Come down and see us at the Ideal Bride Wedding Expo today 10am till 1pm #weddings #weddingplanner #lovewhitsundays #airliebeach #thisisqueensland #heartofthereef #weddingswhitsundays
Supplier Showcase #13 - Us!
The final look back at the suppliers who contributed to the Whitsundays' $50K marriage equality wedding giveaway is... us!
It's hard to describe just how much The Wedding Planners Whitsundays put into #thejoshuaswedding, because as our director Jess Lawrence says: "that's like asking how long a piece of string is!"
"As a wedding planner, we do as much as we can to assist the couple during the planning process. We by no means plan the actual wedding for the couple, but we're right by their side throughout the entire planning process," she explains.
"We lend an ear when things get stressful, assist with logistics, timeline management and supplier correspondence, keep track of invoicing and budget and really anything else the couple needs. So we did all of this for the wedding giveway winners Joshua Breakwell and Joshua Starr."
For Jess, the planning of the Joshua's wedding meant the day was "amazing of course".
"How could it not be," she laughed.
"But honestly, with such an organised couple and who had a clear vision, the day was easy to plan and see through."
Being there at the incredible moment when the Josh's said "I Do" was the reward for Jess, The Wedding Planners Whitsundays, and all of the suppliers who gave their time, products and services to create a magic wedding and celebrate as a region that #loveislove.
"I've heard the celebrants' monitum (the legal bit that includes, "marriage is between two people entered into for life") hundreds of times over in my life as a wedding planner, but it was incredibly moving to hear this at the Josh's wedding," Jess said.
"It's been such a long time coming and something that I personally feel so strongly about, it was a bit surreal and actually caught me off guard as well. I'm pretty sure the photo they have of me ugly crying is during this bit!"
Far from focusing on "ugly crying" Joshua Starr said words couldn't describe how grateful the couple was to Jess.
"She does everything so effortlessly. It was
Supplier Showcase #12 - Riptide Creative
There is no better way to pay tribute to amazing Whitsunday videographer Phill Gordon from Riptide Creative than to re-play his footage from #thejoshuaswedding day.
Riptide Creative supplied a cinematic wedding video for Joshua Breakwell and Joshua Starr as part of the $50K wedding package gifted by the Whitsunday wedding industry in celebration of marriage equality.
As part of the contribution to the overall project, Riptide Creative also contributed time in video production before and after the big day to assist with media exposure.
Phill's footage appeared across many platforms on social media, on the websites of several wedding magazines, on 7 News Mackay and even in a short news advertisement on Sunrise.
"We felt our part of the wedding day went really well," Phill said.
"It was quite an extravagant wedding, with some amazing moments captured on video. The location of Paradise Cove Whitsundays is really a videographers dream; with so many amazing places to shoot, everywhere you look is simply breathtaking.
"Being able to capture the day for the Josh’s was an absolute privilege and we were so happy to see the boys get the wedding of their dreams with all their closest friends and family."
"It was great when the day finally come around, to see all of the hard work of so many people come together into a perfect day and perfect wedding.
"The Josh’s couldn’t have been a more worthy couple, and they just clicked with all the suppliers and people involved in the event.
"I think it was a worthwhile project for everyone involved and the outcome was exactly what we had hoped for.
"We’d like to thank everyone involved who helped contribute towards this project. It really is a testament to the local Whitsunday wedding industry and community to create such an amazing project as the Josh’s wedding."
Joshua Breakwell said Phill's video brought the newlyweds to tears.
"Phill has a vision and he puts it together effortlessly. You don’t even kn
Supplier Showcase #11 - Tropix Photography Studio
It's thanks to the talented Deb Savy at Tropix Photography Studio that Joshua Breakwell and Joshua Starr have amazing images of their wedding day.
Thanks also to Deb, we have been able to showcase Whitsunday weddings to the world.
Deb is an Australian Institute of Professional Photography (AIPP) accredited photographer and believes passionately in the Whitsunday wedding industry and marriage equality.
She was the perfect choice to join the 16 other suppliers contributing to our region's $50K wedding giveaway celebrating same sex marriage.
