Nikki and Renae invited guests to their ‘engagement party’, but really it was a reception party to celebrate their secret elopement earlier.
Renae and I have been together for just over four years, and we met online via the app Plenty Of Fish. We have a beautiful two-year-old boy named Cruz, who was born via IVF. We like to take little family road trips to all different locations. Since lockdown has eased, we have been travelling a lot showing our son, Cruz, the world.
The proposal happened on my 26th birthday. Renae and I had fish and chips on the beach together, and then she popped the question it was the best day ever.
Our decision to elope was easy; we are shy and not big on events. All we wanted was something small and simple.
So on the 2nd Feb 2022, we invited our family and friends to our “engagement party,” where everyone was waiting for us, wondering where we were.
The next minute they saw us arrive in a 1957 kombi with pride wedding tape on the front, their faces were priceless! Everyone was so happy for us and the day was perfect.
Our elopement was amazing, with our son Cruz and just the celebrant, wedding photographers, and videographers. That was it.
I also had two dresses as I couldn’t choose, so I got both. I loved our small day because we did it all on a budget. Most of it was from Kmart, and the rest my amazingly talented wife Renae made from items from Bunnings. We also got stuff from op shops/second-hand places to complete our day! Everyone loved my wedding bouquet, and all it was, was a $12 bunch of flowers from Kmart wrapped up; everyone was shocked when I told them.
After the reception was over, I sold all our wedding items the next day, making life easier. Renae and I were up until 2 am the morning of the wedding day setting up the reception venue, which was an effort! I wouldn’t recommend this, although it saved us $2,000 from a cater we had quoted us.
Now that we are married, Renae and I plan to have another baby via IVF again within the next 12 months, and Fingers are crossed! And in May 2022, we move into our new family home in Queensland that we brought during the lockdown that we haven’t even been inside yet!
Dancing With Her Recommended Vendor
Photography by Margan Photography
Cake Bakes by Anora- Canberra
Cake Topper Typo
Catering Capital Roast Canberra
Celebrant Sharyn Gunn
Ceremony Venue Pavilion on Northbourne
Decorative Elements– DIY, Kmart & Local Op Shops
Dress Affordable Bridal Fyshwick
Engagement Ring Prouds
Entertainment Code Red Band
H&MU Golden Glow Beauty
Photo Booth Royal Booths
Page Boy Outfit Local Op Shop
Pants & Shirt Connor, YD
Reception Venue Hall Pavilion- ACT
Robes Bras & Things
Shoes Converse
Stationary Vistaprint
Videography Maddi Green Photo & Film
Wedding Rings Yass Jewellers
