05. TIPS
Emma + Jonathan @ Broken Head, Byron Bay
With all of their immediate family living overseas, the impending arrival of their first child and no signs of borders reopening Emma and Jonathan decided to get married their way!
Breaking the news to their family that they had eloped on Christmas Day (6 weeks after getting married)! Emma and Jonathan were able to share their gorgeous (even if I do say so myself) photos and video’s with their family and are planning a big reception to celebrate their marriage with family and friends later this year.
A little love from Emma and Jonathan
Sarah-Jane I have no words. You were a dream!
Leisa – our celebrant. One word ‘WOW’.
I remember Jon saying to me afterwards “I wasn’t expecting I’d ever enjoy the ceremony part, but she was good”. Leisa actually paid attention to what we had written and conveyed it in the most beautiful and funny way. So many LOLs
Yellowbull – for those who are on the fence about a videographer for an elopement, Just DO IT. I promise you will have no regrets. Yellowbull captured the most stunning footage. It’s amazing how much they were able to capture and put it into the most beautiful 3minute video. I can’t count how many times we’ve watched it
The Whole Bride
Micro Wedding @ Forget Me Not Weddings, Byron Bay
Hayley + David @ Hastings Point, Kingscliff
Congratulations Hayley + David!! 💖
Hayley has been following us for 3yrs! An engagement and a baby in-between she finally got her big day with Luxe Elopements – no pressure right 🤣🙈
Each wedding day is completely different because each couple is totally unique!
Every day is unique from our couples personalities, the styling, the vibe, the weather… it’s never the same… that’s what makes it so much fun!
In Hayley’s words:
Tell Us About Your Experience With Luxe Elopements?
“It was structured very well. It was full of fun and laughter. SJ and my celebrant Leisa and my Videographer Martin were an incredible team that did everything to make me feel comfortable, to ease my anxieties and to accommodate my needs. Nothing was too much trouble. But I will also say, that once SJ arrived, EVERYTHING felt suddenly so real and the nerves kicked in. It couldn’t have been helped and it’s just anxieties of a Bride minutes away from walking down the aisle.”
Dream Team:
Wedding Planner @luxeelopements_byronbay
Photography @lady_bella_australia
Hair + Makeup @salon5sixty_weddings
Flowers @sevenbloomscasuarina
Celebrant @ceremoniesbyleisa
Videography @yellowbullweddings
Ashlie + Alisha @ Cabarita, Same-Sex Wedding
MRS + MRS 😍
Ashlie + Alisha officially tied the knot with their 5 x little people as witnesses ✨ Well, our team was the “official” witnesses on the legals 🤣
Cabarita beach was recently voted number #1 beach in Australia! Secret little spot inbetween Byron Bay and the Gold Coast ☀️
We rolled up to a double rainbow 🌈 which reappeared just as Ash was saying her vows! Could it get anymore romantic!?
In Ash’s words:
Tell Us About Your Experience With Luxe Elopements?
“What a great one it was… We can’t thank them enough! We were suppose to get married a few weeks ago, except we went in to lockdown…after an emotional day within 5 days we had a new date and SJ worked to rebook all our vendors and ensure we were all set again…it was effortless for us and she took out all the stress.
Jacqui the hair and make up lady was incredible. She smiled away and chatted with our 3 girls as she did their hair first, she was just so lovely and down to earth and our looks at the end were just stunning- we wish we never had to take the make up off.
SJ is lovely, she makes you feel super relaxed from the first second you meet her and it just makes the whole taking posed photos relaxed and enjoyable. She certainly knows her lighting and how to capture those perfect shots.
Leisa who we used as our celebrant…my gosh- her ceremony she wrote for us was just perfection, it had tears welling up in our eyes and tears of laughter too, she knew just the right length of ceremony to do to keep our little ones happy, the whole day was perfect thanks to this team they are just AMAZING!
We didn’t have to worry about a single thing! They did the timeline, organised our flowers, location, all of it, and it was how we pictured it perfectly.”
