Julie + Rory

real life wedding inspo

venue Highfieds Cultural Centre phone (07) 4699 6500 email highfieds.cultural@tr.qld.gov.au web www.tr.qld.gov.au/hcc

They met at work 22 years ago, but with Julie based in Toowoomba and Rory in Brisbane, she says, “we didn’t cross paths very often at all over those years.” Down the track though, as their relationship grew, Rory proposed to Julie. It was on a beach at Kingscliff - his ove for the beach made it the perfect place to pop the question.

Planning their wedding was Julie’s responsibility. With Rory’s busy work schedule, he was happy with whatever she chose. “All he had to do was turn up” she remarks. Like many other weddings at the time however, Julie and Rory’s original wedding plans for 7th November 2020 had to be postponed due to COVID. They rescheduled their wedding to 28th August 2021, but decided to still go on the “honeymoon” they had already booked to Hamilton Island. The Reef View Hotel provided the silver lining they needed at the time, offering the most beautiful room where they could admire the amazing turquoise blue water from their bed.

Unfortunately as their new wedding date approached, COVID was still ruining couples’ plans, with some family and friends unable to travel or enter Queensland due to border restrictions. To make matters worse, right at the last minute the border bubble closed, stranding their Best Man and wedding musician in NSW. Needless to say, that last week leading up to their wedding became a frantic rush to fid a replacement musician, and buy a suit, shirt and shoes for Rory’s son-in-law, who stepped in as Best Man. 75 guests were still able to attend their pastel pink and gold themed wedding held at Highfields Cultural Centre, and for those that couldn’t attend, Julie says, “we set up a live stream video for all the interstate and overseas family and friends to watch the wedding, it was great!” After such an uncertain lead up to their wedding, thankfully their wedding day held no surprises – all went according to plan. “All of our guests commented on what a fabulous venue it was for our reception. It was decorated beautifully, the gardens and lawn outside were lovely” she says.

With great food and extremely helpful girls who were lovely to deal with, Julie says it was wonderful and they couldn’t ask for anything better. Julie and Rory tied the knot surrounded by beautiful pastel roses in shades of pink. Beautiful flowers were everywhere - from the bouquets, to the buttonholes, the table decorations, the wedding arch and in urns as they walked down the aisle. Having both been married before, they also included a sand ceremony to signify the blending of their two families. Rory’s two children and Julie’s two children were involved in the ceremony, while their six grandsons and two granddaughters proudly walked down the aisle. Rather than a formal sit down reception, they enjoyed a cocktail style wedding which gave their guests the opportunity to mingle rather than sitting in one spot all night. In the Booth provided some fun entertainment throughout the night which everyone loved. “Our guests took away a photo memento from the wedding and we were given a lovely book that all the guests posted their photo in and wrote their messages in. Loved it” she recalls, “everyone we dealt with, from the bridal studio, to the florist, cake, photographer, videographer, musician, venue, hair & makeup artist, all were great to deal with.”

they couldn’t ask for anything better

That night Rory and Julie stayed at Homewood Cottages, in Highfields followed by another honeymoon - this time their “real” honeymoon, at one of their favourite destinations – Hamilton Island. They loved it so much the fist time around, they decided to go there again. Then they continued on to Coral Sea Marina Resort in Airlie Beach. “What a great resort that is too,” says Julie.

Julie’s wedding advice: “Don’t stress, everything will come together in the end and your day will be perfect even with all the hiccups along the way.”

Wedding Date: 28th August 2021 • Theme: Pastel pink & gold colours • Number of Guests: 75 • Wedding Song/Dance: You Look Wonderful Tonight by Eric Clapton • Photographer: Matt Edwards Photography • Videographer: Tiffany Jane Photography • Bridal Gown: Valentine’s Bridal Studio • Bridesmaid Dresses: Spell gown for Julie’s daughter, online for bridesmaids • Rings: Hogan Jewellers • Hair & Makeup: Anna Hair and Beauty • Groom & Groomsmen Suits: Tarocash • Wedding Stylist/Planner: Bride • Wedding Coordinator: Bride & Highfields ultural Centre Girls • Ceremony & Reception: Highfields Cultural Centre • Celebrant: Kay Graham • Entertainment: Andrzej Fenner, solo guitarist • Florist: Kimmy from The Little Flower Stall • Cake: Cake House by Katrina • Bomboniere: Individual cookies with Bride & Groom’s initials • Unique Extras: Sand Ceremony, Photo booth by In the Booth.