Monique & Mike

We met in Edinburgh in 2012 through mutual friends while Monique was on a UK working holiday visa. We spent 8months together in Edinburgh before she had to move back to Australia, we did trips back and forth every 4-6 months between UK & Australia. Mike then proposed at the beach on a trip to the Gold Coast on Monique’s favourite day – Christmas Day 2014. We continued long distance till 2016 when Monique moved to Edinburgh to be with Mike and where their relationship began. We signed papers in Edinburgh and came back to the Gold Coast for our big day to spend it with all our friends and family together.

Describe what marriage means to you.

Marriage is getting to spend the rest of your life with your best friend, adventuring, growing and creating memories together. To know that person is always there for you no matter what and have that constant love and support is so special.

The wedding location.

Summergrove Estate – it was the first and only venue we looked at, it ticked all our boxes and was exactly what we wanted. It was so perfect and the Summergrove Team are truly gifted – organizing a wedding from the otherside of the world is not easy, but the Summergrove Team were absolutely amazing!

The theme of your wedding.

We didn’t have a specific theme, but we were going for a slight rustic/relaxed look.

The bride’s dress.

I fell in love with the stunning Laken dress by Mia Solano from Luv Bridal. It’s a timeless lace dress that was so easy to move in and was exactly what I wanted, we also added a belt for just that extra touch. It was a dress your staff picked for me to try, it wasn’t one I had initially picked as it had straps and I wanted a strapless dress, however as soon as she showed it without the straps I fell in love! Eliza from Luv Bridal alterations at Harbour Town altered it perfectly for me. I also wore a beautiful long veil from Luv Bridal which I only bought when I picked up my dress a week before the wedding! I had previously bought a different one but didn’t really love it, when I picked up my dress I tried on another one and it was perfect, complimented my dress so well and it just felt right.

Ceremony & reception.

Our Ceremony & reception were both at Summergrove Estate, we had our ceremony in the gorgeous Chapel and due to weather we had our reception inside.

Wedding songs.

Walking down the Aisle – Ellie Goulding, Still Falling For You
First Dance – Wherever You Will Go – Charlene Soraia

Neither of us are great dancers, so it was a chance to just have a moment together with a few twirls thrown in J

Food, food, food!

We had canapes in the afternoon while we were getting photos taken, we then had a delicious buffet from the Summergrove Team – included 4 meats, salads, pasta salads roast vegies, everything you could want! We also had incredible Ice Cream by Wheel & Spoon for the afternoon for our guests to enjoy – cause everyone loves ice cream J For dessert we had our delicious cakes – Chocolate Baileys, Caramel Mud Cake & Lemon Buttercream

Most memorable moment.

Our first dance was perfect with a light sprinkle of rain… and looking out to see both of our families & friends (from Aus & UK) in the same place for the first time ever was incredibly special.

What about the extra details?

We had the most amazing bridal party, Monique’s girls helped plan the big day while Monique was overseas, they also threw the most incredible hens AND gorgeous bridal shower for Monique. Mike’s boys flew over from the UK to be apart of our day! We’ll be forever grateful to all of them for their love, support and commitment to making our day the best day of our lives!

What’s the best advice you can give a bride and groom planning their wedding?

We would say to definitely get a videographer if possible with your budget, the day goes by so fast and of course photos last a lifetime but so do video’s and to see the day back in motion keeps the memories so clear.

Favourite love quote.

I swear I couldn’t love you more than I do now, and yet I know I will tomorrow. – Leo Christopher

What do you look forward to most as Mr. & Mrs.?
We look forward to creating an endless amount of memories, travel & explore together and generally enjoy spending the rest of our lives together – we just bought our first home and are excited to see what is in store for us in the future J

Did you Have Videographer?

Yes! FreeSky Films captured our day perfectly, we watch it ALL the time! J https://vimeo.com/219318253