Thank YOU both for making our “jobs” so much fun 😍
Dream Team
Wedding Planner @luxeelopements_byronbay
Photography @lady_bella_australia
Celebrant @ceremoniesbyleisa
Florist @sevenbloomscasaurina
Personalised Cookies @nundericookies
Silk bouquet ribbon @thewholebride
Katie + Joel @ Bramblewood, Tweed Hinterlands
“Not the beach” Elopement at Bramblewood
It’s that time of the year – FIREPIT 🔥
Post elopement feels – watching the sunset while you cosy up around the firepit 🥰
Winter on the East Coast is gorgeous – 20C days!
Venue @bramblewoodfarm @ $650 venue hire free / 15mins from Gold Coast Airport
Team
@luxeelopements_byronbay
@lady_bella_australia
@chiquita_weddings
@sevenbloomscasuarina
@thewholebride
@tweedcoastweddings
@rachaelharris_hairmakeupbeauty
Julie-Anne + Wayne @ Broken Head, Byron Bay
Cute story: Julie-Anne + Wayne’s daughter, Cassie surprised them with a Luxe Elopements!!!
They have been together for over 20 years – their adult kids thought it was about time they officially tied the knot 😉
JA + W had organised a holiday in Byron Bay when Cassie sent them a wedding invite to their OWN wedding 🙈 Brilliant idea! What a surprise!
I really hope my daughters grow up to be this thoughtful and kind 👏
There is something special about getting married after many years…. You have already lived through your vows!
Mother Nature spoilt us with THIS AUTUMN SUNSET 🥰
Team:
Wedding Planner @luxeelopements_byronbay
Photographer @lady_bella_australia
Hair + Makeup @salon5sixty_weddings
Celebrant @chiquita_weddings
Flowers @_pikt
Kombi @byronkombilimo
Musician @karuahmusic
Rain on your wedding day?
Rain on Your Wedding Day?
80% of our couples are having a destination wedding and are unfamiliar with Byron Bay and Tweed Coast unique weather system. You are reading this because you checked your weather app and it says it’s going to rain on your wedding day – enter *meltdown mode*!!
DON’T PANICK, we’ve got you! 🙂
Firstly, if you are a week out from your wedding pleeease don’t panic, 99% chance the weather report will drastically change due to our unique weather pressure system. You only need to “panic” if there is a major weather event like a cyclone up North QLD or flash flooding – typically in March every 5yrs.
Let’s be honest, it rains every week on the East Coast of Australia. That’s why Byron Bay is lush, green and we get so many rainbows! The good new is Byron Bay/Tweed Coast has a UNIQUE weather pressure system due to the sea air and mountain ranges creating a pressure system. We don’t get rain non stop like Melbourne or Sydney… we get epic storms that last 15-20mins and go out to sea! It will often rain in the morning (remember the unique pressure system?) and clear up by lunch. As a photographer I dream of stormy days because the lighting is everything! I will explain below.
2021 El Niño @ Wettest year in 10 years!
9 out of 10 times the weather doesn’t affect our sunrise or sunset Elopements 🙂 You might have seen on instagram the start of 2022 has been wet and wild for us! We had a once in 100 year floods in Lismore (45mins south of Byron Bay) and we are experiencing an El Niño year which should end mid-year. Follow our Instagram because I share all the crazy stories in hopes to reassure you even IF the BOM radar is red AF, 10mins later we are producing epic photos 🙂
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What does lighting matter?
Lighting is KEY to beautiful photography. We have already scheduled your ceremony time to lead nicely into golden light portraits. What does this have to do with rain on my wedding day? EVERYTHING 🙂 Clouds create a natural instagram filter! Harsh sunlight casts unflattering shadows down your face, it highlights texture (fine lines etc) and don’t get me started on squinty eyes and sweaty pits haha. Stormy days create the same soft and flattering lighting we usually have to wait all day for (Golden light)!
WET SEASON
The wet season months are Dec, Jan, Feb and can sometimes lead into March (every 5yrs we get floods). The cooler months are considered the dry season, 20C days and crisp 10C nights between May and Aug. We have two peak wedding seasons: March to May and Sept to Nov. Spring is the most popular time of year for weddings on the East Coast but we do get quick storms. They are usually 15-20mins and go out to sea. It’s easy for us to wait it out and have a beautiful outdoor ceremony. The storms often create flattering lighting and vibrant colours!
PHONE WEATHER APPS and why they royally SUCK!
