Tuesday, 28 October 2025

Belinda & Cory’s Breezy North Stradbroke Island Beach Wedding

 A Joyful SprinUnder the clear blue skies of a classic Queensland spring afternoon, Belinda and Cory tied the knot in a ceremony as relaxed as it was beautiful. The pair chose the sun-kissed sands of North Stradbroke Island for their special day—a location that promised breathtaking views, gentle sea breezes, and memories to last a lifetime.

The beach was the perfect canvas for Belinda and Cory’s wedding vision. With the ocean sparkling an irresistible aqua just steps away, the team from Elope Stradbroke created an intimate, elegant setup. A rustic timber arbour stood centre stage, adorned with flowing white draping and carefully arranged dried flowers, blending effortlessly with the coastal surrounds. Twenty pristine white Americana chairs awaited the couple’s closest family and friends, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for their nearest and dearest.

Belinda looked radiant in a slinky white strapless gown featuring a cheeky thigh-high split—a dress that perfectly caught the sea breeze and the carefree mood of the day. Cory’s laidback beach style was spot on, as he donned a sand-coloured suit and crisp white shirt, opting for no tie to keep things casual yet polished. Their three children matched Cory’s look, adding a sweet touch of family unity to the ceremony. They all ditched shoes in favour of a barefoot, sandy vibe.

The exchange of vows was filled with emotion and laughter, as the couple’s three kids played their own important roles in the ceremony. With only their closest family present, the atmosphere was intimate and full of love, everyone soaking in the gentle sound of the waves and the warmth of the afternoon sun. As Belinda and Cory said “I do”, the breeze caught the white drapes of the arbour and the dried flowers, creating a scene as picturesque as any wedding could hope for.



After the heartfelt ceremony, the group made their way to Amity Pavilion, where the celebration continued. The relaxed vibes carried on as the family and guests enjoyed good food, laughter and that unmistakable island feeling. Toasts were made, photos snapped, and kids played as everyone basked in the afterglow of a truly unforgettable day.

Belinda and Cory’s beach wedding was a joyful celebration of love and family, wrapped up in the natural beauty of North Stradbroke Island. From the stunning seaside ceremony to the low-key festivities at Amity Pavilion, it was the perfect start to their next chapter together—proof that sometimes, the best days are the ones spent barefoot in the sand, surrounded by those who matter most.

#islandwedding

#straddiewedding

#beachwedding

 

Coordination and styling: Elope Brisbane

Straddie Photographer: Romana Saeheng

Straddie Celebrant: Cheryl Landsberryg Celebration with Family, Sand and Sunshine

Friday, 24 October 2025

Wedding at the Grand View Hotel, Cleveland

Wedding at the Grand View Hotel, Cleveland

After being a couple for over seven years, Amy and Andy just couldn’t align a date in their busy calendars for a wedding. But when they saw the package with Elope Brisbane at the newly renovated Grand View Hotel, they decided to just make it work.
Elope Brisbane’s joint venture with the Grand View Hotel and local wedding professionals includes planning assistance, celebrant, photographer, ceremony styling with chairs and an arbour, flowers, hair and makeup, Kombi transportation, reception at the Grand View Hotel, and a wedding cake. All Amy and Andy needed to do was invite the guests, find something to wear, and buy the wedding rings.
The atmosphere was serene and inviting as guests made their way into the bayside park, greeted by a gentle bay breeze. The ceremony space featured a rustic arbour and white chairs, all positioned to provide stunning views over the bay.
Andy arrived in high spirits, sporting a blue suit and a wide smile. In keeping with their relaxed style, he opted to forgo a tie and wore a crisp white shirt with an open neck. To complete his look, Andy added a boutonniere to his lapel.
Amy and her daughters were transported to the location by Kombi. The girls wore their own choice of dress – one in burgundy and one in pink. Amy wore an oyster coloured satin dress which draped over one shoulder in an almost Grecian style. Her hair was curled, and she carried a bouquet of flowers – featuring yellow tones, her favourite colour.
Andy’s adult children and Amy’s teen daughters walked down the aisle, along with the couple’s Staffy, Bear (who stole the hearts of every guest with his exuberant nature). Then Amy and Andy walked down the aisle, hand in hand, and took their places under the arbour.
The ceremony was light and relaxed, with a little humour and a lot of smiles. After signing the certificates, the couple walked back down the aisle as newlyweds, and were showered with well wishes and dried flower petals.



After a few photos by the bay, the group made their way over to the new marquee at the Grand View Hotel, for drinks, canapes, dinner, dancing, and plenty of conversation.
What a fabulous wedding day – relaxed, enjoyable, and just fun. Amy wrote, “Thanks so much for everything. The ceremony was beautiful and felt so special.”



Check out the Elope Brisbane web site for more collaborations with the Grand View Hotel.



