O’reilly’s Rainforest Retreat Wedding
Published by Ben Clark Photography
This week I’m sharing the beautiful wedding of Karla & James.
O’reilly’s holds a special place in my heart as my Grand Father was a part of the Forestry Dept team that built the original roadway up to O’reilly’s and many of the walking tracks in and around Tamborine Mountain.
So it’s always nice to be a part of something super special up there.
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Theme: Romantic / Floral
Tell us how you met
James and I met while we were both living and working around the Mackay area. On our first date, James took me to a movie that had been recommended to him by a friend..
It ended up being quite an’ inappropriate’ first date movie but the date (and James’s character) was saved by the lovely dinner and hours of conversation that followed.
The proposal
I had just moved back to Brisbane that week and we were off to Maleny, on a weekend away to celebrate two years of dating.
We were checking into our accommodation when I noticed some flowers and champagne on the kitchen bench.
I was super excited about the flowers and when I opened the card it said “Karla, will you marry me?”.
I turned around to James on one knee with a ring and of course said yes!
Details
Ceremony location: Moonlight Crag, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat
Reception location: The Lost World Conference Centre, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat
Gown: Justin Alexander (from Sugar and Spice, Chermside)
Shoes: Wittner – Wedding bands and engagement rings: All from Underwoods Fine Jewellers
Celebrant: Caroline Jackson – Decorator: Ivy & Bleu
Hair: The Powder Room (Tiffany) Hair piece: Sugar and Spice, Chermside
Bridal party attire: Bridesmaids & Groomslady – Casar Elegance, Brisbane City. Groom and Groomsman suits – Tony Barlow, Brisbane City.
Make-up: The Powder Room (Shelley) Flowers: Hyde Roses (Carolyn Hyde)
Stationery: Lovestruck Invitations – Cake: Deliciously Decadent Cake Design (Taya)
Entertainment: Ceremony – Harpist Cindy; Reception – Gold Coast Premier DJs (Paul)
Honeymoon
10 days in Queenstown – eating, drinking and exploring!
Funniest Moment
Sparkler photos…
Our brother-in-law being very serious about his role in circling us with a sparkler.
He was supposed to be ninja but instead looked like a fairy god mother and had everyone in hysterics!
While he wasn’t quite fast enough getting out of the shots, the moment was one to remember and everyone still giggles every time they see the photos.
Favourite Wedding Day moment
(Other than saying ‘I Do’), when we were standing out on the farm, getting some photos and we were just talking to each other about the day so far, watching the sunset.
We could hear our bridal party chatting and laughing in the background.
It was a beautiful moment together.
Special thanks to
Mandi from Ivy & Bleu for going above and beyond to bake cupcakes for our bonbonniere the night before the wedding (after some of our macaroons started to crumble) and Carolyn from Hyde Roses for providing extra flowers last minute!
Our bridal party and parents for all the support in the lead up and on the day (thanks for keeping us sane!)
And to all of our suppliers and guests for making the trip up the mountain (despite the post-flood road conditions) and making our wedding day perfect!
What did you value most about using Ben Clark Photography ?
Other than all the amazing photos..
we really valued the time Ben spent getting to know us and our plans prior to the wedding.
Also, we really loved his photo journalistic style because it made the day more enjoyable not having to pose all the time and the photos we love the most are the ones of everyone just being themselves on the day.
Ben also fit in really well with all of our guests, he’s laid back but also very organised, which really helped!
Advice for other brides-to-be
- Try to front end as much of the organisation as you can (ie. Book your suppliers and venue early).
- Make sure you feel comfortable in your wedding dress, shoes, hair and make up etc. (you want to feel like yourself on the day)
- Finally, just relax on the day and enjoy all your hard work.. It’ll be over before you know it!
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Karla & James thanks so much for sharing your day with us !
Everything you ever wanted to know about wedding photography but were too afraid to ask!