Caitlin loves Dale | Noosa Beach Wedding

February 1, 2017

Many of Caitlin and Dale’s guests remarked they had never seen a more excited bride when she walked down the aisle to meet her betrothed. With smiles for days the pair said their vows in the shade of Casuarina Gardens in Noosa Main Beach before their 82 guests.

The couple always knew they wanted a Noosa beach wedding, as they share a deep love for the water. From the beginning having both their ceremony and reception close to the water was their biggest priority in their wedding planning. Finding a waterfront wedding reception venue in Noosa was top of the list.

Both Caitlin’s father and brother walked the beaming bride down the aisle – one of the many ways Caitlin’s father was involved in the wedding. Stepping up for bridal gown appointments, checking out the venue, meeting the photographer, and booking boats and buses were also part of the gig for the hands-on dad, as Caitlin’s mother had sadly passed away. Caitlin found many ways to honour her mother in the wedding, including dedicating a special dance, which all joined in for.

The reception was held at Noosa Waterfront Restaurant + Bar. The guests were ferried across the Noosa River to the venue, while the bride and groom spent some much-needed alone time together in a dreamy vintage speed boat on the way to their Noosa reception venue.

Images by Adore Photography Adore Photography

“I love the Kate Spade colouring: bright, vibrant and fun. This is why we went for bright florals, black and white stripes and gold accents. The vibrancy of the theme tied in perfectly with the atmosphere we were hoping to create for ourselves and for our friends and family. “ “My mum passed away six years ago and was unable to be a part of the planning process for our wedding so my dad made sure he was really involved in the whole process. I wore a swatch of my mums dress sewn into the lining of my dress, had a photo broach of my mum on my bouquet and her dress wrapped around by bouquet, had her favourite flowers in my bouquet and lit a lantern for her at our ceremony. After the speeches, Dale and I asked all of our guests to join us on the dance floor to dale to Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl”, a song that has special meaning for my mum.” “My dad and brother both walked me down the aisle. We had a special ceremony where my family and Dale’s family both gave us away and welcomed us into both families.” “We both adored our ceremony. It was the best feeling finally getting to see each other about a morning apart. I don’t think I’ve been more excited in my life.” “My motto was: ‘it’s our wedding and we can do whatever we like’ through the whole planning process.” “We are best friends before anything else and our strong friendship has got us through the ups and downs of life together.” “It was a priority for us to be near the water for both the ceremony and reception. We both love the water.”

Wedding Secrets

Biggest splurge: The food and wine. It was worth it though!

Best money-saver: Not having a bridal party.

Bridal gown: Justin Alexander Bridal dress and belt. $3,500. Sugar and Spice, Brisbane.

Accessories: Swarovski bracelet. $120.

Shoes: Bag $50, and shoes $60, Asos.

Groom’s suit and shoes: TM Lewin, $900.

Rings: Stones Jewellers

Gift registry: We did a wishing well.

DIY: Place cards, some decorations, table numbers, and Jenga guest book.

Honeymoon: New Zealand’s southern islands and Fiji.

Number of guests: 82

Wedding budget: $40,000

Who paid: Dale and I, my Dad and Dale’s Dad.

“Our guests enjoyed a sunset cruise on the Noosa Ferry and we enjoyed a ride on the Noosa Dreamboat with just the two of us in between our ceremony and reception. To have 45 minutes together and alone cruising along the beautiful Noosa River was truly special. We got to sit back, relax, have a glass of champagne and talk to each other.” “We met at a mutual friend’s birthday party on Saint Patrick’s Day 2012. Dale was dressed as Luigi and I (dressed) as Xena, the Warrior Princess. All of our friends left the party so we gravitated to each other as the only two friend-less people at the party.”