Buck’s Weekend

 

You may have read that my son, Jack, is going to be Man of Honour at his friends’ upcoming wedding. After the hen’s weekend was such a success, he and the best man worked together to plan the buck’s weekend.

If you missed the original post about Jack’s role, you can read more about it here: https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/7853470738021056897/4069946746289516325

You can also read about the hen’s weekend here: https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/7853470738021056897/7267789983495383472

 

Event Details

·         Timing: One month before the wedding day

·         Location: The Gold Coast

·         Guests: Eleven attendees

·         Cost: $875 per person

·         Accommodation: An Airbnb

·         Activities: Friday night dinner at Broadbeach Surf Club, drinks at Burleigh Pavilion, then a SWAT party bus package, Top Golf, a river cruise, and drinks at the casino on Saturday

What Went Well

Top Golf was one of the highlights of the weekend. The package included drinks, wings and pizza platters, which everyone enjoyed. The river cruise was also well equipped and added another enjoyable activity to the itinerary.

One of the attendees also brought along a maid’s outfit for the buck to wear, which added plenty of fun and gave the group something to laugh about.

What Could Have Gone Better

The party bus arrived late, which cut into the drinks package time at Top Golf. That was disappointing for the group – when there’s a drinks package, you want to be there early!

After seeing all the fantastic photos from the hen’s weekend, it was also a shame that there were not more high-quality photos from the buck’s weekend to capture the memories.

Hen’s Weekend

 You may have read that my son, Jack, is going to be Man of Honour at his friends’ upcoming wedding. One of his key duties was to organise the hen’s weekend, so I interviewed him to find out what he learned from planning the event.

If you missed the original post about Jack’s role, you can read more about it here: https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/7853470738021056897/4069946746289516325

Event Details

·         Timing: Three months before the wedding day

·         Location: The Gold Coast

·         Guests: Eight attendees

·         Cost: $550 per person

·         Accommodation: An Airbnb

·         Booked activities: Dracula’s Theatre Restaurant on Friday night and a sunset cruise planned for Saturday night

What Went Well

The group really enjoyed the show at Dracula’s Theatre Restaurant. The meal was reasonable, the entertainment was a hit, and the group photo was a thoughtful touch that everyone appreciated.

What Changed on the Day

The sunset cruise was cancelled at the last minute, which was disappointing and left Jack scrambling for an alternative. The group ended up going to the Ice Bar instead, which turned out to be a fun novelty and gave everyone plenty of opportunities for Instagram photos.

The Biggest Planning Challenge

Collecting money was the hardest part of organising the weekend. Some attendees needed a payment plan, so it was important to manage costs clearly and give everyone enough time to pay.

Shakaya and Aden’s Redland Bay Golf Club Wedding

 

Set against the beautiful lawns and gardens at Redland Bay Golf Club, high school sweethearts, Shakaya and Aden, celebrated their wedding day with a ceremony that was both relaxed and memorable. The venue is known for its beautiful outdoor wedding spaces and golf course views, making it a fitting backdrop for the couple’s wedding dreams.

One of the most delightful details of the ceremony was the live music. Musician Matty Ross sang “Still the One” as the page boys, flower girls, bridesmaids and then Shakaya, on the arm of her brother, made their way down the aisle. Having live music gave Shakaya the flexibility to time her entrance to a very specific point in the song, creating the beautiful wedding moment that she had envisioned.

The wedding party looked stunning in a modern palette of black, sage and soft green tones. The bridesmaids wore black eternity dresses, while the groomsmen were dressed in classic black suits with sage green ties. Aden stood out in a grey suit with a subtle hint of green, perfectly tying his look into the day’s colour story. Shakaya was absolutely radiant in a long white sparkly gown, finished with a floor-length veil and softly curled hair.

The styling at the ceremony brought everything together beautifully. Chairs were adorned with emerald green sashes and eucalyptus leaves, adding fresh texture and rich colour against the natural greens of the golf club surrounds. The overall effect was stunning, with every detail complementing the relaxed outdoor setting.

