How this couple planned their Surprise Wedding

Lee and Brooke

Brooke and Lee enlisted the help of Kindred member Pollen and Patina to help plan Surprise Wedding. Deciding to do things their way, Brooke and Lee spent the morning together, followed later that day with an intimate "first look" photography session with Danae.

That afternoon guests arrived at Avon Ridge Vineyard to a surprise sign, a bride and groom dressed in their best and a ceremony site awaiting a 7pm start. Emotions were high, smiles were ear to ear, tears of joy flowing and guests loving each moment.

Why did you choose to throw a surprise wedding?

We wanted to do something a little bit different and didn’t want the big lead up to the wedding. Neither of us were really interested in having an engagement party or any of the other festivities in the lead up to a wedding so felt like this was a fun option that suited us.

How long was the planning process?

We were engaged in November and married end of January so we had 3 months to pull it all together. We were so lucky that we were able to do it in this time and able to secure all of the vendors we wanted in making our day perfect. We enlisted the assistance of Katie Boyle of Pollen and Patina to help us. Katie not only did our flowers and event styling but also helped to pull the day together and coordinate things on the day and we couldn’t have done it without her help and guidance!

Did you tell anyone about the surprise and why?

We told our parents and siblings and our best friends who were also our bridal party. It was so hard keeping a secret but so nice to have a few people we could chat about it with. We were given advice when planning it to tell as few people as possible as secrets like this can easily slip out so we kept it to as few people as possible. Other than those closest to us, others that knew were those involved in bringing the day together i.e the band, facility, photographer, hair and makeup artists etc

When did you have your professional photos?

As our wedding was very untraditional we got ready together at my family home in Lake Glenmaggie and we had a ‘first look reveal’ captured by the photographers so we could still have that special moment. We had most of our professional photos with our bridal party that morning and stopped at a couple of locations for photos on the way to the wedding and just a few family photos immediately after the ceremony. It was great having most of the photos done before the ceremony as it meant we could stay with our guests after the ceremony and the reception was able to begin straight away.

How did the surprise actually take place?

We used our Engagement party as a basis for our surprise wedding, this way guests were still dressed up. As guests arrived we had a sign as they walked in saying ‘Surprise we are getting married’ We were there greeting our guests in our wedding dress and suit. It created such a fun and exciting atmosphere from the minute guests saw the sign at the entrance. Once everyone had arrived we helf the ceremony followed by the reception.

Did you have help on the day itself to set up everything?

As mentioned we were lucky enough to have Katie Boyle assist us. We were married at the same location as the reception at Avon Ridge winery. Katie and the team at Avon Ridge did everything on the day which allowed for us to just enjoy the entire day.

Any tips for other couples throwing a surprise.

Do it!!! It was so much fun, Tell as few people as possible. When we first starting booking business in I made enquires under my best friend/maid of honors name or booked as in engagement party as I was paranoid of our secret getting out! I wouldn’t change anything especially making it a surprise. Such an upbeat and fun wedding and the surprise really added to this.