ELLE MADDEN and SHANE HALL
Dress: Bohemian chic gown by designer Mignon, from Marry Me Bridal in Mosman
Honeymoon: Canada snowboarding for two weeks
When and where married: Ceremony at Whale Beach and reception at Whale Beach Surf Club on January 31, 2015
ELLE Madden and Shane Hall both grew up in beautiful Avalon on Sydney’s northern beaches, living around the corner from each other, going to the same school and knowing the same people.
But they didn’t meet until decades later, hundreds of kilometres away — and in the snow, no less — not surf.
“Eventually a lot of our mutual friends started to get engaged and hold celebrations mixing all their friends,” Elle, 31, says.
“We were bound to meet eventually and it was our love for the snow that really brought us together. We would road trip each weekend from Sydney to Jindabyne and spend our weekends snowboarding.
“It was the perfect date.”
The couple’s major life changer was a trip to Canada, both leaving their jobs and moving to Banff to follow their passion for snowboarding.
“We worked in the evenings and spent every day on the mountain,” Elle says.
“It was so liberating and such an amazing life to be living together. Then three months into the trip I snapped my humerus and Shane become the primary caregiver — he was phenomenal and looked after me so incredibly well. I felt safe, truly loved and cared for. It was a big game-changer.”
The couple had a special wedding day. Source: News Corp Australia
Once safely back in Sydney, Elle fell pregnant before they got a chance to book tickets back to Canada — and gorgeous little daughter Summer was born.
They have now been together for four years and Shane made it official by proposing at one of their favourite places.
“It was at Palm Beach light house; we had our first three dates at Palm Beach,” Elle says.
“I was just so excited he was happy to walk up to the lighthouse with me.
“I love that Shane is an incredible dad. He’s a great people person and brings me out of my shell — and brings me chocolate.”
Elle and Shane were married on January 31 — a special date also commemorating Shane’s parents’ wedding day — with a ceremony on Whale Beach and reception for 140 at nearby Whale Beach Surf Club.
“The day was so perfect,” Elle says.
“There were forces at play to create a perfect summer’s day — not too hot and not a cloud in the sky and the surf was huge, closing the beach for swimming, which meant we had it practically to ourselves.”
The happy couple share a kiss. Source: News Corp Australia
Elle and Shane share a love of the beach. Source:Supplied
Elle says their theme was a “relaxed, rustic’’ beach style, with a stream of live music.
“Our daughter Summer, helped, along with my great friend Jess, she was the first to walk down the aisle,” she says.
“There was something extra special having Summer included in the ceremony.
“She looked so cute in her little white tutu. I walked down the aisle to Crazy Lovesung by our good family friend Evan Jefferies, and we were married by another friend under a rustic arbour made by Shane’s parents.
“My beautiful sister from the Bluejays and her boyfriend sang while we signed our wedding papers and the Whale Beach Surf Club was styled by my talented friends Erica, Ali and Aleisha, with bright flowers on wooden blocks, rustic ladders, rope, lanterns and fairy lights.
“It looked like a tropical paradise and the night continued with a line-up of talented musicians and was a true family affair with my brother’s band, Jester, then my Dad’s band, Backbeat, keeping everyone singing and dancing — it was a fun atmosphere.
“My favourite surprise, out of pure coincidence, was the fireworks that started when we had our first dance.”
Elle with her bridesmaids. Source: News Corp Australia
Photographic credit: My Lens of Love
THE Sunday Telegraph celebrates the love stories of couple’s around NSW in our weddings of the week feature. Send your recent wedding pictures to weddings@news.com.au with your contact details.
Melissa Condie, 29, and Grant Hanna, 29
Dress: Silk bodice with sweetheart neckline and tiered French lace skirt by Lisa Gowing
Honeymoon: Two weeks in New Zealand
GRANT and Melissa’s paths first crossed in high school, although they didn’t progress from smiling hello.
They reconnected years later and it didn’t take long before they were smitten.
They share a love of music and enjoy going on the odd fishing and camping trip.
Melissa and Grant on their wedding day. Source: Supplied
In April 2014, Grant proposed at the same spot they made their relationship official, under a lunar eclipse which was unfortunately hidden behind clouds.
They wed at the Cell Block Theatre, Darlinghurst on March 28.
Credit: Mark and Kara Photography
Kristin Wright, 34, and Peter Harrigan, 38
Dress: A gathered ivory lace gown with crystal neckline and sleeve from Kel-Leigh Couture, East Gosford
Honeymoon: They will travel to the US in 2016
Peter and Kristin at the beach on the wedding day. Source: Supplied
IT was cold and rainy when Kristin and Peter first met in 2012, but they never wanted the day to end.
They bonded over their love of fitness, completing the Bay to Bay run on one of their first dates. However it was their mutual love of pizza that really sealed the deal for them.
Peter proposed in July 2014 at the Terrigal Esplanade, with beautiful views.
Their wedding was at the Ocean Beach Surf Club, Terrigal on June 20. They had 80 guests and pizza on the menu.
Credit: Naomi Nichols Photography
Melissa Galluzo, 32, and Benjamin Hughes, 32
Dress: Slim fit ball gown with lace neckline and key hole back by Jonathon James from Brides of Beecroft
Honeymoon: 10 days in Fiji
IT was 2am on their first date when Melissa and Ben stopped chatting, managing to talk non-stop until the early hours.
They have been inseparable since that date in 2013, after being introduced through a mutual friend.
Melissa and Benjamin on their special day. Source: Supplied
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