Today’s gorgeous wedding reception was held on Morgan and Sam’s first anniversary! Due to the pandemic, the couple switched up their original wedding plans and tied the knot in Morgan’s parent’s living room in March 2020. After trying to arrange a reception three times, they were finally successful and celebrated their marriage at the stunning Ancora in March 2021. There to capture the special day, which was filled with crisp white and coastal styling, was A’Daw Photography.

The couple first met at Movie World and dated long distance for a year before Sam moved closer to Morgan. Sam popped the question soon after in a sweet, romantic beach proposal. They were canoeing on the Tweed River, with Sam’s brother and Morgan’s sister and her husband waiting for them on the beach. The sky was black with clouds, so they rushed back to the beach, but their family was nowhere to be seen. “Sam, knowing what was happening, called his brother to see where they were,” says Morgan. “He said they went for a walk on the path and were just around at the view. So Sam asked me to go with him. But I said no, that I’d wait with the canoe. He insisted I came. At this point I still didn’t know what was happening, but I went for the walk.”

Morgan and Sam walked around and down the path, then Morgan heard their song playing, then walked down to rose petals, lanterns, Moet and a platter with a sign saying ‘Marry me?’. Through tears, Sam asked Morgan to marry him. “I, of course, said yes and we popped the champagne just in time before we got absolutely saturated with rain,” says Morgan.  “And we wouldn’t change a thing!”

When it came to her wedding dress, Morgan knew she wanted a long train. “It definitely wasn’t the dress that I thought I’d choose, but it’s what made me cry when trying it on and what made me feel like a bride.”

For her bridesmaids, Morgan had her sister, cousin and her best friend. They all wore white – the bride’s favourite colour.

Sam went with a simple look for his attire. Morgan loves neutrals, so Sam wore a beige linen suit from Myer with a white shirt, patterned white tie and R.M. Williams Nutmeg boots. His groomsmen were his brother, brother-in-law and a good mate.

Sam says Morgan looked absolutely beautiful. He wasn’t expecting the style of wedding dress she was wearing, so he got a big surprise and loved it!

Beccy’s Bridal Bouquets arranged the flowers , as well as the buttonholes and corsages, on the day. The brief was natural, Aussie natives and the couple couldn’t have been happier with them. Beccy also created a surprise bouquet and buttonhole for Morgan and Sam’s ceremony in 2020.

For the style of their reception, the couple wanted a white blank canvas to work with. Morgan loved the room they could work with at their venue, Ancora. The high ceilings and the space for a hanging flower installation were fantastic features, as was the deck around the room – perfect for canapés. As ocean lovers, it was also special that their venue was right on the water.

The bride DIY’ed the bunny tail flowers on each person’s seating spot, tying two of them together with ribbon. Simple and sweet!

A’Daw Photography was on hand to snap all the gorgeous and loved up moments of the day. Morgan says she loves the photos and that they capture everything plus more, and they’ll forever hold the memories of their celebration.

Morgan and Sam can’t recommend Elise of A’Daw Photography enough and admit they would’ve changed their date to fit in with her because she’s so amazing! “She’s so professional and so fun! The outcome of the photos were beyond what we envisioned. Throughout all the whole year of re-organising, she helped us the whole way and was so encouraging and helpful.”

The couple say walking into their reception was a lot of fun! “Sam and I aren’t out there people so we didn’t want to dance in, but doing what our MC organised was super fun and a good way to say a fun hello to our guests as we arrived.”

After waiting a year to have their reception, Morgan and Sam were thrilled that all their family and friends from Queensland and NSW were able to come, after supporting them the whole way through all the COVID change of plans.

The bride and groom had their first dance to ‘When You Say Nothing at All’ by Ronan Keating.

Their advice for those in the middle of wedding planning? Enjoy the process and remember what marriage is all about. “At the end of the day, the party is fun but it’s not all about that. And if something goes wrong in the organising process then just remember you’ll be able to laugh about it later!”

Congratulations on your marriage, Morgan and Sam, and thank you for sharing your story with us! What a beautiful wedding reception and first anniversary you put together. We’re so thrilled you got to celebrate with your loved ones in such spectacular style after everything 2020 threw at you. Thank you also to the wonderful A’Daw Photography for sharing these incredible images.