The big moment had arrived! After a lovely morning of relaxation, fun and pampering it was time to say I DO! The weather gods were in our favour with sunshine, blue skies, blue water, dolphins, whales and only the lightest breeze! Our wedding ceremony was everything we’d wished for and more and we loved every moment of it. We’ve actually said multiple times since the wedding that whilst we loved it, we wouldn’t do it again as there is no way it could be as perfect the second time around! Our closest friends and family had travelled from the UK, Austria and all around Australia to share this moment with us and we just felt so blessed to have them all there with us. I hope you enjoy the beautiful photos from our ceremony in paradise x
Our ceremony was held at 3pm at the beautiful Harry’s Lookout in Port Macquarie. To get there you have to walk along a path through the rainforest to the lookout where you are instantly greeted with stunning views of the ocean and beautiful Shelly Beach below. Dan and I both love Harry’s Lookout and we loved that it was quite private as well so that we would be sharing this moment only with our loved ones (not hundreds of strangers)! The boys arrived first and had time to get in position before us girls arrived!
We’d had the best morning getting ready in our beautiful apartment on the beach and 3pm came around so quickly! I hate being late anywhere and so we were certainly not fashionably late as I am sure a lot of brides are. The girls walked down the aisle first and they all just looked so beautiful! We’d hired a local musician, Jake Davey to sing at the ceremony and the reception and he was incredible, so much so that I think he walked away with a few more potential jobs out of our wedding! We walked down the aisle to Jack Johnson’s Better Together, a song which we both love and feel fitted our relaxed, beachy wedding perfectly. Every time we listen to the song it takes me back to that wonderful moment of pure happiness.
Then it was time for Dad & I!. Dad is a notoriously fast walker and our lovely celebrant Margo had told us at the rehearsal the day before that even if we think we are walking really slowly – we aren’t and so to walk as slow as possible! We made it down the aisle slowly and without tripping (which was my biggest concern)! Dad and Dan get along so well, they have a relationship that is more friends than father/son-in-law and so Dad couldn’t help but give Dan a big hug as he gave me away which everyone loved.
Our celebrant, Margo Smith was absolutely brilliant. She was relaxed, funny and suited Dan and I so well. We’d met multiple times before the wedding and she kept us organised and ensured the ceremony went off without a hitch! We’d written our own vows and ring exchanges and I am so glad we did rather than just read a stock-standard set of vows. Everyone kept telling us afterwards how heartfelt and lovely they were and apparently quite a few of the guests shed tears over them! Later in the day we were also told that the guests could see whales and dolphins playing just off the beach as we read our vows. If that isn’t a good sign for a happy marriage, then I don’t know what is!
Once Margo announced that we were now married, we shared our first kiss in front of our closest friends and family, many who’d travelled a long way to be there with us for our big day. We’ve also come a long way from those young 23 year old’s who met in a hostel whilst travelling around South America!
We then signed away and officially became Mr & Mrs Jackson!
Then it was time for hugs, congratulations and family photos before everyone headed to the reception to celebrate over drinks, dinner and dancing!
As Harry’s Lookout is located in a rainforest we obviously weren’t allowed to use confetti, so used bubbles instead which I thought looked great and was also really environmentally friendly! I love looking through the photos and watching everyone try their hardest to blow bubbles as we left the ceremony.
Our ceremony was absolutely perfect and we wouldn’t have changed a single thing. It felt so special to share such an important moment with all of the most important people in our lives and I of course absolutely loved Dan becoming my husband! From the ceremony we headed off for bridal party photos before heading to the reception for a night of fun, all of which we’ll share in our next post!
Check out our other wedding posts: Part 1: Getting Ready & Part 3: The Photos & Reception.
