Owl performs amazing act at hinterland wedding
It was a real hoot when an owl arrived at a key moment in the ceremony at this Maleny wedding. SEE THE PICS.
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This Brisbane couple found a unique way for their rings to be delivered down the aisle.
Groom Bradley Gillan and bride Jaquline Middleton wanted to do something special to receive their rings, and what better way to do that than by owl delivery?
The Tingalpa couple organised their wedding experience through a Sunshine Coast bird of prey education and rehabilitation business called Raptor Vision.
“The owl was really cool, we pretended that the best man forgot the rings,” recalls bride Jaqui.
“Our best man, Gabriel Tafa, walked to the front of the stage with a glove on his hand and a white owl called Luna flew in with the rings. Everyone was shocked. It was a magical moment.”
The high school sweethearts, who have been together for 10 years, share a strong love for travelling and have been to 25 countries together.
They married on November 11 last year at Tiffany’s Maleny chapel in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
The couple danced their first dance to the song Back at One by Brian McKnight in front of 44 guests at the reception where the theme was simple, classic and elegant.
How did you meet?
Bradley and Jaqui met through mutual friends in high school. They became best friends. After Bradley left for New Zealand on a trip over the school holidays, they both missed each other so much they realised they had fallen in love.
How did he/she propose?
Bradley proposed to Jaqui at the Grand Canyon on a spontaneous trip to Las Vegas to go to a rap musical festival.
Honeymoon?
On the Gold Coast with plans to go to Mexico next year.
What was the standout moment of the day?
Luna the owl delivered our rings to us. Raptor Vision saves owls, and all money is donated to helping save more owls.
What would you do differently?
Try not to stress about what other people will want or what they will think, and just focus on what we wanted because everyone was happy with what we chose in the end.
What would you spend more or less on?
Absolutely nothing, everything was perfect and exactly what we wanted.
One thing you wish people told you about planning a wedding?
It all happens so fast, so just take the time out to enjoy being engaged instead of stressing about every little detail.
Best advice for other couples planning a wedding?
Start early and just take little steps every month, maybe book the photographer this month, the celebrant the next. Before you know it, it’ll be all planned and you won’t feel overwhelmed.
Original wedding plans?
Our original plan was to get married in Queenstown in October 2021. However, early in 2020 we decided that we didn’t want to have to postpone if something happened when we got closer to the date and we realised getting married in our own state would really be the best option.
Emotions around changing plans?
A little disappointed but also excited that we could actually view wedding venues and talk to people in person.
Updated wedding plans?
We didn’t have to change plans too much as once we booked Tiffanys, the plan stayed the same throughout. We decided we would keep our guest list small so that if we had restrictions we wouldn’t have to postpone or cut guests from the list.
The Bride
Jaquline Middleton, 26
Profession Client liaison officer at Prixcar Services
Parents Patti Currell and Rod Middleton
Bridesmaids Ellie Ross, Kerri Middleton, Elly McIntyre and Taylor Perkins
Dress Brides of Brisbane
Hair Hair 4 Brides
Make-up Michelle Wicklandt
Flowers Tiffanys
Engagement ring Wallace Bishop
Wedding planner/stylist Tiffanys
Celebrant Margaret Harkin
Caterer Tiffanys
Cake Tiffanys
The Groom
Bradley Gillan, 26
Profession Service Stream NBN contractor
Parents Meril and Andrew Gillan
Groomsmen Gabriel Tafa, James Kalouche, Joshua Harding and Dillon Power
Suit Tuxedo from Tony Barlow
Entertainment Acoustic: Elly Mac. DJ: Loco Entertainment
Transport Elite Executive Transfers
Photographer Jennifer Oliphant
Videographer AOV films
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