Real Wedding // Ria & Doug’s Byron Bay Surf Club Wedding

Ria & Doug enjoyed a long weekend of wedding festivities and celebrated their love in true traditional Indian style at the beautiful Byron Bay Surf Club. The venue was adorned in gorgeous vibrant colours, Indian silk scarves and Arabian rugs. Ria and Doug celebrated with their nearest and dearest with a traditional Indian ceremony, Bollywood style dancing and delicious customary food. We loved being able to bring this celebration together and we couldn’t wait to see the photos! A huge thanks to the amazing team of suppliers who brought this one together. Read their love story below.

Tell us your story, how did you both meet?
Doug and I met on June, 21st 2014 at a bar in Sydney called ‘The Clock’. We spoke till the late hours; it was like catching up with an old friend even though we had never met before. We were basically together ever since then.

How did the proposal happen?
We were travelling to Bali to celebrate our 4 year anniversary. Doug organised a spa day and planned for us to go to dinner straight after at the resort we were staying at. After my spa, I was told Doug had to rush back to our hotel room and to meet him back there. However, the hotel buggy driver took me to a villa suite that was not where we were originally staying. Confused by the upgrade… Doug greeted me outside and as we walked in I could see in the garden overlooking the ocean, a private dining table set up for two, with hundreds of rose petals and candles scattered everywhere. I knew right there and then he was going to propose and was doing my best to hold back my tears. Eventually, during our dinner, he got down on one knee at sunset and proposed.

What style were your striving for with your table settings, florals and reception? Ws there a certain look or vibe that you wanted to create?
We wanted to incorporate the vibrant colours often seen at Indian weddings but also wanted to keep it fusion, modern and fun as we were getting married in a beach town. The colours were bright and fun through the Indian silk scarves weaved into the ceiling, warm Arabian rugs and the bright orange garlands dangling from the marquee. We weaved in the fusion modern look through the lighting and simplicity in the tableware.

Were there any vendors that you particularly loved working with and why?
Our band, Real Good Sydney run by Dean Ginsberg completely wowed us and our guests. They had never played Indian music before but they did their research and did not disappoint. They also kept up with the fusion music by DJ’ing Bollywood songs whilst bringing in the bongos, saxophone and their beautiful singing. They were engaging with the guests and got everyone involved. They passed around a box of smaller Indian instruments for the guests to dance around with! We didn’t even know they were organising that for us!

Estelle from The French Petal did a fabulous job incorporating our flowers from our western wedding held the previous day. She made sure the flowers were not wasted but re-used to decorate the tables, bar and scattered the red roses, pink peonies and orchard petals all the way down the aisle.

The food prepared by Che and his team from the Fig Tree Restaurant during the sad time of the venue burning down would have been already a massive challenge. Especially with it being a cuisine they don’t regularly create. The Indian food was unbelievably delicious, the presentation was immaculate and the compliments we received by our friends who travelled all the way from India was 10/10! I would highly recommend Fig Tree Catering for any event. We loved how they were up for the challenge of each specific dish requested from Indian ice-cream to the traditional curries!

Overall, what was your most favourite part of your wedding day and why?
We loved how all of our friends from Australia and New Zealand embraced Ria’s Indian culture with a lot of respect through the big effort they put into their Indian outfits and even learning dance moves for the special occasion. We learned a Bollywood bridal party dance which took a lot of practice, it was very challenging for a lot of our friends who had never danced Indian style. It was great to see our friends and family enjoy the dance we all practised for months.

