On a sunny summer Wednesday in country Queensland, Tanika and Jonathan, (their wedding postponed twice after a pregnancy and COVID), finally got to tie the knot. It was, as you could imagine, well overdue for the couple. Jonathon knowing on first sight there was something more. “Jonathon had drunkenly told my parents the first time he met them that he was going to marry me,” laughs Tanika “but I had only met Jonathon once before through mutual friends!”

After proposing on a holiday to Caloundra, “Jonathon had planned for us to go watch the sunrise on the 30th Dec 2019 at the Point Cartwright Lighthouse when he proposed.” Tanika and Jonathon, enlisted photographer Black Palm Collective and set about crafting, making and creating for a wedding day full of rustic, handmade charm!

Tanika’s beautiful gown found at  Pearl Bridal. “The dress I chose was the last dress I tried on in the first shop I went to. I fell in love immediately and cried, my bridesmaids and mother all cried as well.”

The vibrant floral details for the day were all handmade. “My mother in law made all of the bouquets and button holes, they were amazing,” notes Tanika, “we went with dried flowers and had all the colours that matched our theme.”

Tanika walked down the aisle with her dad to “Walk in a room” by Muscadine Bloodline (acoustic version).

The couple were married by Kathy Brady. “Our ceremony was short and sweet it was exactly what we wanted and the vibe we were going for.”

“So much made our day special” notes Tanika. “Our families, our songs, vibe, the scenery and our rings. Don’t stress everything works out in the end. Remember what the day is really about.”

Tanika and Jonathon held their day at Branell Homestead. “The venue was amazing and so helpful, it was all DIY so we got to create exactly what we wanted.”

“Courtney at Black Palm Collective is the most amazing photographer we could have asked for” raves Tanika. “We have done previous shoots with Courtney so she knew us and most of our family so it was really lovely and she made the whole process carefree and beautiful.”

The reception decor was made and styled by the couple themselves, in keeping with the handmade vibes of the day. “Our whole wedding was DIY so we did everything from the setup, to the flowers and the decorating” explains Tanika, “I loved doing up all of the signs (I made these all myself).”

The newlyweds took to the dance floor under a starlight sky for their first dance. “We danced to “In case you didn’t know” by Brett Young. It was magical” remembers Tanika.

Congratulations to the newlyweds! Thank you for telling your stories and thank you to Black Palm Collective for sharing today’s wedding with us.