Page 49 - Port Douglas Magazine 42

love.
REAL LIFE

WEDDING

THANE + CHRIS

WORDS by Rosie Wang

W hen love blossoms, it has a way of taking us to beautiful, close friend now,” Chris says. “Her design, style, and commitment were
unexpected places. For Thane and Chris, their love
unmatched. I couldn’t recommend her highly enough.”
story took them to the tropical haven of Port Douglas,
And then there was Rads from Port Douglas Catering, who “nailed
where they celebrated their union with a perfect blend of
romance, family, and sheer fun. our food and drink perfectly, even under pressure.” Chris laughs,
remembering the giant production that came together flawlessly under
Chris grew up in Langwarrin, Victoria, a place known for grand romantic her leadership.
gestures —where Dame Elisabeth Murdoch was gifted Cruden Farm as a Anna, their celebrant, brought a gentle kindness to the ceremony that felt
wedding gift from her husband, press baron Sir Keith Murdoch. Thane, on deeply personal, while Katie Purling captured the day in breathtaking
the other hand, had a more nomadic upbringing, moving between various photography. Threadless Films’ Glen produced a stunning wedding video,
states before eventually spending some time in Cairns. While this didn’t Bart’s DJ skills kept the dance floor alive, and Drewboy and the Sax
directly influence their choice of wedding location, their affinity for Addicts added a vibrant live music touch. Chris gushes about Drew’s
tropical destinations was unmistakable. magical acoustic set during the ceremony and the unforgettable moment
So how did they meet when they lived 2,874 km away from each other? when the entire wedding party hit the dancefloor at 5pm, so caught up in
Nine years ago, their paths crossed virtually online (the wonders of the fun that dinner was delayed.
modern technology) and nine years later they are now very much offline, Of course, no wedding would be complete without flowers, and Wynne’s
in reality and in love. A beautiful acreage home in Langwarrin, which floral arrangements were breathtaking, adding a magical ambiance to
they share with their three children, is now paradise on earth and home. the venue.
Thane proposed to Chris soon after a life-changing moment. Two weeks Originally, Chris and Thane had planned to hold their reception at the
after welcoming their son Harrison into the world via surrogacy, Thane iconic Sugar Wharf, but with rain in the forecast, a last-minute switch to
popped the question on Father’s Day, making it a doubly special occasion. a giant clear span marquee at Rex Smeal Park was made. “It was the best
“It was my first Father’s Day,” Chris recalls fondly, “and Thane involved decision ever,” Chris notes. The sunset, calm weather, and palm trees
all the kids — it was very romantic.” created a magical backdrop, and the clear tent allowed for stunning views
When it came to planning their wedding, Chris shared: “We knew we of the water and a spectacular fireworks display.
wanted a destination wedding.” At first, they considered an overseas Sugar Wharf, however, remained the ceremony location, looking stunning
tropical location, but soon realised it might limit the number of guests inside as the couple exchanged their vows.
who could join them. After spending a week in Port Douglas, they fell in
love with its laid-back tropical vibe. A bit of research made it clear that Thanks to Kylie and the wedding team, planning the event was a breeze,
even from a distance. Chris took a very hands-on approach, collaborating
Port Douglas was the perfect choice — it had everything they wanted
and provided the ideal setting to celebrate their special day surrounded closely with Kylie to design every detail, but he credits her for making
by all their loved ones. everything so easy. “You could be as involved or uninvolved as you
wanted, and it still would have worked.”
When the couple first announced their destination wedding, they were
expecting about 40 guests to make the trip due to the distance. Instead, On the day of the wedding, there were no rigid traditions for Thane
and Chris. Instead, they spent the day getting ready together with their
they were pleasantly surprised when 76 friends and family members groom’s party and kids, enjoying a relaxed, fun atmosphere. “We’ve been
showed up, many making it a vacation and bringing along extended
family. Their wedding turned into a tropical holiday for everyone! together for nine years,” Chris says, “so why not start the day together?”
With a vision of classy, romantic fun, Chris sent Kylie a single Instagram
Every wedding needs a great team to bring it to life, and Chris and Thane
couldn’t have been happier with theirs. video for inspiration, and she ran with it, creating a wedding filled with
memorable moments—fireworks, sparklers, confetti cannons, live music,
Kylie from Eventcore stood out as the rockstar planner who made and an all-around vibrant atmosphere. “It was the greatest party I’ve ever
everything run smoothly. “We’re still in touch every week, she feels like a been to,” Chris beams.