It’s not often Mel Diver is in front of the camera. The Ulladulla photographer made an exception for her wedding day however, tying the knot on Saturday, March 11. Mel and husband Mark Whipp, originally from Sussex Inlet, were married at Mollymook Beach. They later partied the night away at Mollymook Golf Club.

Eighty of their family and friends gathered to help the couple celebrate their special day, including Mel’s parent from Ulladulla, Kaye and Brian Diver, and Mark’s parents, Sue and Tony Whipp from Sussex Inlet.

Bridesmaids were Haley Mees, Unity Naysmith, Cheri Rance, Jessica Halliday and Jamira Diver. Sally Diver was Mel’s maid of honour.

Best man was Mitchell Timmins, while Mitchell Pope, John Naysmith, Ben Whipp, Thomas Cook and Ryan Mamo were Mark’s groomsmen.

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With 12 nieces and nephews between them, Mark and Mel had no shortage of flowergirls and page boys to complete the picture.

While she ‘loved it all’, Mel said a surprise fireworks display she organised for Mark was a special moment.

“We had to try and get everyone outside at 8pm which was a bit tricky but Mark was stoked,” she said.

While the surprise was a hit, it wasn’t without a few hitches along the way.

“The fireworks people put out notices to all the houses nearby before the wedding and they accidentally put one on our door, not knowing Mark was the groom,” Mel said.

“He rang me to ask what it was about and I told him it was for another wedding on the same night.

“As it turned out though, there was another wedding on that night and I heard they claimed the fireworks as their own,” Mel laughed.

Jason Cole from Cole Studios captured the day – a job that with wasn’t without its pressures when photographing a photographer.

“The photos were actually my main worry for the day but I’ve worked with Jason before and I love his work so I could zone out and not stress about it,” Mel said.

“It was very different to be in front of the camera but it was good to be able to relax and really enjoy myself.”

The couple, who met in 2012 at the Marlin Hotel, will head to America later this year on a well-deserved honeymoon. They plan to visit all the sights of California, including Las Vegas, Disneyland and the Grand Canyon.

They are currently building their home in Mollymook and look forward to moving in after their honeymoon.

Both Mel and Mark thanked the many providers who helped bring their wedding together.

“I'd like to make a special mention and huge thank you to Beth Nicholson at Mollymook Golf Club and Jen from As a Whisper Decorating, who did the decorating and flowers, for all their work, wedding planning and help throughout the whole process and especially on the day. They did an amazing job,” Mel said.

“I’d also like to thank Vanessa of Soulful Beauty for makeup, hair by Tash Owers, photography by Jason Cole of Cole Studios and WolfMoon for the videography, it was brilliant work.”

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