side by side elopements and intimate weddings
Kylie from Side by Side has become more than a work colleague, we are great friends. We share the same values and beliefs and we both LOVE helping people have beautiful weddings where they thought it was beyond them.
At the Melbourne Wedding and Bride Expo, we decided to give away one of our elopement packages, totally FREE, to a couple that deserved it. It just seemed like we should help someone who really REALLY wanted to get married. Julian entered without telling Alexis, and the letter that he wrote for his entry was so beautiful that there was simply no competion, they had to be our winners.
Once the excitement of winning settled down, they started to think about where they wanted to get married, and after a bit of searching they found the Olinda Wellness retreat in the Dandenongs. Beautiful gardens, not too manicured, perfectly distanced from the crowds, but close to all the features, and a stunning cottage for their preparations and mini moon - it ticked all the boxes!
family is everything
With many of their family overseas, and grandparents too ill to travel, there were only a small number of people who could come and watch their vows, but those people were SO important to them. Alexis sister helped choose her hire dress from Jullia bridal, Julian's parents offered to live stream for the rest of the family to watch, and his aunt made a delicious and beautiful cake.
Kylie seet up the stunning circular arbour, decorated with pink and white roses, while I did Alexis hair and makeup, then helped her choose a bouquet from our collection.
SO many happy tears, so many HUGE smiles, and then they were married! A quick wander round the gorgeous gardens while family got champagne and cake ready, then a day of exploring the beautiful Dandenong ranges.
Julian and Alexis both said they never dreamed that eloping would be so meaningful or so beautiful, and look forward to showing their families the photos as soon as they can travel back to their home countries.
