Real weddings
THE journal
Full wedding stories from Byron Bay to Lord Howe Island — the whole day, start to finish.
Destination
Brittany & Viliame at Crowne Plaza Nadi Bay, Fiji
A highlands drive in traditional masi, storms rolling in off the Pacific, and a ceremony on the lawn at Crowne Plaza Nadi Bay.
Elopement
Mel & Brent on Lord Howe Island
Two people, a celebrant and one of the most remote islands in the world — banyan forest, empty beach and a mountain at golden hour.
Wedding
Letitia & Yoni at The Fig Tree, Byron Bay
Petals down the aisle, a champagne tower and the fig trees at their best, high above Byron Bay.
Wedding
Tom & Nim at Harvest, Newrybar
A ceremony in the old Newrybar hall with hanging greenery, a beer fairy working the room, and dinner up the road at Harvest.
Wedding
Maddie & John at Deux Belettes, Byron Bay
An ivy-covered ceremony in the Byron hinterland, a long table under the trees, and dancing well past dark.
Wedding
Sophie & Jonathan at Porteño, Surry Hills
An inner-city Sydney wedding: Surry Hills terraces, city light, and a long Argentinian feast at Porteño.
Wedding
Clair & James at Rick Shores, Burleigh Heads
A relaxed Gold Coast day on the water at Burleigh — canal-side vows under the palms, oysters at Rick Shores, and a beach at golden hour.
Wedding
Kath & Ross in Redfern, Sydney
A Sydney story told in red brick — the Old Clare Hotel, laneways and pedestrian crossings, paperbarks in Centennial Park, and a party at Cake & Wine.
Wedding
Cassie & Jack at Belongil Beach, Byron Bay
A beach house whose front yard tumbles onto the sand — vows under the pandanus, a walk to the old railway line, and dancing till the early hours.
Hindu Wedding
Brahman & Priyanka a Hindu wedding in Sydney
Two days and two ceremonies — drums, fire and garlands at the temple, then vows on the wharf beneath the Harbour Bridge.
Destination
Emilie & Henrik at the Belmond Caruso, Ravello
An olive-garden ceremony high above the Mediterranean — confetti, a rainbow over the Amalfi Coast, and dancing after dark.
Destination
Aaron & Amanda at the Mission Inn, California
Letters read in the arcades, a black-tie ceremony in the chapel, and the hills above Riverside at golden hour.
Wedding
Jessica & Jarrod at Goremans Road
A stormy October day west of Byron Bay — sun for the vows, then a sunset of storm cloud and gold, and a reception that never sat down.
Wedding
Cathy & Thomas at Tall Trees
An autumn afternoon in the Tallebudgera Valley — vows on the open lawn, portraits in the flooded gums, and a first dance that ended in a full dip.
Wedding
Nicole & Ryan at Kooroomba Vineyard
An open-air chapel with the Scenic Rim straight through the back wall, portraits down the lavender rows at last light, and a dance floor that outlasted the daylight by hours.
Wedding
Breanna & Matt at Byron View Farm
A rainy Byron day that never dampened anything — vows at the Fig Tree, then the hinterland view at Byron View Farm.