We do love a Jewish wedding. So overflowing with joy and love and crazy, crazy dancing. Add the ‘surprise’ factor to this and you have yourself one riotous celebration! Ellyse and Adam invited their friends to their ‘engagement party’ at Fitzroy Town Hall, where behind closed curtains the Rabbi and Chuppah were waiting.

Ellyse and Adam had already had the wedding chat, but that didn’t stop Adam from arranging a sunset picnic to ask the question properly. The couple knew they wanted a surprise wedding, which meant Ellyse couldn’t wear a ring, but not wanting to propose empty-handed, Adam compensated by presenting a kale plant in its stead!

The couple shares a love of the vintage aesthetic, so Jessica Tremp of Brown Paper Parcel was a natural choice of photographer. Ellyse found her stunning 1950’s dress and veil from Etsy seller The Vintage Mistress, while Adam channeled a little Sinatra courtesy of Ben Sherman and Ted Baker.

So how did the surprise go down? When the guests arrived, they were greeted with a super-cute video (see below) announcing they were, in fact, at a wedding. The stage curtains opened and the wedding scene unfolded. Ellyse and Adam had an orthodox ceremony and according to custom, had 7 friends and family come up to each give a blessing. The unsuspecting guests were called out of the blue with no time to prepare, Ellyse tells me “it felt joyful and spontaneous”.

After a four course vegetarian meal, courtesy of Eshel, Gypsy band Babaganoush fired up and the party started in earnest. Don’t miss the amazing dancing pics below… looks like a total blast!

Photography: Brown Paper Parcel | Bride’s dress and veil: The Vintage Mistress | Bride’s shoes: Zomp | Groom’s attire: Ben Sherman and Ted Baker | Groom’s shoes: Aquila | Rings: Sweet Olive Jewellery | Hair: Val’s International Hair Salon | Venue: Fitzroy Town Hall | Rabbi: Yaron Gottleib | Styling: Leora Lerba: | Flowers: South Melbourne Market | Catering: Eshel | Band: Babaganoush | Stationery/invitations: Made by groom