{"id":193226,"date":"2016-11-12T21:00:37","date_gmt":"2016-11-12T10:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/au\/real-weddings\/lakeside-proposal-leads-ellen-joels-classic-wedding\/"},"modified":"2022-03-16T19:17:43","modified_gmt":"2022-03-16T08:17:43","slug":"lakeside-proposal-leads-ellen-joels-classic-wedding","status":"publish","type":"au-real-wedding","link":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/real-weddings\/lakeside-proposal-leads-ellen-joels-classic-wedding\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakeside proposal leads to Ellen and Joel&#8217;s classic wedding"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"lead\">Joel Dodson&#8217;s heartfelt proposal to Ellen Morales paved the way for the couple&#8217;s romantic classic wedding.<\/p>\n<p>Eight years after the high school sweethearts first met, they were at their favourite camping spot &#8211; \u00a0Lake Conjola on the NSW South Coast &#8211; with family friends when Joel, 26, decided to pop the question.<\/p>\n<p>Joel headed off on what he said was a fishing trip with one of his mates. About an hour passed when the mate excitedly returned saying Joel had caught a huge fish and was waiting\u00a0at the lake for Ellen, 26, to head down with her camera.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;So on the boat I went&#8230; By that stage it was quite dark and we were turning the corner to approach the bank that Joel would be waiting on&#8230; There were rows of bamboo torches surrounding a picnic blanket and a nervous-looking Joel. By the time I took in the surroundings, It was apparent that there was another reason I was supposed to be there. Getting off the boat all teary-eyed, I walked up to the beautifully romantic setting, where the love of my life got down one knee,&#8221; Ellen says.<\/p>\n<p>The Erskine Park couple then began planning their classic wedding for May 6, 2016, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in front of 160 family and friends. &#8220;The <a title=\"Marriage Celebrants\" href=\"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/MarriageCelebrant\/\">ceremony<\/a> was one of the highlights of the day. It was so beautiful and surreal to be walking down the aisle to the boy I fell in love with almost 10 years ago. Nothing beats that moment,&#8221; Ellen says.<\/p>\n<p>The celebrations continued at\u00a0<a title=\"Sergeants' Mess\" href=\"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/WeddingVenues\/Sydney\/SergeantsMess\/\">Sergeants Mess&#8217; in Mosman<\/a>, a venue the bride describes as &#8220;absolutely stunning&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We wanted as much dancing as possible. To set the tone for the evening, as soon as we entered the venue, we got our guests up dancing \u00a0&#8211; and it worked! Everyone was on their feet and loving it,&#8221; Ellen says.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We are so fortunate to have found each other so early in life. It really is so special to grow up alongside your best friend and soulmate.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Photos courtesy of <a title=\"MIlenko Weddings\" href=\"http:\/\/milenkoweddings.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Milenko Weddings<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116502 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_001.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_001\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116503 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_002.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_002\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116505 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_004.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_004\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116508 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_006.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_006\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116510 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_007.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_007\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116506 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_005.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_005\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116512 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_008.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_008\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-large wp-image-116515 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_009.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_009\" width=\"550\" height=\"825\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Ellen kept her accessories simple to showcase her <a title=\"Lace wedding dress\" href=\"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/articles\/lace-wedding-dress\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">gorgeous lace gown<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-large wp-image-116518 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_010.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_010\" width=\"550\" height=\"825\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116522 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_012.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_012\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116525 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_013.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_013\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116526 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_014.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_014\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116609 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_SBS_014.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_SBS_014\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116611 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_SBS_015.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_SBS_015\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116532 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_017.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_017\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116534 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_018.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_018\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Joel looked sharp in a fitted black suit and bow tie from <a title=\"Montagion Custom Tailoring\" href=\"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/FormalWear\/Sydney\/MONTAGIOCUSTOMTAILORING\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Montagio Custom Tailoring<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116536 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_019.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_019\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116538 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_020.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_020\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116540 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_021.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_021\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-large wp-image-116546 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_023.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_023\" width=\"550\" height=\"825\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116543 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_022.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_022\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116549 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_025.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_025\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\">\u00a0<img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116555 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_028.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_028\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-large wp-image-116554 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_027.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_027\" width=\"550\" height=\"825\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>&#8220;Our wedding story encompasses a journey that we both have taken together, in a room full of friends and family who have been by our sides since day one,&#8221; Ellen says.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116548 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_024.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_024\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116558 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_029.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_029\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116560 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_030.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_030\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116562 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_031.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_031\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116566 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_033.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_033\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-large wp-image-116564 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_032.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_032\" width=\"550\" height=\"825\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116568 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_034.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_034\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Ellen has simple advice for future brides &#8211; get some beauty sleep! &#8220;If I could do it all over again I would make sure I was in bed super early and save all my energy for the big day ahead,&#8221; she says.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116570 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_035.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_035\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116572 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_036.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_036\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116575 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_037.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_037\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116579 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_039.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_039\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116580 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_040.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_040\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116499 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_SBS_035.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_SBS_035\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116638 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_SBS_032.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_SBS_032\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116585 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_042.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_042\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-116586 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_043.jpg\" alt=\"Ellen_Joel_Classic-Wedding_043\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Ellen says the photo shoot with photographer <a title=\"Milenko Weddings\" href=\"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/WeddingPhotography\/Sydney\/MilenkoWeddings\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Milenko Weddings<\/a> was a highlight. &#8220;And not for the reason you&#8217;d expect,&#8221; she comments. &#8220;Lara asked us to go for a walk and be natural with each other. I love that our photos capture that moment of bliss. I remember thinking that I would be content with the day finishing then and there.&#8221;<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":150022,"parent":0,"template":"","au_real_wedding_category":[6855],"au_real_wedding_tag":[7261,6942,6980,8042,7145],"au_real_wedding_style":[9005,9007],"au_real_wedding_location":[9023,9031],"au_real_wedding_setting":[9019],"au_real_wedding_colour":[10571,10593,10584],"au_real_wedding_competition":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/au-real-wedding\/193226"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/au-real-wedding"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/au-real-wedding"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/au-real-wedding\/193226\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/150022"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=193226"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"au_real_wedding_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/au_real_wedding_category?post=193226"},{"taxonomy":"au_real_wedding_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/au_real_wedding_tag?post=193226"},{"taxonomy":"au_real_wedding_style","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/au_real_wedding_style?post=193226"},{"taxonomy":"au_real_wedding_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/au_real_wedding_location?post=193226"},{"taxonomy":"au_real_wedding_setting","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/au_real_wedding_setting?post=193226"},{"taxonomy":"au_real_wedding_colour","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/au_real_wedding_colour?post=193226"},{"taxonomy":"au_real_wedding_competition","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/au_real_wedding_competition?post=193226"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}