For Molly and Josh, marriage isn’t about the wedding day as much as what comes next. “It’s about being husband and wife, being committed, and carrying each other when one of you has too much to bear in that moment. Sometimes marriage is 50/50, other times it can be 80/20 – and that’s okay.”

After a sweet proposal – “We were just at home with some takeaway, perfectly intimate!” – and an 18-month engagement, these guys eloped, heading to the sunny north of NSW to make things offish. Every detail was total perfection for Molly and Josh, from the phenom florals by The Perfect Party Co. to the handcrafted Meg Maskell Fine Jewellery rings. “Genuinely, the whole day was just the best day and every part played a favourite,” gushes the bride, who brought the talented Bulb Creative (shooting for Elopement Collective) on board to not only photograph but also film the big day. 

THE VENUEWe were after something really beautiful but simplistic. I came across M-Arts Precinct through Elopement Collective as they’d previously coordinated a stunning elopement at the Precinct, and we just knew it was perfect for us!”

THE VIBEJosh and I weren’t really after a theme as such. We just wanted our day to be very relaxed and beautiful with no pressure, celebrating us and our love. I can be quite a stressed person at times, not really ever enjoying being the centre of attention and I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself for things to be perfect, but we just wanted our day to be wholesome, calm and flow with happiness and love. Which was exactly what it ended up being (and some!) for a multitude of reasons. It was a night spent with our loved ones, bellies full of delicious pizza, flowing drinks and so much love.”

FAVE DETAILSOur invites by Tatiana Soash really set the mood of simple, easy, relaxed yet stunning – that’s exactly what we were going for. The open platform stage at M|Arts Precinct was the most perfect setting for our elopement. The flowers – oh my! I don’t even know where to begin! We are both still to this day, absolutely obsessed with our setup by Amey from The Perfect Party Co. My hair was also a personal highlight – Jaala Brinsmead Hair Creative had been my hairdresser for many years prior to moving states and was able to do my hair for the day. It was really a full-circle moment for me and kept the vibe relaxed and beautiful!”

THE DRESSPinterest actually led me to my dress many years prior to even getting engaged. I had always re-pinned pictures of it over and over, just so I had multiple opportunities to find it when the time came. After some research, I found the dress was from ASOS and astonishingly only $390! I purchased the dress as soon as my size was in stock – I’ve never bought anything so fast! It was everything I could have dreamed of, I have never felt so beautiful.”

TAKE ON TRADITION “My sister gave me away – definitely not traditional but was so special to her and to me. We are closer than close, and it has just been the two of us (immediate family) for some time, we felt this was so special. A family member also had two white roses on the table at dinner, symbolising my nan (who raised m and my sister) and aunt who had passed, which was such a sentimental piece of our day.”

A WORD OF ADVICE “Listen to your gut. Whatever you both want as a couple, do that. Do what feels right for you. If you want a big wedding, do it. If you want to elope, do it. Trust yourself to make the right decisions for your day between the two of you – use your trusted sources of knowledge and information, take what you want as a couple from that, and make your day your own. You won’t regret it.”

STANDOUT VENDORSThe team at Elopement Collective are just superb humans. Britt and Josh are so truly in the most perfect business. Britt was there with a newborn on her hip, no questions asked, calm as ever could be, making sure things went smoothly. Josh Withers, our celebrant, made things so fun and light. Bulb Creative was a more-than-amazing choice. Again, just so easygoing and relaxed. The end result – just wow!”

These pics are seriously lush, and you can get in touch with the talented team who took them (ahem, Bulb Creative) over on our directory. While you’re there, definitely give a shout to Meg Maskell Fine Jewellery, who is a total pro when it comes to crafting beautiful rings and other sparkly bits for your big day.

CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer & Cinematographer Bulb Creative Event Planner & Stylist Elopement Collective Stylist & Florist The Perfect Party Co. Stationery Tatiana Soash Ceremony M|Arts Precinct Reception & Catering Jordy’s Casuarina Hire Items The Perfect Party Co (chairs) Celebrant Josh Withers Rings Meg Maskell Fine Jewellery THE BRIDE Gown ASOS Shoes Novo Earrings The Silver Collective Hair Jaala Brinsmead Hair Creative Makeup Kate Devlin Makeup Artist Fragrance Marc Jacobs Daisy Love Spring Tan Spray Tan Co Nails Mayfair Studios THE GROOM Suit & Shirt Oxford Shop Tie / Bow tie yd. Shoes R.M. Williams Barber State