Not wanting all the fuss and time-consuming planning of a traditional wedding, Tegan and Emmanuel decided to turn their engagement party into a surprise wedding for their 100 guests at the expansive Maleny Retreat. The 100-acre property has plenty of accommodation and even additional camping grounds, so they made a full weekend of it and had a fabulous fun fair wedding day with their nearest and dearest.  Marion Jonkers caught all the festivities on camera.  Surprise Wedding We didn’t want a bridal party, boring speeches, the excessive planning and decorating that is the usual expectation. So when it came to planning our…

Today we have a guest blog from one lovely lady, who happens to be a fabulous Sunshine Coast wedding celebrant, Margarita Priori-Smith sheds some light on various wedding customs we have come to know and adapt in our culture in Australia, and around the world. Marriage customs can be viewed from different perspectives.  They can either be traditional rituals such as giving the bride away, or they can be rites and customs from around the world. Like any custom and ritual, they evolve over time and can be adapted to suit individual situations. Here is a glimpse at 3 marriage customs that most couples…