Amelia and Jon

Amelia and Jon describe their wedding day as an eclectic celebration, Amelia noting, “I went for an eclectic feel. The whole styling and collaboration became a dreamy, party feel which is me to a tee. When you have an idea just go with it because your wedding is a reflection of you. You don’t want to try to be like anything else. I just went with the flow.” Captured by Simon Peter Taylor, the Maleny celebration was styled and planned by the bride and filled with personality.

Amelia tells the story of how she and Jon came to be. “We were friends at high school in Bundaberg back in the day. After school Jon received a football scholarship in Sydney where he lived for 4 years, I relocated to the Sunshine Coast a couple years later to explore the Sunshine Coast lifestyle. Jon’s team in Sydney developed a co-club in the QLD Cup and so Jon’s new home became the Sunshine Coast too.

Jon and I got back in contact and decided to meet for dinner. Jon came to my house to pick me up and I was running late (I was still in the surf). He waited patiently outside my house until I arrived. I was not keen for a serious relationship so I played it super cool (well I at least tried). We hung out any spare chance we could and became almost joined at the hip. Love got the better of me and I realised how beautiful it was to fall in love with the person that had become your best friend.

Four years later Jon proposed to me and 12 months later sealed the deal. Jon thought an engagement would buy him time but little old me got so super excited I couldn’t wait any longer to make the dream a reality.”

Amelia chose a strapless ball gown from Darb Bridal Couture, along with jewels from Colette By Colette Hayman, Kate Spade, diamond earrings from Jon and her grandmother’s earrings in her hair. Her bridesmaids chose multi coloured gowns from Bec and Bridge.

Twig and Grace created the floral arrangements. Amelia noting, “The florist is someone my mum told me about and the property was found whilst looking in a magazine at the florist where we were having coffee.”

Amelia and Jon were married at The Maleny Retreat Booroobin. Amelia telling “The property at Maleny Retreat is a “blank canvas” for anything you want you can create. The setting itself is beautiful so you don’t need much, just a few things that represent you. For me, I really love collecting things and so I decided to start collecting old antique bottles. Jon’s family are builders so they embraced my ideas and decided to jump on board and make the props. It was all put together by us with the help of Joy from the retreat’s finishing touches on the day.”

Amelia walked down the aisle to “Green Eyes, Coldplay (Jon has green eyes & I love them).”

Lesley Forest performed the ceremony.

Of their photographer, Amelia tells, ” I am a very spontaneous person so I decided not to map out a plan for Simon. He did such a great job with that and used his cool ideas to suit us. He didn’t smother me or Jon or try too hard. The photos came back and allowed us to re-live the day through the images. They are beautiful.”

“From the moment when dad was walking me down the aisle and he squeezed my hand to the moment Jon looked up at me and the blessings our parents gave to us, to the moment my brother shooed a fly and knocked his flower off his chest, to the moment of the speeches it certainly was a roller coaster of the highest of highs emotions. So many happy tears and tears of laughter had by all. It truly was the best day of my life.”

The reception kicked on under a marquee at The Maleny Retreat Booroobin, Amelia remarking, “When we went there to look at the venue I just knew I wanted to have a party there. It had a great vibe and allowed us to do what we wanted to make it our special day. The fact that family and friends could stay the night in the wooden tents sold it for me.”

Guests were gifted CDs with the couple’s favourite music.

Of their first dance, Amelia remembers, “We danced to Boy & Bears version of Empire of the Sun’s “Walking on a Dream”. We certainly were walking on a dream and 2 did become 1… Well until Jon’s beautiful grandma Sue swept him away from me. By far a very funny moment of the day. She certainly meant well and if I’d seen that spunk up there with a girl, I too would want to sweep him away.”

Amelia’s father Greg Redgard performed at both the ceremony and reception along with a band the couple had seen one night out in town.

Congratulations on your marriage Amelia and Jon! Thank you for sharing your wedding day with us! Thank you also to Simon Peter Taylor for sharing today’s images with us.