The love story
Our love story is a unique and serendipitous one, woven together by a series of unexpected events. Although Daniel is a few years older than me, our paths didn’t cross until later in life. When we finally met, 8 years ago we were struck by the uncanny coincidence that his mother had named me before I was even born – a fact that still brings us laughter to this day. What’s more, both our families had relocated to Lakes Entrance from different parts of Melbourne, leading to an unexpected twist: Daniel’s mother, Ani, would later become my primary school art teacher. In the early 1980s, Ani was commissioned to name fishing trawlers for a company in Melbourne, and one of those vessels, “The Nephelle”, was purchased by my father from Melbourne at the time. As fate would have it, I was born in 1990 and named after my dad’s first pride and joy – his fishing boat.
The engagement / wedding
Renovating an old Chinese restaurant into a 5-star floating accommodation was no easy feat, and we can attest that it took a toll on our relationship. But the end result was well worth it – and what better way to celebrate than by celebrating our love and relationship? Daniel and I are a private couple who don’t often seek the spotlight, but we decided to take a different approach for our special day. With family members constantly traveling to far-flung destinations, we found that planning a surprise wedding was more stress than it was worth. So, we opted for a more low-key approach. We invited 30 of our closest friends and family to join us at Idle Lake House on March 10th, giving them just two weeks’ notice to get ready. We encouraged them to come as they were, with no fuss or fanfare – just a celebration of our love and commitment to each other.
One piece of advice
Remember, the most important thing is to keep things simple and true to who you are as a couple. Don’t overcomplicate things – the day is meant to be a celebration of your love and commitment to each other. If you’re the kind of couple who wants to splurge on every detail, that’s wonderful. But if not, don’t feel pressured to break the bank. Focus on what matters most and prioritize what brings you both joy, and you’ll be sure to have a beautiful and unforgettable day.
The venue
Idle Lake House is truly a unique gem, and as its owner, I may be biased, but I firmly believe it’s unlike anywhere else on earth. With each new guest who steps onboard, we’re flooded with messages of amazement and congratulations, and it never gets old. Daniel and I are incredibly proud of what we’ve created here, and we love sharing it with the world. There’s something special about Idle that seems to captivate people’s hearts, and we feel grateful to be able to share that with others.
Favourite vendors
We were fortunate to have an incredible team of professional’s help bring our special day to life. Erin Mathews Photography stepped in at the last minute, just two days before the ceremony, and did an outstanding job capturing the magic of our day. Wren Botanical created stunning flower arrangements that left us both speechless – their work is truly breathtaking!
Vendors
Accommodation Idle Lake House I Bars & Catering Idle Lake House I Bridal Gown & Veil Designer Shona Joy I Celebrant Tiny Weddings with Bobbi I Ceremony Venue Idle Lake House I Florist Wren Botanical I Grooms Attire Calvin Klein I Hair Stylist Mats Hair Factory I Honeymoon Sailing the Gippsland Lakes on our Yacht I Makeup Artist Mats Hair Factory I Photographer Erin Mathews Photography I Reception Venue Idle Lake House I Robes, Sleepwear & Lingerie Sage & Clare
Erin Matthews Photography
Hi, I’m Erin. I live in the Gippsland area and love to photograph weddings! I believe no two weddings are ever the same, which is why I adore documenting the authentic moments between a couple. I prefer to capture your day as it unfolds, in the most natural way possible. I know that you will treasure these timeless images for years to come. I love an adventure and love to travel far and wide. I always bring an assistant with me who is an extra set of hands and eyes to help ensure your day is as memorable as you have planned.