From Cologne, Germany to Sydney, Australia; From snow to sunshine, there’s no stopping the love these two guys share. Read on below to find out more about how Daniel & Mike re-inacted their already legal wedding on Australian shores.
Where are you from?
Daniel is from Germany (Saarbrücken originally), Mike is from Australia (Sydney), though we both lived in Cologne for several years.
What kind of couple would you say you are?
We are pretty chilled. We both have our passions: Daniel is news-addicted, and Mike is a music fanatic. Many of our strengths or skills are opposite; but we always stimulate each other, and enjoy our travels together in many and varied ways.
Tell us a bit about your day?
We had STUNNING weather, and a really scenic, yet personal atmosphere. It was our 2nd wedding in fact, a re-enactment of sorts, as we had done the ceremony a year before in Cologne where it is a marriage recognised by law. But the German ceremony was in a historic town hall, and comprised of a 20 minute soliloquy from the celebrant… and only 3 words each from us, “Ja ich will” (yes, I do want this).
So we were both excited to re-live and reinvent the experience with our Australian family and friends… we chose a secluded beach wedding at Shelley Beach in Sydney, then reception at the Le Kiosk location directly on the beach. As opposed to the snowy November day in Cologne (which was also beautiful), this one was laid back and sun-drenched, with hands-on involvement from ourselves, and our family.
Any DIY tips and pass on?
Don’t shop for linen fabrics in order to create your shipwreck-chic outfit in Sydney in February… Do your ceremony your way… meaning is personal, and more memorable.
Any Businesses that stood out to you and what made them ace?
Well the celebrant, 100%. Fiona King was seriously unforgettable. She had done Mike’s brother’s wedding in a unique way for him and his wife, merging Thai customs, traditional Australian customs, and collated a program of indie rock lyrics as readings and Spanish guitars in the garden of a federation on a really hot day, and was solid. But I think she really exceeded any hopes we had for a perfect ceremony… We wanted something spiritual or philosophical but non-religious… something unique, emotional, without being wanky.
In the end, Fiona played Celtic drums… learned, interpreted and performed Lana Del Ray’s “Video Games” on a really cool harp! She blessed our rings with Chinese singing bowls … and yet it worked. Fiona is so positive, genuine, and was open to our vague ideas, and philosophy, and converted our souls into a day we couldn’t compare to another wedding, or forget!
Also, our photographer, Joseph Mayers … The pics are creative, dynamically strong, and capture a slice of us, rather than forced, common photo set-ups.
We’re not sure if Mike’s mum is taking clients, but as wedding organisers go, first rate.
Best moment of the day?
When the ring fit on our fingers! It was a bit tight in Cologne
What did you splurge on?
The location, but we really hunted for somewhere beautiful, without pretensions. We ended up in a secluded location directly open to the beach, and with great food, wine, and service.
Where did you save a penny?
We flew economy to Sydney lol.
Seriously, we didn’t bother with fussy table settings and flowers… having the right location made decorations seem redundant.
Also Mike’s generous sisters baked the most amazing mud cake (there’s a pic in the gallery)… they paid for the ingredients, so that was super cheap and yet the cake was cool.
Any mis-haps / difficulties on the day or before?
Well, not this time, but last time around Mike managed to gash into his tendons on his hand (washing a glass, high risk activity kids!). That was an unexpected (and hard to glamorise) night in the hospital … and surgery. The weirdest part was when someone thought the hand bandaging was a fashion choice, they never considered that “wounding” and “bandages” are well established bed-mates.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Sorry to preach, but support marriage equality, it is seriously backward in this day and age to not let people marry same-sex. Mike would like to not thank God for not allowing her, his or its followers to believe the relationship we spend our whole life in is valid, or less important than heterosexual ones. Personally it makes little difference to us in reality. Our world is a pretty welcoming place. But it is simply poor form that religious leaders, and the elected class of “thinkers and doers” (politicians) are not part of the welcome wagon. Funny, we’re giving a sermon on gay rights on a wedding site!
Resuming addressing the question in another light… Simply put: enjoy your special day… remember the focus of your milestone is love, not conventions… and don’t get complacent after you’re officially “off the market”.
All Photos by Joseph Mayers Photography
