WEDDING LOCATION:
Rose Garden, Queens Gardens, Townsville, North Queensland
GUESTS:
There were 160 guests in total. Some of our guests were from Overseas, Scott's sister travelled from London and my cousins travelled from Dubai to be part of the wedding party. Elizabeth (12 y.o.) and Samuel (10 y.o.) were in the bridal party as junior bridesmaid and pageboy. Other members of family travelled from Tasmania (12 people), and from the Atherton tablelands, also in North Queensland.
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
We live in Townsville. I was born in Townsville, and Scott was born in Atherton, from the Atherton Tablelands.
THEME:
"Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be" by Robert Browning. I found this and loved it the moment I saw it: simple, beautiful and true. This saying was included subtly in everything, from the invitations (it was printed in small print at the base of the elegant invitations), to the order of service and it was even included in the words used by our celebrant when we were married. For my speech to Scott on the evening I incorporated the words into a beautiful poem I had written, which bought many tears throughout the guests.
Generally, our theme for the wedding was 'elegant' which was used in the creation of all aspects for the wedding from the invitations, through to attire and reception decorations. The colours of Ivory, White and Lilac were also used throughout the whole wedding theme including for all stationary (invitations, order of service, menu, thank you cards etc), flowers, dresses (bridal gown and bridesmaid dresses) and transport (including a white horse and carriage and two beautiful white horses!). Pearls and diamonds were also used a theme and also appeared subtly in everything from the invitations, order of service, jewellery, reception decorations of table centre pieces and the bridal table back drop.
WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE ON A TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND WEDDING?
Scott and I are both from North Queensland and love Townsville's variety of locations that were able to use on our wedding day. Our ceremony was held in the Rose Garden, which created a formal and elegant feel to the ceremony. We were able to travel to a range of locations for photos in a short distance which provided us with photos of tropical back grounds, and a beautiful sun set over the tropical ocean and marina.
FONDEST MEMORY:
There are so many! All of our speeches on the evening were amazingly perfect. In particular one of bridesmaids created a fairy tale book, made out of cardboard and wood in the shape of a firetail princess castle. Her speech was the beautiful fairy tail story she wrote about how "Princess Brittania" went on a search for her prince, and how she met "Scottia of Concreteor" (because Scott is a Concreter). The story detailed how we fell in love and lived happily every after, "except for the occasional Viking invasion from Viking Paul and his posy of Viking on their life long quest to find liquid amber gold" (meaning Scott's brother Paul and his mates taking Scott out for a drink every now and then). The story was beautiful and hilarious and really showed how well our bridesmaid knows both of us. It is a beautiful keepsake.
Our week leading up to the event was so special as so many friends and family had travelled so far to share our special day. In the invitations there was a special 'love note' that was created, where we asked guests to write a special 'love note' such as wise words of advice, or a poem, or message or a drawing or photos of memorable times together throughout or time together. On Sunday (the day after the wedding) my Mum and Dad held a big lunch at home for friends and family and we opened our gifts and I read all the love notes out to everyone. It was such a beautiful moment in our lives where we were able to share special thoughts and letters that people had given us with our close family and friends. The love notes bought tears to everyone eyes from laughter and also from the beautiful nature of the thoughts. There were over 70 love notes and it is such as special keepsake!
FAVOURITE PHOTO & WHY:
The landscape photo of the marina and sunset. It show's Townsville, Castle Hill in the background, the marina and Townsville's beautiful sunset. We love sunrise and sunsets!
HONEYMOON LOCATION:
We had a fantastic honeymoon that lasted for 4 weeks. We travelled first to Mexico for 2 weeks, where we did a tour from Mexico City and travelled south to Cancun, and then stayed for 4 nights in a luxury resort on the Caribbean Coast of Mexico at a town called Player Del Carmen. We then travelled to Miami for a few more days in the sun and then to New York City for another week before coming home. We spent the North Queensland winter in the Summer of Mexico and Miami, laying on the beach and relaxing!
ATTRACTIONS / TOURS IN NORTH QUEENSLAND:
Before the wedding Scott organised a fishing charter with 10 friends and family around Magnetic Island and the reef. Our family from Dubai and Tasmania loved the tropical reef!! Following the wedding our family did a day trip to Magnetic Island.
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PHOTOGRAPHER: Maxwell Images
VIDEOGRAPHER: Bo Drisen
CELEBRANT: Ann Barnes
FLOWERS: Private supplier
RECEPTION: Rydges Southbank Townsville Convention Centre
TRANSPORT: Old World Carriage Co.
CATERER: Rydges Southbank Townsville Convention Centre
MAKE UP: Faces by Paige
HAIR: Carrie Rosenblatt
ACCOMMODATION: Rydges Townsville