Engagement party becomes a wedding when lovebirds decide to surprise their friends and family
It was supposed to be an engagement party, but Chloe and Steven’s friends and family got more than they bargained for when they turned up to celebrate …
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When friends and family arrived to celebrate the engagement of Chloe Saunders and Steven Rees with a party, they were in for a huge surprise.
Couple win their dream wedding day
“Dad, you can now kiss your bride.”
Dougie the dog delivered the proposal: ‘Will you marry dad?’
The couple, of Shorncliffe, northeast of Brisbane, turned the occasion into a wedding – much to everyone’s delight.
“We decided we wanted to have a surprise wedding after we realised how big our guest list was,” explains Chloe.
“Neither of us are traditional wedding people and we felt that hosting an engagement party for our friends and family and turning it into a wedding was the best thing for us.
“The faces of some of my closest girlfriends and Steve’s closest friends were something we will never forget. I think the fact that Steve and myself were able to keep this a secret for over 10 months was worth everyone’s reaction on the night.”
A hundred guests, including Steve’s five-year-old son Hayden, gathered for the seaside ceremony at Shorncliffe Pier.
Many had flown in from Mackay, Townsville, Hamilton Island, Emerald, and Cairns, as well as Melbourne and Sydney.
A reception followed at trendy laneway nightspot Factory 51, at Coorparoo, in Brisbane’s southeast.
How did Steven propose?
When we were in Tokyo on holidays in October 2018. After a long day of adventuring and dinner at Shinjuku we had headed back to the hotel. Steve pretended to be locked out of the hotel room and when I opened the door he was down on one knee asking me to marry him.
First dance?
Making Memories of Us – Keith Urban.
Honeymoon?
We flew to Darwin a few days after the wedding and hired a camper van and drove from Darwin to Uluru so we could explore one of the greatest parts of Australia.
What made this uniquely your wedding?
The fact that it was a surprise wedding was the best thing for us and really fitted what we wanted for our day.
Special memories?
Having our closest family and friends all together to help us celebrate on the day and into the night will always be a wonderful memory. We had fun for the entire day from joking through our ceremony and laughing constantly, to dancing into the late hours of the night.
Funny moments?
My mum let me borrow her veil and we went to a lot of trouble to get it adjusted, but unfortunately … I forgot to wear it.
Best advice for other couples planning a wedding?
Remember it’s your day, not anyone else’s, so plan it the way you want it. Also think about doing it differently – don’t follow traditions if you aren’t a traditional wedding couple – make it fun and a day you and your husband will remember.
THE BRIDE
Chloe Saunders, 32
PROFESSION IT professional
PARENTS Jo and Mark Staunton (mum/stepfather) and Jeffrey Saunders (father)
BRIDESMAIDS Danica Mather (maid of honour) and Shannon Rogers
FLOWERGIRLS Addysin Saunders and Scarlett Wood
DRESS When Freddie Met Lilly
HAIR The Mia Collective — Teneriffe
MAKEUP JLS Makeup
FLOWERS Did this ourselves
ENGAGEMENT RING 18ct two-tone diamond princess cut with channel-set shoulder stones.
THE GROOM
Steven Rees, 32
PROFESSION Forklift operator
PARENTS Charlie and Clyde Rees
BESTMEN Luke Gundry and Adam Mabb
SUIT Connor
TRANSPORT Milimo
ENTERTAINMENT Spotify playlists
CAKE Two-tiered chocolate mud and caramel macadamia cake (Simply Devine Occasions)
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