Bride and groom make shock wedding announcement

After their wedding was upended by COVID, guests at these Noosa nuptials weren’t expecting any more surprises. Then the bride and groom stood up and made a big announcement.

After their wedding was up-ended by COVID, Steph and Danny Cerneaz had one final surprise for guests at their February wedding.

A little one - due to arrive in September.

“We have our first child on the way, I was pregnant on the wedding day and we announced it at the wedding,’’ Steph, 31, says.

The hidden guest at the wedding of Steph and Danny Cerneaz. Picture: Graeme Passmore

The Noosa newlyweds, who have been together for six years, originally planned to elope to Italy - where Danny’s family is from - in mid-2020 but the pandemic had other plans.

Instead, the couple chose to downsize, marrying on February 25 in front of 40 guests at the stunning Pomona Distilling Co in the Noosa hinterland.

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“We decided to have a small wedding close to home so if COVID did spike again, we didn’t have to cut guests,’’ Steph says.

After a magical wedding, the couple chose to take a honeymoon road trip to Northern NSW.

“It was so special and we found some beautiful places,’’ Steph says.

Wedding of Steph and Danny Cerneaz. Picture: Graeme Passmore

How did you meet?

We met through mutual friends from my hometown in Toowoomba even though he lived in Noosa. Very lucky.

The proposal?

Danny surprised me on our 5th anniversary of the first day we met and took me down to Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat. It was such a surprise, he even organised with my boss to have my annual leave put in as our anniversary was on a Thursday.

What was the standout moment of the day?

I think the photo shoot with the bridal party was the best, we were all just so happy to be there and it was such a fun time and it really shows in the photos.

Bridal party with bride Steph Cerneaz. Picture: Graeme Passmore

What would you do differently?

Nothing, we loved every moment.

What would you spend more or less on?

We actually did not spend a lot on our wedding; we didn’t want to end up in debt for one day so we spent wisely on each element. We made sure we had enough money for the food and drinks so everyone had a fun night without the worry of buying their own drinks.

Wedding of Steph and Danny Cerneaz. Picture: Graeme Passmore

One thing you wish people told you about planning a wedding?

Don’t always go for all the trimmings. You can have a beautiful wedding without going too overboard. Find a venue that is already set up with beautiful features so you don’t have to spend a lot to dress it up.

Best advice for other couples planning a wedding?

It’s not as scary as you think and planning it yourself is worth it because the reward of seeing it all come together is something really special.

Groom Danny Cerneaz and his mates at the wedding. Picture: Graeme Passmore

Original wedding plans?

We were going to elope in Italy as Danny’s family is from a small village in the northern Italian region. This was meant to happen in July 2020.

When did you decide to change plans?

February 2020 when all the news started, we could see the writing on the wall.

Emotions around changing plans?

Sad but gave us more time to enjoy being engaged.

The beautiful wedding at Pomona Distilling Co. Picture: Graeme Passmore

Updated wedding plans?

We decided to have a small wedding close to home so if COVID did spike again, we didn’t have to cut guests.

What helped you get through the stress of changing plans?

Knowing we were going to marry our best friend. We are very close as friends as well as partners and we were just excited to be married.

Advice for other couples whose weddings are impacted by COVID?

Keep numbers small, it keeps the risk of having to postpone down and also it’s so much more special only having the closest people in your life there. Plus you have less “hosting” to do and you can really take in the day. Everyone else will understand.