“ Our guests were able to sit back , soak up the incredible views , and just enjoy themselves ”
“ Our guests were able to sit back , soak up the incredible views , and just enjoy themselves ”
llise and Reiss ’ s love story spans years — even before we get to ‘ I do ’. The pair met as teenagers ; Reiss , aged 15 , bravely approached Ilise at a food court to ask for her number . “ It ’ s all very romantic ,” Ilise laughs . “ We ’ ve been inseparable ever since .” The couple would eventually trade their Melbourne hometown for a sunny life in Townsville and add another member , dog Koda , to their family . It was the start of a life entwined and , as Ilise puts it , a life of growing and sharing together . “ There was a time when Reiss took Koda and me to the beach one afternoon at sunset . It was the most beautiful day , and we were the only people there ,” she says . “ I remember telling him I always look back on that moment because it fills me with so much warmth and gratitude for the life we ’ d built together .” Looks like Ilise wasn ’ t the only one feeling blessed — only a few months later , Reiss took her back to that very same spot on their sixth anniversary to pop that all-important question . For this couple , the wedding needed to be intimate , easygoing , and fun . To that end , the venue needed to be effortlessly elegant without compromising a hint of soul . The natural choice ? Airlie Beach ’ s Villa Botanica , with its sweeping ocean views and lushly verdant grounds . “ Its focus was on the location ’ s natural beauty — no unnecessary bells and whistles ,” says Ilise . “ Our guests were able to sit back , soak up the incredible views , and just enjoy themselves .” ( The invite list numbered an exclusive 37 guests — we love a micro-wedding !). Villa Botanica would also prove the perfect locale for Ilise and Reiss ’ laid-back , classic styling . “ I don ’ t think we really considered any other style ,” Ilise recalls . It was flawlessly executed : the groom ’ s party opted for traditional black suits , while the bridesmaids wore silken dresses in soft charcoal . Meanwhile , the bride echoed their silhouette in radiant white ; the deep-backed , form-hugging gown was a late find , but one Ilise couldn ’ t resist . “ I actually bought two wedding dresses ,” she reveals . “ I put in a rush order on one of the first dresses I tried , but I knew in the back of my mind I wanted something simpler with a low back . I ended up finding something off the rack .” The wedding would prove to be just what Ilise and Reiss hoped it would : effortless , fun , and relaxed . “ Even though it was so well planned and organised by the amazing team , it didn ’ t feel forced ,” says Ilise . “ The day was so incredible and fun .” And as they gave a little nod to tradition with Ilise ’ s bouquet toss , another romance would bloom . “ My maid of honour caught the bouquet . Interestingly , she ’ s now planning her wedding to my brother ,” says Ilise . “ I ’ m definitely taking credit for that one !” In every moment of the day , though , this pair returned to exactly why they were there — and they advise couples to do the same . “ Nothing was more important to me than marrying my best friend ,” says Ilise . “ At the end of the day , it ’ s about you and your partner — don ’ t lose sight of that .”