Location: Perth, Australia
Setting: Perth Marriage Office – Restaurant
How long did the couple plan the event: 3 weeks
Season: Winter
The number of guests: 4
Wedding theme/style: Intimate and Warm elopement.
In 2018, Niall and Valarie met on Tinder. While she says she moved to Ireland for work, the truth is she stayed for love. After a couple of blissful years together, they decided to move in just before the pandemic struck. The isolation period, especially with Valarie’s parents stranded in Perth, brought them closer than ever. They realized they were meant to be together.
Meeting in their late 30s, their engagement story was authentic and mature. Valarie suggested a day of finding the perfect engagement ring together. After visiting many jewelers, they found a stunning vintage ring with twelve diamonds and a sapphire in Dublin.
A few weeks later, impatience got the better of me. I blurted out, "So when are you going to ask? I can’t take it anymore." To my surprise, Niall revealed he had the ring in his pocket all week, searching for the perfect moment to propose. Right there, in our cozy kitchen, he got down on one knee. Looking back, it was an incredibly sweet and intimate moment, perfect in its spontaneity and a reflection of our unique love story.
Valarie hadn’t been to Perth in about five years, and Niall had never visited Australia. So, they decided to make the journey for Christmas 2023. While on the beach, the idea of eloping came up. They thought, “Wouldn’t it make a cool marriage story if we just got married in Perth?” And that was their decision—“Let’s get married.”
Since they weren’t getting married in Ireland, Valarie decided to embrace the Australian theme and make it as Australian as possible. They chose Australian designers, adorned the venue with local flowers, and curated an Australian-focused culinary experience. It felt like the perfect and logical conclusion to their love story. Valarie and Niall’s special moments were skillfully preserved by their photographer, Kirsty Tulloch. She created magical photos of their elopement, wonderfully capturing their personal ceremony, love, and happiness on their special day.
Valarie had always envisioned a bridal dress that deviated from traditional white. Her heart led her to Zimmerman, a designer she had adored for years, and as luck would have it, they were having a post-Christmas sale. As she tried on various stunning dresses, each more beautiful than the last, it wasn’t until she slipped into the final dress that she felt a spark. It fit like a glove, requiring no alterations, and she knew she had found the one. Her shoes were from David Jones, and she made the veil herself using her dressmaking skills, an iron, needle and thread. She also did her hair an makeup and personally arranged all the flowers, sourcing every native bouquet available at the Innaloo market.
The confirmation came when a complete stranger, in the store with her daughter, saw me in the dress. Overhearing that I was urgently searching for a wedding gown, she watched me step out of the dressing room, her eyes welling up with tears. She simply said, "Wow." That heartfelt reaction was all the confirmation I needed. I had found my perfect dress.
Niall’s wedding look was a perfect blend of casual elegance and modern style. He donned a maroon blazer that added a pop of color and sophistication and a relaxed denim shirt. His beige trousers and brown leather shoes complemented the outfit, creating a cohesive and stylish appearance. The overall look was completed with a patterned pocket square, adding a touch of flair to his ensemble.
The ceremony turned out to be far more emotional than Valarie ever imagined. With Niall’s family dialing in from Ireland at 11 am (3 am Irish time), laptops were propped up on chairs, bringing a sense of togetherness despite the distance.
A fun story unfolded when Niall, sounding a bit panicked, called Valarie from the registry to ask what song she should walk down the aisle to. In the whirlwind of events, they had completely overlooked this detail. Pachelbel’s Canon? “Definitely not!” Fortunately, they had discussed this a couple of years earlier, so it was more about remembering their choice. “Must Be Love” by Madness, of course!
There wasn’t a traditional reception, but Valarie’s mum and dad treated the newlyweds to an unforgettable six-course lunch in a breathtaking location overlooking the Swan River. They chose this restaurant for its reputation as one of the best in Perth and its dedication to featuring native ingredients in its menus. It fit perfectly with their theme, making the celebration all the more meaningful and intimate. The experience was magical, a culinary journey that perfectly complemented the love and joy of their special day. For the cake, they ordered a simple one from a local bakery, and Valarie decorated it with leftover flowers, adding a beautiful and personal touch to their celebration. It was a very special day with lots of personal touches.
Remarkably, everything seemed to fall into place effortlessly. Despite the tight timeline, we ensured that the wedding planning didn't overshadow our holiday or the precious time spent with family.
Advice from the couple:
• Photos are the only things that last.
• Don’t expect to know what you want or what’s going to happen. If you had asked me pre-COVID that I would be eloping in Perth on a Christmas holiday, I would have told you that you were crazy.
• Keep it simple. You’ll have a lot more fun on the day if there aren’t so many moving pieces.
• Find ways to make things easier and work with what you have. We picked Australia and Perth as our core focus cause we knew that things would be easily available.
PHOTOGRAPHER Kirsty Tulloch | BRIDAL LOOK Zimmerman | CEREMONY Perth Marriage Registry Office | GROOM’S OUTFIT Peter Jackson | CELEBRANT Kristy Whittaker | RECEPTION Wildflower Restaurant, Como De Treasury
