A seaside teepee, Krispy Kreme cake, sand dancefloor: Inside this couple’s dream beach wedding

Loren Capuzzo and Andrew Weir-Smith pulled of the perfect dream wedding. We go inside the incredible details.

Jane Armitstead

@JaneArmitstead

2 min read

April 19, 2023 - 4:00PM

QWeekend

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They met on a night out in a club and after seven years, tied the knot in a romantic ceremony at Novotel Twin Waters on the Sunshine Coast.

“A teepee full of flowers and lights, with festoon lights over the sand for everyone to dance under the stars with their feet in the sand beside a lit-up sign of LOVE was just the vibe and imagery we wanted,” says bride Loren Capuzzo of her wedding to Andrew Weir-Smith.

The Newport couple’s first dance was to If I Ain’t Got You by Alicia Keys leading to Forever by Chris Brown, in front of their 55 guests. They honeymooned at the Pullman Maldives.

Loren Capuzzo and Andrew Weir-Smith’s weddings. Pictures: Angela Brushe Photography

How did you meet? We met in a club. We started chatting at the bar and our separate groups of friends danced the night away and all watched the sunrise on the beach. We kept in touch and maintained a long-distance friendship. After a year of chatting intermittently Andrew and I decided we wanted to see how our relationship could grow and he moved from Victoria to Queensland.

The proposal? We had been together for five years, had built our home, had two gorgeous dogs, started a business and I thought our lives were content. Andrew kept the proposal hidden by disguising the trip as a getaway for my birthday to the amazing Hampton Estate Wines in Mt Tamborine where Andrew had arranged a special dinner in their conservatory. Andrew walked me down a footpath of lit candles and yellow rose petals (my favourite colour) to a flower-covered arbour where he turned to me and got down on one knee.

How and why did you choose your wedding venue? It was the first time we were seeing our friends and family in two years thanks to Covid, and we just really wanted to give everyone an opportunity to have an incredible holiday. We organised to have a walk-through Novotel Twin Waters with the events planner and absolutely fell in love.

What was the budget? We hadn’t really set a budget but we were happy with about $30k.

Loren Capuzzo and Andrew Weir-Smith. Pictures: Angela Brushe Photography

How did you choose your wedding dress? I went to White Lily Couture and Ivy understood my brief exactly! The one I chose had the overskirt for the ceremony and the dress itself was incredibly detailed – covered in filigree and crystals from head to toe.

Any unique or surprising details?Not having bridesmaids and groomsmen because we didn’t want anyone to feel left out. We had our mums be the witnesses. We had a Kombi van photobooth from Deluxe Kombi Services Sunshine Coast and biodegradable confetti cannons for the end of the ceremony. The Krispy Kreme cake was pretty amazing too.

What was the standout moment of the day?

For both Andrew and I our standout moment was coming back into the reception. We had our guests lined up with LED tubes with Shut Up and Dance by Walk the Moon playing and everyone danced, and we danced between them to our teepee with the sun setting.

Loren Capuzzo and Andrew Weir-Smith’s beach wedding. Pictures: Angela Brushe Photography

The Bride

Loren Capuzzo, 33

Profession Clinical nurse and business owner

Parents Brenda and Nino Capuzzo

Bridesmaids No bridesmaids. Loren was escorted by family – Maria and Zach Thornley with Arabella Thornley, Erin Capuzzo and Josh Coburn with Remi Coburn and Brenda and Nino Capuzzo

Dress Martina Liana from White Lily Couture

Hair Rustic Blend

Make-up Lauren at LaLas Makeup

Flowers Sunshine Coast Flowers

Engagement ring Diamonds International