Weddings of South Australia: September 8
Today, the Sunday Mail celebrates a destination wedding, an amazing story of survival and an undeniable connection.
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AT the Sunday Mail, we love celebrating love! Every week we get to see some of the state’s most beautiful weddings. Today, we’re celebrating a destination wedding, an amazing story of survival and an undeniable connection.
Alexandra Garden & Matthew Palmer
Married at Impiana Private Villas, Thailand
WHEN the Garden family moved from Manchester to the South Australian country town of Crystal Brook in 2006, it set Alexandra on the path to love.
She started attending Gladstone High School and it was there that she met Matthew, the man who would become her husband.
“We’ve been in each other’s lives for 12 years and have dated for almost nine, and we’re still as close as ever,” the bride said.
The couple got engaged when Matthew proposed in Fiji during a romantic dinner on the beach.
They chose to escape wintry Adelaide for their wedding, instead tying the knot at Impiana Private Villas in Thailand.
Thirty-two loved ones joined them for their destination wedding, with guests travelling from Colorado, Manchester, Isle of Man, Sydney and Adelaide for the special occasion.
“The day was very hot and humid but so worth it,” the bride said.
“Our flower girl, Rhiannon, spent most of the reception in the venue’s water feature overlooking the ocean and my dad made a memorable speech that had everyone in stitches.”
Alexandra and Matthew treated guests to thoughtful wedding favours, giving them personalised maps of Thailand designed by Atlas the Collective in Byron Bay.
“I wanted to incorporate as many Australian vendors as I could, as it was important to me to still support local even if I was overseas,” the bride said.
“I had two SA vendors, Alexis from Goldlight Photography and Ash and Kon from Ashtree Productions.”
Bridesmaid was Kyla Davidson, while Ben Hams was best man and Todd Ramsay was groomsman. Rhiannon Garden was flower girl.
Alexandra is the daughter of Steve and Debbie Garden, of Underdale.
Matthew is the son of Robert and Wendy Palmer, of Beetaloo Valley.
BRIDAL STYLE
Dress Grace Loves Lace
Honeymoon Thailand
Photography Goldlight Photography
Sharon Veale & Chris Molyneaux
Married at a property in Houghton
CHRIS and Sharon have been together for 20 years.
Marriage wasn’t necessarily in their plans, until a shock cancer diagnosis changed everything.
“It was about midway through 2017 when Sharon was diagnosed with cervical cancer,” Chris said.
“They couldn’t operate because it spread through her lymph nodes; we thought we were going to lose her.
“She’s now in remission, she made it, and we got married. It was really special.
“Marriage to me was unnecessary; as long as you loved each other, that was enough for me. But after the cancer, we thought it was time and I am so glad. I didn’t realise what it meant to be married.”
The couple exchanged vows at a friends’ property in Houghton, where an alpaca unexpectedly joined them for their photographs.
“We were standing there and it just came over,” Sharon said.
Chris added: “He posed so perfectly. It’s like it was meant to be”.
After their nuptials, the newlyweds celebrated with about 50 loved ones at the Golden Grove Tavern.
They shared a first dance as husband and wife to John Legend’s All of Me.
“It was a good day, I’m so grateful,” Sharon said. “Nothing else mattered. Finally our day had come.”
The couple’s children were members of the bridal party. Sharon was accompanied by daughter Kaytie Veale, and best men were Dylan Huntjens and Jacob Molyneaux.
Sharon is the daughter of Carol Veale, of Adelaide, and the late Steve Veale.
Chris is the son of Lea and Rick Molyneaux, of Taperoo.
BRIDAL STYLE
Dress Jenny & Gerry’s
Honeymoon Bali and Gold Coast
Photography Impressions Photography Studio
Ellie Franks & Geoffrey Mills
Married at Glen Ewin Estate, Houghton
IT was love at first sight for Ellie and Geoffrey.
The pair connected over dating app Tinder in 2017 and in April the following year, Geoffrey popped the question.
“Geoff proposed one night in the lounge room after we both scoffed our face with doughnuts – I was pestering him for months about purchasing a ring,” Ellie said.
The couple tied the knot at Glen Ewin Estate. Celebrant Victoria Edwards officiated at the ceremony.
After their nuptials, the newlyweds celebrated the night away with 117 of their nearest and dearest, including guests who travelled from New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.
One of the standout features of the reception was a champagne tower from Kiera Blanden Events, while chandeliers and champagne draping from Venue Productions added to the romantic atmosphere.
The couple’s three-tiered red velvet and white chocolate raspberry cake was made by Lyons Den Cakes.
Despite choosing to marry in winter, the couple were treated to a beautiful day.
“The next day it absolutely bucketed down,” the bride said. “We were very lucky.”
Maid of honour was Jemma Guy, while bridesmaids were Meghan Jenkins, Ashleigh Rix and Amy Calliss. Indigo Jenkins was flower girl.
Best man was Jamie Bahnish and groomsmen were Ian Mills, Jason Brocklehurst and Ryan Smith.
Ellie is the daughter of Svana Franks, of Rosewater, and Brenton Franks, of Yarram, Victoria. She is the stepdaughter of Peter Ross and Mellissa Franks.
Geoffrey is the son of Julie and Craig Mills, of Goodwood.
BRIDAL STYLE
Dress A Jack Sullivan gown from Adelaide Bridal Collective
Honeymoon Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand
Photography Carmen Roberts Photography