It was important to Ashton and Joshua, who met through a friend, that their dream of having an open air wedding reception on the Sunshine Coast was realised. Even though Covid-19 has presented additional challenges, with a little – well actually, a lot – of help from their vendors, they were able to pull it off. They even say they wouldn’t change a thing. 

After their ceremony at Point Perry, they and their 60 guests went to Sunshine Coast wedding venue, Twin Waters Golf Club, for an evening under the stars.  

Bride, Ashton, shares her experience planning and executing her Sunshine Coast wedding during the Covid-19 crisis… 

Why He’s The One

I never believed in soul mates until I met Josh. He is my absolute world and the best dad to our son Jaxon. I wouldn’t want to do life with anyone else.

Memorable Moments

Seeing each other for the first time when I arrived to the ceremony was the most emotional moment of the day. I’ll never forget the moment they declared us husband and wife. Looking back, I’d change nothing at all. The day went the way it was supposed to.

We were on a short family holiday in Melbourne and Josh asked me if I would like to go up to the highest tower in the southern hesmisphere, The Eureka Skydeck. Knowing I’m not great with heights, I was a bit hesitant, but agreed. He proposed to me while overlooking Melbourne and our year old son was with us. Very special moment.

Wedding Secrets 

Biggest splurge: Personalised honey jars for our guests, and of course my dress. 

Best money-saver: Getting our cake dressed by a friend. 

Planning resources: Pinterest + Cloud Nine Weddings

Wedding dress: Marilyn Crystelle Bridal 

Groom’s suit: Tarocash

Groom’s shoes: Suits Direct

Page boy’s outfit: H&M 

Honeymoon: Unfortunately due to the COVID lockdown our honeymoon was cancelled three times. Thailand, Tasmania and oreilleys rainforest retreat were on the cards. 

Wedding budget: $20,000

Actual cost of wedding: $28,000 

under400HD from Rachel Cutler on Vimeo.

Photographer + videographer: Tawny Photography + Film | Venue + catering: Twin Waters Golf Club | Wedding planner: Cloud Nine Weddings | Flowers: Jabula Roses + The Flower Collective | Cake: Cake Yard | Favours: Meant To Bee Honey Favours Makeup: Erin Fedele | Hair: Hair Love Unite | Decorating + styling: Cloud Nine Weddings | Entertainment: Paul Collier DJ | Celebrant: Suzanne Riley Marriage Celebrant | Wedding night accommodation: Novotel Twin Waters Resort 

The post Ashton loves Josh | Open Air Wedding Reception appeared first on The Bride's Tree.

This isn’t the first time we’ve published a same sex wedding on our blog, but it is the first time since Australia voted yes for marriage equality. So we’re pretty exciting.

#AustraliaSaidYes

In December 2017, Australia legalised same sex marriage after a nationwide plebescite resulted in overwhelming public support of equality. Here at The Bride’s Tree we believe in a kind of equality where same sex marriage is always part of the conversation and naturally everyone is represented. 

Today, though, we are going to go right ahead and be gleeful that Australia said yes. And that means… more weddings! We can only be thrilled four our LGBTQ community and look forward to sharing more same sex wedding celebrations with you. 

Love is Love

This stunning shoot, which took place at The Lakehouse Sunshine Coast is a pure celebration of love with real life couple, Jess and Suzi, who are local to the Sunshine Coast. The love these two share is evident in these images, epitomising the message at the heart of the new law – love is love. 

Images by Candi Photography 

Love Is Love from Jensen & Young on Vimeo.

