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REAL LIFE WEDDING

Romance
STORIES OF

COLIN & KEVIN

When the same sex marriage laws were passed in 2017, Colin and Kevin were
thrilled that their dream of a tropical Port Douglas wedding was to become a reality....

ased in Sydney, they had been visiting Port Douglas “made everything very easy … she captured both the essence
for more than 25 years, and had always said to each of the day and the beauty of Port Douglas.”
other that if the day came that they could legally get Salsa Bar & Grill was the logical choice for Colin and Kevin
Bmarried they would do so in Port Douglas. Although when it came to the reception. They wanted to create a
confessing that when they first met, they couldn’t stand each reception where guests could mingle in a laid-back style with
other, they were now – 30 years later – saying their vows in canapes, drinks and live music. “Rhys was incredible in sorting
front of one hundred and fifteen family and friends at their out the catering and wine selection and the staff made it their
favourite chapel, St Mary’s By the Sea. “Having so many mission to see we were eating and drinking, although we
family and friends celebrate this day with us after 30 years spent more time talking,” they said. With a mix of their own
together, with the backdrop of Port Douglas, was incredible,” music and local band The Kroovs, the party celebrated long
they said. into the evening. “We thought [The Kroovs] music style would
Colin and Kevin wanted to create a wedding that embodied be perfect for our reception and they did an outstanding job
the relaxed and tropic lifestyle of Port Douglas. “We wanted resulting in a packed dance floor at Salsa all night.”
the ceremony to be fun, very casual and personal and Shoba In keeping with the intimate theme of their wedding, Colin and
from Port Douglas Weddings was so helpful with the chapel Kevin not only had a friend from school as their celebrant who
and the music we selected.” The boys wore suit jackets and relayed personal stories and antidotes about their relationship
shorts, with each having a best-woman by their side. The to their guests, but they also chose another close friend – Andy
ceremony also paid respect to the traditional owners with Wheeler, a DJ on a Bathurst radio station – to be their MC.
an “Acknowledgment of Country” to begin the service, with “We knew he was a very entertaining personality who would
special items placed on the alter to remind them of those who be able to provide a perfect mix of fun and formality.” Colin
couldn’t be there but were there in spirit. They encouraged and Kevin also wanted to acknowledge their local support
their guests to dress casually and embrace the tropical climate, for the ALP for providing support for same sex marriage, and
with a focus on using everything local as much as possible to they contacted Anthony Albanese (ALP Leader) and Linda
ensure that their wedding would be happy and memorable for Burney (ALP Shadow Minister) who provided messages of
their mostly interstate guests. congratulations on their day.
While the guests visited the local watering holes of the Court When asked what were the highlights of their day, and were
House, Tin Shed and Barbados, Colin and Kevin had their there any stressful moments, they replied: “No, none at all.
wedding photos taken by Jessie Goetze from Port Douglas Port Douglas is the easiest place to get married.” And is there
Wedding Photography. Admitting that they had no idea what a honeymoon on the horizon? “The honeymoon can wait…
they wanted, or what to expect. they were thrilled that Jessie we’ve waited 30 years to get married!”

Ceremony: St Mary’s By the Sea
Reception: Salsa Bar & Grill
Music: The Kroovs
Photography: Jessie Goetze from Port Douglas Wedding Photography
Flowers: Riahne Le Breton from Oceanic Style & Blooms
Rings: Made by Barbra Fougere

PORT DOUGLAS MAGAZINE 37