‘Mr and Mrs Sharaz’: Higgins ties the knot

Brittany Higgins has shared intimate first photos of her wedding to partner David Sharaz.

The former liberal staffer tied the knot on Saturday at a lavish ceremony at The Valley Estate in Currumbin on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

The 29-year-old was hand-in-hand with Mr Sharaz as she walked down the aisle in a dress by Adelaide designer Paolo Sebastian.

“Mr and Mrs Sharaz”, Ms Higgins wrote in an Instagram post shared by the couple later that evening.

The newlyweds were pictured embracing before departing the bespoke wedding hall under a shower of confetti.

An attendee described their vows as “truly beautiful”.

“I’m happy to say I cried happy tears listening to them,” they said.

“They deserve every possible happiness in their life. Their family and friends are lovely people. What a joyful day.”

Ms Higgins had been closely guarded by a wall of umbrellas when entering the venue on Saturday, but was later snapped in the flowing gown.

Shielded by further dark-coloured umbrellas, Ms Higgins was pictured mingling with guests following the ceremony on the Gold Coast.

She was earlier spotted a garment bag Adelaide-based design house Paolo Sebastian, dresses from which cost between $15-30,000.

A number of guests were seen arriving at the exclusive venue at Currumbin on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

Among them was Kellie Jago, father Matthew Higgins’ girlfriend and a Brisbane schoolteacher.

Other attendees included former Labor MP Emma Husar.

Groom-to-be arrives for lux Queensland wedding

Mr Sharaz looked dapper as he arrived for the ceremony about 3pm on Saturday, dressed in a tuxedo with polished pointed black shoes.

The former radio newsreader was partially blocked from the view of waiting media by umbrellas as he made his way from the car to the ceremony.

About 80 guests have arrived at the property, though it’s understood the ceremony has been delayed because of the noise from a helicopter flying overhead.

EYE-WATERING WEDDING BILL REVEALED

The couple are expected to tie the knot at the stunning The Valley Estate venue at Currumbin Water, about 25km south of the Gold Coast on Saturday afternoon, following their engagement at Byron Bay on New Year’s Eve in 2022.

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 co-ordinator, 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 vendors, 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.

Ms Higgins was spotted on Saturday morning leaving her hotel with a Paolo Sebastian garment bag.

Paolo Sebastian is an Adelaide-based design house whose wedding dresses cost between $15-30,000.

SECURITY BLITZ

In the lead up to Saturday afternoon’s ceremony, security were seen patrolling the property.

Security is included in the venue hire fee for Valley Estate, though it is not known if extra patrols were conducted ahead of the high profile wedding.

Four staff members, three men and a woman, were stood just inside the front gates to the property stopping cars as they came in to check their names off a list.

SHARAZ’S GUSHING POST

Hours before the ceremony, Mr Sharaz shared a gushing post to Instagram reflecting on the early days of his relationship with his soon-to-be wife.

Sharing a screenshot of a text exchange between the pair where the then-Sky News producer had sent a photo of Ms Higgins to herself in error, he wrote: “Accidentally sent a girl I had a crush on … a photo of herself.”

“Few years later and we’re getting married! Rom-coms do exist.”

In the text exchange, Mr Sharaz tried to cover up his error before confessing he had been intending to show a female friend what Ms Higgins looked like but had accidentally sent the image to her instead.

Ms Higgins replied: “Hahahahah. That’s amazing.”

INSIDE LUXURY VENUE

The Valley Estate boasts an elegant red-brick “manor”, chapel and jetty and an open terrace space with fountains and beautiful lawns.

“The Manor is a bright and impossibly beautiful space that features dramatic arched windows and grand chandeliers,” the venue’s website states.

“A space where industrial influences and textures coalesce.

“There’s truly no better place for your reception – a place where memories are made.”

The venue also hosts multiple settings for the ceremony, including a non-denominational chapel and a jetty on the bank of a lake.

“The Valley Estate Chapel is wildly charming, understated and exquisitely finished,” the website states.

“Antique oak pews and lead glass windows frame spectacular hinterland views.”

The venue has been featured in multiple media outlets, including Vogue Magazine and Ocean Road Magazine.

TUMULTUOUS LEAD UP

The joyous day comes following years of turmoil for Ms Higgins after she was raped in Parliament House by disgraced Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann.

Judge Michael Lee, in a widely watched verdict in Mr Lehrmann’s defamation case against the Ten Network, found on the balance of probabilities Mr Lehrmann raped Ms Higgins.

Lehrmann has maintained his innocence, and on Friday night launched an appeal against the Federal Court’s findings, in which he will be representing himself.

Ms Higgins is also in the middle of another defamation case brought by former Defence Minister Senator Linda Reynolds.

Ms Reynolds is suing Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz for social media posts they made in which the senator claims her reputation was damaged.

Mr Sharaz announced in April that he wanted to drop out of the court battle because he could not afford to fund the proceedings.

The defamation matter is headed for trial on July 24 after peace talks failed to settle during mediation sessions held in May.

Ms Higgins and Mr Sharaz relocated to Lunas, in the south of France, in December 2023, about a year after she was awarded $2.4 million in compensation from the Commonwealth.