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Wedding Belles: Matthew and Claire’s big day upstaged by beloved beagle

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Matthew Cushway and Claire Hooker held back tears when their eyes met as she walked down the aisle for their special day.

Rain meant an extra 40 minutes of nerves for the bride, but it was worth it as the sky cleared, the chairs were dried and the sun shone down for their perfect wedding.

The 60 guests, their favourite people in the world, were treated to an elegant, fun and genuine ceremony at Spicers Clovelly Estate, Montville.

There was one particularly special furry guest, their adored beagle Roman, who decided he didn’t like the wet grass and performed a stiff halt on his ring-bearing aisle entrance.

With a taut lead unable to be moved – to the laughter of everyone present – he was scooped up and, still completely stiff, carried to the groom.

Roman also made a cameo appearance on the couple’s cake with a small dog figurine featured taking a bite out of the icing.

Matthew and Claire with Roman the beagle. Picture: Amie Forbes Photography

This was Claire’s dream garden wedding, and after months of planning it was perfect – a personal, fun and genuine ceremony with laughter and tears.

Clovelly Estate was lush with greenery, the couple surrounded by flowers and their loved ones, every detail perfected by their planner Sharaya and her dream team at the venue.

The evening was a fantastic party, with the best man attempting fine dance moves and splitting his pants for all to see, which the bride described as karma after he roasted her during the hilariously entertaining speeches.

Watching their parents’ reactions during the day was an absolute highlight for Claire and Matthew, seeing the emotions and feeling the love.

Matthew and Claire with their wedding party. Picture: Amie Forbes Photography

The couple honeymooned on the Cook Islands, which they described as paradise on earth, creating their first memories as Mr and Mrs Cushway.

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

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