Deb played an integral part in #thejoshuaswedding day and was also with us in the lead up, capturing images we were able to use for publicity.
She was with the Joshuas from 11am until 9pm on their big day, capturing photos of their sisters and mums having hair and makeup done before heading to Paradise Cove Resort to photograph their seaplane arrival, and ceremony setup.
"There was a little bit of a delay with a Groomsmaid dress malfunction, which always makes things exciting, and the nervousness was palpable before the ceremony, WHICH WAS BEAUTIFUL!" Deb said.
"Even though the Joshuas spent the morning together, it took nothing away from their entrances and the outpouring of emotion throughout their ceremony from everyone in the wedding party and all of the guests.
"The nervousness was washed away by all the tears, and everyone relaxed. The group photos on the beach were fun, although the summery weather meant a schedule adjustment (as happens), to get the boys and their guests up to the pool for refreshments while we finished off photos with family and friends.
"It was lovely to take the Joshua's away to the beach, for a few photos on their own before having a few more photos with their sisters (Groomsmaids), and then making their grand entrance to their beautifully decorated Teepee to spend the night with their wonderful guests.
"The family style food service, Dylan's soothing live entertainment and flowing
Supplier Showcase #10 - Total Entertainment
How do you entertain the guests at the Whitsundays' wedding of the year?
The answer is simple - ask Total Entertainment to look after the music and PA.
Local musician Dylan Hammond was our live act for #thejoshuaswedding - a day when the Whitsunday region celebrated not only the marriage of Joshua Breakwell and Joshua Starr but marriage equality in general and the fact that #loveislove.
Total Entertainment donated three hours of live entertainment and the Josh’s decided on adding a DJ set for the later part of the reception.
The first two sets of live music at the canapés event by the pool was a very relaxed start to the afternoon and I received many compliments while transferring my equipment to the reception area," Dylan said.
"The third set of live music was over dinner at the reception and was also received very well with much applause and appreciation from the guests.
"After some lovely speeches, the first dance and DJ set began and the guests were on the dance floor from beginning to the end of the night. All of the key moments went off without a hitch and the feeling during the whole night was light hearted, relaxed and fun.
"It was incredibly satisfying to see how our service contributed to the event. With music and entertainment, it is easy to see its effects on the guests and whether they are enjoying themselves - music can be a very “make or break” element at weddings.
"This was a wedding full of fun and joy and the love between the Josh’s, their friends and their families was plain to see.
"I have performed at countless weddings over my 20-year career as an entertainer, and the feeling I get from them is generally always the same.. It is wonderful to witness the love between two people and the coming together of their families and friends as a result.
"If it is a same sex marriage or not, does not matter to me. I am simply grateful that the law has now been changed so that people can be free to marry who they love.
"I am grat
Supplier Showcase #9 - Azure Weddings and Events & Teepeevents Whitsunday
There's no doubt Paradise Cove Whitsundays is one of the most beautiful venues in the Whitsundays, but on the day of #thejoshuaswedding it looked particularly stunning.
Supplier Showcase #9 on our look back at this incredible $50K wedding giveaway is Azure Weddings and Events Whitsundays and Teepeevents Whitsunday.
Felicity and her team from Azure (initially Beautiful Weddings Whitsundays) were responsible for the fantastic styling and decor, for the ceremony, post ceremony and reception areas, while Kellie and her team from Teepeevents Whitsunday supplied the amazing teepee for the reception.
Felicity said she went "all out" with the brief provided by the Josh's "and it was so nice to get feedback from them saying we completely nailed it and they loved every aspect".
"They were such a well deserving couple and we loved every moment of styling their wedding," she said.
Although Felicity and her team didn't get to witness the ceremony as they were so busy putting the finishing touches to the reception areas, they did see what was going on around them at Paradise Cove Resort and "there was nothing but pure love and joy to be seen and felt".
"We were honoured to have been a part of their day," she said.
Likewise, Kellie said she was very excited to have been invited to be part of the marriage equality competition and more than happy to supply the teepee.
