So the invitation said 'we love your children, but'

Sarah-Louise Anderson reveals how her $60,000 micro-wedding sparked family feuds, severed friendships, and taught her which relationships were worth keeping—all over ginger beer and missing guests.

Topics covered in this podcast:

Names and Identity

• The complexities of changing surnames after marriage
• Sarah’s decision to keep Anderson professionally while legally becoming Steinhardt
• Challenges with hyphenated names and bureaucratic systems
• The emotional significance of family names and belonging

Wedding Costs in Queensland

• Extremely high wedding expenses on the Sunshine Coast/Queensland
• Sarah’s $60,000 micro-wedding for 26 people
• Venue costs ranging from $7,500 to $18,000+ for hire alone
• How cost barriers may be contributing to declining marriage rates in Queensland

Marriage Philosophy and Personal Journeys

• Josh’s evolution from anti-marriage to pro-marriage advocate
• Sarah’s background of family dysfunction and initial reluctance to marry
• The importance of healthy marriages in building strong communities
• Marriage as a “bruised” concept that needs rehabilitation

Children at Weddings - A Contentious Issue

• Sarah’s decision to have a child-free wedding (with specific exceptions)
• The practical and safety concerns at their cliff-top venue
• Guest reactions and relationship fallout from the no-children policy
• Exceptions made for bridal party members and special circumstances
• The philosophical question of whose day it really is

Wedding Boundaries and Family Dynamics

• Sarah walking herself down the aisle instead of her father
• Planning and paying for the wedding before announcing engagement
• How pre-planning helped maintain boundaries against outside pressure
• The importance of prioritising the couple’s vision over others’ expectations

Guest Relations and Wedding Etiquette

• Last-minute cancellations and their financial impact
• Going above and beyond to accommodate guests’ dietary and drinking preferences
• The hurt of having personalised provisions unused due to no-shows
• How wedding behaviour reflects long-term relationship dynamics

Community and Support Systems

• The importance of having a reliable “village” for childcare and support
• How wedding experiences reveal who your true supporters are
• Sarah’s friend ensuring no ginger beer was wasted as an act of loyalty
• Vendor appreciation and the importance of professional service

Promo

• Sarah’s Noosa Picnics business focusing on proposals, bridal breakfasts, and intimate celebrations
• Plans for expansion to other locations
• The joy of working in the celebration industry versus high-stress real estate