Brittany Higgins and her new husband David Sharaz kept their wedding guest list tight with a modest 80 attendees, but managed to slip an invitation to the groom’s favourite psychic.
The couple squeezed Canberra-based psychic medium Carrie de Block a seat at their venue, The Valley Estate in Currumbin Valley, on Saturday.
Mr Sharaz is a fan of Ms de Block, who claims her services ‘are highly sought after and often leave clients blown away’, The Australian reported.
He has reportedly regularly sought Ms de Block’s guidance, though his new wife is understood not to be a client.
The surprising invite would likely come as a shock to the couple’s many politician and celebrity friends who were snubbed, including Ms Higgins’ close friend, TV journalist Lisa Wilkinson.
Brittany Higgins and her new husband, David Sharaz, invited Canberra-based psychic medium Carrie de Block to their wedding (pictured)
Wilkinson and Ms Higgins friendship endured after she was the first to air her claims she was raped by her former colleague, Bruce Lehrmann, inside Parliament House in early 2019.
Lehrmann has denied the allegations but in April a Federal Court judge found, on a balance of probabilities, that Ms Higgins was raped.
On Friday, one day before Ms Higgins tied the knot with Mr Sharaz, Lehrmann filed an appeal to overturn the judgement.
The couple have weathered turbulent times since Ms Higgins’ landmark allegations having faced a criminal trial, civil proceedings and intense scrutiny under the ever-watchful public eye.
When asked about Ms de Block’s appearance at the wedding, Mr Sharaz said: ‘I have friends from many walks of life and I was grateful to have them all there to celebrate my marriage to Brittany.’
Ms Higgins wore a long-sleeve, lace gown with a tulle skirt by South Australia designer Paolo Sebastian, which cost up to $30,000, while the groom wore a black tuxedo.
Mr Sharaz was surrounded by entourage of groomsmen, security workers and venue staff, and shrouded by a sea of big black umbrellas to shield him from the media circus waiting beyond the gate.
Other notable guests included former sex discrimination commissioner Kate Jenkins and television producer Judi McCrossin who optioned the production rights to Ms Higgins’ unpublished memoir.
One person 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.
Speeches started at 6pm with an eruption of cheers that could be heard from well beyond the venue.
Ms Higgins’ father Matthew spoke, standing next to his partner Kellie Jago.
Ms de Block (right) reportedly regularly offers advice to Mr Sharaz and claims her services ‘are highly sought after
Earlier, on Saturday morning, Ms Higgins was seen saying goodbye to her now-husband at their $260-a-night hotel before setting off to prepare for the ceremony with members of her bridal party, including her maid-of-honour Emma Webster.
The former Liberal staffer smiled as she left with a garment bag with the name of South Australian label Paolo Sebastian printed on the front.
The brand has designed outfits for the likes of Katy Perry and Kris Jenner.
Daily Mail Australia understands the couple’s wedding invitation referred to ‘The Sharazs’, but it is unclear if Ms Higgins will formally change her last name.
The groom did not respond to questions on Friday.
‘Join us in making unforgettable memories,’ the invitation said. ‘Come for the love, stay for the party.’
Mr Sharaz was spotted arriving at The Valley Estate late on Saturday morning, where he was shielded from waiting media by an umbrella and surrounded by other security personnel.
The couple hired their own security for the big day.
Staff could be seen ferrying trays of snacks down to the groomsmen, as crates of alcohol were taken to the kitchen.
A makeup artist, photographers and the wedding cake arrived at about 11.30am.
Set on nine acres of landscaped gardens, The Valley Estate is the ‘epitome of luxury’, according to its website. ‘A bespoke, one-off space crafted to inspire celebration and reflection with loved ones.’
For a Saturday wedding in 2024, the venue charges a $47,750 minimum spend across the venue’s many offerings.
Under the current pricing list, packages start at $35,750 for 50 guests and go up to $52,000 for 100 guests.
This includes the ceremony location, reception space and basic food and beverage packages.
Couples are granted exclusive access to the whole estate for wedding photos, and golf buggies to get around in, as well as a lawn games set up, security and a wedding coordinator, according to the brochure.
The eye-watering cost does not include use of the guesthouse, which from Friday to Sunday costs $1300 a night. Couples can also add an oyster bar for an additional $28 per person, or a seafood grazing table for $60pp.
A champagne tower is charged at $650 for five tiers and $950 for six, while the top beverage package, which includes a selection of cocktails and spritzes, as well as premium spirits, costs an additional $200 per person.
The minimum spend does not include any outside spend, meaning the cost of a photographer, celebrant, flowers or outfits for the couple would need to be paid on top of the minimum $47,750.
In December last year, the couple bought a chateau in southern France with the $2.4million she was awarded from the Commonwealth as compensation for the way her rape allegations were handled.
It is believed they permanently relocated to get away from their celebrity status in Australia.
After the judgement in April, Ms Higgins released a statement on Instagram saying she felt vindicated: ‘I was raped. No judgment was ever going to change this truth.’
‘I lived with the shame, humiliation, and fear of what telling my story would mean for my life and career, like so many other victim-survivors.’
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk