duo magazine's bride+groom nov15

BRIDE IS MARTINE ZAGHINI

PHOTOGRAPH BY KY LUU (MASTER OF PHOTOGRAPHY) AT B CAPTURED [email protected] 0423 084 933

FLOWERS BY LOUISE ZAGHINI FIORI WITH LOVE ( INGHAM) WWW.FIORIWITHLOVE.COM.AU 4776 2362

DUO MAGAZINE’S PRESTIGE WEDDING FEATURE

BRIDE+GROOM

NOVEMBER 2015

2 DUO MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2015 duomagazine.com.au

B R I D E + G R O O M

FROM THE CASCADING BOUQUET TO THE SUSPENDED WEDDING CAKE, THIS WAS NO ORDINARY WEDDING.

NO ORDINARY WEDDING

M A R T I N E&

R O C C O

5 SEPTEMBER 2015


PHOTOS • KY LUU AT B CAPTURED WORDS • NICOLE THOMSON-PRIDE

When Rocco La Bella first met Martine

Zaghini it really was just an ordinary

moment. It was a Saturday afternoon

at the Italian Festival in Ingham.

Rocco, who was a contestant on My Kitchen Rules

in 2012, was performing a food demonstration and,

Martine, who is a journalist and a presenter, was

emceeing at the event.

“We literally bumped into each other while he was

prepping for the demonstration,” remembers Martine.

“He was actually holding a large pot of water for the

pasta, so it could have ended badly.”

Despite this first encounter, it wasn’t until a little while

down the track when Rocco and Martine reconnected

that the sparks started to fly. Martine says they just

clicked and they both knew they were meant for each

other. “Rocco is a very kind, generous and thoughtful

person who is very easy to love,” says Martine, who

married Rocco on 5 September this year during a

beautiful, “organic” themed wedding.

The ceremony was held at the Rostrevor Chapel in

Adelaide, which was the chapel at the school Rocco

attended, and the reception was in a marquee in

the Rose Garden at the Adelaide Botanic Gardens.

Martine says their wedding was rustic, yet elegant, and

featured a lot of wood, ivy vines and candles to create

a welcoming and creative vibe. And as their wedding

fell on the first weekend in spring, Martine was sure to

incorporate pops of colour through the flowers amongst

the greenery.

Speaking of the flowers, they were a showstopper

feature at the wedding. Martine’s mother, Louise

Zaghini, who is a florist and owns Fiori With Love in

Ingham, worked with Martine to bring her dream

wedding to life. This included lush greenery and gum

hanging, ivy intertwined with fig tree vine on the tables,

and succulents and pops of colourful flowers. “I’m

still in awe of how she did it,” says Martine. “She was

responsible for the bridesmaid’s and my bouquets,

our flower crowns, the decorating of the cake, the

groomsmen’s button holes and the reception. She

still says my bouquet was the hardest task as it was

a cascading bouquet that was reminiscent of my

grandmother’s who married in the 1940s.”

That cascading bouquet was paired perfectly with

Martine’s custom made wedding dress by dressmaker

Suzana Lucci. It featured long sleeves and skin-coloured

netting for the arms, chest and back of the dress to

create a sheer look. “Suzana spent many, many hours

individually cutting out different shapes from the lace

to get the effect I was after,” explains Martine. “Due to

the top half of my dress being so detailed, I was intent

on the bottom half being quite plain. We went with a

stretchy satin to give it a free flowing effect.”

As for special accessories, Martine wore some very

special shoes – white satin Louboutin’s – which were

a gift from her mother-in-law. Her mother-in-law, who

is a professional cake maker, also made Rocco and

Martine’s wedding cake. It was a traditional fruitcake

which was decorated with fresh flowers.

“I wanted something a little different [for the cake],”

says Martine, “so I chose a suspended cake. We had

quite a few bunches of greenery hanging throughout

the marquee so it kind of fitted this ‘suspended’ look.”

Martine said it was something she had never seen

before and she likes to be a little different with her

choices. Although it was a little challenging to execute,

it all worked out and had the impact she had hoped.

“Rocco’s dad is an engineer so he constructed a device

to hang the cake from a beam in the marquee,” explains

Martine. “He used very thin but strong wires to give it

the ‘floating’ effect.”

Ky Luu from B Captured in Adelaide had the wonderful

job of capturing all the different masterpieces on display

throughout the wedding, as well as taking breathtaking

photos of the bride and groom inside the Penfolds

Magill Estate Winery, which is usually off-limits. “We

were granted permission to go into the Penfolds Magill

Estate Winery to get photos taken inside the cellar

doors and around the grounds,” explains Martine. “It

was magical.”

