Elope at the rocks, sydney
Alyce and Andrew eloped with us in an intimate ceremony on an overcast day under a big fig tree by Sydney Harbour. A self confessed Elopement Collective fan girl, Alyce enquired with us just days after Andrew proposed- we love that kind of passion around here. Not really keen on the idea of a big elaborate white wedding, our simple but intentional elopement package made their hearts happy and booked with us shortly there after.
On the day, the weather presented some challenges, so a swift decision to change the ceremony location and timeline at the suggestion of our photographer, Jason Corroto made for a beautiful afternoon for Alyce, Andrew & their friends and family.
Elopement team
Celebrant: Josh Withers.
Photographer: Jason Corroto.
Florist: The Lillipillian.
Location: Observatory Hill, Sydney, New South Wales.
Tell us about the proposal
Andrew and I went on a holiday to Bali. We had a day full of adventure in Bali with motorbike riding through rice patties and going to a Bali temple. It was when we had a stop at the rice terraces he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I just burst into tears I was so overwhelmed with love and of course, I said yes! We then celebrated with champagne at the waterfall. For the remainder of our holiday, we could not keep our hands off each other, we were so smitten in our love bubble. We wanted to tell family face to face when we got back home, therefore knowledge of our engagement was only to us and everyone in Bali who asked if we were on our honeymoon.
What was the purpose behind you eloping?
We wanted the day to be about us and only us. We did not want to plan an event that factored into everyone else's expectations or traditional large weddings. We wanted to get married and that for us is a very intimate private event where we solidify our love forever. Most of all we wanted it to be casual without pressure and big expectations. We have a big family and an abundance of very close friends and we celebrated in our own way with these people before our elopement. For example, I had a bridal shower low-key lunch with my closest family, and I had a hens weekend with just my girlfriends. It was so fun to celebrate in our own way. We just knew our elopement would be focused on us with our closest family to witness and be apart of our special day.
Tell us about any standout wedding vendors?
To everyone part of the Elopement Collective - Andrew and I wish to thank you. Britt - you were super friendly and helpful during this whole process. Andrew and I never wanted to be stressed during the process of planning our elopement and thanks to you that was never the case! I sent you some screenshots of flowers I loved and you coordinated with the florist. We never had to communicate with the florist or photographer because you did it all!
Thank you Josh- you captured our vibe, thank you! Capturing our energy was super important to us, we aren't super formal people and we don't like stress. Thanks for covering all the paperwork and being a part of our sacred space on our very special day. We just wanted the day to be about us and it was, so that goes to you, thank you. It was a day for Andrew and me to celebrate our love and solidify that into marriage, we did not worry about a thing. You created a space we could all go with the flow and adapt to location changes due to weather. Thanks for making us so comfortable.
Jason Corroto- Thank you for capturing our elopement! I can not stop looking at the photos, they are so beautiful! We are so stoked we got 'golden hour' with you and you knew exactly how to capture it. Andrew and I haven't really been in front of a professional camera before but Jason made us super comfortable and there was nothing awkward about it at all. Jason, you knew which location would be best for us and we never doubted you, and we are so grateful. We would not have wanted anyone else to photograph us all dressed up on our special day x
The Lillipillian- My goodness My flowers are amazing! Thank you! With our hay fever and me requesting not much pollen, natives, and meadow vibes you did it. I did not stress about what my bouquet would look like because I knew Britt was super trusting! They were better than I could have ever imagined and I currently have them drying so I can stare at them forever in our home. The colours and the mix! Andrew's pocket flowers are so so nice! Amazing! Thank you.
What’s the best thing about eloping?
It is just about you and your betrothed! No one else. Do what suits you as a couple. Do not have a wedding to please other people. What have you always dreamt of? What do you want to look back on one day and smile at, is it a spontaneous romantic passionate elopement? If yes, go get eloped!
Did Covid bring havoc to your elopement or original date?
No it did not. And I think that puts a lot into perspective in life in 2022. Do you book a dining reservation 12 months in advance and any life-altering event like COVID could happen to cancel that? No, just book it. If you are engaged you clearly want to get married, so why wait? It is so magical, so passionate, so fun!
What did you do after your elopement?
We met up with our 14 guests who were present at our ceremony at a pub on the Rocks in Sydney and had dinner and drinks and wedding cake. It was very wholesome.