Bree and Andrew’s Spring Garden Estate Wedding

Bree & Andrew

If there is one element that enchants me in  today’s Spring garden estate wedding, the blossoming jacaranda tree is it. What an incredible backdrop it sets for Bree and Andrew’s Spring celebration. A day that was filled with as much warmth and beauty as that tree, and captured by Blue Robin Wedding Photography.

The newlyweds tell their story. “We are both doctors and met on a busy night shift while Andrew was running a rather chaotic (as usual) emergency department at Nambour Hospital. Bree was the visiting surgical registrar and couldn’t quite understand why, despite all that was going on, Andrew was asking her questions unrelated to work…after a long while she cottoned on – she was being chatted up.”

Andrew chose a navy Gibson suit with powder blue tie.

The stationery was a wonderful part of the day, guests receiving, “Beautiful letterpress stationery from Deciduous Press in Tasmania with custom blended ink to match the jacaranda blooms and customised wedding Whileaway Guides enticing our overseas guests to the Sunshine Coast. The girls at Deciduous Press and Whileaway Guides were wonderful to work with, nothing was too much trouble and we were absolutely delighted with our stationery.”

Bree remembers, “My earrings were a wedding day gift from Andrew, and matched perfectly with my mum’s delicate diamond bracelet. I loved practicing the “hand over” with my dad…he is quite the emotional chap.”

Paul Hunt designed Bree’s wedding gown, Andrew remarking, “When we first started talking about our wedding, I (Andrew) sketched out what I imagined Bree would wear on the day. It was a simple yet elegant design limited by my artistic talent! That is where my input ended and Bree’s wedding dress designer Paul Hunt took over! (I have to take some credit!). Paul had a studio on James Street in Brisbane which Bree would drive past as a teenager and admire the window displays from afar! She convinced me that a custom made dress would be perfect and the only way to go. It turned out to be beyond amazing.”

Bree continues, “I knew I wanted lace, and I wanted a dress that fitted me properly. Paul designed a beautiful couture gown of French corded Chantilly lace and silk organza with a hand embroidered neckline, and the process of building the dress from calico was wonderful. And the final product was just stunning – perfectly formed and completely me! And not too far from the original ‘guess’ that Andrew had submitted!”

Mondo Floral Designs created the beautiful floral arrangements for the day, Bree remembering, “The beautiful Terrianne from Mondo Floral Designs created my delicious bouquet and the stunning florals throughout the day. When I first met Terrianne, I knew that our flowers would be lovely but on the day they were even more beautiful and fragrant then I could have ever imagined.”

Bree and Andrew chose Spicers Clovelly Estate for their wedding, telling, “Spicers Clovelly Estate is a stunning boutique lodge nestled in the hills of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. We (actually Bree) had planned our wedding well in advance to coincide with the jacaranda trees blooming and a burst of warm weather a couple of weeks before the big day set the trees flowering. It turned out to be a perfect spring day and we were surrounded by a cacophony of trees in bloom, silky oaks, jasmine, gardenias and the deep purple of the jacarandas.

We were treated to an amazing five course degustation menu for our reception, dining on the library deck beneath the stars and lanterns. The food was truly delicious and the wine perfect to match. The staff were wonderful and nothing was too much trouble. And 26 of our close family and friends were able to stay on site in the luxurious guest rooms, which was lovely.”

For the processional, Andrew tells, “Bree chose “The End” by Speedstar (no pun was intended!). A beautiful waltz with lovely lyrics she first heard as a 19yr old….”

“Our readings were an excerpt from The Velveteen Rabbit, I carry your heart with me (by e.e.cummings) and Dedication (by Eithne Strong).”

Libby Urbahn officiated the ceremony, Andrew noting, “Our celebrant, has known Bree for many years having worked as a medical education and support officer at Nambour Hospital when Bree was a Junior Doctor. Libby was the surrogate mother for many of the the Sunshine Coast’s medical students and newly qualified doctors and since becoming a celebrant has married many of them over the years! In fact we had two other couples whom Libby had married at our wedding. Libby has a very quiet and traditional manner, and our ceremony was full of meaning and was very personal.”

The bridesmaids arranged post ceremony punch for guests to enjoy. “Our punch and sparkling water table complete with stripey straws was perfect for pre-hydration on a hot Queensland spring day.”

Of their photographer, Bree tells, “Andrew was quite firm on the type of photography with minimal time spent way from the party without too much posing or stylised shots. Michael from Blue Robin photography fitted the bill and was amazing. His clean classic style without pretense worked perfectly and he captured some beautiful moments without us even noticing he was there.”

There were a few fun DIY touches, the newlyweds remembering, “Bree’s Dad (an engineer by profession) lovingly built a (solid and indestructible) stringed wooden frame to display our delicate tags for the seating arrangement! We had ordered customized brown kraft tags from Easy for the frame and the place settings, all painstakingly labelled and tied by hand by the bridesmaids. Andrew put his artistic side to work making blackboards for the welcome sign, drinks and petits fours table! And the mums were put to work well in advance, collecting hundreds of jars for candle holders, and for the bridesmaid’s punch table, which was complete with tubs of mini-San Pellegrino sparkling waters and stripes straws.”

“Our band (Radio Club Band) were incredible! They played some lovely acoustic tunes over dinner, and then kept the dance floor pumping all evening, we were so happy!”

Ma Boulange Cafe Coolum provided plenty of sweet treats, the bride and groom remarking, “We opted for macarons (in pale blue, lavender and peach) and miniature tartes au citron (Andrew’s favourite dessert) in place of a wedding cake – and they were delicious! We are very grateful the lovely events coordinator at Clovelly hid some away for us in our suite or we would have missed out, they disappeared so quickly!”

Andrew remembers, “We had both agreed in advance that there was not going to be a first dance (I can’t dance and Bree hates the spotlight)…however as I was inviting everyone to head up to the dance floor I noticed that the Ipod was resting on my favourite song. So with reckless abandon I seized the opportunity and as the first few notes echoed through the room, the crowd began to join in with an impromptu and heart felt rendition of Bonnie Tyler’s “Total eclipse of the heart.” Forever’s going to start tonight… ”

Andrew tells “Our evening ended with a slightly raucous sing along session with close friends and family by a roaring fire in the library…the fact that I (Andrew) can’t play the piano or that it was 25 degrees outside didn’t diminish the perfection of the send off!”

Congratulations Bree and Andrew! Thank you for sharing your day with us! Thank you also to Blue Robin Wedding Photography for sharing today’s wedding with us!