Photos by Lifesketch Films
Brides and grooms-to-be spend years planning their weddings so that every detail is perfect – the cake, the dress, the flowers, the venue.
So, what did Balaklava locals Gabriella and Lloyd Morris do when their dream wedding was two days away, and South Australia called for a statewide shutdown?
They scratched the original date, and orchestrated a beautiful wedding in just six hours.
Gabriella was at a spa with her mom and bridesmaids when they heard news of the shutdown.
“I saw my daughter fall to pieces,” Gabriella’s mom, Megan Smith, said.
“We all cried.”
But, shortly after the initial panic, the couple made a decision.
“I rang my fiancé, now husband, and we decided to get married!” Gabriella said.
The couple and their wedding organisers contacted the venue, florist, photographer, hairdresser, celebrant and makeup artist, all of whom were eager to help organise the expedited event.
The guest list initially included 80 people, below the maximum allowed in the venue by the previous restrictions, and even with the short notice, around 30 people were still able to come.
“Everyone was so sympathetic,” Smith said.
“Nobody hesitated, they just wanted to help.”
Photos of the event show the newlyweds in a tuxedo and ornate wedding dress in front of a pond at Glen Ewin Estate.
The couple exchanged vows on the property between two barrels adorned with vibrant floral arrangements.
“The vows were so genuine because there wasn’t time for a rehearsal. They were just straight from the heart,” Smith said.
Despite the chaos leading up to the event, the newlyweds are happy with how everything went.
“The day was absolutely perfect, and we wouldn’t change a thing!” the bride said.
The family plans on having a reception once the restrictions are lifted.
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