There’s just something I love about surprise weddings. They’re a very emotional and special moment to be a part of, and they’re a sort of wedding that requires a special level of care. There are months of planning, being strategic and talking, and that’s just from me. For the couple its months of anxiety, stress and detailing how you want to announce the wedding. Some couples thrive on this, and for the couples who do, the weddings are a place of emotion, aka a wedding photographer’s dream. Ryleigh and Kelly’s day was different, however. And it’s not because of the reason you’re thinking… It’s not because their day lacked emotion, or that they hated being in the spotlight. It was because everyone attending their wedding knew it was a wedding. So, how was it a surprise wedding then? Well, I’m an LGBT wedding photographer, and I’ve been sitting on a secret for a little over a year now. Ryleigh and Kelly have actually been married for 2 years. This wedding wasn’t a wedding; it was an anniversary party. And not a soul knew.
Nestled in the foothills of Crescent Head, you’ll find Goolawah Bush & Beach Retreat. A large country-style estate with accommodation for guests and what seems like endless fields. This is the backdrop for Ryleigh and Kelly’s big day.
As an LGBT wedding photographer, I’ve actually shot my fair share of surprise weddings. These are often under the ruse of an engagement party, so pulling off a ‘surprise we’ve been married for two years’ sort of day was a little stressful. Walking in, it was common sense that the day was going to be emotional. And capturing these emotions was one of the top priorities.
Kelly & Ryleigh looked gorgeous, Kelly in a simple white dress and Ryleigh in a black dress. It was simple, elegant and also felt like them. After quickly getting a few happy snaps with their son, I headed down to the pavilion for the ceremony, and this is where the important stuff started.
Ryleigh walked down the aisle with her mum, followed by Kelly walking down with her dad. This is one of my favourite parts of photographing LGBT weddings. It’s a simple part of the day, but it speaks volumes. It’s a moment of strength and connections in families, which, for many in the queer community, has been lost. So seeing both brides walking down the aisle with their parents is an incredible site to see.
And this is where the story starts. On the 19th of May Ryleigh asked Kelly to be her girlfriend, on the 19th of May, Ryleigh proposed to Kelly, and on the 19th of May 2024 they made their love official and became wives. There’s a little chuckle but nobody has put it together yet. And that brings us to today, on the 19th of May 2026 we are all here to celebrate their 2nd wedding anniversary. This is the moment, the moment we’ve all been waiting for. The crowd erupts. There are cheers, there are tears. And there is everything in between.
What follows is a beautiful ceremony where Kelly and Ryleigh renew their vows, exchange rings once again, and, surprise, Kelly has taken Ryleigh’s last name and didn’t tell her. Queue the tears once again.
After working dozens of surprise weddings and LGBT weddings, I can honestly say this is one of the most unique weddings to date.
We didn’t spend long doing portraits, only 5 minutes, actually. They already did these on their real wedding day. But we quickly did some portraits, we kept it candid and light. As an LGBT wedding photographer its very important for me to help my couples feel comfortable in front of the camera, so I spend a lot of my time during portraits chatting and laughing with my couples. It eases the mood and really helps them open up and become more comfortable in front of the camera.
Generally, I do this, and we ease our way into some more posed photos; however, this wedding was different, and we just kept it light and candid so R & K could get to the party ASAP. They have been waiting 2 years for this after all.
We followed a pretty standard timeline for this: speeches, dinner, more speeches. And one more surprise. While everyone was eating, a mechanical bull was being set up. This was an absolute hit. Everyone had a ride, and I know for sure this wedding is going to be the talk of their circle for a very long time. It was for lack of a better word. Iconic.
Ryleigh and Kelly finished out their formalities differently from most. After the bull riding, a piñata made its way out in front of the DJ booth. 3 rounds later, jelly was all over the ground, all over me and everyone in my vicinity. This is the first time I have seen a piñata instead of a cake cutting as an LGBT wedding photographer, and I can easily say I’m a fan. It was a lot of fun. And finally, we headed into 60 seconds of the first dance, where the dancefloor officially opened, and the party started. I already said it, but this was an iconic night and one for the books.
Being an LGBT wedding photographer, sharing these stories is so important. Firstly, because of visibility and the normalisation of gay and lesbian weddings. But also to show you that weddings have no rules. A wedding can be whatever you want it to be. A big traditional day or an elopement where you tell no one and party later. It’s your day, and you can do it however you want. Remember that as you embark on wedding planning.
Read about another LGBT wedding here.