Renee + Kieran | Real Wedding Rosewood Estate

This fairytale wedding includes a few fairy god mothers and a glass slipper!

One day, in true Cinderella style, a Maid of Honor called Scenic Rim Bride asking for help.  After a lengthy conversation, it was evident a local Bride and Groom had been through quite the disaster.  From losing a wedding venue to the devastating Binna Burra bushfire, which almost destroyed their family home as well as losing 90% of income.

The Bride and Groom, Kieran and Renee were about to give up hope of ever having their dream wedding.

Photographer Glass Slipper Photography

The Story

A modern day Cinderella, Renee had originally planned to marry her Prince at a private property in Binna Burra.  Already residing in Beechmont with a family of seven, and a long guest list of friends and family, we set out to plan the perfect wedding.

To kick things off, a local venue in Beechmont, Rosewood Estate generously offered to host Kieran and Renee’s wedding day.  Located on a magnificent 250-acre horse and cattle farm with a beautiful self-contained homestead.  This property offered their white marquee resting high on the Lamington Plateau.  Coastal views stretch from South Stradbroke Island to Coolangatta, and the entire Numinbah Valley.

After the initial getting to know you phone calls with Kieran and Renee, we arranged to meet at the new venue, Rosewood Estate.  From that day forward, Renee has referred to us as her Fairy God Mother.  The only thing missing now was a glass slipper, and we found it!

Steve from Glass Slipper Photography kindly offered to photograph the wedding from start to finish.  Renee had already been following Steve’s work and when sharing the incredible news, there were tears of joy.  Steve was touched by our couples story and keen to capture their most memorable day.

Now we had a Glass Slipper, it was time to plan the rest of the wedding.  A story was then created and shared on social media, asking industry friends if they could assist.  Within three days, we had received 30k worth of supplier contributions!  It was incredible. Sharing more happy news with Kieran and Renee, generated more tears!  It was becoming a frequent occurrence as the generosity from the industry was truly overwhelming.

Food and Drink

Catering was the biggest expense with close to 120 guests attending the wedding.  Debbie from Gateway Fine Foods offered to provide canapes for cocktail hour, including wait staff service.  If that wasn’t enough, Anna from Cuisine on Cue blew us away by catering the entire reception, valued at 10k!!  Salt Air Kombi raised their hands to provide a mobile bar, including service of drinks.  Two Little Bakers made a three tier semi-naked cake with each tier a different flavour.  It was perfect!

Support from the local wedding industry continued for Kieran and Renee.  Including partners of Scenic Rim Bride who assisted on a professional and personal note.  This wedding was starting to feel like it could be our own.

The Rehearsal

A true Fairy God Mother was Marriage Celebrant, Karen Cook.  Kieran and Renee were lucky to be married at all, legally that is.  Given the wedding day was about to take place in 14 days time.  The exact amount of time a celebrant has to register the paperwork for a marriage is a minimum of 30 days.  Given the urgency, Karen Cook drove from Kooralbyn to meet our couple that same night.  The necessary paperwork was signed ready for lodgement, phew!  Needless to say, our Bride and Groom felt Karen was a perfect match given her warm, kind-hearted and professional nature.

One week out from the wedding day, South East Queensland was experiencing torrential rain.  A ceremony rehearsal was scheduled at Rosewood including the bridal party, and children in particular, to get a feel for the big day.  With the heavy rainfall, came flash flooding.  Roads were closed and driving conditions had become too dangerous.  From bushfires to flash flooding, Kieran and Renee were dealing with Mother nature in all her glory.  We were determined, nothing was going to stop this wedding.

A few days after, the rain had stopped, the wedding rehearsal took place.  It was a wonderful opportunity to meet the bridal party and family.  We were blessed to have the presence of Gabby from The Secret Bridesmaid also attend.  Gabby played the role of On the Day Wedding Coordinator to personally assist me on the day.  With limited time to plan a wedding for 120 guests in a matter of months, to source and liaise with all suppliers and style the day with supplier contributions, Gabby was a god send.

The Day Before

A day for the arrival of furniture, cold rooms and portable bathrooms.   Amy from Global Vintage Hire generously shared her latest collection from Mexico.  High bar tales, cocktail lounges, leather ottomons and wicker side tables.  Including an extensive range of finishing pieces from cushions and rugs to a wooden arbour for the ceremony.  Steph from Scenic Rim Wedding Hire kindly provided market umbrellas, wine barrels, stools and a cake table.  Diana from Paper and Style Co generously creating artwork for menus through and a welcome sign to reflect the couples wedding style.   And then there was Scenic Rim Bride providing candles, pots, linen and tableware.  The marquee was now ready to add finishing touches, the wedding flowers, cake and favours.

Styling the wedding proved a little challenging.  When working with a budget and design brief from scratch, you can ensure all the elements align effortlessly.  When working without a budget and everything has been generously supplied, you have to make it work!  It was important for us that Kieran and Renee’s wedding wasn’t simply ‘thrown’ together.  Or worse yet, have the Bride and Groom feel like a charity on their much anticipated wedding day.

A wedding is something to cherish. The planning should be a joyful journey to the most celebrated day of your life.

More God Sends

Gemma from Coco & Myrtle, a local supplier of handmade soaps in the Scenic Rim kindly offered to provide Orange Blossom favours.  Each favour was personalised with eco wrapping. Looking and smelling delicious, some guests (including suppliers) wondered if they could be eaten!

Local also to the Scenic Rim, is Jude and Phil from Dear Agnes the Vintage Caravan offering to supply flowers to create bouquets and buttonholes.  With flowers pre-made for the Bride and Groom, including the bridal party, Jude and Phil kindly offered to stay on the day and help wherever was needed.

Offering to assist Scenic Rim Bride on the day (while taking a few behind the scenes) was Jacqui from Kellarni Creative.  Arriving with coffee in hand, one for her and one for me, it was like love at first sight!  Everyday that week leading up to the wedding was spent at the venue in preparation for the big day.  Coffee was a much warmed welcome, as too was the help of a friend.

The Joy

Against all odds, they finally did it!  The smile on Kieran and Renee’s face said it all.  There was laughter, tears, laughter, more tears and lots of dancing!!  At one time late in the evening, the power went out and all that could be heard was the sound of guests still singing and dancing.  It was an unforgettable moment.  Any sign of devastation, was thankfully now in the past.

The Media

Acquiring close to 30k worth of bridal contributions in three days, this was a newsworthy celebration.  At that time, recent bushfires had left the region with a heavy heart. It was time for a feel good love story!  The Courier Mail loved this heartfelt story. In the days to follow, Kieran and Renee met with The Courier Mail and their story was published.

Reading Kieran and Renee’s story was local newspaper the Gold Coast Bulletin who offered to also share the story.  Of course, we said yes!  The story made front cover with a headline and continued to be seen on Channel 9, Channel 7, ABC Radio and published in That’s Life Magazine.

The marquee at Rosewood Estate has undergone a makeover since these photo’s were taken.  Glass has replaced the side walls which are no longer plastic.  A clear roof with fairy lights is now also in place!