figtree restaurant wedding

byron bay, australia

PHOTOGRAPHY - Serenity Photography 
VENUE - Figtree Restaurant
PLANNER - Byron Bay Weddings
CELEBRANT - Heidi Robertson
FLORIST - The French Petal 
BEAUTY - The Luxe Beauty Co
BRIDAL GOWN - Martina Liana
BRIDAL SALON - Fashions by Farina
BRIDAL HEADPIECE & VEIL - Martina Liana
GROOM SUIT - M.J. Bale
GROOM SUIT - Ralph Lauren
GROOMSMEN SUITS - M.J. Bale
JEWELLERY - Mimco
BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES - Shona Joy
CAKE - Sweet Obsessions
RINGS - Jason Withers Master Jeweller
CINEMATOGRAPHER -Wilde Visual
TRANSPORT - Byron Bay Double Deckers
DJ - Byron Audio

Creative team

"In the 6 years we’d been together Conrad and I always worked as a team. We’d figure out a place we’d like to go and I’d usually figure out the details and book it in. So, it was a big surprise when he whisked me away for a surprise getaway to Leura where we stayed in a stunning little cottage one weekend in August – he forgot but it was our anniversary weekend. By the time we finished work, battled traffic and got up there it was pretty late and everywhere was closed – 9pm on a Friday night! so we had a quiet night in by the fire - which was pretty special in itself, eating kebabs ha! We had a morning of snow, breakfast in bed and thought to head over to the Three Sisters but before that we had the idea to jump in the Jacuzzi and while getting in there, he pulled my hand and when I turned around he was down on one knee. He was so nervous and wanted to get all the words out… I was crying and couldn’t wait to say Yes. What a great day… and all the days since". 

As there are little surprises in a wedding, Natalie and Conrad kept the location a secret. They planned a wedding week in Byron so they could use the time to enjoy the company of their loved ones who travelled from near and far. This way they had an exciting and relaxing lead up to their special day filled with laying on the beach, enjoying cocktails at Beach Hotel, getting pampered with roaming massages and having BBQs with the loved ones. On Thursday 26 October they were surrounded by their closest 120 guests, saying ‘I Do’ under a Fig Tree in Byron Bay. Natalie and Conrad love the water and nature so were stoked to combine the two high up in the Hinterland overlooking the Byron Peninsula. The warmth they felt being surrounded by their friends and family was magical. Natalie had her wedding song picked out over 12 years ago on a warm night in Hawaii, so when the sound of ‘Somewhere over the rainbow’ – Israel Kamakawiwo'ole started playing Conrad knew it was time for her to walk down the aisle. Natalie had both her step dad and dad walk her down the aisle, filled with emotion seeing a tear roll down Conrad’s cheek, walking to the rest of her life. Their dog Jack was their ring bearer and Conrad’s nephew (9 at the time) was also a groomsmen, alongside his brother, best friend and cousin-in-law. Couple had the best day with so much love and things to laugh about. Conrad remembers that they ran out of alcohol so there was also a mad dash to the bottle shop to stock up half way through the night! Natalie and Conrad spent many private moments, watching their family and friends, taking it all in and revelling in their good fortune. Needless to say, it was the best party ever to welcome them to a life as husband and wife.

the proposal

"serenity photography are the ultimate team and made us feel so at ease."  

couple photoshoot

What was the best moment of the night (funniest, most heart-warming, and most memorable)? Conrad is Maori and English, so it was so special seeing his brother, cousins and best friends doing the Haka – the traditional dance to represent a tribe’s pride, strength and unity. It was very emotional the feeling in the room when the boys did this for Conrad. For me it was when I asked my Step Dad (who is no longer with my mum) walk me down the aisle alongside my Dad. I was lucky to have two special men in my life so giving them both the honour is something I’ll never forget. Nor do I think they’ll ever forget it.
What do you feel was the most unique part of your wedding? It was probably the perfect storm which entertained us all. It was a beautiful day, albeit a bit windy but we could see the storm clouds coming closer and closer. I was a bit worried but our wedding planner was on standby with umbrellas for the guests but since it was an outdoor wedding it could have also meant moving everything indoors very quickly. Anyway, we were back from our photo session at Wategoes Beach and were ready to walk into our reception on the lawn. It starts to sprinkle and all the staff were scrambling to get the umbrellas to the guests. It was no more than 4 minutes of rain, the storm broke overhead and spun off to the Gold Cast and Ballina. We heard later that it was a bad storm with some hail damage so we were counting our blessings that we had but a few minutes of it. We caught some incredible photos so can’t wait to share that.

What part of your wedding did you have to compromise on? Well it wasn’t really a compromise but we had two weddings – an Indian Wedding plus our Byron Bay Wedding because my Grandma couldn’t travel plus we wanted to respect my Indian tradition and conduct our spiritual ceremony which is more of a union of souls rather than just two people getting married. It was more expensive doing it this way but we had to have my Grandma, who raised me, part of our special day. My uncle who’s a pundit conducted the ceremony in both English and Hindi which meant it was inclusive. So much better when everyone understands the jokes!

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