Domonique and Nick

Oh Byron Bay! What a perfect place you are for a wedding, an Australian hinterland wedding! Today’s wedding is beautiful and full of gorgeous photos and touches which will make you smile and start tapping your feet.

Domonique and Nick are our newlyweds and here’s how they met. “Nick and I met after he and a mate kayaked from Sydney to Byron Bay for the Make a Wish Foundation in 2006. I was the television reporter, he was the talent.

Three fateful days later we bumped into each other at the Blues and Roots Music Festival and well, the rest is history,

Our wedding was vintage inspired, which we carried through the decoration. The wishing well was my Grandfather’s suitcase from the 50s, decorated with crochets that my Nana made. We also had a photograph of our each of our parents and grandparents on their special day.”

Stephen of Stephen Henry Photographics captured today’s images. Stephen not only captured the little details and gorgeous moments beautifully, but there was a stunning beauty in the way he captured the overall feeling of the event- editing down the photos of that view, gosh what a task! I loved letting the emotion these photos wash over me as I went from one snapshot to the next.

The wedding and reception was held at the beautiful Koonyum Range Retreat near Mullumbimby. Koonyum Range Retreat is located on the edge of a cliff with breathtaking valley, rainforest and ocean views to Byron Bay.

Domonique wore a slinky 1920s inspired gown- the “Ophelia” by Johanna Johnson, with shoes from Alannah Hill and jewels from Tessarella House. Domonique’s bridesmaids wore green gowns from Two Birds Bridesmaid.

Domonique carried a bouquet of white blooms including Calla Lillies from Flowers On The Run. She says “I walked down the aisle to Djarimirri by Geoffery Gurrumul Yunupingu. He has an angelic voice and we’ve seen him perform many times in the NT.

I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen my Dad share a tear, but before we walked down the aisle, he welled up and told me how much he loves me and how proud of me he was. ”

Domonique and Nick wrote their own vows.

 

Nick and Domonique put their own touch on the ceremony. Domonique recounts “Nick and I personalised the ceremony with a Warming of the Rings and Wine Box and Letter Ritual. It was a special way to include all those that we love and made the ceremony more intimate.

Nick made the box from Tassie Oak with dove tail joints and engraved ‘Young Love 18.09.2010’ on the side. He then hiked his hammer down from Darwin.

The night before the ceremony we wrote each other a love letter, which along with a bottle of Penfolds RWT Shiraz, was placed inside the box and sealed on the day.

The box will become a 25th Anniversary gift to one another or remind us in a time of need why we chose to marry.”

After the ceremony, the newlyweds enjoyed bubbles with their guests before heading off for photographs.

The couple chose a band to entertain guests throughout the night. Domonique says “The Blue Hulas were classically cool and incredibly talented musicians who kept everyone on the dance floor. We couldn’t get enough of them and nor could our guests.”

Sprout Creative created the stationery, including table cards which named tables after special places to Domonique and Nick. Seaweed Cuisine catered a sit down dinner for the guests.

The first dance was held under the stars. Domonique and Nick danced to Gold to Me by Ben Harper.

Domonique’s mum helped Domonique make welcome packs for each guest as well as the sweet treats for the evening ! Domonique says “We made welcome packs for each guest that included chocolates that Mum and I made. Being a destination wedding, we wanted to ensure that everyone was informed of the activities they could join in over the weekend.”

My Mum made the wedding cake; chocolate and hazelnut, which accompanied the chocolate fountain and spring berries.”

Domonique had a treat in store for her groom “I sourced a copy of the news story I wrote on Nick’s kayak adventure to play as part of our wedding speech. It was the first time that many people saw the story and showed when we first set eyes on one another.

We enjoyed the night together and everyone that we love was there. It was simple, relaxed and intimate.”

A big congratulations and thank you to Domonique and Nick for allowing us to share their wedding day on Polka Dot Bride! Thank you also to Stephen Henry for sharing today’s photographs!

Photos by Stephen Henry Photographics