Cleveland wedding ceremony location: G.J. Walter Park, Cleveland
Cleveland wedding coordination: Elope Brisbane
Cleveland wedding celebrant: Cheryl Landsberry - Marriage Celebrant
Cleveland photographer: Romana Saeheng
Cleveland DJ: Mr Entertainment
Flowers: @Capalaba Carnations
Reception Venue: Grand View Hotel

Monday, 13 October 2025

5 unique elements at Sarah and Andrew’s Cleveland wedding

The brief for Sarah and Andrew’s wedding day was for a fun and unique celebration.





So how did they achieve those unique elements?
1 – Sarah has a strong personality. Her platinum blonde spiky hair, thick lashes, and all over tattoos ensure she stands out. For her wedding dress, she surprised guests with a hunter green wedding dress. As she alighted from the car on arrival at the ceremony venue, she held up a cathedral length black lace veil. “Is this too much?” she asked. I replied that it definitely was too much – and therefore suited Sarah perfectly.
2 – A couple often enjoys some “in” jokes – shared moments that make up the tapestry of their relationship. Sarah surprised Andrew by choosing Elton John’s ‘Crocodile Rock’ as her processional song.
3 – Instead of nominating a ring bearer, Sarah and Andrew hid their wedding rings under two of the guest chairs. When it was time to exchange the wedding rings and I asked Andrew if he had them, he patted each pocket in mock panic, before I requested the guests to look under their chairs. The lucky finders had the honour of presenting the rings to the couple. This was a unique and fun way to present the rings, and also included the guests.
4 – As an alternative to prior nomination of witnesses to sign their marriage certificates, guests who found pens underneath their seats had the honour of acting as witnesses. Andrew’s dad, in his 70’s, had a laugh when I asked him to confirm if he was over 18, sober, and willing to testify in a court of law as to the proceedings of the day if he ever should be called upon. Comically, Terence didn’t immediately find the pen cleverly taped to the underside of his chair, and for the first time during a wedding ceremony, I had to crawl on my hands and knees around the guest chairs to acquire the well attached pen.
5 – Instead of a traditional wedding cake, the couple arranged for wheels of cheese to be placed atop each other for the dessert.

There were so many other elements to the styling of the ceremony area, including table runners depicting black crows, Corpse bride statuettes, table centre pieces made from plastic eyeballs and skulls and topped with crows on branches, and pumpkin décor.
This was such a memorable and fun wedding, but despite all the quirky distractions, Andrew and Sarah only had eyes for each other.

Thursday, 9 October 2025

Wedding at The Lighthouse, Cleveland

David and Helen chose a modern twist on traditional wedding elements for their October wedding at the Lighthouse, Cleveland Point.

Rather than following the tradition of having bridesmaids and groomsmen, David and Helen decided to involve all of their guests in the wedding party. To achieve this, they requested that everyone attending wear shades of blue to the celebration. This creative approach meant that the wedding party included every guest, with attire ranging from pale blue and electric blue, to navy blue, as well as blue spots and blue stripes. The result was a cohesive and visually striking theme, with each guest contributing their own variation of blue to the overall look of the day.
In keeping with their desire to personalise their wedding and include each guest, Helen chose to forgo the traditional bridal bouquet. Instead, she invited each guest to bring a single flower with them to the ceremony. As guests arrived, they presented their flower to Helen, who gathered them together to form her bouquet. The resulting arrangement was eclectic and vibrant, reflecting the individuality of each guest and creating a colourful display, finished with a ribbon. This thoughtful gesture not only replaced the conventional bouquet but also symbolised the collective support and presence of everyone attending the celebration.
As an alternative to the traditional arrangement of chairs on either side of a central aisle, Helen and David opted for a more inclusive and intimate setup for their ceremony. They arranged the guest chairs in a semi-circle formation, creating a sense of unity and closeness among everyone attending. The semi-circle was positioned around a beautiful white floral arbour, which served as the focal point of the ceremony. This thoughtful arrangement was set against the stunning backdrop of the sparkling bay, adding a picturesque element to the occasion and allowing all guests to share in the special moment from a central vantage point.
David opted for a casual contemporary look, wearing a beige suit complemented by a crisp white shirt and a vibrant orange tie. This choice added a dash of personality while retaining a classic style.
Helen embraced elegance with a white Grecian-style dress. Her hair was styled in an updo, adding to the graceful aesthetic. Adding a playful and distinctive touch, Helen completed her outfit with comfortable, eye-catching orange knee-high Go Go boots worn beneath her dress. This unique footwear choice not only reflected her fun-loving spirit but also provided comfort throughout the day.
David and Helen suggested that I select the opening song for their ceremony - wow - no pressure! I chose “Daydream” by The Lovin’ Spoonful. As the gentle melody began to play, the couple walked together, hand in hand, towards the arbour, accompanied by their toddler granddaughter. This song set a warm and joyful tone for the ceremony, highlighting the relaxed and heartfelt atmosphere that David and Helen had envisioned for their special day.


