Greta + Dylan’s Sunrise Elopement | My 400th Couple | Rotunda, King Edward Park, Newcastle
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This is the story of my 400th wedding: a beautiful sunrise King Edward Park elopement in February 2024!
A Big Wedding and a Small Wedding King Edward Park Elopement
When Greta first reached out to me, she and Dylan were deep into planning their big wedding in Germany. They needed someone to handle the legal side of things in Australia before heading overseas. It’s a pretty common scenario. Many couples find it easier to get the paperwork done at home, either before or after their destination wedding. Their official marriage certificate will have the date I married them, but they get to choose when to celebrate their anniversary. Some couples even celebrate both dates!
Greta and Dylan wanted a simple, no-stress ceremony in Australia. It was all about making things official before their baby arrived. Although a quick two-minute ceremony in my office or their living room was an option, we decided to make it a bit more special. They were getting the best of both worlds: a big wedding abroad and an intimate elopement here!
The Perfect Newcastle Location (Eventually)
They originally planned to get married at Hickson St Lookout at sunrise, but we woke up to pouring rain. On the drive to Merewether, we texted each other to figure out a new plan. We decided on the Rotunda in King Edward Park for some shelter. When we met there in the dark, the rain had stopped, so we headed up to Shepherds Hill for a better ocean view. But with the wind howling, we quickly snapped a few photos and returned to the Rotunda. It might sound like a lot of running around, but it was all part of the fun. With a small guest list, we could keep things flexible.
Adding a German Touch
Since Greta is German, I couldn’t resist including a warm welcome and a heartfelt finish in German (Für immer Liebe, Lachen und Glück). My pronunciation might not have been perfect, but Greta appreciated the gesture.
Complicated Love Story
Love knows no borders, but it certainly has its challenges. Greta and Dylan’s story began at the Scary Canary Backpacker Bar in Sydney, just three days after Greta landed from Germany. A night filled with laughter and banter led to exchanged numbers, and soon after, sparks flew at a gay club on Oxford Street. Despite their undeniable connection, Greta’s wanderlust took her around Australia before she returned to Sydney for Christmas. Their bond deepened, even as Greta tried to “catch flights, not feelings.”
Their relationship blossomed through long-distance stints and living in various countries. Dylan met Greta’s family (perhaps too intimately at a nudist lake), moved to Germany without speaking the language, and navigated life in Auckland and Holland, where they even lived in a van. Covid lockdowns separated them for ten agonizing months, but their love endured, cemented by the partner visa process. Dylan’s proposal in the German Lakes District was the culmination of their journey, proving that true love conquers all obstacles, including distance and paperwork.
The Witnesses for this King Edward Park Elopement
For witnesses, Dylan’s brother Matt was on board as the photographer and one witness. I also invited Keely, an up-and-coming celebrant I mentor, to be the second witness. It was a great opportunity for her to see an elopement in action. The couple was delighted to have her join us.
Celebratory Cake for my 400th wedding
After the ceremony, we found a park bench, popped some bubbly, and cut into a cake from Cakeboi that I’d surprised them with to celebrate them being my 400th couple. We chatted and laughed, and even though Keely didn’t know anyone, it wasn’t awkward at all. Greta and Dylan were glowing as newlyweds, I was thrilled to have reached my milestone, Matt was overjoyed to see his brother so happy, and Keely was soaking in all the love and joy. Plus, she was a bit delirious after working a night shift – she’s a midwife by day. Words can’t capture the happiness we all felt being part of such a special moment.
It was an incredibly special wedding to me, not just because it marked my 400th ceremony, but because of the wonderful people involved. Greta and Dylan, like all my couples, are genuinely lovely individuals. I feel truly fortunate to be connected to so many great humans 💚
Hello lovebirds! If you’re gearing up for an overseas wedding but need to handle the legalities in Newcastle before or after your big adventure, no worries! Reach out to me, and we can figure out if you need a legals only ceremony or more of an elopement-style ceremony. I’ll take care of everything. I’m a wedding paperwork pro, ready to ensure your path to happily ever after is as seamless as possible.
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