DO NOT read your phone weather app – you will drive yourself crazy 😉 For the most accurate weather report for our region I recommend “Accuweather”. The phone apps pick up on the REGION of Northern Rivers, NOT Byron Bay or Tweed Coast towns. If it’s going to rain 1hr inland in the mountains it will say “raining in Byron Bay” – UGH these apps freak my couples out and are the death of me. ALSO, your phone weather app will say “rain/storms” all day even though it’s only a 1mm shower at 6am.
WHAT HAPPENS IF IT’S GOING TO “PROPER” RAIN?
We handle it for you 🙂 Sarah-Jane will keep a close eye on the weather for you. You will find the hourly report will change constantly leading up to your day (just to mess with you haha). You will receive a text message 24-48 hours before, with a weather update.
We have a 3-step plan:
OPTION 1:
We adjust your ceremony time 30-60mins to dodge a storm (90% of Elopements are sorted with this method). If you have a 5pm ceremony we move it to 4pm and start Hair and Makeup an hour earlier. This gives us ample time to “wait out a shower or storm”. There will be heavy cloud coverage which gives you flattering lighting and means we can shoot earlier 🙂 We will bring the clear umbrellas for the couple, you bring the positive attitude!
OPTION 2:
Okay, if there is a storm or heavy rain predicted and moving your ceremony time is still a high risk. We assess your package / guest count and Airbnb suitability as a wet weather backup option. This avoids you having to book and pay for a wedding venue.
For example, if you have a Barefoot Elopement with no guests it’s easy to “wait it out” in the carpark. If you booked our Signature package (styled ceremony) with up to 25 x guests we might recommend moving your ceremony to your Airbnb (most in Byron Bay are stunning!) so guests are comfortable. THEN the couple and Sarah-Jane can grab the clear umbrellas and brave it outside for BREATHTAKING portraits!!
OPTION 3:
Alright, let’s say there is a major weather event (Cyclone / Flood / Covid / Road Blocks)… we have a few options:
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- We will give you a list of indoor wedding venues you can book
- On your wedding day we focus on fulfilling the legal ceremony. Couples usually have a honeymoon booked so we come back when the weather clears to shoot your newly-wed portraits. We organise hair and makeup to come to you again, on the house!
- We offer you a free postponement within 12 months 🙂
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Your ATTITUDE will either make or break your big day!
Hands down your attitude with make or break your experience 🙂 You can’t control the weather. You are eloping – make it an adventure! The funniest and most memorable wet elopements have been when the brides says “F&%k it!!!” and we go for it! We recently had a few couples jump in the ocean for steamy shots! Often the weather clears up and there was nothing to be worried about in the first place, or we get a rainbow – Mother Nature has a good sense of humour 😉
Check out these beautiful shots on stormy days:
Cyclone Debbie 2016
Heavy cloud coverage, storm rolling in, sun cracked through the clouds
Electrical storm due, moved ceremony an hour, heavy cloud coverage. Dry.
100m over the 24hrs.100% cloud coverage. Watched the BOM radar for a break in weather and got the ceremony done with handful of guests. Then we drove and run up to Broken Head Headland (no rain!) and smashed out an entire session in 15mins. Got a little wet on the walk back – decided to jump in the ocean afterwards!
HUGE storm BOM radar was red. Bride said FUCK IT! Her Mum said “She always wants something different” and boy did she get it 🙂 Clea umbrellas and fog… rain stopped, fog lifted right at the first kiss! We got wet and wild and had so much fun getting portraits.
Was suppose to be 100m of rain. El Niño year of rain, start of the floods. We setup the ceremony under the house *just encase*. It didn’t rain but sprinkled right after I took the vineyard photos. Hot and humid and turn out perfect!
Raining all week. Watched the BOM and waited it out. Heavy cloud coverage. Unexpected sprinkle mid-ceremony so we moved under the veranda. Didn’t stop the rest of the evening!
Stormy sunrise elopement at Xmas (wet season)!
Stormy sunrise. Watching the BOM we knew there would be a sprinkle as we started then it cleared!
100% cloud coverage. Threaten rain but didn’t rain all day. Soft/unique lighting
Blah Blah
Top 8 x Boho Bridal Accessories!
