Two Celebrations, One Love Story: An Intimate Wedding Followed by a Joyous Reception at Redland Bay Golf Club

There are love stories that unfold quietly, cherished in the privacy of two hearts. Then there are those that bloom in the company of friends and family, celebrated with music, laughter, and cheer. But what if you could have both? Couples are embracing the idea of an intimate wedding ceremony followed by a larger reception party. This allows them to savour the sacredness of their commitment quietly, and then share the joy with their wider circle.

Reece and Carla invited just their immediate family and a couple of close friends to their intimate wedding ceremony on a Thursday afternoon at Redland Bay Golf Club overlooking the bay.

All heads turned as Reece grandly arrived at the ceremony in a fabulously shiny red truck cab, and walked down the aisle with his best man, Nick. He looked very suave in a blue jacket with light coloured trousers, a white shirt and a dusty blue tie.

Next, the couple’s daughters scattered flower petals as they walked towards the ceremony space, with big sister Evelyn catching toddler Ruby as she stumbled and rolled along the grass walkway (too cute!). Next followed Matron of Honour, Janeece, dressed in dusty blue satin. Carla looked lovely in a white lace gown, with a long veil upon her braided fair hair. She was accompanied by her dad. To remember her brothers, Carla attached their photos to her bouquet in a locket, and also reserved seats for them – a bittersweet touch.

During the ceremony, I told how the couple met on the Motorway. Carla noticed Reece, looking rugged in his beefy 4WD, wearing Pit Viper sunglasses. She gave him a little wave as they took the same exit. Reece was captivated by this cheeky little vixen, and found Carla on social media after recalling her personalised business plates. The couple prepared vows which they read to each other, then sealed their vows with a kiss. After some beautiful family photos, they celebrated with a small dinner.

But the celebrations didn’t end there. On the following day, they invited their extended family and friends from near and far to a reception party – also held at Redland Bay Golf Club. This festive event was a chance to dance, toast, and revel in the newly married glow with all the people who have supported their journey.

In the end, whether it’s an intimate exchange of vows or a full-blown party, each moment becomes a cherished chapter in your shared history. Two celebrations, one love story—and memories that will last a lifetime.

#LittleLoveStory

Coordinator: Elope Brisbane

Venue: Redland Bay Weddings

Photographer: Romana Saeheng

Celebrant: Cheryl Landsberry - Marriage Celebrant

DJ: @Mr Entertainment Weddings

#dustybluewedding

Wedding at The Valley Estate, Currumbin Waters

Wedding at The Valley Estate, Currumbin Waters

Fleur and Allister were newly engaged when they were guests at Sarsha and Tim’s 2025 wedding at Kwila Lodge. Not long afterwards, they contacted me to book me as their celebrant for their own wedding. I am always delighted to receive bookings in this way, and was so pleased that I had the date available for Fleur and Allister’s wedding.

The couple chose the absolutely immaculate venue at The Valley Estate, Currumbin Waters. The venue is a purpose built function centre on several acres of rural property in the Gold Coast Hinterland. The chapel for ceremonies is painted white, with arched timber windows, a timber floor, and a working bell tower. Fleur and Allister chose to have their ceremony in this beautiful chapel.

As the guests arranged themselves on pews, Allister and his groomsmen, all very suave in their tuxedos, walked down the aisle and took their places on the raised platform. Bridesmaids, all dressed in chocolate brown, floated down the aisle, holding their bouquets. Then all eyes turned as Fleur entered the chapel, accompanied by her parents. She was just dazzling in a white gown with a fitted bodice and full skirt with silver diamantes and a sexy side split. Fleur’s hair was curled in Hollywood waves, and she wore a floor length veil.

Allister and Fleur spent some time sharing their story with me, and I just revelled in the retelling – with the guests erupting in laughter at the funny moments, and awwing at the adorably sweet moments. One of my favourite lines in a ceremony ever, was sharing how Fleur loves Allister’s empathetic nature, and how they both feel sad if they drive past restaurants without any customers. That simple little anecdote just painted such an expressive picture of these two souls.

The couple honoured their fathers by asking them to witness their signatures on the marriage certificates.

After the ceremony, the wedding party and the guests exited the chapel, then Allister rung the chapel bell, before I announced the newlyweds and they danced out of the chapel hand in hand, under a cascade of confetti.

This was such a beautiful and memorable wedding. It’s hard to believe that I get to do this all over again next Saturday.

Email ido@cherylwedding.com to enquire about my availability to be your celebrant.

Venue: The Valley Estate

Celebrant: @Cheryl Landsberry

Photographer: @Salt Atelier Photography

Content: @Dewie Creative

Violinist: Lauren Bradnam

Flowers: @Garden Graffiti

#goldcoastwedding

#winterwedding

#premiumcelebrant

Brisbane Wedding at The Chef's Manor, Anstead

Gerry's meticulous nature captivated Sally from the moment they met. She admired his attention to detail and the careful consideration he gave to every word and decision.

So I was exceptionally honoured that, after meeting with several celebrants, Sally and Gerry chose me to officiate their marriage ceremony at Chef's Manor in Brisbane.

