BRIDGET X RYAN

woodlands creative photography real weddings floral design bridal gowns love micro-wedding to the aisle australia

elopement wedding date 27 march 2020
surprise micro wedding date 21 june 2020
16 wedding guests

Love isn’t cancelled. I’m sure it’s a term you’ve come across numerous times amidst the global pandemic, and for Bridget and Ryan this quote could not ring truer. Only days before their wedding, Co-vid restrictions came into place and put a cloud over their original wedding plans.

Rain, hail, shine, virus or no virus - these love birds were ready to conquer all to unify their love. On what would have been their wedding day in March 2020, they decided to do a simple elopement with only their Mother’s present as witnesses - Elisha + Abby of Woodlands Creative tell.

After discovering that the couple didn’t get to see each other in their bridal attire, nor do a cake cutting or have a first dance, their wedding photographer and videographer duo, Woodlands Creative decided to band together with some of the original vendors and give them the surprise of a lifetime with a micro-wedding.

"Ryan + I went to primary and high school together and were friends for years. Ryan had recently returned home from overseas and we were both single, the rest is history. We were together for four years when Ryan proposed on a bush walk at a lookout in Bouddi National park, with our 5 month old daughter Remi asleep in a carrier on his back December 2018." Bridget shares.

Whilst Bridget and Ryan were getting ready for what they thought was a bridal photoshoot and vow reading, they had no idea that there was an army of people working away to create the most magical scene for their surprise micro-wedding on the lush grounds of Lee’s Farmhouse. Working together, @floralanarchy and @everlongevents styled every last detail in the ceremony and reception area to personally reflect the style that Bridget and Ryan had dreamed of. Meanwhile, Woodlands Creative were preparing a cosy little campfire for the guests because, let's be honest, a winter wedding is not complete without a few roasted marsh-mellows!

The time finally arrived for their ceremony, and there was not a single dry eye in sight. Bridget's sister led the ceremony and opened with "No matter what a marriage or wedding means to you - what it comes down to its a celebration of love”. Although this day wasn’t what they had originally organized, Bridget felt it was “so much more than what she could have ever imagined”.

After sharing their vows, Bridget's sister closed the emotive ceremony on a humorous note with "It is with great pleasure I now pronounce you - for the second time - husband and wife!”

What led you to decide on your Wedding venue?
Lees Farmhouse is the perfect setting for an intimate wedding location. It was absolutely stunning.

Most favourite moments:
Finally seeing Ryan at the end of the aisle, and him finally seeing me in my dress. It was like a massive weight was lifted off my shoulders. I felt like a proper bride, even though we had been married for 3 months. I've always asked him if he thought he would cry as I walked down the aisle and he did, it was such an emotional moment.

What was your favourite detail/s about the day?
I loved everything, our wedding was so us, down to every last detail. It is a day we will never forget.

How was your dress/suit shopping experience overall?
I bought my dress from the first shop I went to, from Kelleigh Couture. Ryan wore a linen country road blazer with plack pants and a floral tie, everything for him was easy and all bought online.

Bridget knew she wanted the song Tiny Dancer by Elton John to walk down the aisle. Which is fitting as she was quite the tiny dancer herself when she first met Ryan. It was over 20 years ago, in primary school when their paths first crossed. Bridget loved putting on dance shows as a child whilst Ryan was busy outdoors playing sports. They attended the same high school, but it wasn’t until after graduating, that they shared their first kiss. Fast forward a few years, and they welcomed their beautiful daughter Remi into the family.

What does marriage mean to you?
Spending the rest of your life with your favourite person.

Advice:
Be prepared for things to not go to plan, be adaptable, at the end of the day, marrying the love of your life is the be all and end all. Nothing else matters.

As dusk neared, the guests shared heartfelt speeches around the table setting before the cutting of the cake. The proverbial cherry on the cake was a perfect ending to a beautiful day with an intimate yet energetic dance floor consisting of their most loved ones under the starry sky.