Kate & Simon

Kate and Simon’s incredible Darwin beach wedding has a sense of peace about it. The couple wed on the beach, taking in the watercolour sunset before celebrating with their guests under garlands of lit paper lanterns. Magical, beautiful and a beautiful way to spend a Darwin day.

Kate tells their story. “We were both living in London at the time and met through mutual friends whilst out at bar/club. It was actually the farewell party for my girlfriends and I as we were about to travel around Europe for three months – four girls and tent and a Belingo! (think Postman Pat van-type vehicle – very trendy) When we can back from our European adventures Simon just happened to be at our welcome home party too!…the rest is history.”

The soft, beautiful photography was captured by Hannah Millerick.

Kate chose a gown by Anna Schimmel. She notes, “My bridal gown was a bit of an investment but I really loved it and I was thrilled with the way it turned out – it really did feel like me.”

Kate and Simon chose Casuarina Beach and the Darwin Surf Life Saving Club for their wedding venues, explaining, “We got married on Casuarina Beach which is just across the road from where we live. It’s a really special beach for us and has the most wonderful sunsets which Darwin is famous for. The ceremony was on the beach and the reception was just behind the ceremony on the lawns of the Darwin Surf Lifesaving Club. The building itself is a little quirky but the location was perfect. We had all the tables and chairs set up on the lawns under white paper lanterns – it looked pretty magical.”

“We made a wooden sign-post directing people towards the ceremony, reception and dancing locations – more for fun than anything else. Because the ceremony was on the beach we wanted guests to have the option to go barefoot so we made a make-shift shoe rack from a wonderful piece of driftwood which Simon had found and driven back to Darwin especially.”

“My bridesmaids are three gorgeous girls who I love dearly and it meant a lot to have them, and my lovely Mum, with me.”

Kate remembers, “The bridal party walked down to “I’m yours” by Jason Mraz.”

“Having family and friends with us was incredibly special; to be surrounded by so many people who love you was very touching.”

Of their photographer, Kate remarks, “Hannah was fantastic to work with. We’d had to get to know each other a bit over email and phone calls because we were living in different locations and she only arrived in Darwin the day before the wedding. I’m not really comfortable having my photo taken but Hannah was such a pro and made the day fun and relaxed. She really did get some fantastic shots and I love her style. ”

“Simon is a big fisherman and we managed to get hold of some large white paper mache fish which we put battery tea light candles inside so they lit up at night – it looked wonderful and just like a small school of fish swimming across the horizon.”

Of their first dance, Kate notes, “To tell you the truth we weren’t actually going to have a first dance but we did end up getting up and having the first dance – I couldn’t even tell you what the song was, it didn’t really matter we still had fun.”

Congratulations Kate and Simon on your marriage! Thank you for sharing your day with us! Thank you Hannah Millerick for sharing today’s photographs!