Meet Missy and Michael, a very clever, crafty couple who DIYed almost everything for their super-spesh elopement – and had a darn good time doing it! “We did all of it!” Missy shares. “We made our cake, my flowers, a flower crown for (daughter) Autumn, a buttonhole for Michael, our catering – we even helped make the beer we drank.” Now that’s commitment to the DIY cause!
With only one guest in attendance – sweet baby Autumn – the couple said their ‘I do’s with one of our fave photographers, Ben Sowry, on hand to snap the special moments. They got ready together with Missy (who’s a florist, btw) taking care of the blooms with her daughter sleeping in the carrier while she worked. “I would add a flower in and walk a little around the cabin bobbing, with the fire going. It was perfect, so doing my flowers with her on me is such a memory.”
It was relaxed, it was calm and it was exactly what Missy and Michael wanted for their wedding day. Scroll on for ultimate elopement inspo.
THE VENUE “We really love Tassie. We (try to) go every winter and we always take a long drive to the west coast and stop at our favourite cabin, Captains Rest. It just felt right to elope there. It truly is the most magical spot – we didn’t even think of anywhere else.”
THE VIBE “We just wanted a winter’s day in Tasmania filled with things we love. We made coffee, baked our cake, played with flowers, went for a stroll around the bay, had tasty food and got cuddly in front of the fire.”
FAVE DETAILS “Michael Baked the cake, a vegan orange and wine cake made with our favourite wine Essoterico by Unico Zelo. It turned out delicious so that’s always a highlight! We made a pact to buy each other one piece of jewellery to wear on the day. I bought him a bolo tie and he got me a necklace so these items were very special and meaningful. Poppies are some of my favourite flowers so I knew I had to include them in my bouquet. On our wedding day morning, all of the beautiful peach coloured ones had opened so I based my entire bouquet around them.”
THE DRESS “I had a wedding dress nightmare! My dress turned up literally a week before we left and it was awful. Nothing like we had talked about! it was too small and completely the wrong fabric! To cut a very long story short, it was really bad quality. I cried for two days. The DISSH linen dress I bought online last minute, hoping it would fit, turned out fine thank goodness. It fit perfectly for our little cabin wedding. Michael bought all of his clothes online in one day! He’s like that, quick decisions and doesn’t overthink things, unlike me!”
COOL CUSTOM “Our celebrant, Merren of Cinta Celebrate Love, had asked our mums to each write a little something for the day. Neither of them could be there in person, being back in England and there being no international flights due to COVID. This was beautiful. Michael’s father passed away a few years ago, so hearing words from his mum saying how proud he would have been really got the tears going.”
STANDOUT VENDOR “Our photographer Ben Sowry. Michael isn’t the most comfortable around a camera, let alone having to pose, but Ben made things really easy. It was relaxing and just felt like we were hanging out all day. Seeing him getting excited about amazing lighting and the passion he brought to his profession really shone through.”
We’re throwing it back to issue 33 with this one, folks, and you can head on over to our online shop if you want to nab yourself a copy for even more wedding-day inspo. If you’re after some Tassie vendors for your own shindig, pop on over to the directory – and definitely give Ben Sowry a shout. He’s a fab photog and an all-round darn great guy, too.
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Ben Sowry Florist Bride Ceremony & Reception Captains Rest Catering Woolworths (DIY cheese board) Celebrant Cinta Celebrate Love Rings Sarah Gardner Fine Jewellery (bride), Argent Silversmith (groom) THE BRIDE Gown DISSH (white dress), Seed (green dress) Shoes James Smith Earrings Argent Silversmith Bangle Brock Bangles Necklace Luna Rose Baby’s clothes Monbebe via Pipiroo (linen romper), Monbebe via Small Wonder (gingham romper), Silly Silas (rust suspender tights) THE GROOM Jacket ASOS Shirt H&M Pants Country Road Bolo Tie Miranda Jolene Jewelry Shoes Blundstone