Husband and wife team up to get you married and fed in style. I got to chat with Alan and Sarah Dawes to learn all about elevated micro weddings and elopements with Private Dining weddings on the Sunshine Coast.
Hey guys, tell me how you came up with “Wed & Fed” – the concept and the name?
We seem to have our best ideas when sharing a bottle of wine on a Tuesday night. It was a spur-of-the-moment idea that we should create a package together – Alan had already seen a massive increase in the amount of couples wanting him to cater for more intimate weddings. Then when Sarah came out with the name Wed and Fed – we just knew we were onto something.
What exactly does Wed and Fed offer?
Right now we are focusing on what we do best, creating beautifully bespoke ceremonies and incredible fine dining experiences. With our celebrant and chef packages, couples have the option to make their day as private or luxurious as they wish. But, we’re planning on adding full service packages in the near future to make things as simple and stress free for couples – watch this space!
What constitutes a “micro” wedding and how does it differ from an elopement?
We like to think of a micro wedding as having all the luxuries and extravagance of a big scale wedding, in a much more intimate setting. A true elopement might see just the couple, the celebrant and a two witnesses – total privacy. But since Covid, I think the lines of micro wedding and elopement are blurring and couples are wanting the relaxed stress free vibes of an elopement, but to still have the experience and feeling that comes with a big celebration.
How much lead in time do you need to plan and execute a micro wedding?
One month! Haha. Technically, to get married in Australia, you need to have one month’s notice to lodge the required paperwork. The beauty in Wed and Fed is you can get married at home if you like with an incredible restaurant quality menu. No having to fight for special dates at venues years in advance.
Are there a lot of venue options to host a micro wedding or elopement with private dining on the Sunshine Coast?
We find that most of our couples are opting to get married at home or at a beautiful Airbnb, and because they are more intimate, the venue options become endless. As long as there is a oven, stove and running water you can have a beautiful fine dining wedding experience.
Do couples usually hold their ceremony and reception in one place for a micro wedding?
Mostly yes. Unless the couple have their heart set on having the ceremony on the beach or somewhere very specific. But that’s the beauty of getting married in a more intimate setting is the flexibility to make it what you want.
What’s the vibe at a micro wedding ceremony?
Relaxed for sure! Often couples have thrown tradition out the window, they might have spent the morning together and are embracing things that are totally them and maybe a little different. But the stress of entertaining and appeasing 100 guests is gone and the whole day is much more relaxed.
What’s something that’s trending in your area of weddings at the moment? Or is there something a lot of couples are currently asking for?
FUN! Life has been stressful enough for a lot of people in the last few years and couples really just want to enjoy their wedding day and have fun doing it.
Is Private Dining a popular option for wedding receptions?
Absolutely. We find the couples who find us really care about having an incredible fine dining experience and its definitely growing in popularity as couples are focusing more of their wedding budget on what is really important to them.
Menu-wise – what’s something you always suggest to couples to take their private dining experience to the next level?
We try to guide our couples to the menu that is going to suit them. For larger micro weddings (20 people plus) having less courses is going to give them more time to socialise. Whereas our more intimate weddings (where dancing isn’t as important!) we recommend going all out and indulging in our premium 10 course experience with matched wines.
What’s the fanciest private dining event you’ve ever catered?
This one definitely goes to Alan. After over 700 events, it’s hard to just pick one. Fine dining on a yacht for five days was pretty special, or an engagement party set amongst the trees, or a stunning wedding at Domic. But catering for a regular client at Boonburrh House in Noosa, where the wine served is around $5k a bottle, is pretty much as fancy as it gets.
How do you come up with the menus? Is it a collaborative experience with the couple or do you set a seasonal menu..?
We let our couples know that it is a “trust the chef” experience. Of course Alan works with dietary requirements and we’re not going to serve something you hate! But this really is a dining experience like nothing else you will get at a standard wedding. A menu that is crafted with perfect balance, excitement and incredible produce.
Do you have a favourite dish, Alan?
Fish and chips, but not as you’d expect it. Pommes allumette, cooked in duck fat. Panfried barramundi and butter made from leek tops (yes those bits that usually go in the bin!) It’s got that homely feel of eating classic fish and chips, but in a mind-blowing new way. I love playing with the concept of food and expectations.
Sarah, what’s your favourite dish that Alan makes?
Wagyu cooked in blue cheese is a total winner for me.
What’s it like working together as a married couple yourselves?
We’ve actually worked together since we moved to Australia in 2013. It’s all we’ve known. We’re used to keeping our work and personal life separate and because we share the same passions it never feels like work. Together we’ve got over 20 years experience in weddings and hospitality, its not just work, its a lifestyle.
Don’t Sleep on Getting Wed and Fed
Alan and Sarah are almost fully booked for 2025. So if you’re interested in a Micro Wedding or Elopement with Private Dining Experience for 2026 and beyond, head over to their website and book in for an obligation-free chat about your upcoming wedding or engagement party.
