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I N C O N V E R S A T I O N W I T H

E L L E F E R G U S O N

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THE WEDDING DIGEST, BY WEDBOOKER

In f l u e n c e r a n d e n t r e p r e n e u r E l l e F e r g u s o n r e v e a l s d e t a i l s o f h e r o l d H o l l y w o o d G l a m o u r i n s p i r e d W e d d i n g D a y

Insta-model, business owner and entrepreneur Elle Ferguson is bride goals and life goals! The Bondi based fashion influencer and owner of The Elle Effect tanning range is also engaged to former AFL star Joel Patfull. Elle said yes to her Prince Charming nearly three years ago and having enjoyed their long engagement, the couple are now making grand plans for their big day, and we mean grand! Think a Kim Kardashian and Hailey Bieber inspired event, blended with old Hollywood glamour and of course Elle’s signature relaxed, beachy vibe thrown in there as well! Elle’s warm, bubbly and open nature, is testament to her 680 thousand Instagram followers! We know you’ll love our chat with Elle as much as we did! Much love, The wedBooker team xo

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INTERVIEW WITH ELLE FERGUSON THE WEDDING DIGEST Well, we are so excited to have Elle Ferguson on the podcast, especially as we know how busy you are juggling so many hats as an influencer, business owner and entrepreneur, while also planning a wedding. So a big thank you for taking the time to chat with us today. ELLE FERGUSON Yay. I'm so excited to be here. THE WEDDING DIGEST And we are so excited to have you. Alright, so I think we should start with your love story. Where did it all begin? How did you meet your amazing fiance Joel? ELLE FERGUSON Joel is literally my prince charming and I rarely say it but he literally is Prince Charming. He's just he's, you know, I was wrapped. I have fallen more in love with him, which I didn't think was possible. A long story short, I truly truly, truly believe, like somebody sent him to me because I wasn't looking, I was in a place in my life where I just was very happy professionally and I kind of had come to terms with the fact that I didn't think I was going to meet anybody, but I was okay with that... Literally like a week later, a friend of a friend of a friend said, you should meet this guy called Joel and I was like, No, I'm not dating, right? And they said, Can we give him your phone number? And I was like, Yes. And then he texted me. And I had no idea who he was. And Joel and I now kind of reflect on the fact that it was actually quite beautiful to meet somebody that you didn't know. It was literally I didn't know anything about him. And I think that's what was so amazing when we first started dating that everything was new and everything was exciting. So we went for coffee in the afternoon and I was kind of so freaked out that I didn't know anything about him. So I said to my sister, I'm going here. Can you do some loops around the block. We had a coffee date. And like the, the moment I walked in, I was like, wow. And then he was beautiful when he spoke, and then we kind of like ended the coffee date. And I guess I kind of thought to myself, you are incredible, like, wow. And I left like on a high and then he messaged me a couple of days later, I was like, you know, let's go out to dinner. And both of our schedules were just crazy…. So I was like, Pick me up tomorrow night at 7pm. We're going on a date. And he picked me up and we went for dinner. And it was an amazing dinner and then dinner ended and we didn't want the date to end. He was like, oh, what do you want to do? And I was like, let's go 10 pin bowling. And then at like nine o'clock on a Tuesday, we went 10 pin bowling just the two of us and just had a great night. And then you know what we were like inseparable from that. Isn't that funny, like when you're, you know, when you finally find peace in your own life and you're at that stage where you feel so comfortable and you're so happy in yourself, I often find that that is when someone does come along because you're not looking for it and you're just you don't need someone to complete you. It's almost like you're already complete.

