A couple spent their two-year engagement planning an elaborate $40,000 wedding before deciding to elope to a tropical rainforest.
Rachel Simpson, 32, and her husband Tony Guerrero, 34, both from Brisbane, started planning for their nuptials almost as soon as they became engaged.
‘Naturally, from the get go, everyone is very excited for you. “So…have you set a date yet?” is the first question your friends and family ask at every meeting,’ Rachel told FEMAIL.
Rachel Simpson, 32, and her husband Tony Guerrero, 34, both from Brisbane, started planning for their nuptials almost as soon as they became engaged
‘We had visited many wedding locations near and far and each venue had it pros and cons. Amazing views vs poor quality facilities. Convenient location vs no wet weather option.
‘Once a venue made the short list it was time to decipher the food, booze and accommodation options.
‘With an excel spreadsheet now listing the hundreds of different possibilities, like many others out there, our wedding was becoming a full scale logistical operation.
Once they had somewhat pinned down an ideal date and location, they turned their attentions to the wedding day schedule.
‘They say love has no price, but it a full scale wedding definitely does. If our numbers added up right, even with some DIY-ing to save the budget with 90 guests it was all still adding up to $40,000,’ she said
‘It told you where to be and what to do in 10 minute intervals. With our heads spinning we where left feeling like there was no romance in the logistical orchestra of running around for photos, spending 10 minutes with each of of nearest and dearest, shoveling down food and finishing on a pre-written speech about how much we enjoyed it,’ she explained.
‘They say love has no price, but it a full scale wedding definitely does. If our numbers added up right, even with some DIY-ing to save the budget with 90 guests it was all still adding up to $40,000.’
With this in mind they went back to the drawing board, wondering whether elopement was the answer they were looking for.
With this in mind they went back to the drawing board, wondering whether elopement was the answer they were looking for
‘We didn’t have to do the big wedding just because that’s what’s considered normal,’ Rachel had realised.
‘Once we made the decision we felt much more relaxed and excited. We set a date straight away and gave ourselves three months to organise everything. We couldn’t wait for the date to come up.’
At first there were ‘mixed reactions’ to their decision from family and close friends.
‘Understandably some had a vision about being apart of our wedding day as old friends and family do,’ she said.
‘And then there’s always varing traditional beliefs about what a wedding day should be and who should be involved so we did try and be sensitive to everyone’s feelings.
With this in mind they went back to the drawing board, wondering whether elopement was the answer they were looking for
At first there were ‘mixed reactions’ to their decision from family and close friends
‘At the end of the day, we felt the commitment and vows we where making where solely for one another. We decided that starting our lives together should be on our terms, with our beliefs and values, and everyone really respected that.’
In the end the loved-up couple booked a three-night stay at Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat in a Mountain view lodge – a luxury residence tucked into the Springbrook Rainforest of Northern NSW.
They had a celebrant, Candice, a photographer and videographer – so they could share the heartfelt moment with everyone back home.
In total the dress, suit, hair and makeup, florals, lodgings and wedding package cost $6,000.
And they’d do it again in a heartbeat.
They had a celebrant, Candice, a photographer and videographer – so they could share the heartfelt moment with everyone back home
In total the dress, suit, hair and makeup, florals, lodgings and wedding package cost $6,000
‘Just know that what you spend doesn’t reflect how much love you have for each other and just go with whatever feels right,’ she explained.
‘We absolutely made the best decision for us but we can also see why it wouldn’t be everyone’s first thought.’
The pair are currently on a two month honeymoon adventure through Croatia, Italy, Switzerland, Spain and Iceland.