Renee Leslie and Craig Attewell took a less is more approach to their special day and were keen to put their own twist wedding tradition.
The Gold Coast pair, both 26, hosted a classic wedding for 65 guests at the Southport Yacht Club on October 11, 2014.
“We wanted our guests to have a great time and kept the wedding light-hearted and the ceremony short and sweet,” Renee says.
“We didn’t want to have too much of a traditional wedding and opted for an outdoor ceremony on the water’s edge followed by the reception in the function room upstairs at the Southport Yacht Club. We wrote our own vows to each other and tried to keep them light-hearted and funny.”
The couple also opted for a first dance with a difference, with the bridal party joining in on the dancefloor action.
“The reception was rocking and dancing was a priority – it is a party after all!” Renee says.
Photos courtesy of Melle Wedding Photography.


Craig proposed to Renee in 2013 after just buying a new car. “He had arranged with the dealership to hide the ring in the glove box,” Renee explains. “As we hopped in to drive out of the car yard he asked me to check the compartments. That’s when I found the ring and he asked me to marry him!”


Renee bought her stunning Maggie Sottero dress off eBay secondhand from the US. “Luckily it turned out to be beautiful and exactly what I wanted,” she says.


The couple says what they most love about each other is their ability to laugh at themselves and not take anything too seriously. “I believe this is why our day went so well as we weren’t worried about things going wrong,” Renee says.


Bomboniere: LogoMe Giftware / Brides Accessories: Collette, Lovisa / Brides Gown: Maggie Sottero / Brides Shoes: Novo Shoes / Bridesmaid Shoes: Own shoes / Bridesmaids Accessories: Colette, Lovisa / Bridesmaids Dresses: Tina Holy / Cake: Sweet Sister Cakes / Celebrant: Emily Jade O'Keefe / Ceremony Music: Own playlist / Entertainment: Southport Yacht Club / Flowers: Katrina Wiles / Gift Registry: Wishing well / Grooms Attire: Connor / Groomsmen Attire: Connor, Ties 'n' Cuffs / Groomsmen Shoes: Own shoes / Hair: Amy Waterhouse / Honeymoon: Club Med Australia / Invitations: Vistaprint / Makeup: She Styl'n Makeup, Hair & Beauty / Photobooth: In The Booth / Photographer: Melle Wedding Photography / Rings: Michael Hill / Transport: United Limos / Venue: Southport Yacht Club / Venue Decor: Dream Designers / Videographer: A Digital Production