– As featured in Queensland Brides Autum / Winter 2020 –
After working together for years, this couple was ready to support each other forever.
Vincent wasn’t much of a talker when it came to the ladies,” laughs Hannah, remembering the night she met her future husband… who, instead of wooing her with words, challenged her to a dance battle in their local nightclub. Shortly after, they shared their first kiss and their life of supporting and challenging each other began.
The go-getting duo spent the next 11 years travelling together and focusing on their careers – Hannah as a part-time model and in hospitality, and Vincent as a rugby league player and labourer. After moving from Brisbane to Perth where they became personal trainers and opened their own gym, they took on their most important job of all: parenting. The couple are now the proud mum and dad of Isla, five, Abel, three, Obie, two, and baby Emmi, five months.
The adventures, however, didn’t slow down, with the couple planning to relocate to Cairns. This, of course, called for an epic going-away party, which Vincent decided to hijack for a surprise proposal. After hosting a friendly competition between their gym and another local venue, Vincent and Hannah threw a huge party to finish up the day and celebrate their upcoming move. But that’s not all they would end up celebrating. As the camera snapped their group photo, their nearly 100 guests (all in on the plan!) stepped away to reveal Vincent down on one knee. Of course, Hannah said yes, and the dancing and drinking continued all night!
Having made Cairns in Tropical Far North Queensland their new home, the couple took the opportunity to show off the location to their loved ones with their wedding. Hannah and Vincent explained that to them, marriage is a symbol of lasting love, loyalty and dedication. “It’s important for us to show our children what love looks like and how it is celebrated and respected by everyone who cares for us and loves us. We wear our rings with absolute pride, and it’s special for us to now be able to refer to each other as husband and wife,” says Hannah.
They found the perfect place to exchange those rings at the Shangri-La Hotel on The Marina in Cairns. The luxe venue provided the ideal place for a picturesque rooftop garden ceremony with incredible views of the marina and mountains.
A wedding where the ceremony, reception, and accommodation were all in one place was a must for Hannah and Vincent. “Ninety per cent of our guests travelled from overseas or interstate, and we wanted everyone to enjoy Cairns the way we do,” says Vincent. “It was the perfect opportunity to show off our new city to our loved ones. Hannah, the creative half of the couple, was in charge of the design of their wedding. Aiming to create a timeless and elegant event that she and her husband would love looking back on for years to come, Hannah got to work pulling together the look of their big day. “I wanted to tie it in with the tropical feel of Cairns, so I decided to include a lot of greenery, along with white roses and a hint of gold,” says Hannah. She teamed up with Blossom & Bloom Cairns to install gorgeous greenery walls and Amber Jasper Stylist to create lush bouquets of white roses, orchids, stock and pom pom dahlias, which perfectly accented the tropical vibe of their big day on 4 October 2019.
To honour Vincent’s Samoan heritage, the couple incorporated some traditional elements into their loved-up wedding. Vincent’s family and close friends performed a siva tau (Samoan haka), and several of the women in the family surprised the couple with a Samoan siva (dance). The biggest surprise? Hannah’s performance of a traditional siva for her husband. “He had no idea I was going to perform for him,” says Hannah, who was so excited to show Vincent and his family how much respect and love she has for their culture.
Having just welcomed their youngest into the family, it wasn’t quite the right time for a honeymoon. Instead, the newlyweds will have their official ’moon in May in Bali – where they’ll enhance their love-fest getaway by watching their best friends tie the knot!
[Little Black Book]
Photographer: Lovelenscapes Photography & The Raw Photographer // Ceremony and reception: Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina, Cairns Rooftop Terrace and Trinity Room // Celebrant: Creating Moments with Tammy Barker // Dress and accessories: Grace Loves Lace // Suits: yd. Australia // Rings: Michael Hill // Bridesmaids: The Iconic // Wedding coordinator: Jaysie Panyayuttasak at Shangri-La // Events Stylist: I Do Flowers Cairns // Florist: Amber Jasper Stylist // Green wall: Blossom & Bloom // Cake: Melissa Martin // Honeymoon: Bali