And if there was one thing Martine wished she knew

before the wedding it would be how dirty the dress

would get. “It has since been dry-cleaned but it’s still

not the same.”



“ RO CCO’ S DA D IS A N ENGI N EER SO H E

CONST RUC T ED A DE V IC E TO H A NG T H E C A K E

F ROM A BE A M I N T H E M A RQU EE .”

M A R T I N E Z AGH I N I

5DUO MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2015 duomagazine.com.au


M A R T I N E&

R O C C O

5 SEPTEMBER 2015



M A R T I N E&

R O C C O

5 SEPTEMBER 2015

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J A S M I N E&

J O H N

6 JUNE 2015

WHEN JOHN KENDALL WED JASMINE BOWMAN THE THEME WAS CLASSICAL PRINCESS, FROM THE DRESS AND THE TIARA TO THE

BRIDESMAIDS’ CINDERELLA BLUE DRESSES.

A FAIRYTALE WEDDING




PHOTOS • CAMERON LAIRD PHOTOGRAPHYWORDS • NICOLE THOMSON-PRIDE

Five years after John Kendall met Jasmine Bowman

through mutual friends, he got down on one knee and

proposed to Jasmine while on a walk to one of the

lookouts overlooking Townsville on Magnetic Island.

Early on in their relationship, John knew Jasmine was the one

for him when she started laughing at his silly jokes. And Jasmine

says it was these same silly jokes that made her realise John

was her forever. “He would always make me laugh,” says

Jasmine. “If I am ever sad, he does whatever he can to make

me smile.”

Earlier this year on the 6th June, John and Jasmine wed in

a classical themed wedding, which included her bridesmaids

wearing dresses that were a similar colour to Cinderella’s dress

in the fairytale. Jasmine’s dress from Bridal Palace also fit with

the classical theme.

As for special accessories, Jasmine’s family helped her put

together her something old, something new, something

borrowed and something blue. “My something old was a crystal

necklace from my mother-in-law. It was a gift from her father

to her mother on their wedding day and she too wore it on

her wedding day,” explains Jasmine. “My something new was

a small tiara. Something borrowed was my Nana’s ring that

all the ladies in my family have worn on their wedding day.

Finally, for something blue, my mum had two blue handkerchiefs

embroidered with a special message for each of us.”

While the flower arrangements on the big day were made by

Malpara Florist, Sweeter than Sugar had the all-important job

of creating the cake. And it was Cameron Laird who John and

Jasmine had carefully selected as their wedding photographer.

They had both heard wonderful things about Cameron and it

turned out all those things were true.

“He knew exactly what shots he wanted and didn’t waste time

in getting them,” says Jasmine. “[Also], halfway through the

photos I could tell my bridal party was getting a little stuffy so I

asked Cam to have a little fun with the next location. He asked

what I had in mind but I had no clue. Lucky for me, he did. That’s

when we were lifting each other, taking selfies and doing silly

poses. We got some awesome photos out of it and it kept the

smiles big and natural.”

And it was getting the photos taken that was one of the most

magical moments of the day for John and Jasmine. Jasmine

says it was one of her favourite parts because it was just John,

her and the bridal party and they were able to slow down for a

little while and just enjoy it.

PHOTOS • SANDRA HEIER EVENSENWORDS • NICOLE THOMSON-PRIDE

EARLIER THIS YEAR, JARED COCKBURN MARRIED HIS CHILDHOOD SWEETHEART, JENNIFER MARSH IN THEIR HOMETOWN OF INGHAM.

CHILDHOOD SWEETHEARTS

Jared Cockburn and Jennifer Marsh met in 2003

when they both started school at Ingham State

High School. The following year they started

dating. They were just 14 years old. Then 10

years later as they headed to Port Douglas to celebrate

their anniversary, Jared popped the question.

“We are so lucky to have found true love at such a

young age,” says Jennifer. “I love him to bits. Plus his

dimples still give me butterflies every time he smiles.”

The big day took place on the 4th of April this year in

their hometown of Ingham. The ceremony was outdoors

under the raintrees outside of the All Souls Anglican

Church at Victoria Estate and the reception was held

at The Knightclub Function Centre.