"From what I can see the day went even better than expected; it looked amazing, the boys looked so happy and Paradise Cove looked fabulous as always, especially with our fabulous teepee front and centre," she said.
"It's great that the Whitsundays is getting such great exposure as a number 1 wedding destination."
Grooms Joshua Breakwell and Joshua Starr said they could the teepee from afar as the sun was setting and the festoon lights were getting brighter "and it was just magic".
"It was then it started to feel like an exclusive paradise party," Josh Breakwell.
"Flick and her team from Azure Wed
Supplier Showcase #8 - Annie Lloyd-Lewis
One month ago today we were celebrating marriage equality with the wedding giveaway of the century so far!
Joshua Breakwell and Joshua Starr were about to walk down the 'aisle' at Paradise Cove Whitsundays and local celebrant Annie Lloyd-Lewis was waiting for them.
Annie already had an amazing bond with the Joshua's.
Like all of the suppliers who contributed to this $50K wedding giveaway, she felt their entry to the competition celebrating Australia's move to marriage equality was simply outstanding.
"Not only did they share the story of their 30-day proposal, but described perfectly the natural setting that was to become their wedding venue. The vote was unanimous," she said.
"From our very first conversation, I knew I wanted to adopt Joshua and Joshua.
"Once the initial legal paperwork was lodged, we began to talk about their ceremony. It was important the wording reflected their love, romance and sincerity. When they included the story of their first date, I was excited as it added another emotional layer to the ceremony. They are such good storytellers.
"The final element was to acknowledge the wonderful contribution their mothers have made to their lives. This was woven into the giving away, and on the wedding day, made everyone feel connected to their own mothers. It was very emotional."
This careful attention to detail by the amazing Annie - and our very own wedding planner Jess Lawrence - ensured the wedding ceremony was seamless.
"I also had the confidence of knowing I was part of a team of Whitsunday wedding professionals, from hair and make-up specialists, the florist, photographers, to list a few, all of whom I could trust to do their jobs well so in turn, I could do mine," Annie said.
"The day was glorious, the guests were excited, the ceremony was beautiful. There were laughter and tears but mainly there was love. It was perfect.
"Thanks to the initiative of Jules and Asher Telford, operators of Paradise Cove Resort and Jess Lawren
Supplier Showcase #7 - Flower Hut
Today we'd like to invite you to smell the roses with us at a Whitsunday wedding - and not just any wedding, but the $50k wedding giveaway won by Joshua Breakwell and Joshua Starr
Supplier Showcase #7 in this look back on an incredible day is Flower Hut who supplied floral arrangements including the grooms' buttonholes, bridesmaids' bouquets and mothers of the grooms' shoulder corsages.
Prior to the big day the Flower Hut team spent a huge amount of time sourcing just the right products and contacting numerous suppliers until they were able to procure mini pineapples and David Austin roses.
Janelle said she felt like an intruder actually being at the wedding because the day was more about the Josh's "not us giving them what they wanted".
"But it was nice to witness the wedding, especially it being one of the first same sex weddings in the Whitsundays after being involved in a few 'commitment ceremonies'," she said.
"And the Whitsundays turned on a perfect day."
Joshua Starr said when the flowers arrived "we couldn’t believe how much they matched the girls’ dresses".
"They were pretty spot-on, and I loved how Janelle had incorporated pineapples," he said.
"She knew they were a big thing for us (because of our business ‘Pineapples by the Joshua’s) but she didn’t go over the top.
"It was just subtle and something that was picked up by everyone who knows us."
Photos by Tropix Photography Studio
#lovewhitsundays #thisisqueensland #destinationweddings #weddingswhitsundays #weddingflowers #lovewins #thejoshuaswedding
Supplier showcase #6 - hair and makeup
Hands up who else thought the mums and sisters of our two grooms Joshua Breakwell and Joshua Starr looked absolutely amazing on the day of #thejoshuaswedding!
We certainly thought so and that's why Supplier Showcase #6 from this $50K wedding giveaway is all about the hair and makeup.
Hair styling was courtesy of the wonderful Carnie-Lee Warden from Airlie Beach Hair and Makeup.
