{"id":192609,"date":"2016-12-16T21:00:26","date_gmt":"2016-12-16T10:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/au\/real-weddings\/dancing-rain-mel-bens-soggy-special-tropical-wedding\/"},"modified":"2022-03-16T19:28:31","modified_gmt":"2022-03-16T08:28:31","slug":"dancing-rain-mel-bens-soggy-special-tropical-wedding","status":"publish","type":"au-real-wedding","link":"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/real-weddings\/dancing-rain-mel-bens-soggy-special-tropical-wedding\/","title":{"rendered":"Dancing in the rain: Mel and Ben&#8217;s soggy but special tropical wedding"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"lead\">Mel Coutts and Ben Groves planned their tropical wedding to time with the full moon &#8211; little did they know it would also be the wettest May day in almost 100 years.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;A couple of days to go before our garden ceremony and reception, the weather lady delivered the harsh news that our visions would not likely be coming true,&#8221; Mel, 27, says.<\/p>\n<p>Mel and Ben, 32, from far north Queensland, chose\u00a0Billabong Bed &amp; Barra for their tropical wedding, but the weather forced a last-minute change of plans.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Severe depression kicked in on the morning of, thankfully I had the best company to help me get over it and embrace what would be a surprise arrival. I had no idea where the aisle would be or how the wedding would be set up.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The ceremony, held on May 21, 2016, was moved from the grass to the deck, but the bride says it couldn&#8217;t have been more perfect.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It was just as lovely and memorable. One of the highlights of the day, hands down,&#8221; Mel says.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Not once did we notice the rain.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The celebrations with their 150 guests continued under a large circus marquee at the same venue, where guests later kicked their shoes off and danced in the rain.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We will never forget our wedding. Rain couldn\u2019t ruin the day, it just complicated things a little,&#8221; Mel says.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Although it wasn\u2019t what we envisioned, our wedding was perfect in so many ways. We have the most amazing photos and got to share those moments with our closest family and friends.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Photos courtesy of <a title=\"Something Special Photography\" href=\"http:\/\/www.somethingspecialphotography.com.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Something Special Photography<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-118279 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_SBS_001-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_SBS_001\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-118283 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_SBS_002-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_SBS_002\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-large wp-image-118177 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_006-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_006\" width=\"550\" height=\"825\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-large wp-image-118169 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_003-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_003\" width=\"550\" height=\"825\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-118182 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_008-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_008\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-118189 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_010-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_010\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-118190 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_011.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_011\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-large wp-image-118196 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_013-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_013\" width=\"550\" height=\"825\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Mel&#8217;s <a title=\"10 modern wedding dresses for modern brides\" href=\"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/articles\/modern-wedding-dresses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">modern strapless gown<\/a> featured a unique tiered skirt.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-118205 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_017-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_017\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-118200 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_015-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_015\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-118193 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_012.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_012\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-118175 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_005.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_005\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-118207 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_018.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_018\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-118198 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_014.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_014\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-118216 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_021.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_021\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>The happy couple paid plenty of <a title=\"Wedding decorating ideas\" href=\"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/articles\/wedding-decorating-ideas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">attention to the little details<\/a> to make their day memorable.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-118210 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_019.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_019\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-118219 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_022.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_022\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-118326 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_SBS_017-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_SBS_017\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\">\u00a0<img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-118333 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_SBS_019-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_SBS_019\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-118222 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_024.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_024\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-118224 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_025.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_025\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-118230 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_027.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_027\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>Mel recommends other couples <a title=\"Garden wedding practicalities \" href=\"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/articles\/garden-wedding-practicalities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">planning a garden wedding<\/a> have a back-up plan just in case of inclement weather.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-118232 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_028.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_028\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-118235 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_029.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_029\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-118243 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_032.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_032\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-118247 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_034.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_034\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-118346 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_SBS_023-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_SBS_023\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-118339 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_SBS_021-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_SBS_021\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-118262 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_039.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_039\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>The rain made for some <a title=\"Wedding Photographers\" href=\"https:\/\/www.easyweddings.com.au\/WeddingPhotography\/\">stunning photographs<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-large wp-image-118256 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_037-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_037\" width=\"550\" height=\"707\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-118259 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_038.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_038\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-118271 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_043.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_043\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" title=\"\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"clearfix\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-118412 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_042_SBS-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_042_SBS\" width=\"602\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-118354 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_SBS_026-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_SBS_026\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" title=\"\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" size-medium wp-image-118265 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/content.easyweddings.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_040.jpg\" alt=\"Mel_Ben_Tropical-Wedding_040\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" 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