“We didn’t follow a set theme for the wedding,” says

Jennifer. “We simply aimed to have a timeless wedding

with a touch of vintage, glam, bohemian styles. We

basically incorporated anything we loved and it all came

together perfectly.”

Rae from Boho & Bloom looked after the flowers for

the day, which included proteas as the main flowers for

both the bouquets and on the tables at the reception.

Jennifer found her perfect dress in Romeo & Juliet’s

Bridal in Cairns after searching all the Townsville bridal

stores without any luck. “I particularly loved the fine

detailing of lace sewn over the bodice,” says Jennifer,

“and the multiple layers of different types of lace on the

bottom of the dress, which flowed into a stunning train.”

Her mum and Grandma had big smiles on their faces

when Jennifer walked out of the dressing room because

they knew she had finally found the perfect dress.

The photographer on the day was Sandra Heier

Evensen, who Jennifer says was amazing to work with

and made their entire day completely stress free. And

when it comes to planning your big day, Jennifer says

plan and organise it a little bit at a time so you don’t

get overwhelmed. “Don’t stress over the little things.”




J E N N I F E R&

J A R E D

4 APRIL 2015


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www.northqueenslandfamilydental.com.auComplimentary consultation appointment cannot be used with any other offer and/or for any other dental

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There is a lot of preparation that goes into your wedding

day, especially when it comes to looking your best.

Your dress fits perfectly, you have trialed your hair

and makeup, but what about your smile? At North

Queensland Family Dental, we have cosmetic dentistry

covered and can help you achieve a whiter, brighter and

straighter smile that will shine on your big day.

Cosmetic dentistry is about creating harmony between

your teeth and the soft tissues surrounding them such as

your lips and gums. Cosmetic dentistry can be a simple,

minor procedure such as replacing an old discoloured

filling in a single tooth, or altering the appearance of

many teeth. It can also be a more involved procedure

such as the fitting of porcelain veneers or orthodontic

treatment.

Teeth WhiteningTeeth whitening is a safe, common and effective way

to improve the appearance of your smile. We offer both

In-Office Whitening and Take Home Whitening kits so

you can pick a treatment that suits both your lifestyle and

your budget. In-Office Whitening is a perfect option for

those wanting to achieve great results in a short period

of time, with treatments often completed in less than an

hour! Our take home whitening kits allow you to whiten

your teeth in the comfort of your own home, achieving

comparable results with In-Office Whitening in about

2-3 weeks.

VeneersSometimes people ask us to make significant changes

to the appearance of their teeth, usually because

they are dissatisfied with the current colour, shape or

alignment. If the changes you request can’t be achieved

with whitening or bonding, veneers may be an option

for you.

A veneer is a thin coating of tooth coloured material,

either porcelain or composite resin, that is bonded to the

front surface of a tooth. They allow subtle or dramatic

cosmetic changes to be made to the teeth, including

colour, shape and apparent position.

Smilefast OrthodonticsFor many, the time commitment of wearing braces

along with their lack of aesthetic appeal can be off-

putting however there is now an option that is not only

completed in a significantly shorter period of time but is

also visually appealing.

With adults in mind, Smilefast has been designed to

help achieve straighter teeth in a short period of time.

Smilefast combines traditional orthodontic techniques

with the latest technology in 3D computer imaging to

identify the ideal position on the teeth for your braces

which is essential for fast and predictable outcomes.

With Smilefast we use clear discrete braces and white-

coated wires that blend seamlessly with your teeth.

We have something to suit every bride, so say ‘I Do’ to

a more brilliant smile for your special day!

THERE IS A LOT OF PREPARATION THAT GOES INTO YOUR WEDDING DAY, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO LOOKING YOUR BEST.

SAY “I DO” TO A BRIGHTER, WHITER, STRAIGHTER SMILE.

B R I D E + G R O O M | A D V E R T O R I A L

DR MATTHEW LOMBARDINORTH QUEENSLAND FAMILY DENTAL

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Picture your perfectly romantic Sunday afternoon wedding: your guests relaxing upstairs on the balcony soaking up beautiful views as they enjoy cool beverages & canapés while you’re having your photos taken.

You arrive & are welcomed with champagne as you begin to mingle with your friends & loved ones.

Afternoon rolls into evening as you & your guests move downstairs for a private dinner including carefully selected entrées, mains & desserts, punctuated by speeches from loved ones.

The evening continues upstairs with dancing & further celebrations.

