Weddings of Eliza Gleadell and Sarah Walsh, Stephanie Boloutis and Matthew Purcell, Meagan Nixon and Will Brown
What’s a wedding without drama? Eliza Gleadell had her share when her limo got a flat tyre en route to say ‘I do’ to her university love Sarah Walsh.
Fiona Byrne
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What’s a wedding without a little drama? For Eliza Gleadell that moment came when her limousine got a flat tyre on the way from Beaumaris to South Melbourne for her wedding to Sarah Walsh.
She had 10 family members and friends with her enjoying champagne when the tyre popped.
“We pulled into the petrol station on Beach Rd in Sandringham and I thought it was a bit odd that you’d fill up with petrol halfway through the trip,” Eliza said.
“Next minute (the driver) opens the door to reveal there is a hole in the tyre that is so big that he cannot blow it up and we cannot drive the limo any further.
“He had no idea what to do and was very flustered. After taking a few deep breaths I got a friend to pour me another glass of champagne.”
Suddenly more unexpected drama unfolded.
“While were waiting to be picked up from the petrol station, someone filling up at the bowser fainted and an ambulance had to be called,” Eliza said.
Eliza was eventually collected from the service station by her brother with the other guests making their way to the wedding by Uber, or someone’s parents collecting them or other guests picking them up.
“We all somehow made it to the wedding on time and Sarah knew nothing until she was told later that evening,” Eliza said.
“It all made for a memorable wedding speech.”
Eliza and Sarah met at university in 2016 with Eliza proposing the night before the couple headed to Byron Bay for a holiday in 2019.
They wed at Half Acre in South Melbourne on February 24, 2023 with Shelley Amar officiating.
Eliza described the wedding as “summer, floral and fun.”
She wore a gown by Alca Line Bride with Sarah selecting an elegant gown by Rachel Gilbert. Their one-year-old daughter, Mila, was present for the celebration.
The newlyweds first dance was to Beyonce’s Crazy in Love, flowers were by Foxy Evergreen, catering by Food & Desire and images by Corey Wright Photographer.
“After almost three years of Covid and a delay in our wedding due to this by two years, it meant the world to be able to get our nearest and dearest together, all 140 of them, and have such a fun, meaningful, happy celebration full of laughter and dancing.” Eliza said.
STEPHANIE BOLOUTIS AND MATTHEW PURCELL
Catching each other’s eye as they dashed to class in the later years of secondary school led to love and a “romantic and regal” wedding for Stephanie Boloutis and Matthew Purcell.
“We are high school sweethearts,” Stephanie said of their friendship that started in 2010 at Caulfield Grammar and saw her and Matthew begin dating in 2013.
“We always had eyes for each other in school, Matt would often wink at me as he would rush past me in between classes.”
Matthew proposed on January 24, 2022, their ninth anniversary, at the Great Ocean Road which was the location of one their first dates.
“When he proposed, he used a printed out a photo that was taken from our first time visiting the Great Ocean Road and wrote a love letter on the other side of it which at the end of it asked me to marry him. It was the most magical moment of my life,” Stephanie said.
The couple wed at Campbell Point House on the Bellarine Peninsula on April 22, 2023. They were captivated by the location from the minute they saw it.
“It felt like we were in a villa in Lake Como, or a chateau in France, but it was only 90 minutes from home,” Stephanie said.
The little details added to the magic: wild garden style florals, a single rose as the bride’s bouquet, a retro telephone used as an audio guest book. Both Stephanie and Matthew wore a unique perfume scent on their wedding day.
“We will forever associate this scent with our day,” Stephanie said.
Stephanie was breathtaking in a custom-made Oglia-Loro Couture bridal gown, featuring a strapless bodice blooming into a grand full skirt and a separate micro jacket with puff sleeve detail.
Matthew wore a double-breasted suit by P Johnson Tailors.
Their first dance was At Last by Etta James. Florals were by Floss & Fleur and photography by Lovers Narrative. In a lovely full circle moment, their celebrant was Lyndy Clarke, who had been one of their high school teachers.
Stephanie said a “first look” moment prior to the ceremony was a memory she would hold forever.
“It was such a beautiful private moment for Matt and I to see each other before the ceremony,” she said.
“Our wedding was easily the best of our lives. Neither Matt and I have thrown big parties over the years, we didn’t have an engagement party, so it was really special to have all our closest family and friends in one space to celebrate our love and marriage.”
MEAGAN NIXON AND WILL BROWN
Music brought Meagan Nixon and Will Brown together so it was only fitting that music – an unscripted performance by their young son – was a memorable, if unexpected, moment during their nuptials.
“Our then one-year-old son Harley entertained our guests playing his ukulele, interrupting our vows and taking a tumble,” Will said.
“Meagan, not a huge fan of being centre of attention, was grateful to share the limelight.”
Meagan and Will met when Will was playing with his band at Meagan’s cousin’s 50th birthday in 2016.
Her mum, Kaye, and Will’s sister, Arabelle, played matchmakers.
Fast forward and Will proposed at sunset on the beach at Ocean Grove with Champagne and their two pugs, Albert and Oscar, after a day of winery hoping on the Bellarine Peninsula.
The couple wed at the Panama Dining Room in Collingwood in front of the venues famous arched windows on April 14, 2022. Their first dance was the Rod Stewart classic You’re In My Heart. Florals were by Flower Jar and photography by Jason Nixon. Celebrant Tottie Goldsmith officiated.
“After our ceremony, we popped across the road to our favourite Mexican place, Hotel Jesus, for a quick cocktail and a few pics with our maid of honour and best man,” Will said.
Meagan’s bridal gown was by Rachel Gilbert in Armadale and Will sported a Calibre suit.
“Having all our favourite people, come together in the one place to celebrate our love was so special,” Will said.
“It’s probably the only time in our lives that this will happen. And after years of lockdowns, it felt surreal. We are forever grateful for the memories that will last a lifetime.”
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