AMELIE BRIDE // LIZ & JOHN

Amelie bride ~ liz & John

With a cocktail style that included mismatched furniture and flowers/vases, festive music played loudly and soft lighting, Liz and John’s wedding created the perfect setting for friends and family to meet and mingle.

The event was in Old Government House, Brisbane Australia, with less tradition and more fun. A relaxed ceremony full of great food, even better company of their 112 guests, and an immaculately loving atmosphere.

These two love birds met almost six and a half years ago in Munich, Germany, at Oktoberfest. They spent six days laughing and drinking beer together at the festival, after which they knew they had found something special. Two weeks later they met up in London, another six months later they moved in together.

A fews years down the line, John planned a surprise trip near his home town of Broome, Western Australia. “John got down on one knee at the tail end of one of the famous Kimberley sunsets and sunk into the deep sand, so while he squatted he asked me to marry him. Obviously I said “of course!” exclaimed Elizabeth.

More recently the couple served Hofbräu during cocktail hour to celebrate the time since sharing their very first beer.

COUPLE’S NAMES

Elizabeth Menary and John Morrell

WEDDING DATE

Saturday, 24th of April 2021

MARRIAGE TO US MEANS

It means spending the rest of your life with your best mate and always having someone to laugh at and laugh with.

WEDDING LOCATION & AESTHETIC

Brisbane (Meanjin), QLD, Australia

Ceremony venue: Old Government House

Reception venue: Bougainvillea House, Howard Smith Wharves

PHOTOGRAPHY

“The incredible Janneke Storm”

FINDING YOUR DREAM WEDDING GOWN

With state borders in Australia resembling a revolving door for much of 2020, I wasn’t able to get to Bloom Brisbane to try my forever-coveted dream dress, the Amelie by Bo & Luca.

Sam from Bloom is an angel on earth and boldly pioneered the at-home dress experience in the early days of Sydney’s pandemic lockdown – she sourced a dress sample from the US and had it delivered all the way to me in Sydney, along with bubbles and flowers, and was there for emotional support the whole way.

I couldn’t be more in love with this Bo & Luca gown, it was a dream come true and a dream to wear.

BRIDE’S DRESS

Amelie by Bo & Luca

WEDDING DAY SCENT

Le Labo – Mousse De Chene 30

WEDDING DAY ACCESSORIES

Earrings by Jennifer Behr, and Boots from Alias Mae

BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES

Assorted – Bec and Bridge and others

WEDDING RINGS

My wedding band belonged to my Grandmother, who was front row on our special day. She had kept the original heart-shaped box and she used it to hold her ring for us during our ceremony, until our vows were exchanged. She and my late Grandad would have been married 67 years this year and it is so special for me to wear this beautiful reminder of their love and our family every day.

HAIR & MAKEUP

Makeup by Hannah Mills Makeup Artist / Hair by Tara Ann Artistry

SPECIAL WEDDING SONGS

Aisle – Morning has Broken by Yusuf/Cat Stevens
Recessional – Boom Shack-A-Lak by Apache Indian
First Dance – In my Life by The Beatles

HONEYMOON

We went on a ‘Buddymoon’ with our friends for a week following our wedding to Stradbroke Island, which was such a fun way to extend the festivities! We are planning a trip to France when Australia’s international travel restrictions lift.

SOURCES OF INSPIRATION

The inspiration for our aesthetic was absolutely the Amelie gown by Bo & Luca. Once I tried it on, the rest of the wedding look fell into place. From the flowers to the ceremony venue, the Amelie made the decisions for us.

MOST TREASURED MOMENT OF MY WEDDING DAY

Walking out of our ceremony, knowing the deal was sealed, our surprise vows had matched in both humour and love, and that we were about to enjoy the day with all of our loved ones was the best feeling for both of us. When else do you have so many people you love in the same place at the same time? The courtyard at Old Government House has a second storey balcony, so while we walked out to the blithe tones of Boom-Shak-A-Lak by Apache Indian, it was also the first time we got to see all of our guests at once. For us, it was a moment of pure bliss.

ADVICE FOR BRIDES-TO-BE

Get a day-of coordinator or a wedding planner if your budget permits! Also if you can extend your wedding celebrations over a few days, we couldn’t recommend it highly enough. We hosted welcome drinks as most people travelled to the city for our wedding, which allowed us to see everyone after a crazy year and allowed those who hadn’t yet met to get to know each other before the big day. We then invited everyone to meet at a local brewery the day following, which meant we could relax together and relive the fun and hear the wild stories of things we may have missed.

FLOWERS & BOUQUETS

Our florals were beautiful and romantic with tonnes of texture and a natural colour palette. The Bridal Bouquets were structural, but also appear very light, organic and effortless. Dried and preserved foliage were used throughout the day to create layers and fresh flowers were used to soften the pieces. We feature soft grass-like textures, native foliage, dried flowers and fresh flowers. We used mixed ceramic vases and pots in various shapes and sizes throughout the reception space with additional dried arrangements to complement.

WEDDING CAKE

Two tier red velvet cake with a custom Dumb & Dumber topper

FOOD & DRINKS

Cocktail hour – Oysters, Champagne, Hofbräu beer
Reception – Cocktail style with roaming canapés and menu options as well as a taco bar and a yakitori stand.