Whether you choose a stunningcocktail party or intimate sit down

dinner, we are passionate inproviding seasonally inspired menus with the highest level of personal & professional service, tailored to suit

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Epicurean Wedding at Jam


PHOTOS • PHOTOGRAPHY BY RED SKYWORDS • NICOLE THOMSON-PRIDE

When Jessica Fraser finished school she

packed up her life in Rockhampton

and moved to Townsville to be closer

to a boy. That boy was Joel Stevens

who she had met a few years earlier at a youth camp.

Despite being young, clearly their feelings for each other

were strong enough to survive the challenges of a long

distance relationship.

While Jessica and Joel must have known they were

on to something special, both say their love deepened

gradually and there was no defining moment when they

knew each other was the one but rather it was the

accumulation of all the little things.

That said, there were no doubts in their mind when they

married earlier this year on 26th June. “The ceremony

was held at our church, Townsville City Church, and we

were married by Joel’s dad,” explains Jessica. “And the

reception was at the Hervey’s Range Heritage Tearooms

– we had a marquee in the middle of the paddocks.”

The theme was rustic vintage and the colours were

mostly white, purple and blue. Jessica’s bouquet

featured pink and yellow vintage roses with lavender

sprigs, while the bridesmaids had bunches of just

lavender. As for Jessica’s dress, she bought it from The

Fashion Gallery and it just so happened to be the very

first dress she tried on.

“I just loved the lace overlay with its little flowers and

pearl embellishments,” says Jessica. “I chose the dress

because it had a classic timeless look that made me

feel classy – and it was the only one that mum and I got

emotional about.”

Both Jessica and Joel say one of the most magical

moments of the day was when they first saw each other

at the ceremony. Jessica says despite there being so

many other people around, as she prepared to walk

down the aisle all she could see was Joel and the look

on his face. She also says it was very special getting

ready with her mum because this was a day she had

been waiting for since she was a little girl. “It had finally

come bringing with it the end of an era.”

JESSICA FRASER AND JOEL STEVENS MET WHEN THEY WERE JUST 15 AND 16 YEARS OLD AND LIVED 700 KILOMETRES APART BUT THEIR LOVE TRIUMPHED

AGAINST THE ODDS.

A ROMANCE AGAINST THE ODDS


J E S S I C A&

J O E L

26 JUNE 2015



PHOTOS • CAMERON LAIRD PHOTOGRAPHYWORDS • NICOLE THOMSON-PRIDE

When Amanda Tapiolas travelled

over 500 kilometres southwest of

Townsville to a rural town called

Moranbah, she never could have

imagined she would meet her future husband. Amanda,

who is currently a doctor working in Palliative Care,

was undertaking a rural placement in Moranbah for

medical school when Daniel Bigney was the lucky

mining engineer asked to take the students on a tour

of the mine.

According to Amanda, they just clicked. After their very

first date, Amanda says she knew Daniel was the man

she would marry. And she was right!

Four years after that first encounter, Daniel and Amanda

were married on 11 October 2014. “We were married

by Father Dave Lancini at the Sacred Heart Cathedral

in Townsville,” says Amanda. “Followed by a reception

at The Banquet Centre.”

The theme was classical elegance, with pastel pinks,

coral and gold. “The main decorations for our wedding

were roses and candles,” says Amanda, who entrusted

Anna Gianoulis from Malpara Florist to create the

flower arrangements. “The end result was thousands

of immaculate roses in large table centre wreaths and

domes around the room. They gave the entire reception

venue the most divine and glorious aroma.”

Just like Amanda had fallen in love with Daniel at first

sight, she also fell instantly in love with the very first

wedding dress she tried on at Brides of Brisbane. She

says despite trying on countless other dresses, nothing

compared to that feeling she felt when she tried on the

first dress. “The ivory dress had a fitted bodice with

a gorgeous and delicate Spanish lace overlay,” says

Amanda. “And the skirt was a pleated heavy satin with

a long train.”

The theme of lace was also present on the wedding

cake, which was made by Janine from Janine’s Cake

Art. It was a four-tiered masterpiece of caramel,

chocolate and red-velvet mudcake. “It tied in with our

theme,” explains Amanda. “It had cream lace, coral

ribbon, embossed artwork and a painted gold tier.”

As for the wedding photographer, it was Cameron from

Cameron Laird Wedding Photography who captured all

the precious memories. And Amanda says they couldn’t

have asked for more breathtaking images. “Our entire

wedding party loved working with Cam,” adds Amanda.

