Not every couple wants a big wedding, some want a day that feels truer to them. Ally and Simon fall firmly into the second camp, and their elopement at Poodle was one of the most refreshing, heartfelt ceremonies I've had the privilege of being part of.

With just 10 of their closest people gathered around them, no walk down a long aisle, no spotlight, and no pressure to perform, Ally and Simon proved that a wedding doesn't need to be big to be deeply meaningful. It just needs to be honest. The entire day was planned through the Love on the Run elopement day planned by Georgey of We Are Hosted and the team at Poodle Bar and Bistro. I also got to work along side one of my favourite people and photographers, Jessica Tremp of Brown Paper Parcel.

Why Poodle Was the Perfect Fit

Simon was clear from the start about what he didn't want: the grandiose, over the top elements that so often come with weddings. Ally felt exactly the same. They wanted something relaxed and informal, somewhere their people could be close enough to feel like witnesses rather than an audience. Poodle gave them exactly that. An intimate setting where the focus stayed exactly where they wanted it: on each other, and on the handful of people who mean the most to them.

As their Marriage Celebrant, it was such a joy to help shape a ceremony that matched their vision so precisely. No traditional structure for the sake of tradition. Simon and Ally walked down the aisle together, with the people they loved simply there to cheer her on. The whole point of the day was, as Simon put it, for their favourite people to witness the two of them doing the marriage together. Nothing more, nothing less.

The Love Story

Ally and Simon met the way so many modern couples do: with a right swipe on Bumble in September 2020, arguably one of the only good things to come out of that particular year. Their first proper catch up happened at Bitter Phew, their favourite craft beer bar in Sydney, a spot so special to them that they returned there to celebrate their engagement exactly six months before their wedding.

Simon, in a move that has since become part of their origin story, told Ally early on that he was a "very boring guy." Ally was not deterred. Within days he was back in touch, and their dates quickly became a multiple times a week occurrence.

Uncertainty crept in when Simon planned a move to Melbourne, but true to form, nothing could get in the way of this pair. When Simon relocated, Zoom dinner dates and movie marathons kept them connected until Simon drove back to Sydney on their one year anniversary, and they became inseparable once again.

In the years since, Ally and Simon have built a life defined by adventure and closeness in equal measure. Their travels have taken them across Europe and around Australia, and they even conquered the Overland Track in Tasmania together, a true test of patience and love if ever there was one. Through all of it, from quiet nights at Rose Bay to long haul flights and hiking trails, they have shown again and again just how well they fit together.

The Ceremony

There were no big speeches planned and no desire to be the centre of attention for longer than necessary, but there was one thing both Ally and Simon were adamant about: sharing their own vows. Simon wanted the chance to stand up and proclaim his love in his own words, and Ally, while not usually one for public speaking, felt exactly the same pull to say her piece.

After four years together, a relationship that Covid lockdowns only strengthened, Ally and Simon didn't need a wedding to feel married. For them, the ceremony was about formalising and showcasing a commitment that already existed. As I shared with their guests on the day, these two would happily marry each other with paper rings. The shiny ones were simply a nice bonus.

Rings were exchanged, vows were spoken, and in front of the small circle of people who know them best, Ally and Simon were wed.

The Details

Venue: Poodle Bar and Bistro
Guests: 10 close friends and family
Style: Relaxed, informal, non traditional
Vows: Written and read by both Ally and Simon
Getting there: Ally walked in with her people. Simon was simply there, waiting.

Ally and Simon, thank you for trusting me with a ceremony that was so entirely, unapologetically you. Proof that a wedding doesn't need a spotlight to be unforgettable, just the right people in the right room.

If you're dreaming of a small, honest wedding and want a Wedding Celebrant who will help you say "I do" exactly your way, I'd love to hear from you. Get in touch to chat about your day.