Turn to page 84 in Hello May's 2020 Real Wedding Special magazine, and splashed across the next 5 pages is the story of my beautiful couple Mo and Cam's secret waterfall elopement!
I'm feeling so blessed, and I'm just so proud of the what me and my team of vendors created for my couple - and I'm over the moon Hello May Magazine not only featured one of my weddings, but wanted it printed in their pages!
Now that this wedding is officially out there (woohoo!), I can finally tell you all about it, and share with you the most beautiful photos by Emma Wand Photography and film by Til Death Do Us Party.
I'm feeling so blessed, and I'm just so proud of the what me and my team of vendors created for my couple - and I'm over the moon Hello May Magazine not only featured one of my weddings, but wanted it printed in their pages!
Now that this wedding is officially out there (woohoo!), I can finally tell you all about it, and share with you the most beautiful photos by Emma Wand Photography and film by Til Death Do Us Party.
A big traditional wedding wasn't for them... So they decided to plan their dream secret elopement.
Mo and Cam were engaged for two years before they decided to approach me to start off their weddings plans. It was important for them to really understand what marriage meant to them before they took the plunge.
They had attended many friend's traditional weddings, and their first guest list of over 200 people was so overwhelming - they always knew a big traditional wedding wasn't for them.
They wanted the freedom to create their ultimate wedding, exactly in their own way, true to their personalities, true to their beliefs, without any restrictions and without all the fuss.
So in January 2019 when they made the realisation their wedding and marriage should be about building a life together, and not about a huge wedding day, they wanted to finally get going with their plans and not think so hard about it. They wanted to keep their wedding day simple, so they decided to plan their dream secret elopement, yes elopement! With no wedding guests at all... And four months later they were married!
They had attended many friend's traditional weddings, and their first guest list of over 200 people was so overwhelming - they always knew a big traditional wedding wasn't for them.
They wanted the freedom to create their ultimate wedding, exactly in their own way, true to their personalities, true to their beliefs, without any restrictions and without all the fuss.
So in January 2019 when they made the realisation their wedding and marriage should be about building a life together, and not about a huge wedding day, they wanted to finally get going with their plans and not think so hard about it. They wanted to keep their wedding day simple, so they decided to plan their dream secret elopement, yes elopement! With no wedding guests at all... And four months later they were married!
So how did they begin their elopement plans?
When Mo and Cam came to me, they had created a mood board, were set on their style and theming, they knew they wanted a true secret elopement, but no date had been decided. They weren't really sure where to start or what weddings costed. They were feeling overwhelmed with all the options in the market and it was getting all complicated and confusing. They knew they needed professional help to get it just right.
With a blank canvas to work with, I had the freedom to create their dream wedding, pulling together all the incredible vendors and creating a truly authentic wedding for the couple. One of the great things about planning their elopement was that they had plenty in their wedding budget for just the two of them. That meant they could go all out in everything they wanted - and they didn't hold back on any of the details!
With a blank canvas to work with, I had the freedom to create their dream wedding, pulling together all the incredible vendors and creating a truly authentic wedding for the couple. One of the great things about planning their elopement was that they had plenty in their wedding budget for just the two of them. That meant they could go all out in everything they wanted - and they didn't hold back on any of the details!
The day unfolded perfectly, beginning with a quiet breakfast by the crackling campfire under the shade of the trees, sitting right beside their bell tent at Lilyvale in Sydney's Royal National Park.
Ash Quinn came by the tent in the morning to pop some beautiful natural earthy make up on Mo, making her feel as gorgeous as can be. Whilst Rychelle our stylist revamped the whole glamping area with her amazing range of decor and fresh florals.
Mo and Cam loved laying together after breakfast on the Persian, Moroccan and faux fur rugs, pillows and poufs. The low timber picnic tables, brass vases, wax candles added some romace and luxe vibes to the styling which suited their lakeside surroundings to a tee.
They took a moment for a calming cleansing ritual in the river, which is part of their Advaita Vedanta practices, followed by the couple helping each other change. Something only eloping couples can do!
Soon enough, all we could feel was Mo and Cam's excitement when they suddenly realised what exactly they were about to do!!
Ash Quinn came by the tent in the morning to pop some beautiful natural earthy make up on Mo, making her feel as gorgeous as can be. Whilst Rychelle our stylist revamped the whole glamping area with her amazing range of decor and fresh florals.
Mo and Cam loved laying together after breakfast on the Persian, Moroccan and faux fur rugs, pillows and poufs. The low timber picnic tables, brass vases, wax candles added some romace and luxe vibes to the styling which suited their lakeside surroundings to a tee.
They took a moment for a calming cleansing ritual in the river, which is part of their Advaita Vedanta practices, followed by the couple helping each other change. Something only eloping couples can do!
