Yoga, alpacas, bonfire, and private chef for couple’s elopement

While planning a small family elopement for their big day, this couple added plenty of unique touches.

4 min read

March 10, 2022 - 11:30PM

QWeekend

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When they planned a family elopement to the Scenic Rim for their big day, this couple creatively looked beyond having friends as their attendants.

A pair of resident alpacas kept a close watch on proceedings and stayed near Kathryn Cook and Alexander Tallon during the ceremony.

Other unusual features of the January 22 wedding at Skyline Farmhouse in Rosevale were a guest list of just 13, and a weekend of activities including a visit to the Scenic Rim Farm Shop, pool time, a bonfire, yoga and an afternoon bush walk.

The reception was a standout, catered by ex-Gauge Brisbane chef Jack Stuart, who has been attracting favourable attention at his new restaurant Blume, in Boonah.

Wedding of Kathryn and Alexander. Picture:Kate Robinson

The couple, who have been together three years, had their first dance to These Days by Powderfinger and they plan to honeymoon in Italy later this year.

For their first date, the pair met in a chilly Melbourne alleyway for a “feed me” banquet at Vietnamese restaurant Hochi Mama.

Sparks flew, and after a picnic for their second date, they were then back at the inner-city Vietnamese for the second time in a week, feasting on garlic chicken.

After 18 months together in the Victorian capital, Kathryn and Alexander moved back to Brisbane, where they live in Herston.

Any unique or surprising details about your wedding?

The alpacas made the perfect addition to our big day. As did the phenomenally talented Jack Stuart treating our guests to a private seating of his very in demand degustation from Blume Restaurant.

How did he/she propose?

He purchased the ring at Molten Store (in Fortitude Valley) that day and it was burning
a hole in his pocket, so he popped the question as soon as he arrived home, over dinner,
under our fairy lights in the home we’ve built together.

Wedding of Kathryn and Alexander. Picture:Kate Robinson

What was the standout moment of the day?

The resident alpacas on the Skyline property made the day so special! It’s almost as if they knew exactly where to be at every moment – always making it so easy for our photographer, Kate to snap such special photos of our unique day.

The other highlight would have to be the incredible food courtesy of Blume Restaurant. We were so grateful to have such a talented friend like Jack offer to privately cater for us. Our guests couldn’t stop raving about how delicious the food was all weekend.

What would you do differently?

Honestly, absolutely nothing! No regrets.

What would you spend more or less on?

I absolutely love to craft, so naturally took it upon myself to DIY most of the decor for the day, including all of the flower arrangements. In the end, while I enjoyed it, the days leading up were such a rush and a blur, I definitely could have outsourced more!

One thing you wish people told you about planning a wedding?

Allow yourself the freedom to take the pressure off if you need to (outsource to professionals if things become too stressful)!

Wedding of Kathryn and Alexander. Picture:Kate Robinson

Best advice for other couples planning a wedding?

For us, keeping things low-key and intimate was the secret to being able to enjoy each other and fall in love all over again. We’ve heard so many stories about couples who feel that they don’t get to enjoy the day as much as they would like due to running around and entertaining guests. Though it would have been lovely to celebrate with more of our loved ones, we equally felt grateful for the decision we made to keep the day so low-key.

Staying at the venue also meant we could sneak away from time to time to steal a few moments together, which was an added bonus.

What was the most expensive item on the day?

We really wanted to invest in beautiful accommodation so that our guests could stay for the full long weekend and make memories as a newly wedded family unit, and Skyline was the perfect option. Our respective sides of the family hadn’t spent much time together before we got hitched, so it was lovely to be able to spend quality time together on the farm in the days following our big day.

Any embarrassing or funny moments in the wedding speeches?

Just before walking down the aisle, the father of the bride couldn’t find the boutonniere that was made for him – as we later found out the groom’s brother, Andrew Tallon, had taken it so he could self appoint himself to be the best man during his speech. Hilarious!

Wedding of Kathryn and Alexander. Picture:Kate Robinson

What was the impact of Covid?

We absolutely planned a Covid-safe wedding very intentionally. We wanted this day to be one where we could truly enjoy each other and connect with a few of our nearest and dearest. We would have eloped overseas, only with Covid, there was just too much uncertainty.

The Bride

Kathryn Cook, 31

Profession Marketing analytics consultant

Parents Karen and Michael Cook

Bridesmaids The onsite alpacas

Dress Custom revival of my mother’s 70’s dress with thanks to Forever Bridal in Stafford, Brisbane

Hair and make-up: DIY

Flowers: DIY but bought from Flowerlovers Rocklea,

Engagement ring: Salt and pepper diamond ring from Molten Store, James St, Brisbane

Shoes and headpiece: Loeffler Randall