Megan and Callan’s wedding was an intimate destination wedding experience on the Sunshine Coast for their closest family and friends. We were thrilled to be there with our cameras.

Tell us the story of your proposal…where was it, how did it happen, did it go as planned?

We got engaged at Rainforest Ranch in Byfield, Yeppoon, beside Polka Creek which runs behind some of the cabins. Callan had packed a picnic of wine and cheese for us to enjoy beside the flowing creek.

Initially I (Callan) wanted to propose at Stoney Creek in Byfield. Unfortunately there was water on the dirt road leading into Stoney Creek that I could not cross in my car. Luckily we found Polka Creek  at Rainforest Ranch.

I (Callan) was extremely nervous right before I proposed to Megan. Megan was so happy she started crying and forgot to give me an answer, so I had to ask twice (she said yes!).

How did you choose Spicers Clovelly Estate for your wedding? What was important to you?

We had a very large engagement party and after that realised that we didn’t want a large wedding. We live in Rockhampton and at the time there weren’t many options for small weddings so we decided we would look out of town (We looked from Airlie Beach to the Gold Coast!)

We had looked at a few venues in Montville online and decided that we would take a trip down to have a look. We originally had not seen Spicers Clovelly Estate and were pointed in their direction when we got there. As soon as we walked in we knew that it was our venue. The Country/French styling fitted perfectly with our ideas for a theme and the whole place was beautiful!

It was important for us to have somewhere where we could get ready, have the ceremony and reception and somewhere for our family to stay. It ticked all of the boxes for us!

[read more=”READ MORE” less=”READ LESS”]

How long did you spend planning your wedding? What was your wedding planing experience like, what tips would you suggest to other couples?

We had discussed what we wanted for a few months – we tossed up a big wedding, we even tossed up eloping but decided that having a small wedding with our favourite people is what we wanted. We started planning properly once we had secured our venue. We planned for around 10 months. Our experience I am sure was like many other couples…everyone had an opinion on what we were doing and the decisions we were making! We were gifted a wedding planner at our engagement party from Callan’s brother and his wife and it was probably the best thing we could get!

• We would suggest to not ask too many people for their opinion – it just gets confusing!
• GET A DECORATOR! That was the best decision we made and we suggest it to everyone.
• Brides – If your dress is fitted and heavy like mine, get a reception dress. You don’t realise how uncomfortable a dress can get after wearing it all day!
• Don’t forget to organise lunch for your wedding day! We had to send my (Megan) Dad into Maleny to get food because we completely forget

What moment stands out as “the moment” on your wedding day?

We both have different moments! For Callan it was being announced as Mr & Mrs Lester – for Megan it was exchanging rings and saying our vows. We worked with Merlin on our ceremony and we requested that she keep our vows secret so that the first time we heard them was on our wedding day. This for me (Megan) was very special! (we didn’t write our own vows, we chose bits and pieces from information from Merlin)

Describe what it was like to be surrounded by your most special friends and family on your wedding day.

We had 16 guests at our wedding. We had our whole family at our engagement party and it was wonderful but we decided for our wedding we would celebrate with those that are closest to us. That was immediate family and our six closest friends. Ours mothers shared a reading  and Megan’s Sister Linda said one as well. To us a small wedding meant we could really make it personal.

It made our reception special because we got to sit at one long table and spend time and talk with each person and all being in one room, at one table where our family and friends could spend time with each other was great. It was much more personal for us.

Megan, what was it like seeing Callan for the first time on your wedding day?

I was so nervous! I had looked forward to seeing him see me for the first time on our wedding day for months! Even though I was nervous I knew that I was walking towards the person that I would spend the rest of my life with and nothing in that moment could make my heart happier.

Callan, what were you thinking as Megan walked down the aisle?

I couldn’t get over how beautiful Megan looked and how lucky I was to be marrying such an amazing person.

The deck at Spicers Clovelly Estate looked amazing with one long table beautifully styled, what were you hoping for your wedding reception? 

We didn’t want a wedding reception where we had to spend the whole night walking around making sure that we got to all the guests like we had seen at other weddings. We decided that we wanted something intimate and magical. We were able to sit and have a conversation between the whole table and it made for a joyous and romantic atmosphere. It was exactly what we wanted. Neither of us could believe how beautiful the styling was. I (Megan) had been emailing Gemma from Inspired by Love Events for a few months and had sent her our ideas of what we wanted – we didn’t have any real theme just bits and pieces that we liked and she managed to pull it all together better than we could have ever imagined.

What was on the menu at the reception? What comments did your guests make about the meal?

Entree: Roasted Benendale Duck, berries, nuts and sherry vinegar reduction

Main: Olive Oil confit lamb loin, provencal vegetables, white bean puree and basil infused lamb jus.

Dessert: Bombe Alaska vanilla bean ice cream with raspberry sorbet and italian meringue.

Tell us about your wedding photos and your wedding album. What were you looking for and what was it like being photographed by John Reyment?

This was probably my (Megan) favourite part of the whole planning! We wanted a photographer that could take what we called “natural photos”. We didn’t want to be poked and prodded and pushed into poses. We researched Brisbane Photographers and we found Reyment Photographics whose photos were exactly what we were looking for. We met with John for the first time via Skype and we knew immediately we would do whatever it took to book him!

Our photos are full of love and happiness. John captured every aspect of our day in the most perfect way. We asked John to put the album together and create our story. It’s amazing! Our album is our most prized possession, when Cyclone Marcia hit Rockhampton last year it is the only thing that we put in a safe place!

John immediately put us at ease and took the utmost care to be “unintrusive” in our day and his skill and ability really shines through in his photos. We still talk about how amazing he was and how grateful we are that we found him!

Where did you go for your honeymoon? What was it like?

We went to Thailand – Phuket and Kho Samui. Thailand was an experience… We got very sick in Phucket with food poisoning which isn’t what you want on your honeymoon but luckily we went to Kho Samui at the end of our holiday. We stayed at Elements Boutique Resort & Spa and because we were on our honeymoon they surprised us with a private candle lit beach dinner. We met the chef and she cooked just for us. That was the highlight of our trip!

Finally, If a close friend was planning their wedding, what advice would you give them?

Get a reception dress to change into!

Do what you want – everyone has an opinion and while it is important to take into consideration what they say, and even include them in some aspects ultimately it is your day and your wedding and you need to make sure you are happy!
[/read]