While there were many moments Amanda and Daniel

loved from their big day, it was the few quiet moments of

alone time they treasured the most. Other moments that

will stay with them forever include being pronounced

husband and wife, and their first dance. “Our first dance

as husband and wife was very special, we got lost in the

moment in each other’s arms,” says Daniel.

While Amanda says it felt like the day was over in a

flash, she also says she couldn’t have asked for a more

perfect wedding day.

AMANDA TAPIOLAS KNEW DANIEL BIGNEY WAS “THE ONE” AFTER THEIR VERY FIRST DATE.

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

A M A N D A&

D A N I E L

11 OCTOBER 2014



Queens Gardens, North Ward>> Find your way through the hedge maze.

>> Pack a picnic and admire the amazing views of Castle Hill.

>> Take in the beauty of some of Townsville’s oldest trees.

Anderson Gardens, Pimlico>> Say hello to Billy Bombax

and listen to him talk about water conservation in the Giant’s Walk.

>> Wander through the tropical fruit orchard and see exotic fruit trees from all around the world.

>> Watch the ducks and bird life on the lotus pond.

Dan Gleeson Memorial Gardens, Kirwan>> Admire the pink blooms in the Breast

Cancer Awareness Garden.

>> Explore the mediaeval themed playground.

>> Enjoy an alfresco BBQ lunch in a beautiful garden setting.

The Palmetum, Annandale

>> Walk through the biggest cacti and succulent

garden in Townsville.

>> See the impressive Talipot Palm near the Lagoon –

a palm with the largest flower spikes in the world.

>> Treat yourself to afternoon tea at the historic

Tumbetin Lodge.

www.townsville.qld.gov.au 1300 878 001

E X P L O R E T O W N S V I L L E ’ S

Botanic Gardensthis Summer

A M A N D A&

D A N I E L

11 OCTOBER 2014

“OU R F I R ST DA NC E A S H USB A N D A N D W I F E WA S

V ERY SPEC I A L , W E G OT L OST I N T H E MOM EN T I N

E AC H OT H ER’ S A R M S .”

DA N I E L BIGN E Y

Queens Gardens, North Ward>> Find your way through the hedge maze.

>> Pack a picnic and admire the amazing views of Castle Hill.

>> Take in the beauty of some of Townsville’s oldest trees.

Anderson Gardens, Pimlico>> Say hello to Billy Bombax

and listen to him talk about water conservation in the Giant’s Walk.

>> Wander through the tropical fruit orchard and see exotic fruit trees from all around the world.

>> Watch the ducks and bird life on the lotus pond.

Dan Gleeson Memorial Gardens, Kirwan>> Admire the pink blooms in the Breast

Cancer Awareness Garden.

>> Explore the mediaeval themed playground.

>> Enjoy an alfresco BBQ lunch in a beautiful garden setting.

The Palmetum, Annandale

>> Walk through the biggest cacti and succulent

garden in Townsville.

>> See the impressive Talipot Palm near the Lagoon –

a palm with the largest flower spikes in the world.

>> Treat yourself to afternoon tea at the historic

Tumbetin Lodge.

www.townsville.qld.gov.au 1300 878 001

E X P L O R E T O W N S V I L L E ’ S

Botanic Gardensthis Summer



K A R I N A&

D A N I E L

26 SEPTEMBER 2015

EARLIER THIS YEAR KARINA FEGATILLI AND DANIEL FARRELL BECOME WIFE AND HUSBAND DURING A SIMPLE, RUSTIC INSPIRED WEDDING

A SIMPLE, RUSTIC WEDDING




K arina Fegatilli met Daniel Farrell when they both

worked at Big W. Karina had just moved to Townsville

from Atherton to attend university while Daniel had

just moved from Ipswich after being promoted.

“I knew she was the one because we would just talk for hours

and neither of us wanted to leave,” says Daniel, who now drives

freight trains between Mackay and Cairns. “And I knew he was

the one because he is the first person I think of and I want to

tell him everything no matter how big or small,” adds Karina.

The couple married on the 26th September this year with the

ceremony held at Riverside Gardens Amphitheatre and the

reception held at Riverside Gardens Community Centre. After

doing what almost every modern day bride does – spending

hours on Pinterest – Karina decided to keep it simple and have

a rustic theme to match the venue.

“We used white lace and burlap for the table decorations, with

lots of flowers,” says Karina. “I wanted to use lots of natural

tones and colours.” Speaking of flowers, Anitra from Flowers

by Flourish had the important job of creating Karina’s bouquet,

and she didn’t disappoint!

