A Beautiful Micro-Wedding at Daydream Island in The Whitsundays
This Canberra-based couple had already enjoyed over a decade together when their children helped inspire this gorgeous tropical celebration.
Kayla and Dan’s beloved two children (Frankie and Lachie) had a special part to play in finding the perfect wedding wonderland. “When the four of us decided to get married, we were planning to go on a family holiday to somewhere warm and kid-friendly where we could elope,” explains Kayla. “We googled elopements in Queensland and stumbled on The Whitsundays. Daydream Island looked magical, and they were offering a great package that suited us.”
With this holiday playground as their backdrop, the couple decided to extend the invitation. “Our elopement turned into a micro wedding, because how could we get married without our immediate family?!” says Kayla. “Everyone stayed at least a few days either side so were able to have fun, enjoy resort activities, and feel like they’d had a holiday rather than just travelled up for the wedding.”
On the big day, tropical rain clouds cleared just in time for the couple’s long-awaited vows with the resort’s exquisite waterfront chapel and Kayla in her gorgeous gown setting the scene. “My most precious memory is my dad walking me down the aisle, and I can see Dan and our two beautiful children waiting me to meet them at the altar so we can finally all get married!” says Kayla. “It was the most intense and beautiful moment!”
After the emotion of the ceremony, the newlyweds were ready to relax at the resort’s Tidal Lounge. “It was the perfect room for our 24 guests,” says Kayla. “The doors opened to an alfresco area, then grass for the kids to run around and play. The view out to The Whitsundays was breathtaking. There was an abundance of amazing fresh food, but for me personally, the canapés were to die for! We all sang and danced, laughed, and took heaps of silly pictures with my old polaroid camera. Everyone had a great time and commented that it was the best wedding ever! I tend to agree.”
The whole day was especially rewarding for Kayla who had served as wedding planner, scrolling for inspiration and local vendor contacts. “Instagram was my best friend in organising everything,” she says. “And our wedding coordinator from Daydream Island (Pia Labozzetta) was also very helpful in ensuring everything went smoothly.
“I think the biggest challenge was not being able to see the venue in person prior to our arrival so it was hard to picture how everything would come together. But Lou from Divine Weddings Whitsundays sent me heaps of photos of the chapel and reception all styled. That was a huge help. All our guests commented on how magical the wedding day was and how they were surprised at how good a micro wedding can be!”
Very much in vacay mode, Kayla and Dan chose to swap a ‘honeymoon’ for a few extra days on the island to “relax, spend time with our families, and celebrate being newlyweds,” says Kayla. “The thing I loved most about a destination wedding was the fact that we didn’t feel guilty about only inviting immediate family members and we all got to have a fun family holiday.”
It’s the dream, right?
DREAM TEAM
Guests: 24 // Venue: Daydream Island Resort & Living Reef // Photography: Brooke Miles Photography // Gown: Annabel’s Bridal Studio // Hair: Erin from L.O.H.S.T // Makeup: Joanne.D Makeup // // Flowers: Espresso and Bloom // Coordinator: Pia from Daydream Island Resort // Stylist: Divine Weddings // Cake: Sweet Spot Creations // Celebrant: Colleen Farry