Following the short and sweet ceremony, David and Helen received warm congratulations from their friends and family. Many guests added to the festive mood by bringing bubble wands, creating a festive scene as bubbles floated through the air while well-wishers surrounded the happy couple. The atmosphere was filled with laughter and cheer as everyone came together to hug and congratulate the newlyweds.
Once the initial congratulations were shared, the entire gathering moved beneath the shade of the nearby Moreton Bay Fig Tree. Here, guests assembled for group photographs, capturing the spirit of the occasion and the happiness that radiated throughout the day.
While the guests enjoyed relaxing after the ceremony, I made my way to the reception venue, the Lighthouse Restaurant, to ensure everything was ready for their arrival.
As the newlyweds entered the venue and were introduced to their friends and family, the DJ began playing “Sweet Disposition” by the Temper Trap. This signalled the start of David and Helen’s first dance as a married couple, and a special surprise choreography.
Family and friends—who had secretly learned the choreography via a video link—joined them on the dance floor in a surprise flash mob. This energetic and heartfelt performance set the perfect tone for an evening filled with celebration and dancing, making the start of the reception truly unforgettable for everyone in attendance.
David and Helen’s wedding at The Lighthouse, Cleveland, was a shining example of how couples can make their wedding day truly their own. By embracing creative elements—such as inviting guests to dress in theme, contribute individual flowers for the bouquet, and join the bridal flash mob dance—they fostered a sense of unity and personal connection. Their celebration was a testament to the magic that unfolds when a couple chooses to celebrate their love in ways that are meaningful to them, creating unforgettable experiences for everyone involved. Their wedding day was just fabulous.
Redlands Wedding Ceremony location: Cleveland Point Recreation Reserve
Redlands Marriage Celebrant: Cheryl Landsberry
Redlands Photographer: Romana Saeheng
Redlands Wedding Reception venue: The Lighthouse Restaurant, Cleveland
MC: Cheryl Landsberry
Wedding dance choreography: Wedding Dance Creations

Wednesday, 8 October 2025

Micro wedding at Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mount Coot-tha

Micro wedding at Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mount Coot-tha

Aidan and Tiana wanted the best of both worlds. They wanted a relaxed, intimate and tranquil micro wedding with just their immediate families, and they also wanted a big party to celebrate with all their nieces and nephews, uni friends, and work colleagues present. They decided to do both.
On a sunny spring Friday afternoon, the team from Elope Brisbane set up a rustic timber arbour under the huge Fig Tree at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mount Coot-tha. Aidan arrived looking dapper in a black tuxedo. The couple’s parents and siblings arrived at the ceremony location, glad for such a shady spot on a warm afternoon.
Tiana walked down the path, accompanied by both her parents, to a piano version of Tayla Swift’s song “Lover”. Tiana looked elegant in a satin, one shoulder, fitted white gown. She wore her mother’s wedding veil pinned under her bun – a veil which had been created by her grandmother who recently passed away. Tiana carried a bouquet of soft pink and peach coloured flowers.
Tiana and Aidan took hands under the arbour and exchanged their promises to each other. The guests joined the couple in a laugh as Aidan promised to let Tiana win occasionally at Mario Kart, knowing full well that Tiana was more often the household champion.
During the ceremony, Tiana’s brother, Riley, played a special role by passing the wedding rings to each guest. As the rings made their way around, every family member held them briefly, taking a quiet moment to offer a wish or prayer for the couple. This heartfelt gesture allowed each guest to be involved in blessing the marriage, infusing the rings with the warm wishes and support of their loved ones. After the rings had completed their journey, Tiana and Aidan exchanged them, sliding them onto each other’s fingers, now carrying the best wishes of their family.
Tiana’s parents have a beautiful tradition of lighting their wedding candle each year on their anniversary. Inspired by this meaningful gesture, Tiana and Aidan chose to continue the tradition in their own marriage. For their wedding, they sourced a custom candle, carefully embossed with their names and wedding date, and adorned with a black bow. After signing their marriage certificates, the newlyweds lit their special candle together, marking the beginning of their own tradition. Tiana and Aidan plan to relight this candle every year on their anniversary, honouring both their new life together and the legacy of love passed down from Tiana’s parents.
Following the ceremony, Tiana and Aidan took some time to capture special wedding portraits with their families. These moments provided an opportunity for each family member to share in the joy of the day, resulting in some gorgeous pics to treasure.



Afterwards, their photographer, Romana, guided the newlyweds on a stroll through the picturesque surroundings of the Brisbane Botanic Gardens. Together, they visited a variety of scenic spots, taking advantage of the natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere for a series of stunning photos. These images will serve as cherished keepsakes, preserving the happiness and love shared on their wedding day for years to come.
The newlyweds made their way by Kombi Van to their reception party where their extended family and friends were invited to join them to celebrate at a nearby restaurant.
Ceremony Venue: Fig Tree Lawn, Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mount Coot-tha
Coordination: Elope Brisbane
Brisbane Photographer: Romana Saeheng
Brisbane Celebrant: Cheryl Landsberry
Cake: Cakes by Simone
Kombi Van: @Bonnie 77
HMUA: Hollywood Brides