“We have been together for three amazing years. We met at a mutual friends engagement party,” explain Sophie and Elana. And after the perfect proposals (by them both – Elana with a Grew & Co ring, no less) and a seven-month engagement, they tied the knot in this loved-up Sydney wedding, while both in gowns from none other than one of our fave bridal boutiques, Hope X Page. Robert Meredith made the pics happen and you can scroll down to see them all…
LITTLE LOL “We decided to both start new jobs, get a puppy and plan a wedding all at the same time so that as fun… It’s safe to say we are extremely lucky that we had the best wedding planner in Steph (who was one of my bridesmaids and pregnant with twins!). Also, we both got our dresses from Hope x Page, and unknowingly from the exact same designer – even the same fabric! We would schedule appointments together and be separated in different rooms with the lovely staff Alex, and Emma acting like secret agents in order for us to not only see each other but also each other’s dresses.”
FAVE DETAILS “We loved the Jewish traditions that were incorporated into the wedding. We both also loved the setting in Centennial Parklands. It was absolutely beautiful and felt like we were in the country somewhere and not in the hustle and bustle of Sydney. We particularly loved our chuppah (Jewish canopy that we got married under) which was decorated so beautifully with Maggie May Flowers.”
THE DRESSES “I (Elana) wore the 1.6 Natural Gown by Harriette Gordon and from Hope x Page. I absolutely fell in love with this dress the moment I saw it. It was the first dress I tried on at the first bridal boutique that I visited, I felt the most myself in it and it was so comfortable. My (Sophie) dress was also from Harriette Gordon, the 1.2 Gown and belt. Hope x Page was our first stop and we were served by Alex who was AMAZING, she literally made you feel like you were the first person she had ever met that was getting married. Her energy and excitement towards your day and dress was unmatched.”
MEMORABLE MOMENTS “Walking down the aisle, having the mutual friends [we met through] as our witnesses on the day and running into the reception with our families and bridespeople to do the Hora (traditional Jewish dance). The speeches – I (Elana) surprised Soph and the whole wedding by rapping in my speech and playing the drums with the band and we danced to the Zorba as my dad is Greek. And at the end of the night, we were whisked away on a motorbike !”
MARRIAGE MEANS… “I (Sophie) had always thought if you are with the right person, when you get married, things shouldn’t change in your relationship. However, I have felt a shift in our relationship. I didn’t think it was possible to feel more secure or more love than what I did for Elana but I do! And I love that. To me, marriage is that constant feeling of security and love. It is sticking through the tough times together to then be able to celebrate the high times. My dad has always said, ‘Marriage is like a garden, you must always tend to your garden if you want it to grow’.”
A WORD OF ADVICE “If you can, get a planner. It is an extra cost, but it seriously took a whole lot of stress out of the day with the little things you wouldn’t even think of!”
STANDOUT VENDORS “Robert Meredith was an absolute pleasure to work with. He was so calm and lovely in the lead-up and on the day, which is exactly what we needed! He also took incredible photos and has been so communicative. Hope x Page – Alex and Emma made us both feel like we were the only brides that they had ever dressed. They were both warm and excited and treated us like individuals not like just another bride getting married. The service was so personal, my (Elana’s) sister even jokes about wanting a job there! They also went to such great lengths to keep both of our dresses a secret from each other – which we really appreciated! Stephanie Ivany (Wedding Planner), Dre and the Giants, Maggie May Flowers, My Private Tailor, Tami Sussman and Gluten Free Cake Nation.”
If you want to see more from a few of Sophie and Elana’s fave vendors, you can find Hope X Page Bridal Boutique and Grew & Co (Jewellery Design House) on our Directory here and here. But first…
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Robert Meredith Cinematographer Cloud Herd Film Co Event Planner Stephanie Ivany (Friend) Florist Maggie May Flowers Stationery Paperless Post (Invitations) Place Cards Three Blue Ducks Ceremony Centennial Parklands (Willow Pond) Reception Three Blue Ducks (Rosebery) Food Truck The Grazing Larder Alcohol Bar Boys (Ceremony) Cake Gluten Free Cake Nation Hire Items Event Hire Services Signage Invitations by Isabel Entertainment Dre and the Giants & Adam Moses Music Celebrant Tami Sussman Wedding Rings Jacobson’s Jewellery Engagement Rings Dracakis (Elana) & Grew & Co (Sophie) Transport Let It Ride Sydney Shuttle Getaway Vehicle Just Cruisin’ Tours Sophie’s Accommodation St Mark’s Randwick THE BRIDE (Elana) Bridal Gown Designer Harriette Gordon Bridal Boutique Hope x Page Alterations My Private Tailor Veil Berta Robes Bed Threads Shoes Panache Bridal Shoes & Nike Accessories ENESEA & MEZI (Earrings) Hair Leah Volanakis (Bride) & Bryoni’s Hair (Bridesmaids) Makeup Lauren Brook Beauty & Anastasia Pav Bridesmaid Gifts LApersonalized via Etsy (Bracelets) & OTAA (Groomsman Cufflinks) Slippers SPURR via The Iconic (Bridesmaids) & Staple Superior via The Iconic (Groomsmen) THE BRIDE (Sophie) Bridal Gown Designer Harriette Gordon Bridal Boutique Hope x Page Robes Bed Threads Shoes Billini Accessories Saint Valentine Jewellery (Earrings) Hair THP Hair Makeup Lauren Brook Beauty (Bride) & Jami Austin (Bridesmaids)