Mary and Craig: North Burleigh Surf Club Wedding

Wedding Photography Gold Coast: Photographic Art

 

The Proposal:

Craig proposed to me up at Burleigh Hill in April this year. We had been to dinner at Oskars restaurant and afterwards we went for a walk up the hill even though it was raining lightly. As we were walking back down the hill Craig playfully pushed me under a tree. The next thing I knew he was down on one knee holding out a ring, telling me he would really like to marry me.

 

Craig and I were introduced by a mutual friend at the (super romantic) Grand Hotel Labrador. Despite agreeing we were only having a friendly dance, we spent the whole night dancing together and had so much fun, I couldnt’ help but agree to a date.

 

I made my own invitiations, printed onto pearl white paper which I glued onto metallic blue card. There were three parts to it, bound together with satin blue ribbon.

 

The ceremony was held at Mick Shamburg Park, North Burleigh Beach. Kylee Parmley from Ocean Beach Weddings did an amazing job decorating it. Craig and I love the beach and it was an immediate decision to get married there. We were married by Gold Coast Celebrant Max Warmington, who kept the wedding ceremony lighthearted with plenty of laughs. Our vows were entitled ‘The Art of Marriage”

 

I walked down the aisle to Feels Like Home by Edwina Hayes. I heard the song years ago and have loved it ever since. Our bridal waltz was to the candlelight version of Heaven by DJ Sammy & Yanou. The DJ was supplied by Hi-Life Management and we were able to either choose the entire song list, or pick the type of music we wanted and give a ‘do not play’ list, which we opted for. We danced all night. I also played some Lebanese music to pay tribute to my background and my cousin played the drum for us. I was surprised that so many guests seemed to enjoy it and gave it a go.

 

The reception was held at the North Burleigh Surf Club. We had a cocktail style reception so that everyone-including the bridal party-could mingle. We had a few tables plus chairs and dry bars scattered around the room and on the balcony. The room was decorated with fairy lights and the chairs with blue satin ribbon. The room had views out to the ocean and opened up to a balcony where guests could watch us whilst we had beach photos. We had canapes to start -a combination of hot and cold, and then a fork (stand up) buffet, which included beef, fish, chicken and a variety of salads.

 

The theme was blue/beach and a bit of bling. The girls wore long blue flowing dresses with an over the shoulder beaded strap. The chairs were decorated with blue sashes and our table centrepieces were fishbowls with a candle, sand and shells, on a mirror base with tealight candles.

 

The flowers were a simple posy of white roses with green chamelia leaves, tied together with a white organza ribbon to match my dress. They were exactly what I wanted, by Ganesha.

 

I had my cake made by Leticia at Cake it Special. It was a four tier cake, all white, decorated with shells and starfish made from fondant. The flavours were cherry ripe mud, white choc mud, caramel mud and kahlua mud. As a cheeky surprise for guests, I had asked for the cake topper to be the bride and groom on a John Deere tractor, as Craig works on golf coursess and sports fields and has been known to bring a tractor home to keep our lawn looking like a golf course too. I had imagined it would be a small tractor (the size of a standard cake topper), and was ecstatic when I arrived at the reception to see it was half the size of the cake. It looked great and the cake was delicious!

 

I wore a Maggie Sottero gown purchased from Strictly Bridal. The dress had a sweetheart neckline, with a lace up bodice, organza skirt, and beading throught the dress. The dress was a-line, with a train. It was the first dress I tried on and I got that ‘feeling’ straight away. After that none of the dresses I tried on compared. I wore a veil, which I borrowed from my sister. The boys all wore dark grey suits with white shirts purchased from Ron Bennett, and silver ties.

 

My shoes were white peep toe heels with a silver flower on the front, by Pink Inc, from Myer. I wore chandelier earrings purchased from Strictly Bridal, and borrowed my sister’s wedding bracelet, purchased from Diva. My engagement ring was a 1ct brilliant solitaire on an 18ct yellow gold band, from Pascoe Jewellers at Harbour Town, where Craig buys all my christmas presents. My wedding ring was 15 tiny diamonds set into white gold, on a thin yellow gold band. Craig’s wedding ring was two tone, with a brushed effect. I had a ring that my grandfather had given me several years ago pinned inside my dress as a way of including him in the wedding as he is in a home and could not attend.

 

I arrived with the girls in a black stretch hummer. The boys had photos taken with Craig’s green HD Holden, which was owned by his late grandfather and held a lot of sentimental value.

 

We chose Photographic Art from the amazing wedding photos I had seen in magazines and then on their website. I looked at other wedding photographer’s websites, but nobody else came close. When Craig and I met them we were instantly comfortable and signed up on the spot. On the day we had so much fun. The photos were kept quick and lighthearted. I love love love our wedding photos and can’t wait to see the album. So many people have commented on the photos already.

 

Craig and I left the morning after our wedding to Phuket. Craig had been there before in 2007 and loved it. It was even better than I expected it and I couldn’t fault it as a holiday destination. We stayed in Patong Beach, about 20 minutes walk from the main street. We had the best time and can’t wait to go back.

 

Don’t let the little things get to you.

 

Our hair and makeup ran late and I had been determined not to run late to the wedding 🙁 Also Craig’s mum had fallen over the night before and ended up on crutches 🙁

Other than that the day ran perfectly and we all had so much fun. Closing time came too quickly! Craig surprised me (and I’m sure all the guests) with a humourous garter toss dance.