Bride steps out in daring midriff wedding dress

This bride decided to buck tradition with a stunning midriff dress on her wedding day. See the photos.

2 min read

March 4, 2022 - 2:00PM

QWeekend

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An all-white theme was perfect for the joyous summer celebration of this couple’s wedding. The January 5 ceremony this year was in keeping with their beach proposal with a picnic, candles and champagne.

The couple from Burleigh Waters on the Gold Coast married in the chapel at Summergrove Estate, just over the border at Carool in northern New South Wales and the reception followed in the estate’s barn with 100 guests enjoying the revelry.

Music was an important part of the festivities with The Music Box Collective providing the tunes for the reception and Holly Lees the singer and acoustics for the ceremony.

A gelato tricycle cart with a thatched umbrella was also on hand to add to the summer vibe.

The couple, who met six years ago while studying teaching at the University of Queensland, have put their honeymoon on hold until Covid restrictions ease.

Wedding of Claudia and Stewart. Picture: Rabbit and Bear

First dance song?

Lover by Taylor Swift (first dance version).

Hens and bucks nights?

Space Cowgirl-themed pub crawl around the Gold Coast for the bride-to-be while the men enjoyed a camping trip.

What was the standout moment of the day?

The first dance outside in the rain with sparklers.

Wedding of Claudia and Stewart. Picture: Rabbit and Bear

What would you do differently?

Choose a date that isn’t during a pandemic or during La Niña (ha ha).

What would you spend more or less on?

Nothing.

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

How much money flowers cost and how far in advance you should organise stationery!

Wedding of Claudia and Stewart. Picture: Rabbit and Bear

Best advice for other couples planning a wedding?

Do up your budget and write a prioritised to-do list. Research the type of vibe you want and save pictures to a Pinterest board or save photos on Instagram. I used Instagram a lot to plan my wedding. I researched other weddings at the same venue and tried to source vendors/suppliers who go to Summergrove Estate.

I then would save the Instagram post and organise this into folders.

What was the most expensive item on the day?

The dress.

How did Covid affect your wedding?

Our wedding date did not have to change from what we always had planned, although we did have to change our guest numbers and seating plan several times in the lead-up as many people contracted Covid during the same week as our wedding.