Mel and Dan // Earlando

Whitsunday Wedding Suppliers

Ceremony Venue: Earlando
Reception Venue: Earlando
Photographer: Tropix Photography
Celebrant: I Do Whitsunday Weddings
Decorator: Azure Weddings and Events Whitsundays
Florist: Flower Hut
Hair: Airlie Beach Hair and Makeup
Makeup: Airlie Beach Hair and Makeup
Caterer: D’Vine Catering and Events
Cake Maker: The Cheesecake Shop
Accommodation: Mantra Boathouse Apartments
Transport: Whitsunday Transit
Dress: Made with Love – Sasha
Suits: YD Rockhampton
Pre Wedding: Denmans Beer Cafe
Post Wedding: Northerlies Beach Bar & Grill

Your Love Story

Although we would love people to believe our preferred story – which is basically any other story than the actual… our devious mother’s plotted to get their very stubborn, very single and apparently, very well suited, children together and we are (just quietly), ridiculously thankful for their devious ways!

Destination Wedding

We were not actually looking to have a destination wedding, it just happened to pan out that Google searching our favourite place (The Whitsundays) provided us with everything we were looking for: a stunningly private beach location, that was reasonable (for most) of our guests to attend (although any travel and expense is always a big ask) and an affordable, stress-free package that suited our taste. Sharing our love, in the place that we love, with the people we love was by far the best part of our destination wedding!

Wedding Week

We stayed in the Whitsundays for two weeks in total, the week before the wedding and then the week after. 

Wedding Day Vision

There was no particular theme, but maybe relaxed rustic would be a good description – if that’s even a thing??! We figured the location was absolutely spectacular and didn’t want or need to detract from that, so candles, flowers, timber, cushions, a few personal touches on the gift table and fairy lights was as invested as we needed to be for the decor. As for the styling of the bridal party, from the bridal gown to the suits, we were looking for classically simple, comfort and something that worked for everyone, with a slight point of difference where possible …

Cocktail or Sit Down

We ended up with just over 90 of our nearest and dearest with us on the day, including our immediate family’s children and nursing bubs. Opting for a cocktail reception enabled us to provide a variety of seating options which worked brilliantly to cater for all of our guests needs, but also to create the relaxed and social vibe that we were looking for and it worked a treat! There were many new BFFs by the end of the night!

Honeymoon Heaven

We honeymooned on Hamilton Island the week after the wedding and it was glorious. We very much enjoy the simple things in life, so the gorgeous scenery, weather and relaxation on offer in the Whitsundays was our idea of bliss!

Hens and Bucks

The hens night was a low-key affair, just the way I like it, my gorgeous bridesmaids know me very well! We booked an apartment by the beachfront earlier in the year, with some of my closest friends and celebrated in our usual fashion.

The boys celebrated the month before the wedding with beer, beer and some more beers!! Very good times!!!!

Wedding Budget

We made a very conscious decision quite some time ago to have the wedding that we wanted, as we are both pretty laid-back and not into too much fuss – this worked really well for us and meant that we did not have to spend a fortune to get what was our perfect day.

Splurge Vs Save

I wouldn’t say we “splurged” as such, but we did have a few priorities: good (and plentiful) food, a generous and varied bar tab and of course, excellent entertainment. We saved money in areas that weren’t of high priority to us, like the cake and too many unnecessary decorations. It was important for us to keep it casual, but still very much a wedding, which I think we managed to achieve and assisted to keep the expense to a reasonable amount.

Whitsunday Wedding Venue

Airlie Beach is one of our favourite places and after a quick Google search, we both instantly fell for Earlando. It combines our love of the beach and country life together perfectly, but also offered the privacy that we were hoping for. The brilliant service from our very first enquiry sealed the deal!

Supplier Shout Out

Our suppliers were really easy decisions to be honest, our wedding planner provided options, we did our research and contacted suppliers personally and then we went with what/who was going to work best for us.