Belle + Shane

real life wedding inspo

venue Narooma Golf Club phone (02) 4476 0505 email functions@naroomagolf.com.au web www.naroomagolf.com.au

When you know, you know – and Belle knew pretty much straightaway that Shane was ‘the one’. They met at a mutual friend’s birthday dinner in October 2010. It was a night they both remembered as they sat across from each other and laughed all night!

When Shane proposed, they were enjoying a holiday with their one-year-old daughter at their favourite location at Burleigh Heads, on the Gold Coast. It took another five and a half years before they would say “I do” to each other. This was not because they didn’t want to get married, but because they had plans to have another baby soon. It was when their second child turned two, that they started to think more seriously about getting married. Says Belle, “we were engaged for five years before getting married.” Surprisingly, despite having young children, they managed to plan their wedding in only six months! Their main priority was finding the right venue. As they both loved the beach, wanted a family friendly venue, and Shane had always enjoyed playing golf there, Narooma Golf Club was the perfect choice. Belle and Shane’s wedding was very much a family affair, with not only their daughter and son involved in the wedding, but their nieces and nephews, and Belle’s bridesmaids’ children as well! In total six flower girls and five-page boys! “They were surprisingly really well behaved” adds Belle.

Their son, as well as being a page boy was also their ringbearer, while their daughter, a flower girl, also read an acknowledgement of country and was gifted her own special ring from her parents. Belle says she will never forget the special moment when her father walked her down the aisle, and her brother Stevie as MC, working hard to ensure they both had a memorable wedding day. “The only thing I would change would have been to invite all our family members,” she says. “We decided to just have immediate family and friends.” Belle and Shane had guests who had travelled from Melbourne, Brisbane, Bega, Sunshine Coast and Canberra to be with them on their special day. Those who could also attended a dinner with the couple the night before their wedding which was held at the local bowling club. When their wedding day arrived, Belle’s makeup artist, Kylie got to work. “Kylie was so much fun!” she exclaims. “She worked all day glamming up my two bridesmaids, my mum and even made the flower girls feel special by adding some dust to their eyelids and lip-gloss.” Belle absolutely loved her wedding makeup!

Their photographer, Tara Chiu from Daisy Hill Photography was their perfect match. As well as being great with kids, Belle says “she was professional, personable, took initiative and took the most precious photos of our special day.” Their cake, their flowers and their entertainment were all amazing, and their celebrant was organised and helpful, recalls Belle. “She made our ceremony run smoothly and exactly how we wanted it to be.” Their reception, which was upstairs at Narooma Golf Club had room for a dance floor, band or DJ, plenty of room for the kids to play, and Belle recalls that “the view is magical there. The glass window panels go right across so you can see along the horizon.” The Functions coordinator and Team at Narooma Golf Club made sure their day ran smoothly, and they even delivered food to the bridal party when they were having their photos taken.

the view is magical there

With their band, Salt Entertainment keeping the atmosphere alive, and everyone on the dancefloor until the end of the night, Belle and Shane couldn’t be happier. They then spent the night of their wedding at Amooran Apartments which was just across the road from Narooma Golf Club – a nice easy walk after a big day.

Belle’s wedding advice: “Keep things simple. Delegate jobs to family members and friends. Do what’s right for you and your partner – you aren’t going to please everyone! Meet with the people you are going to use on the day (florist, celebrant, photographer etc), so you can explain exactly what you are looking for. When selecting a dress make sure you are able to sit down in the dress and feel comfortable in it. Practice walking in your heels before the day and if you are walking on grass, purchase some heel stoppers. If you are having a beach wedding, pack some baby powder to get the sand off your feet! Lastly, take some time to take it all in. The day flies by!”

Wedding Date: 14th May 2022 • Number of Guests: 60 adults, 10 children • Photographer: Daisy Hill Photography (Tara Chiu) • Gown: Annabel’s Bridal Studio (‘Stella York’ fit and flare design) • Bridesmaid Dresses: Annabel’s Bridal Studio • Rings: Michael Hill Jewellers • Accessories: Shoes (Billini) • Hair: Taylor Murphy • Makeup: KMC Makeup Cbr (Kylie) • Groom’s Suit: Politix • Groomsmen Suits: Politix • Grooms Shoes: Country Road • Wedding Planner: Bride & The Functions coordinator & Team at Narooma Golf Club • Ceremony: Narooma Golf Club Headland • Celebrant: Belinda Lenihan • Reception: Narooma Golf Club • Theme: Beach • Entertainment: Salt Entertainment (Band) • Florist: Amity Blooms (Amanda Deverell) • Cake: Doughlicious Cookies and Cupcakes (Amber Lese) • Bomboniere: The Vanilla Cookie (Lisa) • Unique Extras: Robes- Le Rose, Mimco (Jewellery), Little White Couture • Transport: Golf Buggies • Wedding Song/Dance: Aisle: Can’t Help Falling in Love by Kina Grannis • Kiss: A Thousand Years by Christina Perri • Signing of certificate: Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo’Ole and All of me By John Legend • First Dance: Perfect by Ed Sheeran • Menu: Entree: Ganguly Chicken Skewers: Tandoori marinated petit chicken tenderloin skewers, with basmati rice and cucumber yoghurt sauce OR Yellow curry marinated wok seared tiger prawn tails, served with wombok and bok choy set on steamed jasmine rice with lime, coconut and lemongrass sauce. Main: Prime eye fillet steak with reduced red wine pan juice gravy OR Plump chicken breast, lightly char grilled and stuffed with camembert cheese and fresh asparagus. Served with hollandaise sauce. Dessert: Wedding cake served with ice cream.