Babylon Flowers Stationery Deliver Studio Ceremony Royal Botanic Gardens, Victoria Reception Gather & Tailor Catering Pot & Pan Ceremony Hire Items Dann Event Hire Reception Hire Items Pepper & Sprout Signage Heath Signs Entertainment DJ Jess McGuire Celebrant Mrs Hitch THE BRIDE Bridal Gown MINCA Shoes M Gemi Rings Vale Jewelry Accessories Catbird Hair Peter Beckett Hair Makeup Clare Vyvaberg THE GROOM Suit Alton Lane Bow Tie OTAA Shoes Alden Wedding Band Catbird Groomsmen Suits MJ Bale