Wedding bells chimed after Brisbane couple were set up on a first date by a mutual friend
Dinner for three became dinner for two... and then a wedding, when Cat and Jake were set up by a mutual friend who wanted to play cupid.
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It was meant to be dinner for three. But Cat Cavanagh and Jake Carter quickly discovered foul play was at hand when only the two of them showed up at South Bank’s French Martini bistro.
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Unbeknown to them they had been set up by a mutual friend who had an inkling the pair would hit it off and decided not to accompany them to the restaurant.
Fortunately the hunch proved to be correct. “We quickly discovered our shared love of gin and travel,” Cat says. “The conversation flowed and the mutual attraction was blatantly obvious.”
The couple, of Annerley, in Brisbane’s south, tied the knot at The River Bend Terrace, Brisbane Powerhouse, with a reception on the rooftop. Gin featured heavily in the celebrations, as a nod to the newlyweds’ shared passion.
Theme?
Minimal yet stunning.
How did Jake propose?
Jake proposed on a tiny island off the coast of Tanzania. He had made arrangements to take Cat on an excursion by boat that afternoon, and the island staff (in on the planned proposal) made their own grand plans for a musician to escort them. But at the last minute, Jake forged an alternate plan when he realised he would get seasick on the boat. Instead he popped the question when Cat was comfortably lounging in a hammock in their treehouse. Both described the moment as perfect, and they still had the musician play for a private lantern-lit dinner.
Honeymoon?
French Polynesia
First dance?
Into My Arms – Nick Cave
What made this uniquely your wedding?
It was a lovely, intimate day, in a venue that is special to us both. We have been on a few African safaris now and both love our amateur wildlife photography. The wildlife photography exhibition just happened to be on at the Powerhouse on our wedding day – such a beautiful coincidence. We also loved being able to have our photos in and around the industrial lines and light of the historic Brisbane Powerhouse. Gin is also a shared love of ours. So we had gin cocktails to start, a neon Gin Bar sign and gin on our drinks menu. Everyone got into the spirit of the day and said ‘gin’ instead of ‘cheese’ for the photos. Also, one of Cat’s interests is flamenco dancing and music, so it was important to include flamenco music in the cocktail hour and some sevillanas dancing later on in the evening.
Special memories?
When planning our ceremony our celebrant asked us to tell her some things that we love and admire most about each other. Neither of us knew the other’s responses before the day, so
it was a complete surprise and delight when we both mentioned that we love how we have shared values but also how the other person lights up when they are around animals and small children. However, the most important memories are from having a room full of our family and friends helping us celebrate such an important day. It was so special to look out at them all supporting us.
Funny moments?
One of Cat’s nieces was holding some of the bioconfetti in her hand and with the sweat it had congealed a little. As we left the ceremony, this congealed bundle of confetti hit Jake right in the face, resulting in a brilliant photo.
THE BRIDE
Cat Cavanagh, 35
PROFESSION Occupational therapist
PARENTS Val and Phil Cavanagh
BRIDESMAIDS Kamilla Wells, Julia Borshch, Claire Monsour
DRESS Karen Willis Holmes
HAIR Lisa Guardala (of Lila Boheme)
MAKEUP Natalie Papas
FLOWERS Bouquet Boutique
CELEBRANT Carly Slade Marriage Celebrant
ENGAGEMENT RING A clean solitaire in white gold with engraving on the side and Cat’s initials hidden in the design.
THE GROOM
Jake Carter, 37
PROFESSION Doctor
PARENTS Jim and Margaret Carter
GROOMSMEN Kieran Flanagan, Hugh Swingler-Manning, Nick Carter
SUIT InStitchu
TRANSPORT N/A
ENTERTAINMENT Kris Iwanuik and Simone Pope (flamenco guitar and cajon)
and Nick Trovas Band
CAKE Three tiers including a marble cake with chocolate icing, lime cake with raspberry icing and raspberry cake with vanilla icing (Cake-a-Boo)
WEDDING PLANNER White + White Weddings
PHOTOGRAPHY
Luke Going Photography
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