Soon enough, all we could feel was Mo and Cam's excitement when they suddenly realised what exactly they were about to do!!
The falling water crashing into the river was so incredible, we felt we were somewhere really special.
The secluded waterfall where they held their ceremony was in full flow after the storm the day before. The sound of the falling water crashing into the river was so incredible, we felt we were somewhere really special.
The styling was kept simple - we didn't need to add all that much when we were in such a naturally beautiful location. What we did know in the planning was that we wanted the rock they stood on to be framed in some way. Rychelle converted bamboo lanterns into vases using beautiful burnt orange and earthy toned flowers which were so perfect for the location and super easy to transport by hand along the long coastal path to the location.
Their ceremony ran true to their Advaita Vedanta spiritual beliefs. It began with a meditation and followed by meaningful readings from their Mentor Guide Peter Thomas.
The atmosphere here was peaceful yet electric as Mo and Cam exchanged the most powerful, emotional vows they wrote themselves. We were so lucky to have our celebrant Andrea Calodolce there to officiate the ceremony. She was so accommodating and created a beautiful ceremony for Mo and Cam that flowed perfectly and included everything they ever wanted.
The styling was kept simple - we didn't need to add all that much when we were in such a naturally beautiful location. What we did know in the planning was that we wanted the rock they stood on to be framed in some way. Rychelle converted bamboo lanterns into vases using beautiful burnt orange and earthy toned flowers which were so perfect for the location and super easy to transport by hand along the long coastal path to the location.
Their ceremony ran true to their Advaita Vedanta spiritual beliefs. It began with a meditation and followed by meaningful readings from their Mentor Guide Peter Thomas.
The atmosphere here was peaceful yet electric as Mo and Cam exchanged the most powerful, emotional vows they wrote themselves. We were so lucky to have our celebrant Andrea Calodolce there to officiate the ceremony. She was so accommodating and created a beautiful ceremony for Mo and Cam that flowed perfectly and included everything they ever wanted.
I felt so honoured to be one of their witnesses.
So who do you rope in to witness your wedding when you elope? I felt so honoured to be one of their witnesses. Having assisted them with their elopement plans from day one, I felt so emotional to be there on the day itself... it was incredible to be one of the only people there to witness such a milestone in their lives... signing their marriage certificate is certainly a moment in time I will always remember with a full heart.
Drinks flowed at the post ceremony picnic Rychelle created for Mo and Cam by the edge of the ocean. The picnic spot was a short two minute stroll from the waterfall, and it was really fun to get the team together at this quiet little nook to celebrate with some champagne and tasty grazings.
Drinks flowed at the post ceremony picnic Rychelle created for Mo and Cam by the edge of the ocean. The picnic spot was a short two minute stroll from the waterfall, and it was really fun to get the team together at this quiet little nook to celebrate with some champagne and tasty grazings.
So, in full celebration mode, the champagne kicked in, the time was just right and the sky was so clear... It was time for a fun photoshoot along the Coastal Track of the Royal National Park. Mo and Cam literally danced and laughed back through the park holding hands during 'golden hour' for the most spectacular sun setting footage. WAH the atmosphere at this time was next level fun!!
When bellies were starting to rumble we decided to head back to camp. That's the beauty of elopements, you have no time constrains, no strict schedules... and can just roll with the punches on the day!
Their reception at Lilyvale was simple and sweet as the sun dropped out of the sky, the moon came out, the candles glowed and the festoon lights twinkled over the camp fire.
They cut their Russian honey wedding cake by Nadia and Christina and indulged with a grazing board and played their favourite music whilst sipping on wine before getting ready to have a dinner.
Their reception at Lilyvale was simple and sweet as the sun dropped out of the sky, the moon came out, the candles glowed and the festoon lights twinkled over the camp fire.
They cut their Russian honey wedding cake by Nadia and Christina and indulged with a grazing board and played their favourite music whilst sipping on wine before getting ready to have a dinner.
They enjoyed their first night as husband and wife perfectly alone together in the heart of nature...
When it was time for me to leave Mo and Cam at camp I was in denial - after four months of full steam ahead planning, I couldn't believe the day was coming to an end. It was a perfect day, I absolutely loved every moment, but I knew it was time to give them their space.
They were so lucky they got to enjoy their first night as husband and wife perfectly alone together in the heart of nature, under the stars - how they always wanted it.
They were so lucky they got to enjoy their first night as husband and wife perfectly alone together in the heart of nature, under the stars - how they always wanted it.
So how did they make their marriage announcement to their families?
Emma had highlight photos ready within a couple of days for Mo and Cam to share, and just as they came back from their Hamilton Island honeymoon Ro's highlights film was ready.
As soon as they got back they couldn't wait to tell all their families. So how did they make their marriage announcement to their families?