We spent quite some time going back and forth with the ceremony script, and were up to Version 7 before we all agreed that it was just right. I love to work with couples who are so invested in their ceremony, giving them suggestions and tweaking the wording until we get to the point where they don’t want to change a single thing.

Rain from the previous week had abated, and Sally and Gerry’s wedding day was cloudy, but fine. We were so pleased that the Plan B location would not be needed.

Gerry arrived at the wedding gardens first, dressed in dark trousers, with a white shirt, cream coloured jacket, and bow tie. He smiled broadly as he greeted guests and showed them to their seats. We waited in the shade until the wedding car arrived, and then I played, “Right here waiting” by Richard Marx.

Sally’s sister, Katie, was the first to walk down the aisle, wearing a champagne coloured dress and carrying a bouquet. Next, Sally’s friend, Christine walked down the aisle and took a seat beside Katie. Sally’s mum, Doirin, walked next, and stood with Gerry as they watched Sally walk down the aisle on the arm of her dad, Robbie to the song, “When you say nothing at all” by Ronan Keating.

Sally looked just lovely, with her dark hair in Hollywood waves. She wore a traditional ivory coloured dress of a jacquard fabric with a fitted bodice and full skirt. Sally’s gorgeous veil had a lace edge and was cathedral length.

Sally and Gerry smiled shyly at each other as the ceremony commenced. After welcoming the guests, acknowledging the traditional custodians, and asking both sets of parents for their best wishes, we remembered those loved ones who were unable to be at the couple’s wedding day. I told the story of Sally and Gerry’s first meeting, and how, within a week, they were falling in love.

Sally’s sister, Caz, was the first of four readers, and she read an Irish blessing for the couple. Sally and Gerry chose traditional vows to each other, and added a twist. As a nod to his Sri Lankan heritage, Gerry said, “you are the pol sambol to my string hoppers” and to reflect her Irish heritage, Sally responded with, “you are the leprechaun to my rainbow”. Gerry’s cousin, Duan, presented Sally’s ring to Gerry, and Sally’s mum, Doirin, presented Gerry’s ring to Sally. Next, Sally’s niece, Fiona, read the Blessing of the Hands. We also included a handfasting, using a macrame ribbon. After the marriage certificates were signed, Gerry’s cousin, Madeleine, read “Today I marry my Best Friend”, then Gerry’s brother, Jason, read “the Art of Marriage”. Finally, after much anticipation, I declared the couple to be legally married, and invited them to share their first kiss as husband and wife. The couple walked back down the aisle together, under a shower of flower petals.

Sally and Gerry decided to have their formal speeches immediately after the ceremony, under the shade of the gazebo. Then it was time for a group photograph and family photos, before the guests departed for the reception dinner and the couple had a chance for some beautiful portraits around the gardens at The Chef’s Manor, Anstead.

Email ido@cherylwedding.com to book me for your Brisbane wedding

Ceremony Venue: The Chef's Manor Anstead

Photographer and Videographer: Say Milk

Celebrant: @Cheryl Landsberry Marriage Celebrant

Newstead Park Wedding, Brisbane

 Micro Wedding at Newstead Park, Brisbane

Friday's wedding had it all: a beautiful bride, a handsome groom in a kilt, an adorable Cavoodle, a gorgeous winter blue sky, and family from all around the world.

Five years ago, Dani and Greg first met. Greg was on a craft beer pub crawl, and Dani was on a 12 Pubs of Christmas pub crawl. They have been inseparable ever since.

They eloped to Tuscany for an epic week away with friends, and decided to make it legal with a low key ceremony in their favourite Brisbane park. They contacted the team at Elope Brisbane to make it happen.

Newstead Park is a beautiful green park beside the Brisbane River, and it features a gazebo by the water which is available for Hire from Brisbane City Council. The team from Elope Brisbane styled the arbour with a timber arbour and draping with florals in autumn colours. White Americana chairs were set out for the guests, and a small table for the signing of the certificates.

Groom Greg, dressed in a green and navy tartan kilt and grey vest with jacket, waited under the arbour with the couple’s Cavoodle, Ramen. Gorgeous bride, Dani, wearing a soft off the shoulder dress in a pearl white colour, walked down the aisle accompanied by her mum, Liz.

The ceremony told of the couple’s meeting and the life they have built together. After Greg and Dani exchanged their adorable wedding vows, Greg’s brother Gary brought forth a tartan ribbon to perform a handfasting. Dani’s sister then tied the ribbon around Dani’s beautiful bouquet.

Photographer, Romana, captured photos of the couple, their guests, and of course, their precious pup, Ramen.

Another memorable day for the crew from Elope Brisbane.

Ceremony venue: Newstead Park, Newstead

Coordination: Elope Brisbane

Photographer: Romana Saeheng

Celebrant: Cheryl Landsberry

Flowers: Capalaba Carnations

#brisbanewedding

#microwedding

#winterwedding

#handfasting

Wedding at Kwila Lodge, Mudgeeraba

 Wedding at Kwila Lodge, Mudgeeraba

When tears welled up in her dad’s eyes, Sarsha knew she had found her wedding dress. The dress was an ivory gown with a corset bodice and full train, with intricate buttons down the back.