On the day Karina wore a “moscato” coloured dress, which had

a lace skirt. “After trying on what felt like hundreds of dresses

in Brisbane, I found my dress locally at Wedding Gowns by

Melinda,” explains Karina. “My favourite part of the dress was

the colour.”

As for special accessories, Karina explains how her and Daniel

had recently had five family members pass away, so she carried

a small photo pendent of each of them with her on the day.

Just Peachy Cupcakes created them a three-tiered masterpiece

for a wedding cake with Nutella, white chocolate and chocolate

as the flavours. It was a massive hit with the guests. Sandra

Heier Eversen was the photographer they entrusted to capture

the once-in-a-lifetime moments and Karina says their photos

turned out beautiful. Sandra was flexible and willing to help with

anything you might need. And Karina has some simple advice

for future brides: “The less you have to organise, the better!”

“ I K N E W H E WA S T H E ON E BEC AUSE H E IS T H E

F I R ST PER SON I T H I N K OF A N D I WA N T TO T EL L H I M E V ERY T H I NG NO M AT T ER

HOW BIG OR SM A L L .”

K A R I NA F E G AT I L L I


North Ward Shopping Village 31–45 Eyre Street North Ward

• Specialising in bridal hair and makeup• Highly educated & experienced stylists• Certified makeup artists• Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics• Pre wedding consultations• Hair & make-up trials• Spray tanning

Whatever style of bride you are, we will make your dream vision a reality by

creating beautiful hair and make-up for your special day.

Our boutique city salon is the perfect location for you and your bridal party to

start the day where you will be treated like a princess and are guaranteed to

leave looking like one.

LET US CREATE AN EXPERIENCEA GALLERY FOR HAIR

Phone 4724 5554 for your complimentary consultation or visit www.capellihairgallery.com.au


When you fall in love with a diamond, it’s because

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Many experts are convinced that one specific set of

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When these three components are optimised, the

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exceptionally well cut. Whether it’s a single diamond

for your engagement ring or an item of jewellery with

multiple diamonds. Cut makes for the most sparkle.

CUT IS THE KEY THAT UNLOCKS THE BEAUTY OF A DIAMOND. GRAHAM JACKSON FROM LOLOMA JEWELLERS REVEALS WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A DIAMOND THAT WILL LAST FOREVER.

A D V E R T O R I A L | B R I D E + G R O O M

PERFECTLY CUT DIAMONDS

LOLOMA CASTLETOWN LOLOMA STOCKLANDGRAHAM JACKSON


WHEN TIM NEWNHAM MARRIED NICOLE CROSS THEIR LOVE OF THE EARTH, WATER AND NATURE IN GENERAL INSPIRED THE THEME.

INSPIRED BY NATURE


N I C O L E&

T I M

18 APRIL 2015



When Tim Newnham used the line, “your shoes

look very comfortable,” to try and pick up

Nicole Cross at a bar one night, she didn’t

know what to think of the soldier’s remark.

But it was enough to spark her interest and as soon as they got

chatting, they couldn’t stop.

Not long after that, they went on a first date and created a

grand plan to buy a yacht and spend a couple of years sailing

around the world. Both of them were dreamers. And now they

had met their match.

Their dream of getting married came true earlier this year on

18th April. Inspired by their love of being outdoors and going on

adventures and travelling, the theme of the wedding was nature.

This included different shades of blue for the bridesmaids’

dresses, Tim’s suit and the groomsmen’s suits to represent the

ocean, earthy décor at the reception and a globe of the Earth

as the guestbook.

To fit the theme of the wedding, Anna Gianoulis from Malpara

Florist created Nicole a more rustic, natural looking bouquet.

“Anna was extremely helpful,” explains Nicole, “and could see

where I was coming from in terms of the more natural and

rustic feel.”

The bouquet was paired perfectly with Nicole’s wedding dress

from Signature Bridal, which showcased a lace bodice and

sheer lace back. “The detail was so intricate and beautiful,”

says Nicole. “I felt very elegant.”

The natural theme of the wedding was also a deciding factor

when they chose a photographer. Nicole and Tim wanted

someone who would be able to capture more candid and

natural shots. Nicole was blown away with Sandra Heier

Evensen’s portfolio when she stumbled across it, which is why

they ended up choosing her. “We were so happy with how our

photos turned out,” says Nicole. “The colours were so vibrant

– the ocean, the flowers, the sky – and the whole experience

felt very natural.”



