Carol and Tom embrace island time at Vanuatu wedding

Lunchtime nap on your wedding day, anyone?

That’s exactly what Carol Ratcliff enjoyed during her Vanuatu wedding to Tom Hepe – the relaxed day they had always planned for. “We wanted an intimate wedding, with only our closest family and friends present so as not to get caught up in the whole wedding planning craziness,” explains Carol. “I can’t begin to explain how peaceful the day was, from breakfast with our friends and family in the morning, to a nap at lunchtime and getting ready only two hours before the ceremony.”

They Sydneysiders, aged 36 and 29 respectively, met through work and quickly fell in love. “We travelled overseas together three months after meeting and starting living together around the same time,” explains the bride. “When it’s right, it progresses quickly and we welcomed our son soon after.”

They chose Vanuatu as their destination wedding on November 14, 2015, for its beautiful culture and island time. Guests arrived at The Warwick Le Legon Resort during the week leading up to the wedding – a process Carol says made for the perfect celebration. “It was a casual, laid back day where shorts were welcome,” she says. “It was one of those days where you wish it never ended and there was nothing you would change.”

The couple then enjoyed some luxury quiet-time, just the two of them, for their honeymoon at boutique retreat, The Havannah.

Photos courtesy of Groovy Banana Photography.

Guests received invites to the island wedding from Lovestruck Invitations.

Warwick Le Lagon Resort & Spa had plenty of fun props for photos.

The couple’s son was their best man.