BRIDE+GROOM
AMANDA & DANIEL 11 OCTOBER 2014
LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT AMANDA TAPIOLAS KNEW DANIEL BIGNEY WAS “THE ONE” AFTER THEIR VERY FIRST DATE.
W
hen Amanda Tapiolas travelled
wedding dress she tried on at Brides of Brisbane. She
over 500 kilometres southwest of
says despite trying on countless other dresses, nothing
Townsville to a rural town called
compared to that feeling she felt when she tried on the
Moranbah, she never could have
first dress. “The ivory dress had a fitted bodice with
imagined she would meet her future husband. Amanda,
a gorgeous and delicate Spanish lace overlay,” says
who is currently a doctor working in Palliative Care,
Amanda. “And the skirt was a pleated heavy satin with
was undertaking a rural placement in Moranbah for
a long train.”
medical school when Daniel Bigney was the lucky
The theme of lace was also present on the wedding
mining engineer asked to take the students on a tour
cake, which was made by Janine from Janine’s Cake
of the mine.
Art. It was a four-tiered masterpiece of caramel,
According to Amanda, they just clicked. After their very
chocolate and red-velvet mudcake. “It tied in with our
first date, Amanda says she knew Daniel was the man
theme,” explains Amanda. “It had cream lace, coral
she would marry. And she was right!
ribbon, embossed artwork and a painted gold tier.”
Four years after that first encounter, Daniel and Amanda
As for the wedding photographer, it was Cameron from
were married on 11 October 2014. “We were married
Cameron Laird Wedding Photography who captured all
by Father Dave Lancini at the Sacred Heart Cathedral
the precious memories. And Amanda says they couldn’t
in Townsville,” says Amanda. “Followed by a reception
have asked for more breathtaking images. “Our entire
at The Banquet Centre.”
wedding party loved working with Cam,” adds Amanda.
The theme was classical elegance, with pastel pinks,
While there were many moments Amanda and Daniel
coral and gold. “The main decorations for our wedding
loved from their big day, it was the few quiet moments of
were roses and candles,” says Amanda, who entrusted
alone time they treasured the most. Other moments that
Anna Gianoulis from Malpara Florist to create the
will stay with them forever include being pronounced
flower arrangements. “The end result was thousands
husband and wife, and their first dance. “Our first dance
of immaculate roses in large table centre wreaths and
as husband and wife was very special, we got lost in the
domes around the room. They gave the entire reception
moment in each other’s arms,” says Daniel.
venue the most divine and glorious aroma.”
While Amanda says it felt like the day was over in a
Just like Amanda had fallen in love with Daniel at first
flash, she also says she couldn’t have asked for a more
sight, she also fell instantly in love with the very first
perfect wedding day.
PHOTOS • CAMERON LAIRD PHOTOGRAPHY WORDS • NICOLE THOMSON-PRIDE
18 DUO MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2015 duomagazine.com.au