N I C O L E&

T I M

18 APRIL 2015



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Located just a stone’s throw from the natural wonders

of tropical north Queensland and a five minute drive

from Macrossan Street, QT Port Douglas will be sure

to delight and inspire at every adventurous turn!

With spaces suitable for anywhere between 30 to

350 guests, venture down the tropical rabbit hole and

discover a secret garden for your intimate wedding

ceremony, a spacious rolling lawn for the al fresco

party of your dreams, a private grand ballroom to host

a mad tea-party extravaganza, or exquisite deck for

your pool-side soiree. QT’s selection of fine wines and

hand crafted cocktails beg you to DRINK ME, whilst

enchanting gourmet menu selections scream EAT ME

– we can design and tailor a package that will have

you and your guests grinning like the Cheshire cat.

QT Port Douglas pairs five star service with stunning

accommodation options that include one and two

bedroom villas, each designed as an individual home

away from home for guests, bespoke furnishings

and quirky finishes. Leisure facilities include a full

gymnasium and fitness facility, a state-of-the-art

outdoor cinema between June and October each

year, and an imaginative designer day spa, spaQ, to

tend to all of your relaxation and beauty needs. Dine

at the interactive and inspiring Bazaar restaurant, a

traditional marketplace with a 21st century twist, or

sip cocktails to the tunes of Ibiza at the casually cool

Estilo bar.

At QT Port Douglas your big day doesn’t have to be

just one big day. The tropical and sophisticated Estilo

Deck is perfect for your pre-wedding get together,

or post-wedding recovery session! Welcome your

guests to Port Douglas with a sunset get-together on

the deck, as your guests meet and greet each other

over casual cocktails before your big day arrives.

Following your big day recover in style with a lazy

barbeque session, where our chefs will serve

up a Spanish barbeque feast, whilst our cocktail

bartenders provide refreshing jugs of Sangria. With

sunny booths, ample seating and a grassy lawn

you can turn your nuptial festivities into an extended

celebration of your wedded bliss on the Estilo deck

at QT Port Douglas.

QT Port Douglas is a unique designer resort that

celebrates an eclectic design environment and bold

entertainment to create an intriguing yet relaxing

guest experience. A beacon for design, art, style and

luxury, QT Port Douglas resort has been operational

since May 2012, has since positioned itself as the Far

North’s very own purveyors of fun, leaders of style and

masters of indulgence. Step through the looking-glass

and discover Far North Queensland’s most stylish and

fantastical wedding venue, QT Port Douglas resort.

QT Port Douglas

87 Port Douglas Road, Port Douglas

4099 8900

[email protected]

www.qtportdouglas.com.au

A unique designer resort set amongst lush tropical gardens, QT Port Douglas welcomes

guests with a contemporary yet quirky tropical feel. Make your special day everything you

imagined it would be here in paradise.

For bookings and enquiries call 07 4099 8900 or email [email protected]

www.qtportdouglas.com.au

Weddingswithdesigner style

QT PORT DOUGLAS RESORT IS A WONDERLAND OF INNOVATION, DESIGN AND STYLE THAT IS THE PERFECT LOCATION FOR YOUR VERY IMPORTANT DATE.

WEDDED WONDERLAND

A D V E R T O R I A L | B R I D E + G R O O M


Model COURTNEY MILESDress ADDISON BAILEYJewellery KAILIS JEWELLERY




Model EMMA SPARKSDress ADDISON BAILEYJewellery OLE LYNGGAARD COPENHAGEN

Photographer & Stylist Matthew GianoulisFacebook: www.facebook.com/matthewgianoulisphotographyInstagram: @matthewgianoulis

Dress Designer Addison BaileyFacebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Addison-Bailey-by-ruth-groundwater Instagram: @addison_bailey_collection

Hair Rhiannon JefferyFacebook: www.facebook.com/BlushOnBundock Instagram: @avehair

Makeup Kristin MartinFacebook: www.facebook.com/KristinMartinMakeupArtist Instagram: @kr13tin

JewelleryKailis JewelleryOle Lynggaard CopenhagenExclusive to Kim Bartlett Master Jewellerswww.masterjewellers.com.au

Model ALANA BULLICKDress ADDISON BAILEYJewellery KAILIS JEWELLERY



AFFORDABLE DESIGNER GOWNS



wedding and event stylists | individualised personal serviceDIY hire available | no obligation, free consultation

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MAKE YOUR SPECIAL DAY



A S H L E I G H&

S A M

6 JUNE 2015



PHOTOS • MATTHEW GIANOULIS PHOTOGRAPHY WORDS • NICOLE THOMSON-PRIDE

As soon as guests walked into the reception

of Ashleigh Cook and Sam Donovan’s

wedding, they were greeted with thousands

of fairy lights, candles of all different shapes

and sizes and bountiful table arrangements of the most

amazing flora. It was breathtaking. It was magical. It

was everything Ashleigh had dreamt it would be as

she started the next chapter of life with Sam as her

husband.

