Ancora Weddings
A Fearless Adventurer, Her Favourite Kitchen Utensil & A Lifetime of Adventures Ahead
Julia & Brad
Their Love Story
Julia and Brad’s story started at school, where they both worked as teachers. Brad had just returned from Ireland, jet-lagged and probably running on fumes, while Julia was instantly intrigued by the very tall bloke in the staff room.
In her words, he was basically a tall tree surrounded by a group of middle-aged women who were very quick to let her know just how lovely and single he was. Subtle? Absolutely not. Effective? Apparently, yes.
Their relationship quickly became one of those partnerships where you can tell they just fit. They’re both silly, adventurous and loyal, with the kind of friendship that makes a relationship feel steady, fun and full of life.
Julia’s family spoke so beautifully about her strength, generosity and ability to build deep connections wherever she goes. Brad’s family described him as kind, adventurous, smart, independent, and yes… a very good cook.
And honestly, that last part came up a lot.
From homemade treats in the early days to birthday cakes on tiny islands in Cambodia, food has become one of the ways Brad shows love. Which, let’s be honest, is a pretty elite husband skill.
Together, these two have built a life full of travel, cooking, family, fishing, adventures, slightly questionable walking distances to accommodation, and plenty of shared laughter along the way.
A Quote from the Vows
One of my favourite lines from the speeches came from Brad:
“Julia is a spatula and I am an omelette.”
Which is somehow both ridiculous and weirdly perfect.
He explained that Julia is the one who flips him out of bed, gets them moving, and pushes them toward the next adventure. Whether it’s cycling through Slovenia, slipping toward a pepper farm in Cambodia, or planning whatever wild idea comes next, Julia brings the momentum.
And Brad? He brings the calm, the cooking, and the steady presence.
A cracking little combo, really.
Full Wedding Film:
A little about the celebration
Julia and Brad’s wedding day had the perfect mix of meaning, humour and coastal elegance.
Their ceremony was held at St Augustine’s Church in Coolangatta, a setting that gave the day a beautiful sense of tradition and warmth. Julia had specifically mentioned wanting the church captured both inside and out, including the moment her dad walked her down the aisle and the two of them stepping out of the church as newlyweds.
After the ceremony, we headed toward Fingal Head for portraits, which gave the day that relaxed coastal feel before the reception kicked off at Ancora Weddings in Tweed Heads.
And what a reception it was.
The speeches were genuinely brilliant. Funny, heartfelt, and full of personality. There were stories about Townsville, Thursday Island, gluten-free sausage rolls, kitchen utensils, Brad’s love of Google reviews, Julia’s hunger for adventure, and a whole lot of love from both families.
It was one of those weddings where you could feel how much history, family and friendship surrounded the couple. Everyone was all in. And that makes such a difference when you’re capturing a wedding film.
why I love this wedding venue for weddings
Ancora Weddings is such a beautiful venue for couples wanting a relaxed but elevated waterfront wedding on the Tweed Coast.
From a filmmaking point of view, it gives you so much variety. You’ve got the river, the soft coastal light, the modern reception space, and that easy indoor-outdoor flow that makes the whole evening feel effortless.
For Julia and Brad, it worked perfectly. Their ceremony had that timeless church feel, Fingal Head brought the scenery and movement, and Ancora gave everyone a place to settle in, eat well, laugh loudly and celebrate properly.
It’s the kind of venue that lets the day feel elegant without being stiff, which is exactly what I love filming. You still get the timeless beauty, but there’s room for the real stuff too — the laughs, the hugs, the chaos, the dance floor, and all those little in-between moments that make the film feel like them.
a thank you message
Julia and Brad, thank you so much for having us along to capture your wedding day.
Your day was such a beautiful reflection of who you are. Fun, thoughtful, adventurous, family-focused and full of the kind of humour that makes everyone feel instantly at home.
It was such a privilege to capture your church ceremony, your coastal portraits, and the celebration at Ancora with all your favourite people around you.
To any couples planning a wedding at Ancora, Coolangatta, Tweed Heads, Fingal Head or anywhere across the Gold Coast and Northern NSW, this is exactly the kind of day we love filming. Timeless, relaxed, full of feeling, and still plenty of room for a good laugh.
legends from the day:
A little about the celebration
