On the lounge with Emily – QT Port Douglas
Q. What is it about Port Douglas that makes it destination du jour for weddings?
A. Port Douglas is a tropical oasis! Who wouldn’t want to get married here? It is literally a picture-perfect postcard paradise, which not only ensures couples will have fabulous photographic memories to keep, but it also means you check your baggage at the door; once you’ve turned onto Port Douglas Road you’ve left your worries behind! The Port Douglas bubble is one where people are always happy to help, the sun is (mostly) always shining, and the stunning tropical surrounds ensure you never run out of things to do – from rainforest to reef! Top that off with an army of events professionals who operate a variety of beautiful ceremony and reception venues, and an indulgent and cosmopolitan foodie scene – running away to Port Douglas to get hitched is a no-brainer!
Q. As relative newcomers to the well-established Port Douglas wedding scene, what does QT Resort offer to the happy couple and their guests that hasn’t been seen before?
A. QT is the new kid on the block when it comes to the Port Douglas wedding scene, but although we only opened in mid-2012 we’ve been super busy creating truly wonderful wedding ceremonies and receptions at our resort –Port Douglas has really embraced the injection of quirky, QT fun that we’ve brought to the table. QT is a truly unique addition to Port Douglas and we’re a brand that behaves differently – we’re all about cool design and bespoke luxury, which is executed with all the style and substance you’d expect from a 5-star brand, and delivered by our exceptionally talented and professional team of staff with unparalleled charm and sincerity. We can offer private tropical ceremony locations, stylish and original reception venues, inspiring and exciting menu options, refreshing and creative beverage lists, and the promise of FUN for the bride and groom on their wedding day – nothing but smiles here! We’re here to take care of the last-minute details so that soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. can just enjoy their day, because that’s what it’s all about.
Q. What kind of couple gets married at QT?
A. Variety is the spice of life and we’ve run the full gamut of weddings and couples here at QT – from younger to more mature couples and retro-rockabilly brides to classic fairytale princesses. We’ve thrown reception extravaganzas for up to 350 guests, and also facilitated more intimate private dinners for 20 guests or less. We’ve hosted traditional family-orientated celebrations and also cleaned up after some wilder non-stop cocktail parties. And of course Port Douglas is a destination wedding hot spot, so we have welcomed couples from Cairns and the Far North region, as well as all across Australia, and even from across the ditch in New Zealand! The beauty of QT and our stunning resort property is that there is something for everyone, and we work hard to create a charming and unique QT experience for each client.
Q. The QT brand as a great reputation for a strong focus on food and beverages, what does this mean for weddings at your property?
A. At QT Port Douglas we’re really proud of the product and the popularity of our interactive marketplace restaurant, Bazaar, and our cocktail lounge, Estilo. Lead by Executive Chef Trent Barrett, our team of chefs work so hard to put together some amazing textures, tastes and combinations, and they do it all with a smile on their face. From canapés to buffets to alternate drops and set menus, we always use the freshest and most local ingredients when possible to showcase the Douglas region as best as we can. We also take a flexible and consultative approach to designing the wedding menu of a couple’s dreams – nothing is too much trouble for our chefs who love the challenge of incorporating new ideas into an already outstanding wedding menu. An equally important factor is the beverage selection and the quality of that service, and we’re confident that our international wine list contains something to suit everybody’s tastes, whilst our team of extremely talented cocktail bartenders can shake (or stir) cocktails with the best of them. Hot tip – try the Hibiscus Martini, it’s a favorite of ours!
Q. Finally, what other extras does QT provide that perhaps the others can’t?
A. It is the QT experience as a whole, and the exceptional service that it is delivered with, that sets us apart from other wedding ceremony and reception providers. That said, our stunning property and all of its outlets provide myriad ways for the bride and groom to milk the QT experience for all that its worth!
The Estilo deck, lawn and BBQ area are perfectly suited to ‘Welcome to Port Douglas’ drinks when everybody arrives in town, as well as a recovery BBQ for sore heads the day after the big day. Our beautiful designer concept spa, spaQ, offers a range of luxurious beauty and body treatments that will make the bride feel and look her absolute best, as well as a gymnasium, tennis courts and lap fool facility for those who want to stay active during their stay. We have Hen’s packages available in spaQ and Estilo bar, designed for the ultimate girl’s weekend getaway, which the bride can also use to do some on-the-ground planning and research! Additionally, between June and October every year we host Moonlight Cinema, an outdoor cinema playground screening old classics and new releases across the weekend. We offer resort guests complimentary use of our super-cute retro bicycles too, which are not only stylish but environmentally friendly too, and a great way for family and friends to get around town.
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