Melissa & Joshua

We love a winter wedding around these parts, and it turns out a winter wedding on the beach might just be our favourite new way to blend a love of all things coastal with the moody grey hues of the cold season by the sea. Today, Melissa and Joshua decided that this combo was just the ticket for their nuptials. Firstly, can we talk about Melissa’s amazing Grace Loves Lace wedding gown? Those sleeves, that back! It was a beautiful match for the wedding, which made the most of Sydney’s favourite seaside spot overlooking Bondi Beach at The Blue Room Bondi.

These two invited Elinlights Photography to join the fun, and we get to share every beautiful photo with you today!

The pair, who met by chance at a Sydney bar, decided mutually that they’d tied the knot, this laid back, teamwork style evident throughout the choices and easy-going nature of their wedding day.

The bride’s long sleeve lace wedding gown was by Aussie designers Grace Loves Lace. She tells “It was a beautiful classic lace dress with long sleeves and a low back.”

The couple chose The Blue Room Bondi for both their ceremony and reception, saying their vows in the outdoor courtyard. “It was the perfect choice for us as we love the beach and desperately wanted a beach wedding” explains Melissa. “We also wanted a venue where we could have the ceremony and reception in the same place. The ceremony was out in the beautiful courtyard and then we moved inside for the reception. The beautiful arched windows inside really captured the beach beautifully.”

Guests were welcomed to the wedding with live sax by Orget. Melissa says “Our Dj and saxophone player was incredible. Josh and I had met Orget at a previous wedding and knew we needed him at ours. His sax playing is amazing.”

Melissa walked down the aisle with her father to Lord Hutson’s “The Night We Met”.

“The ceremony was perfect” tells Melissa. “George & Smee created the most beautiful wedding arch for Josh and I to stand under. Our wedding celebrant Andy from Married by Andy was so amazing. He made us laugh and cry which was exactly what we wanted. He engaged with the guests and really brought the ceremony to life making it fun and so memorable. The whole ceremony was just perfectly beautiful.”

Of their photographer, the bride shares “She was absolutely amazing and captured our wedding photos beautiful especially our beach photos.”

And then it was time to celebrate! The Blue Room Bondi playing host to a cocktail reception. The stunning view over Bondi beach adorned with a two-tier wedding cake designed by Stacy Brewer Cakes.

The reception embraced the moody, candlelight vibe. “So I guess we wanted the beach vibe for sure, ” explains Melissa “but because it was a winter wedding we wanted our flower arrangements to really set the mood. Dark burgundy and pink highlights were the go. We thought these beautiful tones along with candles and a more rustic styling really suited the venue and the vibe we were going for”. Guests took home favours of bottles of Prosecco and bags of traditional sugared almonds.”

Melissa and Joshua enlisted George & Smee to style lush winter inspired floral details for the day, Melissa telling “The flowers and overall styling was created by Nina from George and Smee and they were by far my most favourite thing. The burgundy tones really captured a winter beach wedding and matched my shoes perfectly. Everyone’s commented on how the flowers just set a beautiful tone and ambience.”

“Josh and I are so awkward when we dance so we needed something that we could dance to easily” shares Melissa of the couple’s first dance. The newlyweds chose “Beautiful” by Mariah Carey and Miguel. “We both love this song.”

A big congratulations to you both Melissa and Joshua! Thank you for sharing your beautiful stories with us! Thank you also to Elinlights Photography for today’s gorgeous day.