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THE WEDDING DIGEST It sounds like since the day you met. Can you take us through that magical moment when Joel proposed? ELLE FERGUSON I feel like I've got the biggest smile on my face. I really had no idea. No idea whatsoever. I love that. Yeah. And to make it even like more that I kind of hadn't thought about it was that about six months before we got engaged, Joel and I went out with some of his friends and his friends were like and when are you guys getting married and I remembered answering that question and saying like I'm retiring from football I'm going to travel I'm not going to settle down anytime so I remember thinking to myself oh my goodness, like he doesn't want to settle down what's going on. So I was like kind of thinking I was kind of done like I've met this like he's amazing so perfect, but like he just wants to travel and he doesn't want to sit down settle down. But yeah, then we were away in Byron because my sister and I go out Boxing Day and then Joel normally arrives on the 27th. And he arrived and we were all at the beach. So I wanted to like look really nice as I hadn’t seen him in a while. It was at the beginning stage, we went for a swim and as we were getting out of the water I got absolutely wiped out by a wave. And then we got out of the water he said we had a dinner booked that night. I go to him, I'm not gonna wash my hair. I'm just gonna, like put it up in a bun. Who cares? Like, you know, like, whatever, we're on holidays and then he was like, No, no, no, you take your time. I went back to the room and like, you know, it took an hour to get all done out for dinner and I like felt really good. He was quite flustered. Like he was quiet. He was like I've got to go down to reception. I was like, Okay, cool. And he was like, oh, we're a little bit early for dinner. Let's go for a walk. And I was like, Yeah, cool. I was like, I'm gonna take my shoes off. So I like took my shoes off. What's funny about the stories we've ran into a friend Jai.. And he was going for a jog and he ran into the both of us and I mean, I had like this little cute white dress on and we both looked quite nice. Like we were which is random because we were like on the beach. And he was like, What are you guys doing? Joel's like, we're going for a walk. And then we walked down to the beach and then Joel had made like a love heart in the sand. With rocks and JP 4 EF and I was like Oh My God, you're so amazing. And so I grabbed him and like bear hugged him and was like, I love you so much. And as I was like hugging him he was kind of like, pushing me He's like, Get off me. And then I kind of released him from my bear hug. And then he got down on one knee and I think my mind blanked, because it was happening. And I was like, Oh my goodness. And then the first words I kind of said was like, Where's my sister? And then later, Lucy was hiding behind a tree. And then she came out and the three of us had a really nice moment and he handed me the Baby Anything box. And when he handed me the Baby Anything I knew it was real. I've got goosebumps, because I was like, Oh my goodness, he's gone to my sister. And she's made my ring. And then I opened it up. And I was like, and it's the most amazing thing I've ever seen in my life. And that to me, I asked your sister for your hand. And I was like, God, by that point. I was shocked.

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THE WEDDING DIGEST SO how is your wedding planning coming along? I mean, obviously as you said, You and Joel have these crazy crazy schedules. ELLE FERGUSON Yeah, look, I think. I mean, firstly, I think so many of us have been affected by what's happening from businesses, to individuals to families. And I think at the end of the day, we've been extremely lucky that everybody we know is, you know, happy, healthy and safe. And also, we're really blessed that we actually didn't have a date locked IN. So many close friends of mine and so many people that are part of my community have reached out to me and said, You know, like today was supposed to be my wedding day we've had to cancel. You know, last week I met with a builder and he was supposed to be in Tuscany with his fiance. We're still finalizing things. We have so many close friends that I would consider, you know, like family that live overseas, that it's really hard to try to navigate your way through that. Because even if they open the borders, and then you've got to go into quarantine THE WEDDING DIGEST So the most challenging part for you in planning the wedding has just been finding a date that's going to work for both you and Joel and around Coronavirus. You thinking you might enlist the help of a planner or stylist? ELLE FERGUSON I will 100% be having a stylist and a planner. If I could have JLo from the wedding planner, like she would be there. I think I've been lucky enough to, you know, like go to events and things like that, that I realized and even in my own business, you know, the people, the professionals that do things really well, like nobody can do it like them and you need to enlist the help from people that do that for a living to do things properly. You know, I think there are some things you can definitely do by yourself. And I also know, budgets are out there for me as well. But I do think you know, it's like in my business, I hire certain people to do certain parts of my business that I can't do. So that's what I'll be doing with my wedding.

