Manuri & Tate

How did you meet?

We met in highschool during a debating competition. Tate was in the year above and across the road at the boys school. We became friends but only officially started our relationship when Manuri moved to Sydney for university. Tate proposed after five years of us dating and we got married two years after that.

Tate, how did you propose?

New York has always held a special place in our hearts. I proposed on the Bow Bridge in Central Park early on a Saturday morning.

I was very nervous and started speaking absolute gibberish before I got down on one knee, too distracted trying to figure out if the surprise photographer was actually there and if I remembered what I was going to say.

What was your vision for your wedding day?

We wanted a timeless classic and elegant wedding. Think roses, orchids, black-tie and a little bit of Europe nestled away in the Byron Hinterlands.

We wanted to have our entire day at one venue but still have distinct separations between ceremony, cocktail hour and reception.

Why did you choose to marry in Byron Bay?

While on a holiday in Byron we came across the venue and decided to go scout the location. Byron Bay was a perfect location for us, we both grew up in Brisbane but have lived in Sydney for the last seven years, so it was a great in between. We knew Byron would be a destination that our loved ones would enjoy making a weekend of.

We were very lucky to be surrounded by family and friends from all over Australia and the world.

What was the biggest decision you had to make when planning your Destination Wedding?

I think venue and location. We wanted to ensure that we had a venue that our guests after they came would be glad they travelled for. Likewise we wanted the location to be somewhere that guests could enjoy around the wedding.

What was the highlight of your wedding day for you?

We loved our ceremony, it was just magical and amazing to see the love and joy on everyone's faces. Our celebrant did an amazing job of capturing the raw emotion and it was so special to be able to relive that through all of our photos.

The way that all the events seamlessly flowed together as well was very important to us.

Is there anything you would do differently?

It seems impossible looking at just how much we fit into the day, but have more time with our guests. We had so many loved ones come from near and far that we felt quite guilty leaving at the end of the night without getting to say more than ‘Hi!’.

What advice would you give other couples planning their wedding?

Speak to people that have just been married. Especially those at the same venue or whose wedding style you like. Overall we were delighted with everything to do with our wedding, but it’s stressful when you are trying to make everything perfect to your vision. All in all, focus on what’s important to you - everyone there loves you so as long as you have a good time, everyone will.