Ria & Doug xo

Suppliers
Venue: Byron Bay Surf Club // Hair & Makeup: The Future Mrs // Photographer & Videographer: Yellowbull Weddings // Florist: The French Petal // Mendhi Artist: Henna Harem // Guest Transport: Steve’s Transport // Catering: Fig Tree Catering // Lighting:  Byron Audio // Furniture & Styling: The Wedding Shed // Planning & Coordination: Byron Bay Weddings

Styling – Anna & Paul’s ‘Dreamscape Under the Stars’ Wedding at Orchard Estate

November 21, 2024

Anna and Paul’s ‘Dreamscape Under the Stars’ wedding at The Orchard Estate was a celebration that we were so thrilled to help bring to life! Set in the breathtaking, lush Byron Bay hinterland, their day was nothing short of magical, immersing guests in a world of romance, serenity, and charm. Working closely with Anna and…

Styling – Amy & Lawson’s ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’ Orchard Estate Wedding

October 17, 2024

Amy and Lawson’s ‘Under the Tuscan Sun’ themed wedding at The Orchard Estate was a dreamy celebration that beautifully transported guests to the heart of the Italian countryside, all while nestled in the heart of the Byron Bay hinterland. Bathed in golden sunlight and surrounded by expansive views, the day radiated Mediterranean charm through a…

Real Wedding // Milli & Josh’s Fig Tree Wedding

October 11, 2024

Milli & Josh’s spring wedding at the Fig Tree Restaurant was a celebration bursting with love and colour! Instantly captivated by the venue’s natural beauty, we helped this gorgeous couple transform the space into a vibrant garden party. Their vision of soft pastels, accented with subtle touches of gold and oak, was woven through every…

Real Wedding //  Lauren & Riley’s Fig Tree Wedding

August 6, 2024

On a picturesque autumn day, Lauren & Riley celebrated their wedding at the stunning Fig Tree Restaurant. Captivated by the charm of the Fig Tree, they instantly knew it was the perfect wedding venue for them! With a strong vision of a classic, timeless elegance, Lauren chose a white and green floral palette with touches…

Discover the Earth House – Byron Bay’s Iconic Hinterland Wedding Venue

August 6, 2024

Overlooking the breathtaking Nightcap Ranges, The Earth House stands as one of Byron Bay’s most iconic hinterland venues for its flawless integration of architectural innovation and stunning natural beauty. The extraordinary space is a testament to sustainable design, nestled harmoniously within the lush Byron Bay hinterland. Its organic rammed earth walls, cathedral ceiling and exposed…

5 Reasons To Attend Our Venue Open Day

July 18, 2024

We know that planning your dream wedding can be both exciting and overwhelming. That’s why our Venue Open Days are designed to make the process of finding the perfect venue and wedding day team a breeze! Our seasonal events offer a unique opportunity to explore stunning venues, meet top wedding suppliers, and gather endless inspiration…

10 Reasons Why Winter is the Best Time to Get Married in Byron Bay

June 21, 2024

Despite a slight drop in temperature, there are countless reasons to choose a winter wedding in Byron Bay. Winter offers warm, picture-perfect days with minimal rainfall, making it an incredibly ideal time to tie the knot! Read on to discover why we think winter is the perfect season for your wedding! 1. Warm picture-perfect days…

Real Wedding // Celeste & Dylan’s Byron View Farm Wedding

May 16, 2024

Celeste & Dylan celebrated their stunning wedding at the dreamy Byron View Farm on a perfect summer day. With Byron View Farm’s picturesque surroundings, the setting provided a breathtaking canvas for their love-filled celebration. Opting for a soft, romantic theme throughout, Celeste & Dylan adorned their tables with delicate white florals and blush accents, intertwined…

Real Wedding // Jess & Daniel’s Byron View Farm Wedding

May 8, 2024

Jess & Daniel celebrated their stunning wedding day on a picturesque winter’s day at Byron View Farm. Set against the captivating backdrop of Byron View Farm’s stunning hinterland and ocean vista, their day radiated elegance and grace under clear blue skies and sunshine.

Real Wedding // Courtney & Bird’s Forget Me Not Wedding

April 4, 2024

Nestled in a tranquil and secluded hinterland setting, Courtney & Bird celebrated their gorgeous wedding at Forget Me Not. Their vision was clear: to have a creative destination wedding, all in one picturesque location. Forget Me Not effortlessly ticked all the boxes, and felt like the perfect combination of Courtney & Bird – country & coastal.…