Elizabeth & Stephen

Canberra’s urban landscape, with hidden gardens and beautiful architectural detail, turned out to be just the right kind of cityscape that Elizabeth and Stephen dreamt of for their big day.

Elizabeth and Stephen chose an urban venue for their big day, a bar with it’s dark and moody backdrop a beautiful contrast to their secret garden style ceremony. It was a day, that these two did totally their way- a first look before the ceremony, walking down the aisle together hand in hand, a cocktail reception and plenty of sweet handmade details.

And what better day to celebrate than your birthday”? Elizabeth turning thirty as the couple danced celebrated, hugged and loved their way through their beautiful day. They invited Across the Forest along to capture their story unfold.

It was definitely not love at first sight for these two, remembers Elizabeth. “Stephen and I meet at pre-music festival party in Canberra in 2011, I thought he was annoying when I met him, but persistence paid off, I love that we still have a photo from that day with the both of us in it before we even met.”

What soon followed, was a waterside proposal. “Stephen really went all out, I was living in Sydney at the time and he organised a sailing boat to pick us up (I thought we were just doing a lesson), we ended up spending the night on the yacht anchored in a bay next to Taronga Zoo and he got down on one knee and the rest is history.”

Elizabeth chose a form-fitting lace gown from Brides Of Sydney.  She tells “I knew I didn’t want anything big or fancy and it happened to be the first dress I tried on; what luck!”

Stephen chose most of his attire from Industrie. Elizabeth explains “Stephen got most of his outfit from Industrie in Melbourne, we both wanted a relaxed vibe and to be comfortable on our big day. I do admit I had to triple check it wasn’t too relaxed and made some last-minute tweaks with the suspenders and bow tie, Stephen picked his shoes though and WOW… those shoes made the outfit!”

Elizabeth and Stephen met before their ceremony for a first look and photographs, the result? Well, they speak for themselves. Elizabeth sharing “We decided to do our photos before the ceremony, this meant we did a private first greet, Stephen waited for me near a perfectly picked out spot by our photographers and had an intimate first look. This was so special I laughed and cried at the same time.”

Of the couple’s chosen photographer, “Anton and Raya were without a doubt amazing, every photo is stunning and captures us, our bridal party, family and friends perfectly. Stephen and I were in great hands and I’m so incredibly thankful to them both.”

   

Elizabeth and Stephen chose the gardens of Parlour Wine Room for their ceremony explaining “We chose Parlour Wine Bar because of the location and the intimacy of the venue, we only had 60 guests, so we really wanted a space that had a garden and a bar all in one. Parlour is also styled amazingly already which meant our job to decorate was a lot easier, the beautiful timer bar inside, velvet couches and a stunning outdoor garden.”

Elizabeth and Stephen chose an acoustic version of “Dusk till Dawn” by Zayn & Sia to play as they walked down the aisle together hand in hand.

The couple chose Life Ceremonies with Lesley to make their marriage official. The bride noting “Stephen and I really wanted a quick garden Ceremony that was very relaxed and lighthearted, our close family friend was our celebrant and really made sure it was personal. Stephen and I both thanked our family’s and I even got a happy birthday sung to me during the ceremony.”

 

Plenty of wedding decor on the day was handmade by the couple and their parents, Elizabeth explaining “Most of our wedding decor was DIY, we made our welcome wedding sign frame out of old fence palings and my mum made the stunning birdcages which hung on shepherds hooks to form the aisle we walked down.”

After the vows were said and done, the newlyweds and their guests headed inside at Parlour Wine Room for a cocktail reception. “We wanted a cocktail-themed wedding, ” notes Elizabeth “so it was more of a party rather than a formal sit-down dinner. It was perfect and meant Stephen and I really got to mingle with our family and friends.”

   

“Our first dance was very unchoreographed to UB40 “Bring Me Your Cup” remembers the bride. “It is a song that we have always loved, luckily, we had liquid courage by this time and provided plenty of laughs to our family and friends.”

A big congratulations to you both Elizabeth and Stephen! Thank you to you both and to Across the Forest for sharing today’s beautiful celebration with us.