Jenna and Abraham // Mandalay Chapel

Whitsunday Wedding Suppliers

Ceremony: Mandalay Open Air Chapel
Reception: Mika Brazillian BBQ Restaurant
Celebrant: Jan Harvey
Photography: Fancy Photos
Hair: Whitsundays Wedding Hair Lounge
Make-up: Joanne Dromgold Make-up
Flowers: Flower Hut
Dress: Zara
Accommodation: Martinique Whitsundays

Your Love Story…

Abraham and I met 2 years ago upon my relocating from Sydney to Queensland. We instantly connected by our common interests and passions, both having worked in the community welfare supporting vulnerable people. Our first date was one month after meeting and from that day forward we were inseparable. Having both been married before we found instant comfort in the fact we both knew exactly what we did and didn’t want in a spouse. After approx. 1 year we were laying down talking on a Sunday morning as we do and Abraham spontaneously asked me to marry him.

Destination Wedding…

We chose a destination wedding as both sides of the families lived in different states or countries. We are based in the Gold Coast, my family are in Sydney and Abraham’s in New Zealand. Rather than burdening our families with the cost of attending our wedding we decided to elope and could not resist the beautiful sights of the Whitsundays. The planning and stress was so minimal with the destination wedding and the location was a dream.

Wedding Week…

We stayed 7 nights and visited Whitehaven Beach via seaplane, went jetskiing, spent a day on Hamilton Island and spotted crocs on the Proserpine River with Crocodile Safari.

Wedding Day Vision…

We wanted to incorporate modern elegance with the traditional aspects of the Maori culture.

I wore a silver sleeveless dress and a white traditional korowai (Maori cloak hand weaved with white chicken feathers) wore by the Princesses of the Maori village

My Husband wore a simple white shirt with a red and black Korowai (Traditional Maori cloak that represents a chief in the Maori village)

We both wore a Taonga (Traditional Maori necklace) that is hand carved from New Zealand Jade stone and Whale bone. Believed to represent the spirit of the individual that has been gifted the treasure, It provides strength and protection.

We had a small wedding with only 20 family and friends, this wedding was meant to be an elopement but some family and friends surprised us by arriving the night before the wedding.

Splurge Vs Save

Splurged on activities and photography and we saved on our traditional cloaks as I hand weaved them, taking over 100 hours.

I also saved on my husbands green stone wedding band as I hand carved it.

Whitsunday Wedding Venue…

My photographer and celebrant teamed up to find us a venue that suited our theme.