Elopement at North Stradbroke Island

Kita and Jess first met 15 years ago, working at Chrisco Hampers Warehouse. When they first met, Jess noticed that Kita looked like a fun person to be around. Jess really wanted to talk to her. Kita was thinking to herself, “Who’s this new girl with the amazing eyes?”

Fast forward 15 years, and the couple still work together, live together, and whenever they are apart, feel like a piece is missing. They decided to marry on beautiful North Stradbroke Island, with just two besties as witnesses.

The four travelled over to Straddie by barge on the day before the wedding, and stayed in an amazing apartment just up the road from the beach. I travelled by water taxi to the island on the wedding day, and was early enough to lunch on calamari and chips, then walk around the Gorge Boardwalk (spotting a pod of dolphins) before it was time for the ceremony.

On their wedding day, Kita dressed in white shorts, a white shirt, a jaunty white hat, and her trademark cheeky smile. Jess wore a floaty white sundress, and carried a bouquet of Baby’s Breath.

We found a quiet, shady location, where the sun filtered through the Pandanus Palms, and set up a little speaker to play some favourite tunes. I led the couple through their personalised ceremony, summing up their story together so far, and their hopes for their future. The brides both wrote beautiful vows for each other in a little vow book, and Jess wiped away a tear as the usually stoic Kita poured her heart out. The couple had purchased an engraved wooden ring box to protect their rings, and this will be a keepsake of their day.

After the ceremony, photographer Romana led the couple to some of the scenic spots around Point Lookout to capture some memories of their day.

Congratulations to this epic couple, we loved sharing your wedding day with you and wish you every happiness.

#straddiewedding

#straddieelopement

Ceremony Location: Point Lookout, North Stradbroke Island

Coordination: Elope Stradbroke

Photographer: Romana Saeheng Photography and Graphic Design

Stradbroke Island Celebrant Cheryl Landsberry Marriage Celebrant

Hiking wedding love adventure in the Australian bush

 Love Adventure with Elope Brisbane

Amy and Rowan decided to spend their rest of their lives with each other, and started to think about their wedding. They knew what they didn’t want – drama, fuss, and budget blowouts.

They contacted the team at Elope Brisbane to coordinate a Love Adventure for them, inviting just their closest family, and then set about sourcing outfits and wedding rings.

On their wedding day, Amy was in the chair for a natural style of hair and makeup at 10am. Photographer, Romana, met the couple at their home for some photos with their adorable and very photogenic Kelpie, Mister.

Rowan and Amy were then picked up by driver Steve, wearing an orange Hawaiian shirt, matching the orange 1973 VW Kombi van he drove. The couple enjoyed a photo shoot against the varying backdrops of the Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mount Coot-tha, then were escorted to the picnic grounds at J.C. Slaughter Falls, where they met their families.

Amy wore a white embossed lace dress with a nude underlay. Rowan was casual in boots, chinos, a white shirt, and a country style mushroom coloured hat.

I met the group there at the picnic grounds, and together, we walked 500 metres along the bush track to the waterfall creek bed. Despite Mount Coot-tha being only 9km from the Queen Street Mall, we were quickly transported to a peaceful native bush setting.

Amy and Rowan didn’t want to agonise over ceremony options, so they left the ceremony wording and song choice up to me. I chose Make You Feel my Love by Queen Bees, Grow Old With You by ortoPilot, and Kiss Me by Sixpence None the Richer. The ceremony was very relaxed, and contained a little tradition, with a few modern twists. As requested, it was short and sweet.

Amy and Rowan’s guests all commented on the uniqueness of their wedding day – it was certainly unlike any traditional wedding they had been to, and it brought together so many aspects of the couple’s character – adventure, the outdoors, authenticity, and simplicity. The Australian bush provided a spectacular backdrop for their photographs.

After being driven back home for a quick change, the couple planned to meet their guests for dinner at a nearby hotel.

I drove home feeling rejuvenated with time spent in the clean air of the bush, basking in the glow of newlywed contentment.

#mtcootthaweddings

#microweddingbrisbane

Location: J.C. Slaughter Falls, Mt Coot-tha

Coordination: Elope Brisbane

Photographer: Romana Saeheng Photography and Graphic Design

Flowers: @Capalaba Carnations

HMUA: Sparks Makeup Artistry

Transport: Kandid Kombi

Celebrant: Cheryl Landsberry - Marriage Celebrant

Wedding at Sirromet Winery, Mount Cotton

Georgia and Rowan first met at White Water World where they were both working as lifeguards.

When they first met, Rowan noticed that Georgia was easy going, confident, and totally unpretentious.

Georgia thought Rowan was a little mysterious. He kept his personal life to himself, and wasn’t on social media.

A few years later, when they began to spend time together outside of work with mutual friends, they realised that there was some chemistry between them. In front of the Wave Pool after work, Rowan asked Georgia out on a date.

The couple’s first date was to see Ocean Alley play at the iconic Tivoli. They shared their first kiss during the crescendo of Rowan’s favourite song, as confetti cannons showered the crowd. It was the perfect first date.

Fast forward to 2024, and the couple celebrated their decision to marry with a beautiful ceremony at Sirromet Winery, Mount Cotton. Amongst the rolling, green hills, wallabies, and lily filled lagoon, the couple said, "I do."

With music being important to the couple, they hired singer/guitarist, Jason, for both the ceremony and reception. As Georgia stepped out onto the aisle to walk towards Rowan, Jason sang a single word, "Georgia" which goosebumped each and every one of the guests. The Stephen Sanchez song was the perfect fit for such an entrance.

Georgia looked absolutely stunning in a long sleeved dress with a sheer, appliqued top and a plunging back. Her fair hair was swept into a simple and classic bun, and a long veil was fastened beneath this.

Her maid of honour, Joanna, wore a satin sage green dress, and both carried bouquets of bright natives featuring proteas.

Rowan and his brother looked dapper in 3 piece suits, shiny shoes, and bouttonieres.

We spent considerable time back and forth to create a script for the ceremony, with plenty of sentiment and a few laughs, and watching the video back, the tale of the couple's story reflected that investment.

Georgia wrote, "Your presentation style was exactly what we wanted and made the ceremony feel very true to who we are."

Thanks so much for sending some beautiful photos, Georgia and Rowan, I enjoyed reliving your joyous wedding day.

Venue: Sirromet Wines

Photographer: Pelizzari Photography

Videographer: Olivia Holt - Film and Photography

Celebrant: Cheryl Landsberry - Marriage Celebrant

Musician: McGee Entertainment & Events, Inc.

Hair and Makeup: An Eye for Style Wedding Makeup & Hair Stylists

#sirrometwedding

#brisbanewedding

#sirrometcelebrant