Mel and Ben win Wedding of the Year 2016

By:
Rebecca Crozier
/
Updated on: March 16, 2022

The votes have been counted!

From 300 gorgeous Real Weddings we featured last year, down to just 12 inspiring finalists, Cairns’ Mel and Ben Groves, together with Something Special Photography, have won our 2016 Wedding of the Year competition.

Congratulations! We’re so thrilled for them.

Mel and Ben’s North Queensland wedding embraced everything that’s tropical – pineapples, bright colours and – a torrential downpour!

“It was the WETTEST wedding I have ever been to,” recalls photographer Rowena Walker. “And the shortest photoshoot I’ve ever done.” In fact, it was the wettest May day in 96 years.

But despite a last-minute move from garden to undercover, and the fact that guests started the night with shoes off, Rowena managed to capture the essence of what was an incredibly fun and loved-up day. And the rain only added to their frame-worthy photos.

The lucky couple, who have yet to take a honeymoon, have won seven magical nights at the award-winning, boutique resort, The Havannah Vanuatu, flying with national carrier, Air Vanuatu.

Thanks to our other 11 finalists – we wish they could all be the winners! They’ve been such an inspiration and for that we’re truly grateful.

Here are some of our favourite photos from Something Special Photography that sum up what we love about this winning wedding.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Tags & Categories

Styles: Classic

Setting: Garden / Chapel

Colours:

Tags: wedding of the year

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Photographer Photographer: Something Special Photography