Married at Poachers Pantry, a slice of rural paradise near the NSW/ACT border, Mads and Brandan say that they “wouldn’t change a thing” about their elopement experience.
“We went to a wedding expo and it was very overwhelming. When we found Dope Elope and found that literally EVERYTHING was organised for us it was hard to say no.”
Yep, Dope Elope (the brainchild of Sarah Marie Celebrancy) coordinated the whole ‘La Dolce Vita’ themed shebang, including stationery and signage by Maeke and photography by Corinna and Dylan. In fact, the couple didn’t know what their wedding actually looked like until the day of and, while this might seem unsettling for some, Mads and Brandan share that the surprise was undoubtedly a highlight. Scroll on and take a squiz.
La Dolce Vita Wedding Vibes
“I was saying to Brandan I wish we could get married in the countryside in Italy, I wanted a wedding that seemed like a kind of long lunch. When I saw that Dope Elope posted dates for their next elopement and it was themed ‘La Dolce Vita’ it was a no brainer.”
The Element of Surprise – Unique Elopement Details
(Mads) “Everything was so perfect. I love that it was a surprise and I had no idea what anything would look like. I was obsessed with the flowers!! I couldn’t have asked for anything more perfect.” (Brandan) “I loved the surprise of it all, I didn’t know what I was walking into or what I would expect. I loved the incorporation of fruits and vegetables into the floral displays.”
All-Inclusive Eloping
“Our vendors were all included in the elopement. The big seller though was seeing Corinna and Dylan – our photographers – as part of the lineup, I had been following them for a while and would have booked them otherwise.”
Elopement Planning Advice
“Don’t feel pressured to do things you don’t feel comfortable doing! We always knew from the start that we wanted a smaller wedding. We stuck to our vision and we are so glad we did, we wouldn’t change anything.”
The Elopement Wardrobe: Unique Bridal & Groom Styles
“I went to a bridal shop to try on dresses and it was very overwhelming. It was a fun experience but I had something a bit more unique in mind. I had been searching online and I found a small Norwegian brand called Murlong Cres. I loved the simplicity of their dresses. I ordered it on a whim and it came and fit perfectly! I stopped looking there and then.” (Brandan) “We found my jacket on Mad’s Birthday, when we went out vintage shopping, It’s from a great little antique store in Canberra called Down Memory Lane.”
We’re So Glad We Chose Dope Elope
“We can’t even say how thankful we are for the team that Dope Elope is (mainly Sarah Marie). Her flair, coordination, and dedication is something we were in awe of the whole day and the lead-up. Everything flowed and was so unproblematic and even if it was we didn’t know about it! Also – BRING YOUR DOG TO YOUR WEDDING! It is the most special thing ever!”
Canberra’s Phenomenal Wedding Photographer – Corinna and Dylan
“As soon as we met with Dylan of Corinna and Dylan on the day we hit it off instantly. He understood our vision and what we were comfortable with and just let it happen! We constantly look back on the photos that he took and chat about what was happening at the moment that the photo was taken. He was so attentive and so easy to get along with. Not to mention the pics are phenomenal!!”
More Elopement Inspiration
Keen to get in touch with Sarah Marie Celebrancy and the Dope Elope crew? We’ve got their details right here for you on the directory. While you’re there, check out more goodness from Corinna and Dylan, Maeke, and Poachers Pantry. Then visit the blog for a second helping of elopement inspo from Aussie couples.
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Corinna and Dylan Cinematographer Keepsake Photo Event Planner Dope Elope Stylist Sweet Little Sunday Florist Peony n Pearl Ceremony Venue Poachers Pantry Reception Venue Kodiak Bar Cake Maker Sugar Plum Fairy Cakes Stationery & Signage Maeke, Mads (Bride) Entertainment Nick Rigby Celebrant Sarah Marie Celebrancy Rings Leil, Love Isabelle THE BRIDE Bridal Gown Designer Murlong Cres Shoes Alias Mae Accessories Witchery Hair Kate Lily Hairdressing Makeup Tara Florence Fragrance Tocca THE GROOM Jacket David Jones via Down Memory Lane Shirt Paramount via Down Memory Lane Pants COS Shoes Church’s Watch Pulsar (Vintage)
