Couple elopes in style

A helicopter flight to Tasman Island to tie the knot

A COUPLE’S wedding day is always unforgettable, but for Kara and Joshua Telford, their special day was truly one of a kind.

The Cambridge couple, both 27, chose to elope on Thursday morning by flying to Tasman Island, off the far southern tip of the Tasman Peninsula.

The pair had been engaged for six years and have two daughters – Aria, 3, and Dolly, 11 months.

For hairdresser Kara, tying the knot was the easy part.

“I wasn’t nervous about getting married – it was actually the flying I was most nervous about,” she said.

Celebrant Lorna Long said she believed the Telfords were the first to say their vows on Tasman Island.

“This was one of the most spectacular weddings I’ve been involved in – we had a complete 360 degree view – you had the ocean, you had Tasmania – it was just absolutely breathtaking,” she said.

Mrs Telford said she chose the location because of a long association with the island.

“I have grown up in boats and fishing so I had always gone out fishing around Tasman Island, but I’d never been on the island itself,” she said.

“I know elopement has become quite popular, especially within Tasmania, but I wanted us to have something super unique that no one has ever done before.

“With some restrictions still in place, you can’t fully enjoy a big wedding anyway. We will eventually have a big celebration, but for now we are happy with the special day we had.”

Ms Long said the pandemic had affected the wedding industry hugely and she had noted a shift towards weekday ceremonies.

“The brides and grooms are now focusing more on themselves and a small personal gathering, more so than spending their money on a huge gathering,” she said.

jessica.howard@news.com.au