Wedding date: 31 May 2019 // Number of guests: 48 (including 8 children)
If your close friend is a marriage celebrant and she suggests that you should give Tinder a try, we think you do it (right?)! For Emily, this fateful suggestion proved the turning point in her life after lucking out first try and meeting Mike, who just happened to live in her neighbourhood. Fast forward a few romantic-fueled years later and this loved up couple was ready to officially celebrate with an intimate ceremony & reception in the Gold Coast Hinterland.
QB: All good love stories start somewhere; tell us how and when you met …
E&M: In a truly modern way, Micheal (Mike) and I met on Tinder in 2016! It was all thanks to some gentle peer pressure from my friend (and celebrant!) Jacqueline. He was the only man I ever met from the app, and I instantly knew I had a catch. We lived only a suburb away, and we met in person just a day later when Mike swept me off my feet (sharing oysters and drinks!) at a premier Brisbane first-date-location, Eat Street Markets. A few months later, Mike took me on a romantic hot air balloon ride over the Gold Coast hinterland, which was a birthday present. We indulged with a champagne breakfast at O’Reilly’s Vineyard afterwards, and the beautiful vines and long white gravel driveway cast a spell on me. I knew at that moment that this was where I would one day have my wedding!
QB: Make us laugh, make us cry: who proposed to who, and how?
E&M: Always one for a grand romantic gesture, Mike took me on a surprise New Years Eve helicopter ride from Maleny in 2017. We landed at Ocean View Estates Vineyard (yes, can’t you tell that we LOVE wine?!). As soon as we landed, Mike dropped to one knee and asked me to be his bride. It was the most romantic moment of my life. We swiftly followed this romantic proposal with a cellar door tasting and plenty of cheese!
QB: How and why did you choose your venues?
E&M: It was that champagne breakfast amongst the estate vines that cemented my decision to host our wedding at Canungra Valley Vineyards, and I am so glad that we chose this as our venue.
QB: What was the inspiration behind your wedding style?
E&M: Romantic, ethereal, natural are three words to describe our style. Using a natural earth-toned colour palette which was complemented by neutrals and dove grey, our wedding decorators, Ivy & Bleu, created a right wow setting. Not only did they out-do themselves with the soft, romantic draping which was instead of a traditional ceremony arbour and hung from the enormous old creekside tree, they took creation to the next level with their custom 4m hanging greenery installation over our dancefloor – and, they also designed and provided my beautiful bouquets!
QB: Did you incorporate any traditions or perhaps do something a little different?
E&M: My mum is a single mum, so I asked her to walk me down the aisle. It was a very special and unique moment for us both.
QB: Were there any standout suppliers?
E&M: Ivy & Bleu – Honestly, the scene would not have been as beautiful as it was without their creative talents! Also, it’s not every day that you get to be married by a celebrant who happens to be a super-close friend. After meeting Jac through work five years ago, we quickly became friends and seeing that she was the reason Mike and met, it seemed only fitting that she would be the one to marry us. Musician Steven sang me down the aisle to a romantic, acoustic rendition of the Goo Goo Dolls, Iris, and then continued to perform acoustically during cocktail hour and into the reception. He also performed at our engagement party last year and has known my husband Mike personally for years. It was nice that we could both have two very special friends as part of our wedding.
QB: Did you (or will you) enjoy a honeymoon?
E&M: Ubud and Seminyak in Bali were our idyllic honeymoon spots!
QB: Please share any other details …
E&M: My gown (Romana) was my absolute dream dress! It was top of my list to try on and was the very first dress I put on. I knew it was the one instantly – no others even compared. The grey/pink-toned underlay is just so different from the nude blush colours that have been popular in the past, and the lace detail is incredible and accentuated my waist and curves so perfectly!
Mike’s six adorable little nieces (aged between three and 10 years old) were my little tribe of flower girls! They were all so very sweet and beautiful on the day with no tears or tantrums – just lots of petals and giggles.
LITTLE BLACK BOOK
Photography: About Time Co // Venue: O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards // Gown & Veil: Madi Lane purchased from LUV Bridal // Celebrant: Jacqueline Moore, Moore Events // Videography: Geoff Schatzel at Motion Art Pictures // Cake: Baked by Holly // Florals: Ivy & Bleu // Styling: Ivy & Bleu // Limousine: Limoso // Music: Steven Childs //Bridesmaid Dresses: Custom dresses by Casar Emporium // Suits: Roger David with suit accessories from Tarocash // Jewellery: Michael Hill and Etsy! // Wedding Rings: Michael Hill // Makeup: Jasmine Lei // Hair: Hair by Lacey // Flowergirls crowns: Etsy
