Australia Weather News

Getting soaked in the middle of your nuptials is every couple's nightmare when it comes to their big day.

But the weekend's torrential downpour got the better of Danny and Emma Gardner, who along with others couples on Saturday, had dreamed of a beach wedding on North Stradbroke Island off Queensland's coast.

Despite the forecast they had hoped to dodge the showers as they headed off to Home Beach at Point Lookout to become man and wife.

But the heavens opened just as they were exchanging vows.

The newlyweds just managed to get out "I do" when they were forced to make a run for the car park.

"The whole bridal party, we just legged it to the cars," Ms Gardner said.

"But by then I already looked like a drowned rat.

"Everyone was wet, it was a lot of fun actually now I think about it. We laughed a lot."

The good natured couple then headed off for a few bridal photos at Amity Point, during the deluge.

Stuart Quinn managed to convince one of the groomsmen to strip down to his underwear to hold up a camera light for a magnificent shot of the bride and groom.

Ms Gardner said her wedding dress and train were now "black" but she is hoping a quick dry clean will do the trick.

About 41 millimetres of rain fell on Stradbroke Island over the weekend and the wind gusts were more than 50 kilometres per hour.

'It felt like a mini hurricane'

Events organiser Donna Shannon was battling wild and gusty conditions back on Home Beach where she had organised a 40th birthday bash on Sunday.

"We always have a back-up plan but we rarely have to use but last weekend was an exception to that rule."

Her team had taken four days to construct a bamboo hut equipped with bar, kitchen, plants and bohemian furniture.

Ms Shannon said the strong winds and even heavier rain saw the hut "try to lift off before it fell to pieces".

"It felt like a mini hurricane," she said.

"It was horrendous, really the worst day I have seen this year."

The guests piled into the hut as it drizzled and they "partied hard" from 3:00pm, but two hours later everyone had to be evacuated.

"Everyone was wet by then, drenched to the bone," she said.

"We had a taxi ferrying people up and down to a back-up venue, and also back to their accommodation so they could change.

"It was full on, we had a two-piece band we had to ferry, all the food, the caterers, and their goods.

"Then around 8:00pm we realised we did not have the birthday cake so had to go back to the hut in the dark and find it."

She said the guest of honour and his friends thought it was all a bit of a laugh.

"Once everyone had a couple of scotches and champagnes they did not worry a bit really," she said.