D A N N Y & S H A W N A
F R O M T H E B R I D E . . .
We first met...
When we were 11 in highschool! But we only started dating when we were 15!
I knew it was love when...
We had our first kiss by the lake under a full moon, and it was the start of something very special.
The Proposal...
Danny proposed in Rome by the Trevi Fountain! It was a complete surprise, and on the last day of our Europe holiday.
Pre-wedding parties...
We had the usual hen’s and buck’s nights in Sydney. But the whole week before our wedding was a pre-wedding celebration with all our guests who arrived early! Lots of group snorkelling trips, riding horses to waterfalls and drinking in the swim up bar!
Wedding style...
We always wanted a really relaxed beach wedding, with our closest family and friends.
The destination...
On the beach at the Warwick Resort and Spa on the Coral Coast in Fiji.
The bridal party...
The bridesmaids were my two best friends and my sister. The groomsmen were Danny’s three best friends.
The dress...
[It was] very simple! I found a style that I liked and had it made and altered by Kathryn Lemin in Canberra. It was a low, v-neck lace dress over a satin slip.
Bridesmaid dresses...
Chiffon dresses from inweddingdress.com.au
The suits...
Suit pants and shirts from Politix.
The reception...
Wicked Walu, Warwick Resort. This is a restaurant on a little island connected to the rest of the resort by a long pier. We chose it because of it’s awesome feel: traditional painted roof and a sandy floor.
Decorations...
We just wanted beautiful white orchids – simple! We didn’t have to make many decisions for this – we just told the Warwick Resort what we liked, which was pastel themed flowers and beachy things. They were absolutely amazing, and so was our wedding planner Una Letewale, who organised everything! Decorations included tall vases filled with water and lilies, tea light candles in glasses wrapped with twine, glass bowls filled with flowers and water and pastel themed bouquets along the walls and tables.
On the menu...
Entrée:
-Lamb Shank Ravioli with Sweet Onion Puree spinach & parmesan
-Marinated Walu in Lemon, Coriander and coconut cream; “Kokoda”
-Island Mixed Greens Tossed with Vinaigrette
Mains:
- Grilled Mahimahi with Jasmine Rice & avocado salsa
-Beef Wellington with Crushed Potatoes, spinach & Jus
-Chicken Breast, Potato Gnocchi Bacon, Tomato & Basil
Dessert:
-Wedding cake
Bomboniere...
Coconut and lime soaps and name tags with individual quotes on each gift tailored to each guest.
Your wedding songs...
Processional was ‘Magic’ by Coldplay and recessional song was ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ by Van Morrison. First dance was to “Stand by Me” by Ben E King, and at the end of reception we walked under the archway to ‘A sky full of stars’ by Coldplay.
Wedding Photographer...
[Jonathan] is one of my best friends and does amazing wedding photography! [Our photos] are very natural and capture the emotions of the day perfectly.
Most memorable moments...
The whole thing – it was the most relaxed wedding and absolutely perfect.
Honeymoon...
The Yasawa Islands in Fiji – amazing for shark diving and swimming with mantarays!
The future...
We're living in Sydney but plan to move overseas once I finish my PhD for a couple of years.
Photographer Jonathan David Photography Ceremony Warwick Resort and Spa, Fiji Reception Wicked Walu, Warwick Resort Bride's Dress Custom tailored online then altered by Kathryn Lemin Bridesmaid's Dresses inweddingdress.com.au Groom & Groomsmen Politix Flowers and Decor Warwick Resort and Spa, Fiji Wedding Planner Una Letewale
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