Photography by Joey & Jase — *Photography by* *Joey & Jase*

Wedding Date: 22nd January 2021

What was your wedding venue and why did you choose there?
We chose to elope at Thalia Haven, which overlooks Great Oyster Bay on Tasmania’s East Coast. We loved the property for its rustic beauty, exterior stonework, olive-tree courtyards and spectacular natural surrounds, as well as the privacy and intimacy it offered.

Did you have a wedding theme/style?
Our style was minimal and pared back. Given our incredible location, we felt the landscape provided the backdrop for our day. With this in mind, we chose simple elements and neutral colours such as all-white florals and greenery to complement rather than detract from the landscape.

How did you and your now Husband meet?
I met my husband 10 years ago through mutual friends. We started seeing each other a few months later after spending some time together with friends. It was then that Jack asked me on a date and we spent more time getting to know one another.

It didn’t take long for us to fall in love with each other, as well as develop a great friendship. I am very lucky to have a gorgeous husband and best friend all wrapped up in one.

What is your proposal story?
We had just had lunch in Avalon, a northern beachside suburb in Sydney, when Jack suggested we go for a walk along the beach. It was a warm day so I was confused as to why he was carrying a jacket with him. We found a lovely spot overlooking the water to sit down and it was then that Jack pulled a box out from his jacket pocket. He then asked me to be his wife.

How did you hear about Prea James Bridal?
I had seen Prea James Bridal dresses shared on social media and so discovered the label that way.

From where did you purchase your gown?
Bluebell Bridal in Melbourne

What do you love most about the gown?
It was really important to me that I felt like myself. I didn’t want a traditional wedding dress, I wanted to feel chic, modern and relaxed, which is why the Cara Gown appealed to me. I loved the clean and sleek look and feel of the silk satin, and the contemporary high neckline which balanced the low back. I also loved the twist front cut-out, which I felt gave the dress a unique and flattering look.

Are there any special details about your wedding that you would like to share?
Our elopement was organised the The Elopement Collective. We worked closely with Brittany Withers who helped bring our vision to fruition by putting us in touch with the most incredible suppliers and vendors, including our wonderful celebrant Josh Withers, and organised the timeline of the day. This alleviated any stress or pressure we may have felt otherwise. As a result we felt so calm and relaxed, and simply let the day unfold naturally. It was among the most effortless, magical and intimate moments we’ve ever experienced.

Were there any details that you (and friends and family) made yourselves?
Being a private residence, we were able to arrange things exactly to our liking. For example, setting up the dining table and stringing up lighting outside so we could eat dinner under the stars and overlooking the ocean. It was lovely to bring it all together with the help of our family and friends.

Music also played a crucial part to our elopement as it was important to Jack and I that we have an incredible soundtrack to complement our day. Our wonderful friends Sarah and Iain put together the perfect playlist for us, which ran for hours. The songs set the mood for small sentimental moments and dancing up until the early hours of the morning.

Finally, do you have any words of wisdom for couples planning their big day?
Have a clear vision for how you want your day to be. This should include small private moments that are just for you and your partner – looking back, these are the ones I cherish the most. We also chose to keep everything simple and this allowed us to enjoy our day without feeling any stress or pressure. Finally, be flexible and keep in mind that it’s ultimately just one day out of many in you and your partner’s relationship. After all, getting married pales in comparison to being married.