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THE WEDDING DIGEST And the other thing is, it is an expense to have as a stylist or wedding planner but in the long term, they actually save you money because they're the ones that know, saving money and time because they know exactly what they're doing. And they know what you're expected to pay for a certain thing, whether that be the cake or whatever it might be. We love your openness and the fact that you are so happy to share with your community. ELLE FERGUSON Yeah, it's great. And when I announced that Joel and I were engaged, it was so beautiful. The amount of small businesses and people that I had never met, kind of came forward and said, like, this is what we do. You know what I mean? I've got one lady that messages me probably every month about calligraphy. And I adore her. There's been so many small fashion brands that I've helped build up and launch. You know what I mean and I kind of want to do the same through my wedding process. THE WEDDING DIGEST Let's talk a little bit more about the wedding. So in your discussions with Joel, I mean, have you thought about where that special place is that you do want to tie the knot? I mean, you're both living in beautiful Byron Bay, have you considered having out in your own backyard or is there another wedding location that you guys both have your heart set on? ELLE FERGUSON So the location to be honest with you, because we have created so many memories during travel, and we actually adored Palm Springs as somewhere that we will be looking. I don't know if you guys have been to Palm Springs, it was just a really beautiful place to kind of go. But then we're also very realistic that, you know, that not everybody can afford to travel. So we kind of don't want to have that pressure on people. And then COVID came and threw a spanner in the works. So yeah, we're just trying to work out how we can kind of do it probably more local. THE WEDDING DIGEST You are very beachy, we love that about you. Will it be by the beach somewhere? ELLE FERGUSON I think you'll be able to see the water. I always say with me you can't judge a book by its cover. So I feel like the wedding is going to be very much like that. You can't judge a book by a couple. THE WEDDING DIGEST So then I know you talked about the fact that you will definitely be enlisting the help of a wedding planner or a stylist. And as someone with such impeccable fashion yourself, and I know you've also studied design and architecture. Do you think you'll still have a lot of input in the theming and the styling of your day? And do you know what style you're leaning towards?

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ELLE FERGUSON Yes, 100% I am. I feel as though we have a vibe that we really kind of want to encapsulate on the day, but yeah, I feel like it's like going to be a partnership because Joel and I have been so blessed to have gone to so many events. think as well we kind of want to do something that nobody's kind of experienced before. Do you know what I mean? THE WEDDING DIGEST So good. So do you already have a Pinterest board going or tagged? ELLE FERGUSON Yeah. We have like numerous. There's new ways. I'm more of like a screenshot kind of gal. And then just just like making lists and stuff. I mean, one of the things that when I went to Kim Kardashian’s launch, she had this room where they would like a million roses hanging from the ceiling and the smell of the roses. And it was, it was a myriad room, the smell of the roses and just being in this space, with the roses coming from the ceiling and the smell. And the marriage was just something that I said to Joe like we have to do. So we're just trying to work out logistically how we can do that. And then the other thing is Hailey and Justin Bieber used this selfie machine thing. But they actually used the photos in vogue. And then they did a large scale print of one of the photos in their house. I want that moment there. Do you know what I mean? In the photos, everybody looks good in the photos. So I just want everybody to have those amazing photos at the wedding. Yeah, so I spent a good time googling that and finding the contact and then harassing the company about getting that to Australia. So yeah, yeah, so I feel like it's like things like that. Do you know what I mean? It's like moments. THE WEDDING DIGEST Your wedding dress - will that take on a relaxed and kind of beachy vibe or are you opting for something completely different? ELLE FERGUSON There's a lot of pressure on the dress. We've done a couple of wedding shoots and yeah and a bridal shoot we did for Cosmo bride. I thought when I came out in the first like wedding gown, we were Joel and I were both going to be in tears and you know, like have this big moment. And I walked out and Joel kind of looked at me and was like, I don’t like that. I feel like now the bar is really really high but in the same sense, it's like Joel would be fine if I walk down in a white t-shirt. I really do want to play the part of the bride and I have been kind of going back and researching a lot of old Hollywood, which I found really beautiful like Grace Kelly and things like that. I really find there's certain pieces from that era but I think so feminine and so romantic and so beautiful that I've been looking into that and then I was lucky enough I got a trip into New York in February and I had some amazing meetings there. So I was really blessed to get that trip in this year and start some things there. So yes, stay tuned.

