When choosing a wedding venue, this couple already had their eye on a dreamy location they had visited once before. “Mike took me on a romantic hot air balloon date over the Gold Coast Hinterland one year for my birthday,” says Emily. “We had a champagne breakfast at the O’Reilly’s vineyard afterward and the beautiful vines and white gravel driveway cast a spell on me. I knew in that moment that it was where I would one day have my wedding!”
Being a wedding planner herself, Emily got to work on creating the wedding of their dreams. While sending out their save-the-dates as far in advance as possible and ensuring their guests all had a hotel room in the small town of Canungra did prove to be a bit of a struggle, when the day came, the couple knew that any stress this roadblock had caused was worth all the effort.
The two loved the intimacy of a secluded and unique location, surrounded by nature instead of city lights. They even ended up staying in their cottage in Canungra a few extra nights before leaving for their honeymoon.
On the big day, family and friends celebrated Emily and Michael at their picturesque ceremony, where they were surrounded by a beautiful mountain backdrop, the enchanting vines of the vineyard, and six adorable flower girls! And these little ladies had rehearsed for their big moment!
Unfortunately, the two littlest flower girls, both three years old, thought they still needed to pretend throwing their petals, so they just mimed throwing from their baskets the whole way! When they got to the end of the aisle, they just upturned their baskets and showered themselves in rose petals,” Emily says. “Funny, but so cute.”
Being married in a vineyard, the wine was obviously a big favourite among the guests, along with the barramundi. “Plus, of course, our two-tier wedding cake!” says Emily.
The couple then spent the crisp May evening laughing with family around open fires. After a few more days in their dream location of Canungra, the couple escaped to a rainforest retreat in Ubud, Bali.
The Details:
Ceremony and Reception: O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyards // Photography: About Time Co. // Dress: Madi Lane // Honeymoon: Bali
