GOLD Coast weddings: Jennifer Mertens and Juan Cáceres
Storms couldn’t stand in the way of this wildly romantic Gold Coast hinterland ceremony. SEE THE PHOTOS
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Storms couldn’t stand in the way of this wildly romantic Gold Coast hinterland ceremony.
THE COUPLE: Jennifer Mertens and Juan Cáceres
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THE LOVE STORY: “We met in Brisbane in March 2017 for a coffee, which turned into a lunch and then a dinner date as we talked non stop the whole day,” Jenny says. Juan went on to propose at Brighton beach in Melbourne.
THE BIG DAY: September 29 with the ceremony at Newrybar’s Caledonia House and the reception just down the road at Harvest. “It was an intimate wedding with 40 close friends and family. Apart from a family wedding the owners held, we were the first at Caledonia House and that felt very special.” While a storm put a dampener on the planned garden wedding, an atmospheric veranda setting proved to be the silver lining. “The thunderstorm arrived at the same time as our guests and stopped just before the ceremony with the sun coming out,” Jenny says. “With the high vaulted ceiling framing the ceremony, it had an almost churchlike feel.
Our celebrant, Kate Priddle, told our story perfectly with just the right mix of humour and gravity. Juan read a Spanish poem that held special significance for him. He read it first in Spanish and then in English — it was a beautiful personal touch.” Harvest’s old bakery — brimming with flowers from the French Petal — rekindled the romance of a small reception. “Every single person was chatting, smiling and engaging with the others around them,” Jenny says. We saw lots of laughter and happiness. The whole wedding felt relaxed and easy.”
THE SOUNDTRACK: Elvis Presley’s Can’t Help Falling in Love set the tone for the first dance.
THE DRESS: Stevie from Gold Coast designer Made With Love. “I loved the lace on the dress, which was a gorgeous floral design,” Jenny says. “It felt very romantic and the unhemmed lace train was stunning.”
PHOTOS: Alyce Kirkwood, Cloud Catcher Studios
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