You know there’s a spark when you pay someone $50 to track down a stranger. That was Merinda’s strategy and clearly it worked. She and her (now) husband Kyel married at Gold Coast Farm House over a three-day “love-festival” with their close friends and “two very big families”.
Captured by Danielle of Lightsmith Images who Merinda says was “so accommodating of all our weirdness”, you can see their entire unique QLD wedding below.
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How did you and Kyel meet? We met at my high school as adults. Kyel was working there doing community development work and I was in town and decided to attend a community event at the school. After meeting, I tried to track Kyel down but couldn’t. So I paid my sister $50 to pass my number on to his friend the next time they were working at the school.
The proposal: It happened while we were laying in bed, there was no-fanfare, just love.
Wedding venue: Gold Coast Farm House. We were looking for somewhere we could spend a lot of time with our guests and that had enough capacity to hold our two very big families. Plus the location is draw-dropping.
Wedding vibe: Our vibe was love-festival. We wanted people to feel part of our love, to celebrate the roles that a lot of people played in our life, so we found different ways to incorporate that into the whole event. It was a three day event, so there was lots of time to spend with everyone.
The outfit/s: My dress was Marchesa Fashion. I always knew the white dress was not for me. When I saw this yellow gown online, I bought it on a whim without even trying it on. There was only one left and it was in my size. I felt so glamorous in it!
Standout vendors: Our photographer Danielle Smith [Lightsmith Images] was so accommodating of all our weirdness and was comfortable with throwing plans and timetables out the window. I was still writing my vows 30 minutes before the wedding and wasn’t even in my dress yet – Danielle just rolled with the punches and felt like a friend.
Glamping Hire Co. were amazing in setting up a massing Glamping village and even threw in a few extras for us. Our guests raved about the campground and their tents!
Soundtrack: Aisle: “Tell Him” – Lauryn Hill. Reception: “Your Love Lifting me Higher” – Jackie Wilson. First Dance “Nyul Nyul Girl” – Dan Sultan.
Words of wedding wisdom: Provide some guidance to people giving speeches about what kind of stories and advice you’d like them to share.
Hit or (near) miss: Our ring bearer forgot Kyel’s ring, so we had to pretend to put it on! Haha.
I’ll always remember… Seeing each other at opposite ends of the aisle.
CREDITS: Photos Lightsmith Images // Video Joe Van Vugt // Venue Gold Coast Farm House // Flowers Tugun Fruit & Flowers (DIY) // Cake Wild Canary // Furniture and tipi Tipi Hire Co // Bridal gown Marchesa (ceremony dress) and Sarah Seven (reception dress) // Brides shoes Forever Soles // Veil Grace Loves Lace // Robes/Pyjamas Piyama // Accessories Stone Song Jewelery and Natalie Alamein // Groom and groomsmen suits Politix // Grooms ring Rings By Lux via Etsy // Hair Tamika Hair and Makeup and Lisa Chan // Makeup Tamika Hair and Makeup // Music We Play Records // Photo Booth The Wild Booth Co. // Glamping Glamping Hire Co
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READ: How To Propose To Your Bridesmaids
