For their first Valentine’s Day after their wedding, Amanda commissioned Australian fashion artist, Sarah Jane, to illustrate a wedding memento for her now husband, Ben. She presented the artwork together with their vows. Of course their wedding portrait wouldn’t be complete without including their fur babies, Jaxon and Wilson, who played a very special part in their Noosa ceremony.
Scroll to see their starring moment walking down the aisle as ring bearers, but first read a few words from the bride about their beach wedding in Noosa, and Hastings Street restaurant reception at Bistro C.
How they met
“Well… we “knew of” each other for the last 10 years or so and then Australia Day 2014 I added him on Facebook. We started chatting straight away and before we caught up, Ben sent roses to my work from my fur baby Wilson. Stroke of genius there and the rest is history.”
Why they work
“We want the same things, we both wanted to settle down, get married and start a family (working on that now). We both LOVED our dogs and had similar careers – Builder and Real Estate Agent. Most importantly, we understand a good marriage takes work. It doesn’t stay “perfect” for 60 years with no effort.”
Wedding planning priorities
“We had just started a business so a wedding planner was a must. Location was the next most important and we fell in love with the Noosa locations we picked. Having enough space for our 140 guests, writing our own vows, and of course the outfits! I had two pregnant bridesmaids, so that made dress shopping interesting. We also got secret dance lessons for our bridal dance.”
Special gifts
“For the bridesmaids I gave them all a box the day before our wedding which had lovely dressing gowns to get ready in and Mimco jewellery for the day. I got personalised coat hangers for everyone. The boys got Country Road ties. My husband bought me a gorgeous pearl bracelet the day before our wedding that matched the pearl earrings I was wearing on the wedding day (complete surprise) and he had roses and a beautiful card delivered the day of our wedding. I had custom made cuff links and tie clip for him.”
Images by Cassandra Ladru Photography
“We had our two fur babies, Jaxon and Wilson, as the ring bearers. So my sister walked down the aisle first with them and the rings were tied to their collars. We LOVED having them as part of the day.”
Wedding Secrets
Biggest splurge: I don’t think there was one big splurge item. I guess it was a luxury having a wedding planner but that was totally necessary.
Best bargain: The boys bought their suits on sale, and we were able to supply our own alcohol for a couple of hours between the ceremony and reception.
Bridal gown: Brides of Brisbane
Accessories: Cathedral veil, Pearl earrings and bracelet purchased from Pearls for Girls in Noosa
Shoes: Wittner
Bridesmaid dresses: Convertible dresses that I bought online to accommodate the two baby bumps!
Bridesmaids’ accessories: Mimco clutch, earrings and bracelet
Robes: Homebodii
Groom’s and groomsmen’s suits and shoes: Myer suits, Country Road ties, RM Williams boots
Rings: Custom-made by Flair Jewellery
DIY: Photo frames, vases + candles for reception decoration
Number of guests: 140
Honeymoon: Vanuatu
Wedding budget: $80,000 (including honeymoon)
“We decided to have a cheese wheel cake and cut it at the ceremony. This meant everyone got to just have champagne and cheese in the park for a couple of hours while we got photos. That allowed us to do all the family photos in the same location as the rest of the guests too.”
Ben & Amanda from GoldBear Wedding Films on Vimeo.
Photographer: Cassandra Ladru Photography | Videographer: Gold Bear Wedding Films | Venue + catering: Bistro C | Wedding Planner + cheese wheel cake: CL Weddings and Events | Florist: Mondo Floral Designs | Makeup Artist: Natalie Hunter Makeup Artist | Hair Stylist: Sass & Niki’s Wedding Hair | Entertainment: Daniel McGahan | Dance instruction: Templeton Dance Studio | Celebrant: Weddings with Kristy | Wedding Night Accommodation: Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort
Thank you for supporting our A-List Vendors, who worked to make Amanda + Ben’s Bistro C Wedding so special…
Learn more about… Bistro C + Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort + Sass & Niki’s Wedding Hair + Natalie Hunter Makeup Artist
