Wanderlust weddings in the natural wonders of the world

Port Douglas weddings

Mary Banfield

Journalist

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People have searched the globe for the ideal place to propose, elope, or hold a traditional wedding and found Port Douglas. Image: Jessie Goetze

The journey of declaring love is evolving with more couples searching for adventure weddings, Instagram worthy proposals, or eloping.

Here in Port Douglas Heli Weddings will fly a couple to the top of a spectacular waterfall, or to the Coral Sand Cays. There are options to be thrilled by flamethrowers in the rainforest and of course, there are exotic locations for traditional weddings.

Newsport asked for reflections from professionals: a wedding planner who’ll create the spectacular, a celebrant who’ll ensure a memorable day and a photographer documenting the unforgettable.  

Church’s floral arrangement. Image: Marco Riserbato

Karlie Albury: Wedding Coordinator

“Port Douglas is a special, unique place. You can choose to be surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest at the Grotto or opt for the more iconic setting of the Sugar Wharf.”

From across the world, couples are searching for something extraordinary and finding Port Douglas.

“I organised a spectacular wedding for a couple who travelled from Italy. They’d searched the globe and found St Mary’s by the Sea. We filled the church with arches of white and green florals; it was like a fairy-tale.

Afterwards at Cottonwood, with two friends the couple dined on the beach at sunset under a chandelier. “It was a very special occasion with lots of elements including a Welcome to Country Smoking Ceremony, Fire Twirlers and fireworks.”

Stephanie Milne: Celebrant

“Covid has empowered people to elope”, said Milne adding, “adventure weddings are also increasingly popular”.

Without the enormous cost of a large wedding, couples find the financial flexibility to define a wedding that focuses on their shared interests.

Married underwater. Image:supplied by Stephanie Milne

Meg and Joel fell in love while scuba diving in Florida. They chose to exchange rings 10 metres underwater in the remote Osprey Reef as Milne watched on in awe.

Heli Weddings are an option to fly couples to places few others have been before, including the top of Stewarts Creek Waterfall.

Others have flown to the romantic Coral Sand Cays, declaring love on the golden beach, surrounded by deep clear blue water.

While visiting Port Douglas many chose to stay in luxury accommodation. “The Sea Temple is very popular. In some rooms, you step off your balcony into this amazing pool.”

Jessie Goetze: Port Douglas Wedding Photography

“I’ve photographed couples in every location from the Bali Hai to Rex Smeal Park,” said Goetze. “But I’ll always guarantee that a sunset on Four Mile Beach will be astonishing”.

“Every sky is different at dusk”, said Goetze. “The photos are magic when the sunset wraps around the entire horizon. This is where the oldest rainforest meets one of the Seven Natural Wonders. So unique, so hard to beat”.

While elopements are a big trend, it’s lavish proposals that can melt your heart. “I have a man who’s organising enormous light-up letters reading ‘Marry Me’ on the beach at sunset, with, of course, French champagne and a seafood platter.”

In the Tik-Tok and Instagram age, people love sharing special moments and Port Douglas is a social media paradise. “We have natural beauty that can’t be found elsewhere”.

The Bali Hai. Image: Jessie Goetze
Four Mile Beach wedding. Image: Jessie Goetze
Heli Wedding at Stewarts Creek Waterfall. Image: Zen Photography
Diana & Bradley at Shipwreck Bay. Image: Katie Purling

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