Top 8 x Boho Bridal Accessories - Byron Bay Edition
This one is for our wild at heart, free-spirited brides, who are dreaming of a bohemian wedding for their special day. Boho weddings have been growing steadily in popularity for the last few years, and it’s no surprise really. Who doesn’t love earth tones and organic linens combined with overflowing florals and abundance of greenery to transform your wedding day into a bohemian wedding.
Whether you are totally wild at heart or just love the eclectic mix of a classic wedding with casual sophistication of a boho theme, there are some definite bridal must haves. From swoon worthy bridal gowns to personalised jackets to glistening jewels to delicate flower girl dresses and accessories we have sourced some of our favourite boho must haves.
Images by Lady Bella Photography – Byron Bay
Eco Confetti
@thewholebride
Don’t you just love it at the end of a romcom when they throw confetti at the happy couple getting married as they leave the church!? Well now it doesn’t just have to be in the movies! The Whole Bride has created an eco-friendly confetti that guests can add to the celebrations and create that magic just married moment on your wedding day!
Velvet Ring Boxes
@thewholebride
The Whole Bride is a space where you can complete your wedding day with all of the beautiful products that you need to tie your wedding story together. Their velvet ring boxes are to-die-for and really add a touch of elegance to your wedding day photography and help little hands (or the best man!) keep those all-important rings safe.
Hats
@lackofcolourau
Wearing a veil (or not) has been a hot topic for brides in recent years. While wearing a veil isn’t going out of fashion any time soon, we are seeing some other really cool alternatives to wearing a veil at your wedding, many boho brides are choosing to wear wide-brim hats. But, choosing to wear a hat doesn’t mean you can’t wear a veil. If you want to include a little touch of tradition, add some tulle to the crown, back or inside of your hat. Hats acting as headpieces — even big ones — look stunning. So the answer is yes. Wear both!
If hats are your thing and your rocking a boho wedding dress why not see if a hat works with your style? If you’re looking for a super cool hat Lack of Colour is a great place to start.
Shoes
@foreversoles
Lawd knows your wedding day is a long day, and the last thing you want is to be standing with your lover about to say I do and your feet cramp up! Every boho bride needs a pair of fashionable but comfortable shoes you can stand, walk and bust a move in. Shoes are often overlooked by brides, as they are so often hidden by your gown. Your shoes like any other accessory can be the ultimate statement piece, like these gorgeous velvet “Passion Heels” from Foreversoles.
Jewels
If you’re totally crushing on the boho vibe chances are you want to wear jewellery that reflects your personal style and is as unique as you are. Pieces that are relaxed, nature themed, and has elements of the earth and the universe. Something with stones, feathers, shells, beads and made of sterling silver, copper or brass. Jewels that are worn alone, or in layers letting your effortless style shine bright on your wedding day. Some of our favs for dazzling luxe jewels are Celeste Twikler, Salita Matthews and Frankly My Dear.
Bridal Robes
@homebodii + @thewholebride
Bridal robes are another wedding trend that is growing in popularity in 2021. When you’re busy planning your wedding it’s easy to forget those ‘getting ready’ moments are just as precious. Those quiet moments in the make up chair or a sneaky glass of bubbles with your bridal party. Photographers are usually around to capture these moments so it’s nice to be wearing something that makes you feel beautiful and why not go all matchy matchy with your bridal party for a bit of fun? Our friends at Homebodii have some truly beautiful options for everyone.
Custom Bridal Jacket
@iampoppydesigns
Your wedding should be all about you and expressing your personalities. What better way then by adding custom touches to your special day that truly reflect who you are? Being a locally owned business we have developed relationships with our amazing wedding community in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales. I am Poppy Designs is an award-winning local artist who can create so many beautiful things from wedding stationary, to a live painting of your wedding ceremony to this custom jacket she made for one of our brides recently. I am Poppy Designs can help you to make your wedding day a true expression of you.
Flower Girl Dresses – @Arabella Rose
Including little people in your wedding day can be the most precious memories for a lot of couples. Finding that perfect dress for your flower girl can be difficult, something that matches your boho style but is still suitable for a young child or pre-teen can sometimes be a challenge. If you’re looking for a stunning dresses that are perfect as flower girl dresses that are suitable for the little boho princess in your life we recommend Australian designer Arabella & Rose.