After the ceremony, Shakaya and Aden walked back down the aisle as newlyweds and were handed small mallets for one of the day’s most fun surprises. Instead of cutting a traditional cake, they smashed a mock wedding cake to reveal lollies hidden inside. It was a light-hearted and memorable moment that delighted guests, who then enjoyed the sweets while relaxing on the lawn at the golf club as family portraits were being taken.

Photographer: @bec_munro_photography
Celebrant: @cheryl_landsberry_marriage_cel
Venue: @redlandbayweddings
Content creator: @onyourdaybestie
Music: @mrentertainmentaus
Cake: @cakesmashbrisbane

A Gorgeous Winter Microwedding at The Lighthouse Restaurant, Cleveland Point

 On a clear winter afternoon, The Lighthouse Restaurant at Cleveland Point provided a beautiful backdrop for Richard and Kerrie’s intimate microwedding. With sweeping views across Moreton Bay and a charming gazebo setting, the venue perfectly suited their vision for an elegant, classic ceremony shared with close family.

The ceremony took place in the gazebo, where sparkling bay views framed the couple beautifully. A stunning arbour dressed in flowing white draping and rich burgundy florals added romance to the fresh sea air and created a memorable focal point for their vows.

Every detail reflected timeless style. Richard looked dapper in a smart suit with a crimson tie and matching rose boutonniere, while Kerrie was elegant in a long-sleeved gown with a lace bodice and sweeping train. Kerrie’s adult daughters wore burgundy wrap dresses as bridesmaids, and Richard’s adult daughters stood proudly as groomsmaids in matching multiway gowns.

The ladies’ soft curled upstyles complemented the romantic feel of the day. Kerrie’s granddaughter made a sweet flowergirl in soft pink, while her grandsons were adorable ring bearers in little suits. The bridal party arrived in style in a white stretch limousine.

Although the guest list was small, the emotion was immense. With only their nearest and dearest present, every word and glance felt deeply personal, creating a ceremony centred on love, family, and the joy of being together.

Afterwards, the group headed across the road to Cleveland Point Recreation Reserve for photos by the water. The bay views, foreshore, and lighthouse precinct offered a stunning setting for relaxed family portraits and elegant bridal images.

While photographs were underway, the Lighthouse staff transformed the ceremony space into a dinner setting with tables, chairs, and an outdoor heater.

The sweet details were beautifully planned too, with a decadent red velvet top tier and vanilla cupcakes topped with fresh berries and swirls of frosting.

Richard and Kerrie’s winter microwedding was a lovely reminder that weddings do not need to be grand in size to feel extraordinary. With the bay sparkling behind them and treasured moments shared with children and grandchildren, their day was intimate, elegant, and timelessly romantic.

Coordination: Pop Up Weddings Bayside

Photography: Romana Saeheng

Celebrant: Cheryl Landsberry

Venue: The Lighthouse Restaurant at Cleveland Point

Cake: Cakes by Simone

Hair and Makeup: An Eye for Style at Cleveland

Micro wedding ceremony and macro wedding party at Mount Coot-tha

 Paris and Connor wanted the best of both worlds for their wedding day. The pair decided on an intimate ceremony with just their immediate family in the Botanic Gardens, and celebrated with a huge party with all their extended family and friends at the Summit Restaurant, Mount Coot-tha afterwards.

The pair contacted the team at Elope Brisbane to book their ceremony, opting to DIY their styling, and select just celebrant and photographer for their ceremony package. On a gorgeous winter afternoon, we met the couple at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens. The garden ceremony was simple, quiet, and relaxed, with the couple’s vows to each other being the highlight. Afterwards, the occasion was captured in beautiful photos surrounded by nature.

Paris looked stunning in a strapless gown, with a pearl necklace and her hair swept up. Connor was very handsome in a charcoal suit and white shirt – relaxed with no tie. The bouquet and boutonniere featured bright pinks and oranges.  The pair couldn’t stop grinning throughout the day.

After the ceremony and photos, the group made their way up to the top of Mount Coot-tha to enjoy their reception dinner. The celebrations included a dance floor and a tiramisu tower.

 

Ceremony venue: Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Mount Coot-tha

Reception venue: The Summit, Mount Coot-tha

Coordination: Elope Brisbane

Photographer: Romana Saeheng

Celebrant: Cheryl Landsberry

DJ: G & M Events