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THE WEDDING DIGEST Exciting! So do you have a particular dress designer in mind? ELLE FERGUSON There are multiple discussions happening at the moment. So I think there'll be multiple dresses. I just want everybody to feel good. Do you know what I mean? I love the idea of being able to dress my sister. I love that. And then I love the idea of Joel's mom being able to have a real moment and I'll get her a custom peace. So I am really excited about you know, everybody kind of having that Cinderella moment. THE WEDDING DIGEST And is Lucy going to be your maid of honor then? ELLE FERGUSON Yes, Lucy will definitely be my maid of honor. She will 100% be my maid of honor. They'll definitely be an Aussie representation through the process though in terms of dress designers. THE WEDDING DIGEST So you mentioned you feel a bit of pressure and it sounds like maybe from Joel to make him cry when you walk down the aisle now? ELLE FERGUSON He's gonna listen to this because he listens to all my pods, everything I do, but no, not from him. I will just never forget being on that Cosmo shoot and then him kind of saying it's not you. And I think whenever I do something, I always really try to stay true to who I am. You know what I mean? And I think you can kind of get caught up in that bubble, but you've actually got to kind of say to yourself, like, Is this me? You know what I mean? So, I think what I take from that is that he wants me to be me, and nobody else. THE WEDDING DIGEST Yeah, so then do you feel any pressure from the public in any way as well from a dress perspective? Or are you just thinking I'm just gonna stay so true to myself? And don't worry about what the public or my community think of the dress? ELLE FERGUSON There's always going to be people that don't like things. Everybody has their own opinion of somebody’s dress, but I'm not going to let that sway how I feel. I know when I feel good. And I trust my sister's opinion 100% so she will be most likely will be the one that has the final kind of say you anyway.

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THE WEDDING DIGEST Is there something else special of Lucy’s that you'll be wearing on the day, is there anything else that she's creating for you for the day? ELLE FERGUSON Yeah, so we're working on some custom pieces that I want to be quite minimalistic during the actual ceremony but then for the reception, we're looking at some custom pieces and then also for like the recovery the following day. I mean, like how jewelry is part of me. I like don't leave the house without it. I think it's got good energy and makes me feel good. So yeah, I think the ceremony will be quite minimal, but then I am working on some custom pieces for the reception and the following day. THE WEDDING DIGEST And will you also do the traditional, something old, something new, something borrowed something blue? ELLE FERGUSON Well, most likely I like tradition, so there'll be definitely a nod to that in them. And I think that's kind of fun. I kind of really love certain traditions that I really think are beautiful and I want to hold close to me during this process. THE WEDDING DIGEST What about a dress code for the guests, always like a tricky one. But are you thinking, you're going to give them a set theme or a code. What do you have in mind? ELLE FERGUSON I think we want them formal because I think there's far too many times at the moment that you just don't get dressed up like that. And I kind of feel like you know, with everything that's going on, fashions fun, and it makes you feel good. So I definitely think we'll be leaning more towards a formal dress code. Just because I thought the guys look so great in suits. And then the girls get to have a bit more fun. It also just is really nice in photographs as well, you know, and I just think we just, I just, we both really like that vibe, where everybody can get dressed up. And I just feel like we don't have those moments that we used to so being able to, you know, put on a tux and a nice gown is a really nice moment. THE WEDDING DIGEST Obviously you have your amazing golden girl glow sorted with your own perfect tanning range Elle Effect that I am a die hard fan myself so thanks so much for creating such a perfect tan. Firstly How have you gone about or I guess will you go about selecting your trusted beauty team for the day. I know you're really good friends with hair stylists, Jen Atkins and she's a mentor of yours. You thinking she’s on your team?