Leading up to the wedding Carnie-Lee and the Josh's families had chatted about some hair style ideas and what the girls were wearing.
"So I was all prepared for when I got there," Carnie-Lee said.
"Then I had so much fun throughout the morning, getting everyone ready, having a few laughs, and calming their nerves, all while being able to share in their excitement.
"I was truly honoured to be invited to the Josh's wedding, watch them celebrate their love, and see them be able to marry each other in front of all their family and friends and us (the wedding suppliers).
"There was so much raw emotion, it was really beautiful.
"Thank you Josh and Josh for having me there to witness your love for each other.
"To be a part of such an amazing wedding with so many other suppliers was one thing but this competition really was won by two beautiful people."
Makeup meanwhile was by the amazing Lauriely Taylor from Loll Doll makeup by Lauriely.
"It was great to be there with the Joshua's and have them watch while I applied make up for their family," Lauriely said.
"They were very happy with everything and it was an enjoyable morning - I felt like part of the family.
"Then it was so lovely to see the wedding unfold.
"Usually I never get to see the end result, so it was nice to see the ladies all made up and walking down the aisle.
"I have to say I also found it very emotional.
"The Josh's are such a truly beautiful couple with so much love for one another - it really showed."
As for the wedding giveaway celebrating marriage equality, Lauriely said it was great for the region "and also gre
D'Vine Catering at #thejoshuaswedding
Warning - these photos by Tropix Photography Studio might make you feel hungry!
D'vine Catering & Events are Supplier Showcase #5 in our look back at the $50K wedding giveaway for Joshua Breakwell and Joshua Starr
As Operations Manager Troy Campbell explains, what started out as a fairly straight forward canapes menu being offered by D'vine Catering & Events, soon turned into the Josh's spin on the traditional banquet - a grazing table to begin with and a full desserts grazing table to finish the night off.
Troy first met the Josh's at the Rum Bar Airlie Beach where they trialled a couple of cocktails they wanted served on the day.
"This soon turned into them showing us their favourite cocktail, and the menu just flowed on from there over their tequila and pineapple cocktail and a seafood platter," Troy says.
"Their appreciation and just their personalities are ones that make you want to do the best for them, so by the end of the night we finished off supplying not just the a grazing tables, but also a banquet dinner and three bars in different locations."
Meanwhile behind the scenes there was a lot of effort from the D'Vine family's teams.
Creative consultant Jo Sweeney was putting a lot of time into the marketing of the wedding giveaway, working closely with Weddings Whitsundays.
"And our restaurant Fish D'vine hosted pre and post wedding celebrations not only for the Josh's but visiting journalists and so on," Troy explains.
"So all in all it was an event with a wedding in the middle!"
For Troy and the team including business co-owner Rebecca Clark (aka Airlie Beach's very own The Food Junkie), the wedding itself was "a day where you knew it just had that something special about it".
"All the suppliers involved in this are the same people you work with each week, so it's got that feeling that you're not only providing a service, but one where you look forward to each wedding or event because you catch up with your work colleagues as w
#thejoshuaswedding - Whitsunday Baked Creations
What would a wedding be without cake!
So of course, we were thrilled to have the award-winning Whitsunday Baked Creations on board our $50K Whitsunday wedding giveaway.
Whitsunday Baked Creations is Supplier Showcase #4 on our look back at #thejoshuaswedding
Debbie Smith made Joshua Breakwell and Joshua Starr a beautiful two-tier wedding cake.
"I have 18 flavours, however they decided on bananarama – a moist banana cake filled with salted caramel and white chocolate buttercream," she said.
Debbie met the Joshua's for the first time after their ceremony, which she described as "so emotional, with not a dry eye left in the house".
"It was like I’ve known them for years, they are just such a lovely couple," she said.
"I wish them all the best as Mr & Mr and I hope everyone who ate some cake loved it!"
Joshua Starr said everyone raved about how this wasn’t your typical wedding cake.
"It was so good there was none left over at the end!" he said.
If it's true that you eat with your eyes we hope you enjoy this slideshow of photos by Tropix Photography Studio
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