When Katie and Alex tied the knot, it was many years and a six-month-old daughter coming. So the vibe for their day? They wanted it to celebrate the life they’d built together in a fun-filled way. Says Katie “We just wanted one big party! I feel like the theme just came together and ended up chic/classic. With a colour palette of black and blush, “We went with classic tux’s and then added pops of colour through floral design” and details classically styled, this was a day that completely suited its urban Brisbane setting.

But for Katie and Alex classical & chic do not have to mean a lack of fun!  The duo made sure that everything, including the photography by Tay & Francis, embraced their sense of relaxed, laid-back moments; a photo booth, a packaged dance floor, and family and friends by their side all day. It was everything they wanted and more. Says Katie “We achieved the wedding we wanted. I loved every minute. I can honestly say that I didn’t get stressed about any part of the planning process.”

Alex and Katie’s journey begins at an LGBTQ+ bar way back in 2017. Remembers Katie “We met in a bar in 2017 when Australia legalized gay marriage. We were both there celebrating love with friends and when I saw Alex I turned to my friend and said I think I need to know this guy. So I made it happen (with the help of a lot of Prosecco!)”.

Brunch by the beach was just the setting Alex needed to ask Katie to marry him. “It was the day after Australia Day weekend and Alex decided that he would take us out to breakfast at Point Cartwright (a look out over the Sunshine Coast). I was taking ages to order breakfast and get ready and he was getting super impatient which is not like him. We were then having something to eat and he got all nervous and fumbled around in his wheelchair looking for something and ended up pulling out the ring and asking me to marry him. It was very sweet.”

The couple worked with Fizz and Co to capture this film of the day, Watch it before you dive into their story!

Katie wore an elegant lace gown designed by Jane Hill. “I chose a 2019 Jane Hill Bridal design dress which I LOVED! It was extremely detailed with scallop edging straps, and a low back and it featured heavy beading. It honestly sparkled when I put it on and from the moment I tried it on I knew it was the one. It was stunning. I then paired it with a red lip and classic down style hairdo with a classic crisp white veil.”

Alex wore a suit from  Politix. “Alex was really clear on his vision for his suit” says Katie, “He just wanted a classic black Tux and black thin tie.”

The couple opted for the relaxed garden setting of New Farm Park for their ceremony, choosing Brisbane Wedding Decorators to style and set up the decor.

Katie walked down the aisle on the arm of her father, to the sounds of an acoustic guitarist playing “The Woods” by Hollow Coves.

Katie and Alex’s daughter, at just six months old, was one of the highlights of the day. “It was such a special thing to have her there.”

Although Katie and Alex originally hired Hitched by Hulm, COVID meant a last-minute change of plans, the couple needing Cara of Brisbane City Celebrants to step in at the last minute.  “We wanted a relaxed and simple ceremony filled with love. Our celebrant created a love story that we only heard on the day which we loved. We also chose to write our vows.”

“Taylor honestly is amazing at her craft” raves Katie of the couple’s chosen wedding photographer. “We had done a couple of shoots with her prior and she just makes you feel so comfortable and captures all the love.”

The floral details of the day? Beautiful in blush and styled by Garden Graffiti. Katie tells “For the flowers I wanted classic style bouquets with white for my bouquet and dusty pink and rust for the bridesmaids. The groomsman had classic white roses and the two men on the wedding party had a larger style buttonhole matching the bridesmaid’s bouquet.

For the plinths at the reception, we chose classic colours and flowers with a pop of colour – reds, pinks and rust. I honestly gave our florist little direction and she came up with the most stunning arrangements to fit the day perfectly.”

Planning your wedding? Take this advice from Katie. “Don’t overthink the planning. You also don’t have to spend a million dollars to have the most memorable day. We achieved the wedding we wanted – one big party.”

To celebrate their marriage, Katie and Alex invited their guests to a cocktail reception at Mary Mae’s Bar & Kitchen. Katie loved the venue’s modern vibes.  “It has crisp white furniture with polished concrete flooring and greenery throughout. It provided the perfect venue for a stand-up cocktail-style reception. They also have delicious cocktails and a seafood style canapé menu.”

“My favourite photo is when Alex and I first got introduced as husband and wife at the reception walking into Calvin Harris “Feels So Close”. Taylor captured a photo of us in pure happiness.”

The reception kicked off with heartfelt speeches. “My favourite detail was the whole wedding vibe. The dance floor did not stop! It was amazing everyone had so much fun. We did all the formalities for the day early. We had speeches and cutting of the cake straight after the photos. This allowed everyone to relax and enjoy the night with all formalities done by 6 pm.”

The newlywed’s first dance was as relaxed as the rest of the day. “Our first dance was to Rufus “Next to me” explains Katie. “It was a really sweet upbeat song and our first dance was casual; we practised a few dance moves previously but it wasn’t choreographed haha. We then invited everyone to the dance floor mid-song which was fun.”

Katie and Alex had a vision of a fun, relaxed party vibe for their day and it came to life the way they’d dreamt! Much of the fun is credited to their DJ and photo booth vendors Beat Connection.  “I made sure that we had good music and also included a photo booth which was such a fun inclusion. We also wanted an amazing photographer who we got – she captured our day perfectly. I think the photo booth made the day. No one realised that I got a copy of all the digital photos and it got hilarious and weird as the night progressed. The DJ made such a fun environment too.”

The biggest congratulations to you both Katie and Alex! Thank you for sharing the stories of your day with us. Thank you also to Tay & Francis for sharing today’s beautiful celebration.