‘Turned out to be amazing’: Bride and groom’s wedding planning fail results in perfect weekend

When this couple couldn’t secure the wedding date they wanted, they came up with a creative new plan and it ended up paying off.

3 min read

September 3, 2024 - 5:00AM

QWeekend

Wedding of Camille and James. Picture: Konrad at Tropical Romance & co

Gold Coast

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This bride and groom met in Brisbane on a night out three years ago, hitting it off straight away.

Burleigh Waters couple Camille Lagana and James Ridley married three years later with both ceremony and reception at Summergrove Estate on August 4 before 94 guests.

“We met in July 2021 at Sixes and Sevens bar in Brisbane,’’ Camille says.

“With Covid restrictions recently lifted, James was visiting Brisbane from the Gold Coast for a night out with his friends, I unintentionally stole his seat, we hit it off immediately.’’

James proposed on a weekend getaway to Adelaide, the morning after a trip to McLaren Vale, wineries being one of Camille’s favourite places.

Their first dance was to Buona Sera by Louis Prima and the couple are honeymooning in Italy.

Wedding of Camille and James. Picture: Konrad at Tropical Romance & co

Hen's night?

Melbourne and Mornington Peninsula. My girlfriends planned a complete surprise weekend away, I only found out where we were going at the airport.

Buck's night?

Weekend at Byron Bay. James' friends also planned a surprise weekend and hired a beautiful beach house.

How did you choose your wedding venue?

We wanted somewhere not too far from where we live, in South East Queensland/northern NSW. After researching a lot of venues in the area, we fell in love with the view at Summergrove, it was the first venue we booked a viewing at from our list and we booked it that same day.

Wedding of Camille and James. Picture: Konrad at Tropical Romance & co

What was the budget for your wedding?

80K (ish).

What would you spend more or less on?

Wouldn’t change a thing.

How did you go about choosing your wedding dress?

My dress was an unexpected find. I had fallen in love with another dress from a designer in Melbourne. My mother was in town visiting and I booked a dress appointment just so she could have the mother of the bride experience, and I ended up finding the one that day.

What thoughts did you have while waiting at the altar and then seeing Camille walk down the aisle?

I got tunnel vision waiting for the doors to open. When they opened I got quite emotional seeing her standing there.

Wedding of Camille and James. Picture: Konrad at Tropical Romance & co

What was the most stressful part of wedding planning?

Nothing, it was a very easy and enjoyable process. Camille lists organisation as a hobby. Our MC Zoe described her as “being able to Marie Kondo, Marie Kondo”.

What was the standout moment of the day?

We really enjoyed the time with our loved ones at the cocktail hour before being whisked away for photos. We also really loved hearing the speeches from our dads and friends Samantha and James.

What was a wedding non-negotiable for you?

Good music and good wine.

Wedding of Camille and James. Picture: Konrad at Tropical Romance & co

Top wedding hack?

Book good vendors and trust them.

Best advice for other couples planning a wedding?

Our wedding was on a Sunday (we couldn’t get in early enough for a Saturday haha) but this meant that we were able to have welcome drinks instead of a recovery. This turned out to be amazing as we got to see and spend time talking to everyone the day before the wedding.

What would you do differently?
Nothing.

Best wedding gift you received?

Our guests bought us experiences for our honeymoon in Italy, we’ve had some exceptional meals, cooking classes and attended the opera in Verona.