 Stealing the show is pretty pooch, Lou Lou

The Dresses

Jess and Suzi were both dressed by Judy Copley Bridal. Each wears a bridal gown featuring a lace design and low back, while staying true to their own individual styles. Venue: The Lakehouse Sunshine Coast | Photography: Candi Photography | Flowers: Heavenly Blooms | Makeup: Sally Townsend Makeup Artistry | Hair:Rolling Scissors | Cake: SweetP Cakes & Cookies | Stationery: Bluebird Invitations | Tablescapes : JJ Style Co. | Balloons: Twisted Mr. Balloons | Dresses: Judy Copley Bridal | Videography: Jensen & Young | Celebrant: Suzanne Riley Celebrant | Models: Jess + Suzi, and Lou Lou, the dog

Thank you for supporting our A-list Vendors, who were part of making this beautiful love is love shoot…  

The post Jess loves Suzi | Love is Love After All appeared first on The Bride's Tree.

To get in contact with the lovely Suzanne, visit her vendor profile. 

The post Spotlight on a Supplier: Suzanne Riley appeared first on The Bride's Tree.

Local teacher, Jess, married her love, Travis, in a beautiful classic wedding at Sunshine Coast purpose-built wedding venue, The Lakehouse. Their wedding styling was inspired by the location and decor of the waterfront coastal venue, and Marine Engineer Travis’ affinity with all things nautical. Jess also included a hint of vintage in her fashion and with the inlusion of old family wedding photographs. 

Images by Lou O’Brien captured their day in a gorgeous fashion. 

“We gave our attendants their dresses and suits as well as nice bottles of champagne and scotch and the girls also had pretty robes for getting ready as well as earrings. My nieces and nephews all had presents on the table to entertain them during the reception.”

“My daughter, Lotte, did a reading during the ceremony as did one of Trav’s childhood friends, Melissa. We also gave the bridal bouquet to my grandparents as the longest married couple at the wedding. My three older brothers, Adam, Ben and Jarred were also our MCs for the day and this was very special to me.”

Jess and Travis said their vows by the water at Brightwater in a ceremony performed by celebrant, Suzanne Riley. 

“We have identical values, love for family and admiration for each other as people. We wanted to keep everything simple but have a wedding that reflected who we are as people, a couple and things that were important for us to share.” 

“My dad also surprised us in his speech by acknowledging our wedding day as the same date my Mum and Dad got engaged. Not having Mum with us physically was very difficult but she was there with us in so many other ways. Her wedding photo featured in our decorations.”

“Trav is a huge ‘boaty’ so the nautical theme worked and we combined this with my love of teaching… and chalkboards became the feature for this.

“A highlight for me was a special father daughter dance that Dad and I had worked out together and singing a song to Trav with my brother Ben on guitar was pretty special (once I got in the right key!)”

Wedding Secrets

Biggest money saver: Doing so many things ourselves – invitations, bonbonniere, thank you cards

Bridal gown: Ferrari Bridal and Formal wear – $1900

Shoes: I had a pair that I hadn’t really worn much which were perfect! I wanted a neutral colour to theme with vintage style.

Bridesmaid dresses: Forever New $200 each

Bridesmaids’ accessories: Angus and Coote Jewellers, Bras and Things robes

Groom’s suit and shoes: Male Manor, Carindale $1600 for all three

Groomsmens’ suits and shoes: Male Manor, Carindale

Rings: Selig’s Jewellers in Caloundra $1400

DIY: I work with wonderful people where I teach at St John’s and the amazing ‘Arty’ teachers Fiona and Jas, who happen to be great friends, made our centrepieces, which were incredible. 

Number of guests: 110

Wedding budget: $35,000

A-list Vendors

Celebrant: Suzanne Riley

Venue & Catering: The Lakehouse

Florist: Willow Bud

Photographer: Images by Lou O’Brien / Videographer: Wildbunch Weddings / Cake: Lee Berryman Cake Designs / Bombonnieres: Miniature heart chalk boards on pegs (ordered online) and doubled as name setting / Transport: Noosa Limousines / Makeup Artist: Pru Edwards  / Hair Stylist: Katrina from Universal Hair / Entertainment: Rockin You Wild DJs

See Jessica & Travis’ full wedding album. 

The post Real Wedding: Jessica & Travis at The Lakehouse appeared first on The Bride's Tree.