Location: QAGOMA Photography: Alex Huang, Puremotion Guests: 80
With an iconic Queensland gallery as the setting and an event-stylist groom at the helm, this was destined to be a VERY chic wedding. William and Warrick envisioned a beautiful journey to celebrate ‘we do’ with their cherished group of family and friends — and this riverside soirée went above and beyond. Joyful, sophisticated, and anything but ordinary, the day played out around the jaw-drop architecture and artworks of the Queensland Art Gallery and was designed by a dream line-up of wedding pros (including Warrick and his team at Valiant Events).
We quizzed the happy couple on the story and design inspiration behind their big day …
All good love stories start somewhere; tell us how and when you met …
William: We met in 2009 after I started working as a barista at Starbucks, and Warrick was working at Country Road. After a year I caved and said we can hang out. Warrick took me on a picnic and brought with him a cake to say: ‘I like you, will you go out with me?’.
Make us laugh, make us cry: who proposed to who, and how?
Warrick proposed on Christmas Eve 2018 as we both love Christmas and knew we were seeing both our families over the three days — it was the perfect time. He hired a picnic company to set up a breakfast by the Brisbane River overlooking the city. Following how we started dating, there was a cake with: ‘the best is yet to come’. A passing runner saw the cake and screamed out “Happy Birthday!” … right at the moment Warrick popped the question.
How & why did you choose your venue?
We love Brisbane, and we always thought that if the wedding was to be in Australia, we wanted a place we can go back to in 40 years that will still be standing. With our ceremony, we had a beautiful view of Brisbane, and the reception venue is so beautiful and memorable.
What was the inspiration behind your wedding style?
Warrick is a very talented event stylist and I left everything to him, so I’ll do the same with this question…
Warrick: A lot of the inspiration was driven by the locations. I wanted the wedding to feel like a journey; and guests to know they had transitioned through the day. Our ceremony was kept very monochrome and masculine with very subtle tie-ins of things to come. Our reception was layers of neutral tones and brass finishes, providing the perfect base for stunning and unique coloured florals.
Tell us about your suit choices …
We wanted something classic that would’ve looked good in black-and-white photos, and it just worked in the overall style of the wedding. The only way we could have the exact suits we wanted was to have them made from scratch.
Did you incorporate traditions or perhaps do something a little different?
We steered away from having anything too traditional. We each had a best man and a maid of honour for our wedding party. Our mums walked us down the aisle (we both walked down). Our celebrant Jac ensured our ceremony was anything but ordinary. She arranged shots for us, had our guests vote on who read their vows first, and told our love story beautifully.
Funniest moment of the day?
Out of sheer nerves, I put William’s wedding ring on the wrong hand during the ceremony. He picked it up and tried to swap hands but it was too late. The good thing is, it worked perfectly for the video.
Did COVID-19 impact your wedding? If so, how?
Originally our plan was to get married in South Africa in 2020, but after booking and having everything in place, it became obvious there was not going to be an end in sight. We re-planned everything in Australia and hoped the worst would blow over by the next date. In the end, the only real impact was to have sit-down canapes.
Do you have a special mention for any stand-out vendors/suppliers?
William: Our day wouldn’t have been half as wonderful without our celebrant, Jac Moore. We had to deal with a raft of Covid restrictions being implemented the day before our wedding. Jac and Warrick messaged continuously the day before and into the early hours of the wedding day, making plans and brainstorming ideas to ensure that our wedding wasn’t impacted and that we wouldn’t miss out on anything.
Warrick: Truthfully, all our suppliers came together to deliver something exceptional. Our florist, Geraldine of Bouquet Boutique, brought together the most amazing and unique florals in a stunning palette that complemented the venue so well. And our photographer, Alex from Puremotion, completely blew our minds with the incredible way he documented and captured every aspect and feeling of our day. And importantly, my Valiant Events team who went so far above and beyond to ensure everything looked better than we could dream.
What does marriage mean to you?
Marriage is an outward acknowledgement that the two of us together are a family.
Any words of wisdom for other couples?
Put your trust in your vendors, and if you’re not sure about a decision, trust in the vendor to choose. You’re picking vendors as they’re experts, and this is what they do daily. Secondly, pay vendors on time – you wouldn’t want to do your work if you didn’t get paid on time. Lastly, at the end of the day, your wedding is a celebration of both of you as a couple. Don’t get bogged down by tradition or things you feel you have to do. Make it about you and how you want to start your married life — and who knows, you might make some new traditions along the way.
Anything you would do differently?
Not a single thing.
Where did you honeymoon?
Given travel restrictions at the time, we haven’t had a formal honeymoon. We did spend four days at Spicers Clovelly Estate. We didn’t think it would be so important, but it was so nice to have time directly after just to ourselves; so we could debrief and relive every moment over and over.
Dream team:
Photography: Puremotion Photofilm // Videography: Cassie Ellen Films // Ceremony location: QPAC Roof Terrace // Reception: Queensland Art Gallery // Celebrant: Moore Celebrations // Grooms’ tuxedos: Institchu // Groomsmen tuxedos: Institchu // Hair & Makeup: TWIDALE Studios + Tommy TwoBlades // Rings: Cartier // Flowers: Bouquet Boutique // Cake: The Sweet Society Co. // Catering: Queensland Art Gallery // Stylist: Valiant Events // Music: V&M Event Group // Stationery: Laura Elizabeth Design (name cards/menus) // The Confetti Gift Co: (bar/drinks menu)