With Mo's family in Brazil, she sent Ro's highlights video to her brother and asked him to show it to their mum, but not to play it until Mo and Cam phoned him. Waiting in anticipation, Mo and Cam FaceTime calls her brother, he finds their mum and starts playing the elopement film to her. It was mixed emotions... lots of shock... an avalanche of happy tears... lots of comments of "Mo, I'm not surprised you did this!" "I thought you'd never get married!"... Her family were so happy for them!
The news to Cam's family also went down perfectly. They even had emotion come out of Cam's dad who is not usually an emotional type. He told them how proud he was of them.
Mo says she scrolls through her hunderd of photos, and she watches their wedding film most days - she loves it all so much. Lots of couples are undecided whether to invest in having a wedding film created of their day. Mo and Cam say they are so happy they decided to go ahead with having a wedding film and are so grateful that they chose Ro has their filmmaker. Having a film made for your special day is so unique and customised, now they can relive the day time and time again, exactly how it unfolded.
As soon as they got back they couldn't wait to tell all their families. So how did they make their marriage announcement to their families?
With Mo's family in Brazil, she sent Ro's highlights video to her brother and asked him to show it to their mum, but not to play it until Mo and Cam phoned him. Waiting in anticipation, Mo and Cam FaceTime calls her brother, he finds their mum and starts playing the elopement film to her. It was mixed emotions... lots of shock... an avalanche of happy tears... lots of comments of "Mo, I'm not surprised you did this!" "I thought you'd never get married!"... Her family were so happy for them!
The news to Cam's family also went down perfectly. They even had emotion come out of Cam's dad who is not usually an emotional type. He told them how proud he was of them.
Mo says she scrolls through her hunderd of photos, and she watches their wedding film most days - she loves it all so much. Lots of couples are undecided whether to invest in having a wedding film created of their day. Mo and Cam say they are so happy they decided to go ahead with having a wedding film and are so grateful that they chose Ro has their filmmaker. Having a film made for your special day is so unique and customised, now they can relive the day time and time again, exactly how it unfolded.
Mo and Cam say they would do anything to turn back the clock and live that wedding day again, just one more time.
I couldn't be any prouder of this elopement, and am so unbelievably proud of the full vendor team and that Mo and Cam had their dream day. Nothing makes me happier as a planner than this!
Let me do it again! If you want help with your weddings plans, no matter how big or how small, don't hesistate to email me at alison@alisonhughesweddings.com. I'd love to take away the stress of wedding planning from your shoulders and create your true signature wedding - just like I did for Mo and Cam.
With love
Ali xx
I couldn't be any prouder of this elopement, and am so unbelievably proud of the full vendor team and that Mo and Cam had their dream day. Nothing makes me happier as a planner than this!
Let me do it again! If you want help with your weddings plans, no matter how big or how small, don't hesistate to email me at alison@alisonhughesweddings.com. I'd love to take away the stress of wedding planning from your shoulders and create your true signature wedding - just like I did for Mo and Cam.
With love
Ali xx
Planner & Coordinator
Alison Hughes Weddings www.alisonhughesweddings.com
Photography
Emma Wand Photography www.emmawand.com.au
Videography
Til Death Do Us Party www.tildeathdous.party
Venue
Royal National Park Sydney www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/royal-national-park
Stylist, Florals, Grazing
Lovestoned Styling www.lovestonedbridal.com
Celebrant
Andrea Calodolce Ceremonies www.andreacalodolce.com.au
Make Up
Ash Quinn Make Up www.ashquinnmakeup.com
Belle Tent & Styling
Nomadic Belle www.nomadicbelle.com
Caterers
A Plated Affair www.aplatedaffair.com.au
Cake
Chaos Couture Cakes www.chaosandcouturecakes.com
Christina's Honey Cakes www.ch-honeycakes.com.au
Wedding Dress
Morrison Clothing www.ch-honeycakes.com.au
Groom Attire
Scotch & Soda www.webstore.scotch-soda.com.au
Alison Hughes Weddings www.alisonhughesweddings.com
Photography
Emma Wand Photography www.emmawand.com.au
Videography
Til Death Do Us Party www.tildeathdous.party
Venue
Royal National Park Sydney www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/royal-national-park
Stylist, Florals, Grazing
Lovestoned Styling www.lovestonedbridal.com
Celebrant
Andrea Calodolce Ceremonies www.andreacalodolce.com.au
Make Up
Ash Quinn Make Up www.ashquinnmakeup.com
Belle Tent & Styling
Nomadic Belle www.nomadicbelle.com
Caterers
A Plated Affair www.aplatedaffair.com.au
Cake
Chaos Couture Cakes www.chaosandcouturecakes.com
Christina's Honey Cakes www.ch-honeycakes.com.au
Wedding Dress
Morrison Clothing www.ch-honeycakes.com.au
Groom Attire
Scotch & Soda www.webstore.scotch-soda.com.au
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