For Georgie & Ben, the hardship of living in the drought-ridden rural countryside needed relief. And they could think of no better way to bring joy to their family and friends together, in a beautiful & modern waterside celebration in the stunning Queensland sunshine – than to tie the knot!

So days before Christmas, they invited their very best people to this seaside location, along with photographers Figtree Pictures,  for a festive celebration that was long overdue for the pair who were set up by mutual friends. “We began with a Facebook ad and then a blind date. The date lasted all weekend as we just didn’t want to say goodbye, we both knew it we’d finally met ‘the one’.”

It’s also a celebration, we call beautifully apt for March’s, The Bridesmaid issue, because this merry band of five beautiful bridesmaids, all in their own gorgeous gowns are the icing on the (wedding) cake.

But first, let’s talk about how these two became engaged, in a story where one certain person, could not have been more excited! The newlyweds fill us in, “It was Easter morning 2019 when Ben asked Georgie’s father for his blessing, Jim released party poppers when Ben asked. Somehow he sensed this question was coming and had been prepared for days, carrying party poppers in his pocket everywhere he went. Of course, this meant he was stoked. Ben took Georgie for a walk around her parent’s farm and popped the question at a lovely creekside location. He’d designed a ring through Brown Haus jewellers, with the help of a dear friend of Georgie’s, and boy did he nail it!”

This was a day of bliss from the minute everyone woke, tells Georgie. “The day began with a swim and brunch for the groom and his men, with a couple of cold ones to settle the nerves. The girls were treated to an amazing breakfast spread whilst the talented makeup and hair magicians did their thing. It was relaxed, filled with T-Swift, 90’s tunes and lots of laughter.”

Georgie wore a Darb Bridal Couture gown which she adored, sharing “I took my inspiration images to Brad, and he designed the most perfect gown. There were a few stressful experiences during wedding week, it is nerve-wracking to not know what it looks like until it all comes together – days before your wedding! However, Brides trust that on the day it will be perfect! I put the dress on and was blown away by the fit and how perfectly it suited our wedding.”

Georgie and Ben loved their venue Pier 33 so much, they booked it even before they became engaged, tells Georgie. “We both are so open and honest with each other that we’d spoken about our day so many times. We contacted some venues for availabilities, then locked Pier 33 in without hesitation. We knew the engagement was going to happen, it was just a matter of time. It was a very unconventional way to go about things, but it worked for us and we adored the experience together.

Living in rural NSW, in the middle of a drought, we could only think of one place to bring all our family and friends together – the beach. It was the Friday before Christmas at Mooloolaba, spirits were high! The venue was bright and crisp, so beautiful it required minimal styling. And that view!! We booked our wedding without ever having visited Pier 33!”

Georgie walked down to the aisle with her father to Daniel Jang’s version of “Yellow”.

“The process was so so easy and she designed the most personal ceremony we could’ve wished for” tell the newlyweds of the process of working with their much-loved celebrant Beth Stevenson. “Our ceremony was so personal and unique, Beth (celebrant) was amazing. It felt like every word was crafted specifically for us. We wrote and shared our vows which were one of the most memorable moments of the day.”

The couple chose two friends to do beautiful readings during the proceedings. One from Jane Eye “I have for the first time found what I can truly love — I have found you. You are my sympathy — my better self — my good angel — I am bound to you with a strong attachment. I think you good, gifted, lovely: a fervent, a solemn passion is conceived in my heart; it leans to you, draws you to my centre and spring of life, wrap my existence about you — and, kindling in pure, powerful flame, fuses you and me in one.” Jane Eyre.

And one from Paulo Coelho. “It was the pure Language of the World. It required no explanation, just as the universe needs none as it travels through endless time. What the man felt at that moment was that he was in the presence of the only woman in his life, and that, with no need for words, she recognized the same thing. He was more certain of it than of anything in the world. He had been told that he must fall in love and really know a person before becoming committed. But maybe people who felt that way had never learned the universal language. Because, when you know that language, it’s easy to understand that someone in the world awaits you, whether it’s in the middle of the desert or in some great city. And when two such people encounter each other, and their eyes meet, the past and the future become unimportant. There is only that moment and the incredible certainty that everything under the sun has been written by one hand only. It is the hand that evokes love and creates a twin soul for every person in the world. Without such love, one’s dreams would have no meaning.”

Georgie’s beautiful bridesmaids wore different gowns in tones of pink from Zimmermann, Penelope Shirt Dresses, By Johnny, LIKELY & Elka Collective; Georgie shares  “My bridesmaids were my two sisters (Gabi & Sam), and three precious friends (Steph, Jess & Mel)We wanted everyone to feel comfortable and themselves, so allowed the bridesmaids to choose a dress of their choice. Anything with a hint of pink was the brief, they nailed it! ”

Beautiful floral details of greenery and fresh white blooms were styled by Jemima Pearce. Georgia noting “Gorgeous Jemima is a friend, she was the talented florist behind the stunning arrangements for the day. We spoke about the white & green colour scheme and having plinths for the ceremony and some height on the tables. The rest I left up to Jemima, the absolute wizard. It all looked breathtaking!”

“Figtree was amazing! ” tell Georgie and Ben of their chosen photographers. “Alice was so much fun to get ready with, making the girls feel at ease. Nicola put the boys in line and went above and beyond, pinning the buttonholes and snipping strings off jackets. During the ceremony, they both captured the best moments, very stealth-like and not getting in anybody’s view. Our photos are also incredible, we love them! Couldn’t recommend Figtree more!”

As dusk fell, guests were welcomed inside to a sit-down feast filled with memorable speeches, espresso martinis and plenty of dancing! Georgie says “Our day was relaxed, filled with love, laughter and pure joy!”

The couple took to the dance floor to Powderfinger’s “My Happiness” remembers Georgie. “Crowd pleaser! The groom prides himself on his dance moves, so no practice was allowed as we wanted to make it look authentic and unstructured. Lots of spins and a few smooches, the crowd goes wild.”

Congratulations Georgia and Ben! We loved sharing the story of your day! Thank you to you both and thank you to Figtree Pictures for today’s stunner of a day!