Tim and Sarsha chose Kwila Lodge at Mudgeeraba as their wedding venue. The site includes a beautiful light and airy reception lodge, with a covered ceremony pavilion by the creek. With rain forecast for their wedding day, the couple were relieved to have an all weather ceremony location. The showers, however, were delayed until later in the day, and the covered pavilion provided welcome shelter from the spring sunshine.

Sarsha and her bridesmaids walked down the iconic white staircase and across the lawn to the ceremony pavilion, to “Make you feel my love,” sung by Sarsha’s cousin Anastasia, accompanied on keyboards by Emma. With her parents on either side, Sarsha walked down the aisle to meet her husband to be. Tim, calm until that moment, suddenly realised the enormity of the day, and was filled with emotion as he lifted Sarsha’s veil.

The couple visualised a personal and romantic ceremony, with a little tradition and a little humour. Friend, Alice, read the poem, “i carry your heart,” and Sarsha’s mum, Anna, made a prayer for the couple. I told the story of how Tim and Sarsha met at a university party nine years ago and were soon inseparable. The tale of their romantic Prague engagement was included in the ceremony. After they shared their first kiss as husband and wife, the couple signed their marriage certificates, honouring their mothers by asking them to be witnesses.

As the newlyweds walked back down the aisle to, “For once in my life,” by Stevie Wonder, they stopped for a dip and kiss, as their guests tossed rose petals in the air. After a group photo to remember all their friends and family who shared their day, champagne and canapes were served on the lawn.

Thanks to Holly and Michael for the referral – it was lovely to see you both (briefly) as you carried out your wedding party duties.
And congratulations to the beautiful couple, Sarsha and Tim – I hope you live blissfully together for ever and ever.

Venue: Kwila Lodge - Weddings and Events
Photographer: @Wilde Visual
Flowers: @Garden Graffiti
Music: Elliott from @Janda Events
Dress: J.Andreatta

Will you be my Man of Honour?

 My son, Jack, has a diverse set of friends – school mates, work colleagues, and tradie friends of friends.

He has been friends with a young couple who have been dating since they were all at school together, and was recenlty honoured when Leticia asked Jack if he would be her Man of Honour at her and Jesse’s upcoming wedding.

Leticia wrote Jack an adorable note, which I have had to keep under my hat until the official announcement at their engagement party.

"Jack,

Out of all my friends, you’re the one who somehow ends up in all my best-ish moments. Every time I think of a great moment, there you are, usually laughing at me or encouraging my bad decision.

You’ve always been the friend who jumps along with the ride, and honestly, I don’t know what I would do without you. That’s why I need you more than ever now to keep me sane, on the biggest day of my life.

I’ve also got you a Zaraffa’s card so you can fuel up on caffeine, because, trust me, you’re going to need it when planning this wedding.

So….will you be my Man of Honour and officially take on the role of therapist, hype man, and emergency dress fixer?

Lots of love, Teesh."

Jack, a plumber, is possibly the last person you would ask to assist with the repair of white fragile fabrics, however, he always has a stash of silicone handy for emergencies. And with a mum in the wedding industry, he can pretty much speed dial any wedding professional that's needed - so maybe the choice for Man of Honour was not as left-field as you’d think.

Leticia presented Jack with a special Man of Honour box, with a personalised shot glass, cologne, and sox all for the big day.

Isn't that the sweetest thing?

Wedding aboard the MV Baroness on the Brisbane River

Wedding aboard the MV Baroness on the Brisbane River

Colleen and Dan wanted to do something a little unique for their wedding day, and chartered a cruiser boat on the Brisbane River for their Friday morning wedding.

The guests gathered at Murarrie, and boarded the vessel at 9:45 to allow for a safety briefing before we set off. Friends and family enjoyed the winter sunshine as we travelled down the Brisbane River, passing iconic Brisbane landmarks en route. The ceremony was held just off New Farm Park, and Colleen and Dan faced their guests under a circular arbour on the bow of the boat (look at me - all technical with the nautical terms!)

Colleen styled her jet black hair in a whimsical bun reminiscent of Amy Winehouse. Initially trying on a white dress, she ultimately decided on a corset bustier crafted from burgundy velvet with gold brocade. Complementing the corset was a magnificent shimmery full skirt with a thigh-high split and pockets, displaying shades of burgundy with one swish and royal blue with the next.

Dan, his groomsmen, and the bridesmaids all wore black.

The highlight of the ceremony was the personal vows written by Dan and Colleen, which reflected their journey and the blended family they have created.

As the cruiser approached the Story Bridge, photographer Amy climbed onto the top deck and captured a photo of the entire entourage as they cheered on the newlyweds kissing.

Luckily for me, there was no stop to disembark, and I enjoyed the remainder of the cruise with a sumptuous lunch, small glass of bubbles, and chatting to the interesting array of invitees under the June sun.

A magnificent day was had by all.

Venue: @Baroness Charter Cruises

Celebrant: Cheryl Landsberry - Marriage Celebrant

Photographer: Amy from Papillon Studio

#brisbanerivercruisewedding

#winterwedding

#brisbanewedding