Ashleigh and Sam’s story started roughly six years ago

when they met through a mutual friend. “I was living

on the Sunshine Coast and Sam was in Brisbane,”

explains Ashleigh. “It was weekend commutes and

plenty of mid-week phone calls that continued to bring

us closer together.”

Then six months into the relationship Ashleigh dropped

a bombshell when she told Sam she had to move back

to Townsville. Not wanting to lose something special,

they both packed up their lives in southern Queensland

and relocated north to start their own adventure

together.

“Relocating together was the first of many signs that we

were in it for the long haul,” says Ashleigh. “Six years on

and several more interstate moves, we now can write

the next chapter in our story together.”

That next chapter started on Saturday, 6 June this year

when Ashleigh married Sam on Jupiter Casino’s lawn.

The theme of the wedding was inspired by “rustic,

country garden, party chic” and the reception was held

in the Pavilion at Jupiter’s.

“We both love the colours and variety of native flowers

and this was the main inspiration for the design,” says

Ashleigh. “We wanted to have a relaxed and social vibe

throughout the day where guests could mingle freely

and have a good time.”

Ashleigh says the team at Wedding Works and Townville

Flower Market were phenomenal with nothing being too

hard or impossible. “The staff were amazing, helpful,

dedicated, hardworking and, above all else, extremely

talented,” says Ashleigh. “They not only brought our

ideas to life but they exceeded all expectations of the

imaginable.”

While the bridal party was off having photos taken,

guests were treated to old-fashion spritzers and an

amazing cheese station on Jupiter’s lawn, where they

were kept entertained with lawn games and music until

the reception started at 6pm.

On the day, Ashleigh wore a bridal gown by Mariana

Hardwick. The dress was a strapless off-white, which

had the most beautiful beading across the chest and

the dress then fell to the floor with white chiffon with

a short train. It was the first dress Ashleigh tried on,

and while it was very different to what she had imaged

herself in, she says it was perfect. “I felt like a princess,”

says Ashleigh, “and I loved it.” >

ASHLEIGH COOK AND SAM DONOVAN’S WEDDING RECEPTION FELT MAGICAL THANKS TO THOUSANDS OF FAIRY LIGHTS, CANDLES AND FLORA.

A MAGICAL RECEPTION



“ T H ER E WA S DI N N ER , DR I N K S, SPEEC H E S,

DA NC I NG, L OV E A N D L AUGH T ER . I T T RU LY WA S

A M AGIC A L E V EN I NG.”

A S H L E IGH C O OK

As for something old, Ashleigh was very

fortunate to have her great grandma’s

handkerchief on the day. Adding extra

meaning for Ashleigh, it was embroidered

with the initial ‘A’ and had been kept since her great

grandma’s wedding day. “It came in handy with the few

tears that were shed before walking down the aisle,”

recalls Ashleigh.

Other favourite memories from their wedding day

included having all their friends and family in the one

place at the one time in the relaxed, tropical atmosphere

of north Queensland; and getting a sneak peek of the

magical reception venue before all the guests arrived.

Ashleigh and Sam had so much fun at their wedding;

they were both sad once it was over. “There was dinner,

drinks, speeches, dancing, love and laughter,” says

Ashleigh. “It truly was a magical evening and it was

sad for it to end.”

When it came to the tough decision of choosing a

photographer, on the strong recommendation from their

wedding design team they decided to go with Matthew

Gianoulis from Matthew Gianoulis Photography. “He

was exceptional, creative, relaxed and flexible,” says

Ashleigh. “We wanted to break the mould of the

‘normal’ wedding shots and get a bit of a creative edge

and Matthew and his team delivered.”

Ashleigh’s advice to other brides is simple: plan ahead

and don’t be scared to think outside of the box. “If

you can dream it – it can be created.” She also says

to remember why you are there and recommends at

some stage during the day taking each other aside for

five minutes to just take it all in together.



A S H L E I G H&

S A M

6 JUNE 2015


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