ELIZA + PAT

Eliza met Pat through her brother Jozef, which means her future husband had been a part of their family for a long time. Eliza realised she had feelings for Pat in 2015 when he was studying and living in Torquay and she had just returned from a long trip overseas feeling a bit lost. Jozef had arranged tickets for a group of them to attend Fleetwood Mac at Mt Duneed Estate and before that they had a few drinks at the Torquay Hotel. Conversation hit off after a lucky horse race where Eliza picked the winner and she and Pat danced all night, becoming inseparable ever since.

Pat proposed to Eliza on her birthday in 2021 during a sunrise walk with their dog, Doug, at Point Addis beach. It was an ordinary morning walking their dog on the beach; the only unusual thing was Pat being adamant about going to Point Addis rather than their regular coffee at Salty Dog and walking along Whites Beach in Torquay. It was a magic moment with an empty beach and the sun rising.

Eliza and Pat knew from the very first moment that they wanted to get married at a venue close to their home and along the Great Ocean Road. They settled for Wye Beach Hotel as they instantly fell in love with the view and the overall feel of the space. Fi, the Event Manager at the venue, was incredibly knowledgeable and flexible and the couple knew instantly that it was the right fit.

Being a Wedding Event Manager in Geelong, Eliza knew how to coordinate the planning process but was tempted to overthink every decision as it can be hard to resist when you are planning your own wedding. However, Eliza was already in touch with an incredible list of suppliers that made her day really special. The 70-guest wedding had a bright summery style and a Mediterranean feel, using the view of the coastline as a background.

Eliza knew she wanted a custom gown and called on the services of the amazing team at SoHo Bride. Jessie helped Eliza turn her vision into reality and helped her design a silk strapless gown with a structured bodice. The dress was easily converted for a second party look by removing the shoulder-draped fabric detail and putting the bride’s hair up for the reception.