100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

Wedding Belles: Shannon and Jody elope for a quiet, personal marriage

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

Brewery court battle goes another round

A popular brewery’s years-long dispute with Sunshine Coast Council has hit another hurdle. Coolum Brewing Co Pty Ltd, which operates Coolum Beer Co at 2 More

Petition opposes proposed bushland industrial expansion

More than 260 people have signed a petition opposing plans that could transform a large area of bushland into an industrial precinct. The campaign calls More

Disaster recovery funding backflip welcomed 

Local government representatives have welcomed a federal decision to retain disaster recovery funding arrangements. The Commonwealth will continue providing up to 75 per cent of More

Small business ‘brews’ regional expansion

A finalist in the 2026 Sunshine Coast Business Awards (SCBA) has expanded its retail footprint despite challenging economic conditions. Earlier this month, Slide Coffee Roasters More

International teams to join Veteran Games Finals

Australian veterans and serving Defence personnel are set to compete alongside teams from overseas at the Veteran Games Finals on the Sunshine Coast. A record More

Ashley Robinson: leave the time (and cows) alone

And here it is: my annual column about daylight saving time. On the first Sunday of October every year, the geniuses down south turn their More

“Our wedding day had everything we’d dreamed of.”

That’s what Shannon Brabon and Jody Hunter had to say after their elopement, which included a private and relaxed ceremony at a breathtaking location.

When they chose their venue they had a list of non-negotiables, which included no stress and for it to be organised for them with everything included, so they only needed to arrive with their wedding clothes.

When Shannon found Secrets on the Lake at Montville, she knew the search was over.

On the day, the couple settled in and enjoyed breakfast in their treehouse looking across the rainforest canopy and gardens to Baroon Pocket Dam.

When the time came, Shannon and Jody strolled hand in hand to the ceremony spot along the winding path fringed by tropical flowers.

Jody and Shannon enjoyed a relaxed wedding day.

They shared a deeply personal ceremony and didn’t take their eyes off each other.

At the signing table the couple was presented with their gorgeous wedding cake to cut, with a glass of bubbles, before a photo shoot in the lush grounds.

“We’ve been through so many ups and downs together over the past 17 years,” they said. “We’ve both grown and we know each other better than anyone else.

“We decided to elope because this is all about us and our life, our love and our commitment to each other. It felt so right.

Baroon Pocket Dam formed a stunning backdrop for their wedding photos. Picture: Ben Connolly Photographer

“Looking back at the day, it couldn’t have been more perfect – a beautiful destination with a wedding package including absolutely everything at exquisite quality.

“We loved everything and we loved that Secrets on the Lake even organised our secret witnesses.”

It was a dream wedding followed by a dream honeymoon, with Jody and Shannon sharing a once-in-a-lifetime trip to France, Switzerland, England and Italy, with the highlight being their time in Venice.

Their wedding photos were waiting for them on their return, with the shots capturing the tranquility, ambience and love in such a magical way.

Wedding Belles is contributed to Sunshine Coast News by Sunshine Coast marriage celebrant Suzanne Riley.

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
This field is hidden when viewing the form
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share