Lakeisha & Brad - Dixon Park Surf Club Wedding

Lakeisha and Brad's Dixon Park Surf Club wedding was a day of relaxed vibes and party times, just as they had hoped it would be. Even the incredible heat didn't dampen the day, nor did the intense humidity that had all wiping away sweaty moustaches :)

Another fantastic Tinder success story, Lakeisha and Brad certainly went through trials and tribulations before their big day. Lakeisha ended up contracting appendicitis three days before their wedding and had to have surgery. But nothing would stop her from making it to their wedding.... what a champion!

We started the day at the Rydges Hotel in Newcastle for bride and groom prep photos. The couple had booked rooms next to each other, which was nice and convenient to be close by. Not wanting to wait until the ceremony, Lakeisha and Brad chose to do a first look onsite at the hotel. We decided on a great outdoor space with a convenient 'chapel' structure for the couple to meet. Seeing how excited Brad was to see his future wife and her amazing smile was absolutely adorable. Even I couldn't wait for the moment. And when they finally saw each other, I had to remind myself that I was there to take photos and not just stand there and smile at them both :)

After their first look, the couple and their bridal party jumped in a stretch hummer and travelled to the ceremony location. Being huge fans of the beach and being outdoors, Lakeisha and Brad chose the picturesque lookout at Hickson Street for their ceremony. One of my favourite parts about their ceremony was the couple choosing to walk down the aisle together, hand in hand. I love it when couples throw tradition out the window and do what works for them!

The legendary Nell Dark-Jones officiated the ceremony and kept all the guests involved and entertained. Afterwards, we snapped a few family photos before being forced out of the sun due to the overbearing heat.

We jumped in the car and drove to the little old shack on Scenic drive for our bridal party photos. Being a popular spot for photos, it wasn't long before another bridal party turned up with their photographer too! However, it wasn't an issue, and we were happy to share the location before heading to the wedding reception.

Lakeisha and Brad held their wedding reception at Dixon Park Surf Club, a perfect spot for their laidback reception style and the incredible view. They had the venue styled with elegant greenery, fairy lights and a great photo wall by Newy Event Co. And as an excellent reward for braving the heat, the cool breeze coming from the ocean at the SLSC was genuinely incredible. Pair that with a mouthwatering buffet and a selection of cold drinks; it was heaven.

After the speeches, we snuck off for sunset photos and headed towards the ocean. Shoes off and embracing the sand, Lakeisha and Brad grinned and danced together playfully as the sun went down. After the week they had of stress, surgery and planning, they could finally take a breath and be with each other. I could feel the mood shift from structure to enjoyment, and their photos sure reflected how much fun they were having.

Deciding not to put our shoes back on after being on the relaxing sand, we headed back indoors for the cake-cutting and the first dance. It wasn't long before the dance floor was packed with everyone joining in on the celebrations.

It was so much fun to be a part of their day and spend time with their friends and family. I still can't believe how well Lakeisha did three days post-surgery, especially in that heat. These two were amazing to work with, and I can't wait to witness more of your adventures together.

VENDORS

Venue Dixon Park Surf Club
Dress Newcastle Bridal House
Celebrant Nell Dark-Jones
Makeup Meg Lewis

Photo Wall Newy Event Collective
Hair Miranda Howson Hair