Real Elopement – Linda & Lucas, Kalorama VIC

 

It was via Facebook that Linda and Lucas first met, and as soon as they went on their first date, they knew they had found their happily-ever-after.

Deciding they wanted an elegant and intimate celebration, they used their beautiful home in the Dandenong Ranges as the backdrop and the ceremony was witnessed by only their beautiful daughters, fur child, celebrant Ebony and talented photographers, Kat and Scout of It’s Beautiful Here.

While the rain appeared to be conspiring against them, there was eventually a break and they headed outdoors for a photoshoot that resulted in some of the most incredible images.

Bride Linda, a talented and much-loved Ivory Tribe celebrant, certainly knows a thing or two about ceremony planning, so this super sweet elopement, with an emphasis on love, family and commitment, in their gorgeous family home, couldn’t have been more perfect.

 

 

The meeting.

Lucas and I met in 2011 after Lucas sent me on friend request on Facebook. We started chatting via Messenger pretty much immediately. We spoke on the phone after we had exchanged a few messages, and our first date was quickly planned for the following week.

 

The ‘one’.

We both knew very early on, I think I knew within 10 mins of our first date! Seriously! We were in a cab on our way to Florentino’s in the city for our first date, I remember looking at him smiling and thinking this was so different to anything I had experienced before. I just knew he was a good guy … gorgeous on the inside and outside. From our first day together, we were inseparable.

 

The proposal.

We had talked about getting married for a while and had chosen the ring together so it was just a matter of when and where the proposal would happen..

The proposal was so us. No fuss! We were at home, I was five months pregnant with our first daughter. Lucas just casually got down on one knee and told me he loved me and would I marry him? Of course, I said YES!

 

The process.

Because we were doing it at home, and we had no guests, the entire planning process was so easy. Working in the wedding industry myself, I knew the suppliers I wanted. I only had to really organise three of the big ones – celebrant, florist and photographer. We were so relaxed about everything leading up to the day, Lucas only bought his suit the day before!

 

Style inspiration.

The inspiration for our wedding was just our life, we wanted our day to really reflect us. We wanted a private ceremony and we wanted to feel comfortable. We had talked about getting married overseas but once we moved to our home, we knew that we wanted to get married there. We definitely didn’t want tradition.

 

The dress.

I originally brought a white boho-style dress, I LOVED the dress. But as time went by it just didn’t feel right, the style and even getting married in white. I started to look for an off-the-rack evening dress, I didn’t have any criteria other than finding something I felt amazing in. I ended up hiring a Rebecca Vallance gown that fit like a glove. It was so beautiful and I felt like myself in it. I knew as soon as I tried it on it was perfect.

 

Favourite moments. 

Lucas – my favourite part was getting ready with our gorgeous girls and having our photos taken.

Linda – definitely the photos, walking around the garden, smiling and chatting and then our beautiful night at Vue De Monde, it was AH-MAZING!

 

Meaning of marriage.

Lucas – it means everything. I love calling Linda my wife now. I like having our girls and their mum share the same last name.

Linda – marriage to me means family and it means forever. Although we were a family before, I do feel like it’s different now.

 

Funny stories (or near disasters).

Planning a wedding for October can be unpredictable with the weather… especially without having a backup plan.  Our plan all along was to get married outside and to have photos outside in the garden. Come the wedding day it decided to pour with rain! We moved the ceremony inside and pretty much as soon as we finished the rain cleared and we got to have our photos outside in the garden. When our photographer finished up for the day, the rain again poured. Luck was on our side!

 

Words of wisdom.

Just to do exactly what you want to do and not try to please others. Remember it is your day.

 

Last words.

Getting married was the best day of our lives.

 

 

Linda and Lucas were ahead of their time with their intimate elopement. Perfect for the current climate of weddings, see Elopement elegance in the Grampians for more low-key and loved-up inspiration. 

 

LINDA & LUCAS’ TRIBE

Ceremony: Private property (Linda and Lucas’ home), Kalorama VIC

Reception: After we finished at home, we celebrated just the two of us at Vue De Monde that evening and stayed at Crown Metropol. Our girls also stayed at Crown Metropol in the room next door to us with our wonderful baby sitter Brianna.

Celebrant/Officiant:  Ebony Carver – Eb’s is one of the nicest ladies you will ever meet. She made us feel so calm on the day, we are so happy she was the one to marry us.

Photography: Scout and Kat from It’s Beautiful Here – by far our photos are the highlight, we look at them all of the time. Scout captured our family so perfectly. We will forever be grateful.

Florist: Sassafras Wedding – Jess was great, I sent here a photo of my dress and I just left it up to her. We were so happy with our flowers and the color’s she had chosen for the bouquet.

Hair: Ash Craper from L.A LOFT – Ash nailed by hair! It was exactly what I wanted.

Make-up: Brooke McIndoe. Brooke is one of my friends and also one of the best makeup artists you will find. I loved my makeup.

The Dress: Rebecca Vallance hired from Style Theory

Veil / headwear: Kitte hair pins and earrings

Flowergirl dresses: Arabella & Rose

Groom’s suit: Saba