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Names: Amanda & Simon
Wedding Date: 02 May 2009
Location: Wakerley, QLD
Photographer: Action Studio Photography
Ceremony: St Mary's Anglican Church, Kangaroo Point
Reception Venue: Medina Executive, Brisbane

How we met:
Simon and I met through friends, and kept in touch by chatting online - he was living in Victoria and I was in Brisbane. About 6 months after we first met, he came up to visit me. Our first date was on 23rd June 2006, I'd organised for us to have the seafood buffet on the Kookaburra River Queen. We were up the top of the boat, and there was an elderly couple cuddling and looking out at the sights - we said that in 50 years time we hope to be doing the same thing! After a few more flights to Brisbane, I flew down to Melbourne to meet his family, and brought him home with me.

Who and how proposed:
Simon and I picked out and purchased an engagement ring together, but I had no idea when he would pick the ring up after it had been resized, and didn't know when it was coming. In March 2008, we flew down to Melbourne to celebrate his birthday with his family. We had nights out in the city, strolls along the beach, and no proposal came! We got back to Brisbane, and a week later on a Friday 14th March, we headed into the City for some late night shopping. I said I wanted to get back home before 7:30pm to watch the Titans play, and that we would walk home, since we only lived in the Valley. I got to shopping and decided not to see the game, Simon became a little agitated and said no, we're watching the game, and we're walking home! So I gave in and started walking home, slowly. Simon picked up the pace, and before I knew it, we were running to Eagle St Pier, where he dragged me onto the Kookaburra River Queen! We had a private table set up on the deck with flowers, champagne and a cheese platter, and he sat down at the table opposite me and pulled out our engagement ring. I wish I remembered what he said - but I was crying too hard by this stage! I cried for about an hour - attempting to call my family to tell them the news in between sobs.

Ceremony venue:
St Mary's Anglican Church in Kangaroo Point

What made you choose the venue:
We looked around at a lot of churches in Brisbane, and decided on St Mary's Anglican Church in Kangaroo Point for it's location - it overlooked the Brisbane River, and the Kookaburra Queen, as well as the park where we held our engagement party.

Photographer:
Action Studio Photography. I looked at a lot of photographers online, and the most amazing photography I found was by Action. There was some amazing moments captured, and I wanted to see my own amazing moments!

Celebrant:
Father Stephen Redhead, from St Mary's Anglican Church. We had originally had Simon's family priest booked in - from the day after our engagement. We'd organised for him to conduct the ceremony at the church, which was new to him. He came down with a mystery illness the night before the wedding and we found out at 9pm. Stephen came aboard with extremely short notice and did a wonderful job of the ceremony. His sermon was based on friendship which is how Simon and I have always seen our relationship - first and foremost as best friends.

Wedding Rings:
The engagement ring is white gold with three princess cut diamonds purchased from Bevilles. We chose matching white gold wedding bands from Michael Hill.

Bridal Gown:
I chose a Maggie Sottero gown called Rosemary, purchased from Anna Marie and Mr John. I tried on about 10 gowns all up. My bridesmaid Emma was with me when I found the perfect dress - I saw myself in the mirror and had tears in my eyes, it was so beautful and elegant.

Bridal Shoes:
Alan Pinkus from Myer. I won these in a competition held at a Brisbane Bridal Expo.

Bridal Accessories:
Veils were purchased from Hollywood Hills. I had a cathedral veil for the ceremony and photographs, and changed into a short veil for the reception.

Men's Suits:
Simon wore a Ben Sherman suit purchased from Myer. The groomsmen wore hired Spurling suits.

Hair Stylist:
Meleigh.

Make up:
Meleigh.

Florist:
Petals on the Plaza.

Cake:
Cake Inspirations by Tarnya Lawrence. We met with her personally, and I explained my cake design - similar to the cake my parents had at their wedding.

Entertainment:
Moby Disc. We forgot to bring in our list of music and had to quickly pull together a list of our special songs for the dj, who was fabulous and didn't even flinch at our disorganisation.

Transport:
Royale Limousines - we chose the stretch Chrysler 300C and the sedan Chrysler 300C. The drivers were lovely, and nothing beats stepping out of a limo onto red carpet!

Decorations:
The Party Girls. We had a few appointments with the Party Girls to organise the decorations at the Medina - it was very easy to just go through the album and choose what we wanted.

Videographer:
Action Studio Photography.

Invitations:
Papers of Distinction. I searched high and low for beautful invitations and found this place in Victoria. The service was excellent over the long distance and the invitations were perfect.

Bomboniere:
Sweet Star Weddings - an online wedding store. We chose a set of 4 glass coasters with leaves "frosted" on them, with the tagline "Fall in Love" for our Autumn wedding.

Hen's & Buck's Night:
The boys went out for a day of Skirmish followed by a night in the city. The girls went out for karaoke and dancing in the city.

Honeymoon:
My mum and her partner Nathan gave us a week long honeymoon on Hamilton Island. It was so relaxing and we will definitely go back there!

Special Memory:
I have more than one! Pulling up to the church - I just thought "This is it!!" Arriving at the church, and my sister was standing outside the church waiting for me and she cried when she saw me. Hugging my mum after the walk up the aisle - she didn't want to let me go! Seeing Simon for the first time - I spent a lot of time looking around at the guests and didn't see him until I was almost there - he looked so beautiful.

Funniest Moment on the day?:
In his speech, Simon thanked my parents for how they raised me, and proceeded to tell everyone that I "am a good girl".

Special Thanks to and why?:
My mum and Nathan - we were at their house so much in the lead up to the wedding, I could call her at any time if I was having any dramas. They were there for us for the entire journey, and still are.

Advice for brides to be:
Don't let your vendors control you. You're not being a bridezilla if you expect to pay for what you want, rather than what they want. Personalise your thank you cards - it means a lot more to those that receive them.

Other:
The day after the wedding we held a breakfast at the Medina Executive for all of our guests. It was a good opportunity to relax and chat to everyone that we didn't get a chance to speak to - especially family that had travelled to Brisbane for the occassion.

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