After rescheduling their original plans to marry in the seaside town of Bulli multiple times, Anna and Glen decided to ditch the formalities and instead, elope while they were on holiday with friends. Says Anna “We decided to elope just over a month out from a holiday booked with friends. I happened to be at my hairdresser and was talking to her about it and she was like GO FOR IT! You can accomplish a lot whilst getting your hair done.”

And as with all things magic, Anna and Glen managed to pull off their plan within just a couple of days! “When I found a celebrant I fell in love with from Yamba, she said you have a matter of days to get me all the final legal paperwork for it to be a legal wedding. I booked all my vendors, dress and rings in the next coming days, it came together seamlessly.

We told both our parents, Glen’s mum made the trip up, but unfortunately, my family back in New Zealand couldn’t make it.  We had three couples, a handful of kids and Glen’s mum attend. We just wanted it to be simple, on the beach, pure with good friends and drinks to celebrate after. I love that we just went for it, with regards to eloping. Didn’t tell any of our friends or siblings. We did what was right for us.”

The couple invited Deja Photography to join them, the stormy sky, the windswept seas providing the perfect backdrop for incredible photographs.

Working in the mines, the couple met in Western Australia. Anna sharing “Glen and I met in Port Hedland, WA, working as FIFO workers in the mining industry.
We were pretty inseparable and became best friends, I kind of always just knew he was my person. I am a Kiwi and he grew up in Bulli, NSW.”

And being sea lovers, it seems apt that Glen decided to ask Anna to marry him by the sea. “We were on holiday in Indonesia, checking the surf down in the caves at Uluwatu, and Glen dropped to one knee and popped the question. I had no idea it was coming and was so stoked to have booked in a babysitter to look after our daughter. We celebrated with friends that night at Single Fin, we had a bit too much to drink and rode our scooter off the road and I ended up in hospital.”

Anna carried a bouquet of dried flowers by Be Designed. “I like the idea of being able to keep my flowers for years to come”, the simple, champagne toned blooms pairing beautifully with her Shona Joy floor-length gown.

Missing her father (stuck in New Zealand) Anna decided to walk down the aisle hand in hand with her three-year-old daughter.

The rain held off just long enough for Glen and Anna to tie the knot. “It rained almost the entire day!” remembers Anna. “We had a break in the weather that afternoon and Meg suggested we go for it.
It made for a beautiful airy and moody backdrop, on the cliff edge, at the beach. We wanted a very simple, personal ceremony, bare feet, with good friends and kids running around.
Glen and I wrote our vows.”

Anna and Glen have their celebrant Meg Dougherty, to thank for much of the relaxed, easy-going nature of the day Anna noting “Meg, our celebrant was fantastic, she gave me advice on where we should have our ceremony, reception, hair and makeup, photography etc. (My secret maid of honour).
We had never been to Yamba, so her wealth of information was incredible.”

Anna who adored having the couple’s three and one-year-old daughters as a part of the day, gives you this advice. “Keep it simple and let the important things shine. You don’t need all the fluff.”

The couple chose Deja Photography to make sure their elopement was captured, sharing “Gabbi from Deja Photography was brilliant on the day; similarly to us, she was just as laid back and made the 15min ceremony look exceptional.
I love her aesthetic and style of photography.”

Glen’s favourite memory? “Good friends, good food and drinks and the love of my life by my side.”

The couple celebrated with their guests over dinner at Angourie Resort. “We had a big banquet and lots of wine” laughs Anna. “We will return back to Yamba and Angourie in years to come and now we have a special spot and story to share with friends and family.”

The biggest of congratulations to you both Anna and Glen! Thank you for sharing your beautiful story with us. Thank you also goes to Deja Photography for sharing today’s celebration.