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ELLE FERGUSON She will be and her husband Mike is really close friends of Joel so they will be part of the day. I would never put Jen to work on my big day, she will be there as well. So I adore her as friends, their friends. So I would love them to be there in that capacity. THE WEDDING DIGEST So then, obviously, you get to work with so many makeup artists and hairstylists in your line of work. How do you go about choosing who's your makeup and your hair stylist for the day? ELLE FERGUSON I can't even go into this one. I'm just gonna say it's a work in progress at the moment. THE WEDDING DIGEST Okay, so then what are your top three beauty tips for brides to be when prepping for their beat day? Obviously a golden glow is one of the most important things. ELLE FERGUSON Yeah, so 100% I would say a tan. I would also say that you want to do it two days before. That day after the glow is like amazing and then it just gets better. If I'm shooting, or have a special occasion I always made sure to do it 24 to 48 hours beforehand. Number two, I would say don't go and do something extreme that you've never done before. If you always wear your head down, don't all of a sudden go, oh my god, I'm gonna wear my hair up. I think you've got to, again, try to stay true to yourself. And then I think the other thing is just you got to feel good on the inside. So whether it be you're on a probiotic or you're using a collagen, you know, like a collagen powder or collagen mix. You've got it really does if you're the insides all good. You glow on the outside. THE WEDDING DIGEST You also said previously you were trying to convince Joel to do dance lessons with you? ELLE FERGUSON It's been hard to try to do virtually at home but yes, yes, it will happen. Trust me. It will happen. THE WEDDING DIGEST Do you have a kind of dance in mind? ELLE FERGUSON Yeah. I had to kind of really want that moment. So yeah, whether it be a rock band or something a little bit more, you know extreme. We definitely want that moment.

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THE WEDDING DIGEST Have you decided on the music for the big day? ELLE FERGUSON Yeah, so music Is gonna play a really big part. We really love choir. I love hearing choir. I love choir voices. So I really am trying to lock down for the ceremony a choir. I feel like there's something about just the power and the voice which will be beautiful. So definitely that sorted and then for the reception, we're just trying to go through our options. I mean, if Maroon 5 are touring Australia at the time and feel like they would like to make an appearance at our reception we are very open to it. If you're listening, Maroon 5, please call me. THE WEDDING DIGEST You talk about all these amazing moments. And I think as someone who's been a guest to so many amazing events, you've been able to see and experience so many beautiful moments. So in your opinion, what would be the top three most critical things to make an amazing event or in this case, a wedding? ELLE FERGUSON Um, so a big thing for me is attention to detail. You can tell when it's going good or it's going bad, the attention to detail. You ensure that you've got stuff going around and refilling glasses and nobody ever has an empty glass and I mean that even just with water, you know what I mean? Then also like the little things, you know what I mean? Like when the girls go to the bathroom, there's, there's a, you know, like a touch up kit. You know what I mean? There's deodorant, there's hairspray things like that I think are amazing. And then also just ensuring that, like, everybody's looked after. It's down to the food and everybody's meals arriving at the same time. Just it's all of that stuff. It's actually the behind the scenes. THE WEDDING DIGEST Last big question. What are you looking forward to the most at the wedding? ELLE FERGUSON Oh, my goodness. You know, 100% will be when Joel turns around and I walk down the aisle. Then just the speeches. It's that moment and then the speeches. THE WEDDING DIGEST Oh, gosh. Well, we will be staying tuned that's for sure for the photos. And also, you are offering something special for all our brides-to-be who are listening on the web and on the Wedding Digest as well.

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ELLE FERGUSON Yes. I'm sharing the love to everybody that's listening. We've set up an amazing unique code for everybody that's listening. It is wedding20 which means that you guys can get 20% off our entire website and at the moment, there's some amazing little combos where there's a tandem wash combo. And then we've also got our signature little hair clips that have been great. You know what I mean in makeup prep. So there's some very cool things on that website at the moment. THE WEDDING DIGEST Beautiful. Thank you so much for joining us and sharing all your beauty wisdom and providing us some insight into your own special day. I'm sure you've had so many people listening as well. And we just can't wait to find out more. So it's gonna be incredible. ELLE FERGUSON Thank you. I'm so happy. Thank you for having me on. Isn't it nice to feel loved up...I'm just in a little love bubble.

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