Kacey and Aaron // Marine Club
Whitsunday Wedding Suppliers
Ceremony: Whitsunday Marine Club (VMR)
Reception: Whitsunday Marine Club (VMR)
Celebrant: Annie Lloyd-Lewis
Photography: Nadine Kemp Photography
Styling: The Event Co. Whitsundays
Hair: Whitsundays Wedding Hair Lounge
Make-up: Joanne Dromgold Makeup
Flowers: Flower Hut
Dress: Anna Dutton Couture
Suits: Roger David
Cake: Whitsunday Baked Creations
Accommodation: Peppers Airlie Beach
Transport: Just Tuk’n Around and Shuttle Limousine
Love Story…
We met five years ago, in Airlie Beach actually! We came for an event at Magnums with our mutual friends – our best friends were dating at the time. Aaron and I were pretty much inseparable from that moment on, although we both wouldn’t admit that we liked each other. A year later we moved in together, and then a few years later, on my 21st birthday, he got down on one knee and popped the question! Aaron spent weeks planning the day, we went for breakfast and then he drove me blindfolded to the place where we both said the big L Word for the first time (cheesy, I know)! It was perfect. A few weeks later, we had the surprise of our lives and found out we were expecting! Later that year we welcomed our son Angus into the world and he made our little love story into something bigger than just us. We married with him there exactly 5 years to the day we met!
Destination Wedding…
We chose Airlie Beach because it’s just our happy place. We escape there for every birthday, anniversary, celebration that we can. We were looking for an outdoor wedding venue that wasn’t already set up with a vintage theme, and being in the wedding industry I knew we would have to think outside the box a little. When we were picking a date, we saw that the day after our anniversary date was a Saturday, so we went for it. The best thing about having our destination wedding was that everyone got to have a mini getaway. We wanted the weekend to be all about love and family, and give people some time away from their everyday lives.
Although we loved the Whitsundays for sentimental reasons, we ultimately landed on our venue thanks to our wedding planner, Jess. She was on the exact same page as me when it came to my vision, and took us to the Marine Club and we were sold! Such a beautiful location!
Wedding Week…
We stayed for about 4 days, along with our bridal party and families. The groomsmen were scheduled to play golf on Dent Island the day before. We had our rehearsal dinner at Salt Bar where we lost a few bridesmaids and groomsmen to tequila, we had some very sorry looking bridal party members the morning of! We all had lunch the day after the wedding at Capers, Airlie Beach Hotel.
Wedding Day Vision…
Our wedding had a modern, clean feeling with hints of softness to balance. For example, everything was white or grey and my motto really was ‘Less is More’. The styling was all necessary pieces, and not overdone. My dress was designed by myself and Anna, of Anna Dutton Couture, and featured white floral appliqué on grey fabric to really make the florals come alive. I had a lot of trouble finding the perfect dress, and Anna took my obsession with Elie Saab and made into a dress that was so Me! Anna also made the bridesmaids dresses, they were fitted white dresses with asymmetrical necklines, and a lot of cleavage!! The difference in the severe look of the bridesmaids dresses against my floaty, romantic bridal gown was probably my favourite thing in our wedding styling. Being in menswear and manager of Roger David, I wasn’t afraid of the boys making a statement! Aaron’s tie was chrome mirrors and very futuristic, but was pared back with a classic 3 piece suit with dark grey suede boots. The boy’s suits were also the only colour in the wedding, and they were all formally styled with tie bars and handkerchiefs.
Whitsunday Wedding Venue…
Once Jess showed us the Marine Club, we were sold! We wanted a venue that could have both the ceremony and reception so guests could be relaxed and not have to travel. The sun sets over the mountains and the water, it is truly beautiful to watch. It’s very unique, being next to the water it doesn’t actually have a ‘beachy’ feel, and it is truly a blank canvas for you to create exactly what you want. Absolutely breathtaking location and the staff couldn’t have been nicer.
Sit Down or Cocktail…
We had 50 guests and chose a formal dinner setting. We love eating good food with close friends and family, and we both really appreciate everyone that’s in our lives everyday. We chose to enjoy our day with those that have been through our most important moments with us, and it really was the best decision for us. Also, my bridesmaids might have killed me if we had a cocktail setting because their feet were so sore!
Hens and Bucks…
I had my Hens in Airlie Beach, mainly at Mama Africa’s. My best friend and maid of honour Phoebe planned the whole thing and it was the best weekend ever! Aaron had his bucks weekend in the Gold Coast, and it was all a secret right to the last day. His best man Dale planned a weekend that I’m sure none of them remember.
Spend vs Splurge…
We splurged on flowers, my dress, our honeymoon and the bridal parties’ outfits. We saved with our venue and our wedding bands.
Being in the industry, I appreciate that someone’s price for their services is a direct representation of their skill set. I wanted a formal day that was styled and executed to perfection, so I chose vendors with outstanding reputations and if it happened to cost more, then so be it. It was worth it.
We also saved with our wedding planner, Jess. A lot of people might think it costs more for a planner, however the relationships she has with vendors allows you to get the best price possible. Plus, I didn’t waste money on buying things online that didn’t work out, she had all the answers!
