Classic wedding arrives not a moment too soon for Lizzi & Joel

If you think Flatmate Finders is just a website for roommate hunting, you better read on for the story of Lizzi Carnell and Joel Dovile.

After living together for three months, the Melbourne bride, 31, headed overseas for a holiday, leaving behind Joel, 32, only to realise she was in love. “In the space of a week we went from flatmates to couple and three months later we started looking to buy a house. Before we knew it – we were engaged,” smiles Lizzi.

They didn’t waste any time with a long engagement, instead choosing to marry five months later on May 10, 2014 with a classic wedding. “We fell in love with Ballara Receptions in Eltham the minute we arrived at the property,” explains Lizzi. “It felt like home-away-from-home.”

Their day for 160 guests was simply styled with understated decorations and classic designs reflected in Lizzi’s custom-made dress. “My dressmaker was Joel’s aunty and mum who are professionals,” says Lizzi. “Dressmaking runs in the family as Joel’s Nona was a dressmaker, too, so to me it felt like I was capturing part of the family’s history by having them involved.”

The pair headed to Hawaii for their honeymoon.

“Getting married, to us, meant celebrating with the people we were closest to,” says Lizzi.

“Our photographer, Michael Briggs, captured the moments that everyone had that night,” praises Lizzi.

The couple spent their wedding night at InterContinental, The Rialto.

Photos courtesy of Michael Briggs Photography.