Zoe & Mikaela | 01.06.26 | The Bearded Dragon, Tamborine

There's something about two best friends finally getting to promise forever to each other that just hits different. Zoe and Mikaela's wedding was the perfect way to kick off June, and if you're after some serious Tamborine Mountain wedding inspiration (or you're just nosy and love a good love story, no judgement), grab a cuppa and settle in, because this one's a goodie.

These two ladies said "I do" at the wonderfully quirky Bearded Dragon Hotel, tucked into the base of Mount Tamborine in the Scenic Rim. Sitting on more than 100 acres less than an hour from both Brisbane and the Gold Coast, it's the kind of hidden gem that makes you feel like you've escaped the real world entirely, which, let's be honest, is exactly what you want on your wedding day. 

Getting Ready, Bearded Dragon Style

With onsite accommodation at the venue, Zoe and Mikaela got ready in separate rooms, each surrounded by their mums and bridal party. Cue the laughter, the happy tears, the "wait, can someone zip me up" moments, and all the chaos and joy that comes with bridal prep. Hair and makeup magic was worked by the team at Hollywood Brides, who know a thing or two about keeping brides calm, glowing, and camera-ready through a Queensland wedding morning.

Honestly, there's nothing quite like the energy of a getting-ready room. It's loud, it's giggly, somebody's always misplaced a bobby pin, and there's an undercurrent of "oh my gosh this is actually happening" running through the whole room. As the wedding photographer in the room capturing it all, it's one of my favourite parts of the entire day.

Having the getting ready, ceremony, and reception all in the one location turned out to be an absolute genius move. No convoy of cars, no stressing about timing between venues, no makeup melting in the back of an Uber. Just one beautiful property and a whole lot less stress. If you're planning a Gold Coast or Scenic Rim wedding and want my honest opinion, an all-in-one venue like this is a serious contender for the easiest, most stress-free wedding day format going around.

The Ceremony

The ceremony itself was put together by the wonderful Lauren Maree Celebrant, who created exactly the kind of beautiful, heartfelt ceremony these two deserved. Lauren has built a reputation as one of the best in the business across the Gold Coast, Scenic Rim, and Brisbane CBD, and it's not hard to see why. She's been named a finalist for Australia's Best Celebrant at the Australian Wedding Industry Awards in both 2024 and 2025, and watching her work, it's obvious every single word was written specifically for Zoe and Mikaela. 

Surrounded by their nearest and dearest, with the kind of golden Queensland sunshine that makes every photo look like it belongs on a postcard, this ceremony was nothing short of perfect. There's a particular kind of quiet that falls over a crowd when two people who are completely, unmistakably in love say their vows, and this was one of those moments.

Chasing Golden Hour (and Farm Animals)

We grabbed some gorgeous shots onsite at the Bearded Dragon, but the girls also had their hearts set on heading offsite for some extra photos. About five minutes up the road, we found ourselves at a private estate with the kind of golden hour lake views that make a wedding photographer's heart genuinely skip a beat.

And then there were the farm animals. Zoe and Mikaela were beyond excited to get some photos in amongst them, and honestly, the joy on their faces while a curious cow tried to photobomb their portraits was one of the best parts of the whole day. It's moments like these that remind me why I love this job so much. Being able to photograph two people so clearly, unapologetically in love, against a backdrop of rolling hills and golden light, is an absolute privilege. There's a softness that comes through in those quiet in-between moments that you just can't fake or stage.

Reception, Speeches, and the Dance Floor

We hurried back to the reception just in time for the girls to make their grand entrance, cut the cake, and head straight into their first dance, no lingering formalities, just straight into celebrating. It meant they got to actually be present at their own reception instead of ticking boxes, which is honestly the dream.

The speeches that followed brought the room to tears one minute and belly laughs the next (the wedding speech rollercoaster is a universal experience, truly). Then, once the formalities wrapped up, it was time to let loose, and that's exactly what Zoe, Mikaela, and their guests did, thanks to DJ Aaron Maybus spinning the tunes well into the night.

A quick word on Aaron, because he deserves it: if you're on the fence about whether you really need a wedding DJ or whether a Spotify playlist on shuffle will do the trick, please, for the love of all things sacred, book the DJ. A great wedding DJ does so much more than press play. They read the room, they keep the energy rolling between speeches and dancing, they take requests without killing the vibe, and they know exactly when to bring the tempo up or let things breathe. Aaron describes himself as a high-energy performer who specialises in weddings and corporate events, with a focus on sparking joy and keeping the dance floor buzzing all night long, and from where I was standing with my camera, that's exactly what happened. Zoe, Mikaela, and their guests danced the night away, and there was not a single awkward playlist gap in sight. 

A Huge Thank You

To Zoe and Mikaela, thank you so much for having me as your wedding photographer and videographer. Days like this are exactly why I do what I do, and I feel so lucky to have been trusted to capture it all, from the nervous, giggly getting-ready moments right through to the very last song of the night.

If you're planning a Gold Coast or Scenic Rim wedding and you're after a photographer and videographer who will capture every real, unscripted moment of your day (farm animals included), I'd absolutely love to chat. Angela Brushe Photography offers wedding photography and videography packages across the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, and Hinterland, and I'm already booking into 2027 and 2028. Head to angelabrushephotography.com to view packages and check your date.

The Wedding Team

Venue: The Bearded Dragon, Tamborine — beardeddragon.com.au
Photography & Videography: Angela Brushe Photography — angelabrushephotography.com
Celebrant: Lauren Maree Celebrant — laurenmareecelebrant.com.au
Hair & Makeup: Hollywood Brides — hollywoodbrides.com.au
DJ: Aaron Maybus — aaronmaybus.com