Elise & Ben

We love a wedding that is a little quirk, a little fun and today’s wedding – it’s completely gorgeous in all of its beautiful retro style. “We both love everything vintage so that was our theme” explains today’s bride Elise. “We wanted it to relaxed, fun and full of family.”
From the bride’s gorgeous tea length wedding gown, her retro-inspired pearls, the vintage couches and the vintage details, Carisse Antonas Photography was on hand to capture it all and today? We get to share it!

It was at the tender age of 21, that these two met, Elise, filling us in. “We met 7 years ago at my 21st birthday party, my friend Bradley brought a plus one which was Ben. Another 12 months passed and it was my birthday again but this time I was single and met up my friend Bradley again, and again Ben tagged along and then long story short I ended up marrying Ben the love of my life.”

Some time and a baby girl later, it was time for Ben to pop the question “Well we had our beautiful baby girl first, then the weekend after mother’s Day (Ben was working on my first mother’s Day) but he made up for it, I woke up to the lounge room couches upside down with a blanket on top, and pillows on the floor, Ben said my present was inside the epic fort! There was a photo book he made with beautiful memories of us and having our daughter who was only 4 months old at this time, the very last photo was our daughter Audrey sitting in the couch with a note saying “Mummy will you marry daddy?” I was so excited I flew out of the fort to find Ben holding Audrey in one hand and a beautiful engagement ring in the other… And of course, I said yes!!”

Elise made her own bouquet, which featured silk flowers and crystal brooches. She tells “Well I honestly don’t see the point in spending lots of money on real flowers, so I made my bouquets with brooches, boutonnieres and some decorations out of faux flowers.”

The bride found he retro, tea-length gown at Tuscany Bridal. “For a lover of vintage I was hoping to find a true vintage dress, however, that was really difficult. So I ended up finding a new dress that was a 50’s style tight waist, shorter and a big petticoat with bright red high heels.”

The couple met, together with their daughter before the ceremony for a first look.

The bride arrived at the wedding in her father’s FJ 40 LandCruiser, the very car she learnt to drive in!

Elise walked down the aisle with her father to Franki Valli & The Four Seasons “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You”.

Of their ceremony, Elisa shares “We wanted sweet, simple and quick, had a family friend be our celebrant.”

The Barn Hopeland hosted both the ceremony and reception, Elise remarking “It’s a beautiful big barn that has a stunning farm-like charm, also lots of cool old cars in a paddock. We could also bring all of our own vendors, alcohol and decorations ourselves.”

Of their photographer, Elise raves “Carisse Antonas is absolutely amazing! She captured our day perfectly and we have so many beautiful photos.”

   

Guests were delighted with dinner, a feast served up by The Souvla Boys. “It was delicious” remembers Elise.

The wedding decor was designed and created by the couple and their families even including the couple’s vintage couches! The bride and her mother even handmade the wedding favours, Elise telling “My pop passed away a few years before, so my mum made a huge batch of his Russian Toffee as our wedding favours, I also replanted heaps of succulents into baby food jars I was collecting from our daughter.”

 

And after the sunset, the dancing began, Elisa and Ben kicking off the dance floor with a quick little jive to Queen’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”
A big congratulations to you both Elise and Ben! Thank you for sharing your beautiful wedding day with us. Thanks also to Carisse Antonas Photography for sharing today’s beauty of a wedding!