Long distance love can work and Elissa and Michael are proof, marrying at a NSW north coast wedding venue after almost a decade together (with a couple of these spent in separate states). Their celebration at Osteria was a relaxed affair, with minimal traditions, a few DIY decorations and a lot of dancing!

Elissa told us more.

Tell us about how you met and the proposal?

We have been together for nine years (creeping up on 10). We both meet while holidaying with our families over the Christmas break at Narooma where we both had been going with our families for years beforehand. The first year we met, we had a fling and Michael moved from Canberra to Queensland with his family. I lived in Victoria. The following year, we again went on holidays with our families and met up again and something clicked and we didn’t want to be apart from each other ever again.

So we did two years long distance with lots of travelling between Victoria and Queensland on school holidays until I finished school and moved up to live with Michael’s family and go to uni on the Gold Coast. The rest is history. Michael proposed with our dog Stella at home – she wasn’t very reliable and wouldn’t come to me because Michael had been bribing her with treats but we got there in the end.

Did you tackle any DIY projects for the wedding?

I tried to do as much DIY as possible. I bought a font template pack off Etsy and used it to make all the ‘Save the Dates’, menu boards, place cards and seating chart. I wanted to be really practical and buy centrepieces I would use again.

I also had my favourite candle I have at home made into nice glass jars so it made the whole reception space smell amazing, and bonus is that I won’t be running out of candles at home anytime soon.

Was there a particular vibe or theme you were aiming for on the day?

I’d say that our wedding theme would have been modern contemporary (if that’s even a thing, but I’m claiming it). We went with lots of peachy and gold vibes with a touch of greenery. I’m so happy how the colour palette turned out but it’s certainly not what I had envisioned to begin with. It all came about when Michael found his suits and we both loved them because they were so different. It just worked out well that the brown through the suit matched perfectly with the tan undertone of my dress. Also anyone who knows me knows that I love native flowers so that was a no brainer.

Were there any wedding traditions you felt were important to you to include in your wedding? And any that you put a twist on for yourselves? 

Not really. I wouldn’t say we are the traditional type.

What advice would you give to other couples leading up to their big day?

Enjoy the process and have back-up ideas because I guarantee at least one thing throughout the whole process won’t go to plan.

What does marriage mean to you?

Friendship, honesty and teamwork.

What was your favourite moment on your wedding day?

I’m not gonna lie – I was hanging out to get on the dance floor all day. It was so much fun just breaking it down on the dance floor and seeing everyone enjoying themselves. Also walking down the aisle and seeing all your loved ones smiling back at you is a pretty surreal moment too.

Ceremony song?

‘A Thousand Years’ – Christina Perri. I have always just loved this song.

First dance song?

‘Watch Over Me’ – Bernard Fanning. This song is just super chilled and has a great tempo for slow dancing.

CREDITS: Venue Osteria // Photographer Figtree Wedding Photography // Wedding dress Made With Love Bridal // Suit Dom Bagnato // Bridesmaid dresses Alice McCall // Makeup The Luxe Beauty Co // Accommodation The Deck Casuarina // Flowers Ellee Jay Floristry // Lighting and Rigging AVIdeas // Couches Hampton Event Hire // Cake Two Little Bakers // Neon sign Neon Poodle // Music Sarah Archer // Celebrant James McLauchlan Civil Celebrant.