Brittany Higgins and her new husband David Sharaz kept their wedding guest list tight with a modest 80 attendees, but managed to send an invite to the groom’s favorite psychic.
The couple hosted Canberra-based paranormal medium Carrie de Block at their venue, The Valley Estate in Currumbin Valley, on Saturday.
Mr. Sharaz is a fan of Ms. de Block, claiming her services are “highly sought after and often blow clients away.” The Australian reported.
He is said to have regularly sought Ms De Block’s help, although his new wife is not believed to be a client.
The surprise invitation was likely to come as a shock to the many politicians and celebrity friends of the couple who were turned away, including Ms Higgins’ close friend, TV journalist Lisa Wilkinson.
Brittany Higgins and her new husband, David Sharaz, invited Canberra-based paranormal medium Carrie de Block to their wedding (pictured)
Wilkinson and Ms Higgins’ friendship continued after she became the first to make her claims that she was raped by her former colleague, Bruce Lehrmann, at Parliament House in early 2019.
Lehrmann has denied the allegations, but in April a Federal Court judge ruled, on a balance of probabilities, that Ms Higgins had been raped.
On Friday, a day before Ms. Higgins tied the knot with Mr. Sharaz, Lehrmann filed an appeal to overturn the verdict.
The couple has endured turbulent times since Mrs Higgins’ historic allegations, having faced a criminal trial, civil suits 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 that they were all there to celebrate my marriage to Brittany.”
Mrs Higgins wore a long-sleeved lace dress with a tulle skirt by South Australian designer Paolo Sebastian, which cost up to $30,000, while the groom wore a black tuxedo.
Mr Sharaz was surrounded by an entourage of groomsmen, security and venue staff, and draped in a sea of large black umbrellas to protect him from the media circus waiting outside the gate.
Other notable guests included former sex discrimination commissioner Kate Jenkins and television producer Judi McCrossin, who picked up production rights to Ms Higgins’ unpublished memoirs.
One person watching the ceremony said the vows were “truly beautiful.”
“I’m happy to say I cried tears of joy listening to it,” he said.
The speeches began at 6 p.m. with an eruption of cheers that could be heard far beyond the hall.
Ms Higgins’ father Matthew spoke, standing next to his partner Kellie Jago.
Ms de Block (right) reportedly regularly advises Mr Sharaz and claims her services are ‘highly sought after
Earlier, on Saturday morning, Mrs Higgins was seen saying goodbye to her now husband at their $260-a-night hotel before preparing for the ceremony with members of her bridal party, including her maid of honor 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 Katy Perry and Kris Jenner, among others.
Daily Mail Australia understands the couple’s wedding invitation referred to ‘The Sharazs’, but it is unclear whether Ms Higgins will formally change her surname.
The groom did not respond to questions Friday.
“Join us in making unforgettable memories,” the invitation read. ‘Come for the love, stay for the party.’
Mr Sharaz was seen at The Valley Estate late on Saturday morning, where he was protected from waiting media by an umbrella and surrounded by other security personnel.
The couple hired their own security for the big day.
The staff could be seen bringing trays of snacks to the groomsmen while cases of alcohol were brought to the kitchen.
A make-up artist, photographers and the wedding cake arrived around 11:30 am.
Set in three acres of landscaped gardens, The Valley Estate is, according to its website, the ‘epitome of luxury’. ‘A bespoke, one-off space designed to inspire celebration and reflection with loved ones.’
For a Saturday wedding in 2024, the venue charges a minimum spend of $47,750 for the venue’s many offerings.
According to the current price list, packages start at $35,750 for 50 guests and go up to $52,000 for 100 guests.
This includes the ceremony location, reception area and basic food and drink arrangements.
Couples get exclusive access to the entire estate for wedding photos and golf carts to get around in, as well as a playing field, security and a wedding coordinator, according to the brochure.
The eye-watering cost does not include use of the guest house, which costs $1,300 per night from Friday through Sunday. Couples can also add an oyster bar for an additional $28 per person, or a seafood grazing table for $60 per person.
A champagne tower costs $650 for five tiers and $950 for six, while the top drinks 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 outside expenses, meaning the cost of a photographer, celebrant, flowers or outfits for the couple must be paid on top of the minimum $47,750.
In December last year, the couple bought a castle in the south of France with the $2.4 million she received from the Commonwealth in compensation for the way her rape allegations were handled.
It is believed they moved permanently to escape their celebrity status in Australia.
After the ruling in April, Ms Higgins released a statement on Instagram saying she felt vindicated: “I was raped. No amount of judgment could ever 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 victims.”