Twice the fun

Story MICHELLE TESORIERO  Images JONAH PHOTOGRAPHY

Philippa Lowe and Tony Oriel had a wedding in Australia with Tony's family and another a week later in the United Kingdom with Philippa's. Philippa says it helped that she works in public relations.

Philippa met Tony when she was visiting Australia from the United Kingdom, which is perhaps why he proposed to her in a very Australian way.

"Tony took me to my favourite bush setting. He told me to close my eyes and listen to the kookaburra that was chuckling away overhead. He told me to open my eyes and when I did, he had the ring box open in front of me.”

The couple decided on an Australian wedding with their Australian friends and Tony’s family followed by an English blessing a week later in the UK with Philippa’s family and old school friends.

"Most people would say having two weddings across two countries ought to be hard but it was relatively pain-free. Being in PR definitely helped. I also have a friend that runs an event company."

The couple had planned to get married at Darook Park overlooking Cronulla Beach. Unfortunately rain thwarted those plans. Instead they exchanged vows outside their reception venue - there was a lull in the rain - at Blakehurst Marina.
Philippa says they wrote their own vows including one for family and friends to support them in their life together. They also customised the ceremony to include a minute’s silence and a poem Philippa had written for Tony early in their relationship.

At their second wedding - the UK blessing - the couple repeated the ceremony except that instead of exchanging rings, they had them blessed by the deacon.

Philippa found her gown in a pre-loved bridal boutique and had it altered slightly to suit her. She designed her own veil, which she had made by a milliner at the Balmain markets.

Tony hired his suit, shirt and vest from Calabro Formal Hire in Miranda. He also sported a tie and handkerchief that matched the colour of Philippa’s dress.

The couple had their photos taken next to the water at the marina.
“Mark from Jonah Photography was excellent. He took shots of the bridal party getting ready and caught some lovely candid moments. He was also totally relaxed and as he was using a digital camera it meant he could review the image on the spot and take another if anyone had their eyes shut or something!”

The reception was held at Shipwrights at Blakehurst Marina. Guests sat at tables both inside and on the boardwalk with a fabulous view over the marina and Georges River.

The venue was beautifully decorated in mauve and gold to match Philippa's gown. “It looked fabulous,” she says. “We had swathes of mauve material laid across white tablecloths, candle decorations in mauve and gold and helium balloons floating from the ceiling.”

And she is still receiving comments about how delicious the food was. "We served cosmopolitans, margaritas and dips on arrival. The main meal was a magnificent seafood buffet.” Their cake was a chocoholic’s dream - a huge chocolate clam-shaped shell filled with more than 200 gourmet chocolates from Nina’s Chocolate in Gymea.

Philippa surprised Tony with a karaoke jukebox. "Tony is a bit of a karaoke fanatic and the jukebox certainly kept our guests entertained. It also allowed us to play real music for dancing later on.”

After wedding number two, the couple honeymooned in the UK and Ireland. Having had two weddings, perhaps they deserved two honeymoons?

Images: Jonah Photography