Newlyweds Brittany Higgins and David Sharaz were shielded from the public by several private bodyguards who’ve looked after the likes of Johnny Depp and Princess Anne as they tied the knot at an extravagant ‘black tie’ wedding.
The couple got married at The Valley Estate on the Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon – a venue that prides itself on ‘luxury’ where packages for an 80-person wedding cost roughly $47,000.
That does not include extras like photographers, flowers, Ms Higgins’ $30,000 dress, Mr Sharaz’s tuxedo and a celebrant – all of which may have added an estimated $50,000 to the original price tag.
Groups of wedding planners, waiters and venue organisers pottered around the sprawling property in golf buggies, transferring boxes from one end of the estate to the other in the lead-up to the 3pm ceremony.
There were also rumours that a party bus transferred guests from the property to another venue to continue the revelry when the wedding officially ended at 10pm – with no expense spared.
But the most surprising inclusion was bodyguards from security company Exclusive Protection Service, which has protected the likes of Hollywood stars, the Royal Family and the cast of the fifth installment of Pirates of the Caribbean.
Brittany Higgins and David Sharaz married on the Gold Coast on Saturday
Brittany Higgins and David Sharaz have tied the knot in a lavish ceremony which may have cost up to $100,000
The couple got married at The Valley Estate on the Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon – a venue that prides itself on ‘luxury’ where packages for an 80-person wedding cost roughly $47,000
Ms Higgins is seen through a window of the chapel while wedding her long-term partner
Bodyguards from security company Exclusive Protection Service, which has protected the likes of Princess Anne , Johnny Depp , and the cast of the fifth installment of Pirates of the Caribbean, were seen at the wedding
According to the company website, personal protection is carried out by security experts who are trained to ‘neutralise potential threats’.
It quickly became clear that the perceived ‘threats’ were a few television cameras and photographers dotted around the outskirts of the property, hoping to catch a glimpse of the bride and groom on their big day.
Mr Sharaz, who arrived at the property in a maxi-taxi on Saturday morning, stepped outside his dressing room a couple of times while getting ready – but security were always quick to shroud him with large black umbrellas, despite the lack of rain.
At one stage, someone tried to shield Mr Sharaz by holding a pot plant in front of his head.
Ms Higgins was also heavily shielded with black umbrellas when she walked into the chapel.
While the couple were exchanging vows, staff created a corridor of umbrellas from the chapel to the reception area – so no one would be able to see the newlyweds enter the world as husband and wife.
Security teams used large umbrellas to shield the newlyweds from media crews
Despite the rain holding off, staff used umbrellas to protect the bride and groom from being seen on their big day
Brittany Higgins wore a long-sleeve, lace gown with a tulle skirt by South Australia designer Paolo Sebastian, which cost up to $30,000
Security stayed on site well into the evening, shining torches across the grounds to ensure there were no interlopers while friends and family cheered loudly while listening to speeches.
When the speeches were over, Ms Higgins posted photos of the moment they got married on Instagram with the caption: ‘Mr & Mrs Sharaz’.
It is unclear as to whether Ms Higgins will formally change her name. Mr Sharaz did not respond to questions about the matter on Friday.
One guest who watched the ceremony said the vows were ‘truly beautiful’.
‘I’m happy to say I cried happy tears while listening to them,’ he said.
Despite the wet weather forecast, the rain held out until well after the ceremony and only started bucketing down at about 6pm.
Former Liberal staffer Ms Higgins married her long-term boyfriend at a lavish ceremony at The Valley Estate in the Currumbin Valley on Saturday afternoon
Mr Sharaz was seen surrounded by an entourage of groomsmen and other assistants, as well as a sea of big black umbrellas
The cost of the venue included access to the whole nine-acre estate, but couples can also add extras – like $950 for a six-tiered champagne tower, an oyster bar for $28 per person, and a seafood grazing table for $60 per person.
The top tier beverage package is priced at $200 per person and includes a selection of cocktails and spritzes, as well as premium spirits.
Earlier on Saturday morning, Ms Higgins was seen saying goodbye to her now-husband at their $260-a-night hotel.
She then set off to prepare for the event with members of her bridal party, including her maid-of-honour Emma Webster, who wore a black Bianca Spender dress.
No politicians or celebrities were at the wedding but in attendance was the former sex discrimination commissioner Kate Jenkins, along with television producer Judi McCrossin who optioned the production rights to Ms Higgins’ unpublished memoir.
About 80 friends and family had gathered for the occasion.
‘Join us in making unforgettable memories,’ the wedding invitation said. ‘Come for the love, stay for the party.’
The venue is an old dairy nestled in the Gold Coast hinterland (pictured)
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