COFFS Harbour’s iconic Big Banana – the banana sculpture itself – became a wedding venue for the first time in its 62-year history on Saturday 17 October 2026.
The nuptials between Coffs Harbour historian Angie Derrett and partner Corey Murtagh have a lengthy back-story which began when Angie stood with her family under the Big Banana sculpture for a photo in 1965.
Fast forward to 2026 and their wedding, Angie wanted to celebrate embracing diversity and not letting the occasion be full of one-upmanship.
Themed Alice in Wonderland Meets Willy Wonka, the full-costume event saw the bride and bridesmaids arrive in two JJ’s Waste & Recycling garbage trucks, and the wedding reception was reminiscent of a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party in Wonderland.
“Often weddings are about outdoing each other and taking ourselves seriously,” Angie told News Of The Area.
“We do things our own way.
“I’ve never conformed.
“While respecting traditions, I’ve never confined myself to what society dictates; there’s not enough fun around.
“So, we have embraced how different everyone is and that we can all get on and have fun.”
In challenging the norms for wedding-reception catering, Angie ordered in lots of lollies, a sushi-making machine and a bubble-gum dispenser, among other quirky treats and trimmings.
One hundred family and friends attended dressed in fancy costumes, themed as requested in Alice in Wonderland meets Willy Wonka.
The Men’s Shed at Marian Grove, where Ms Derrett’s parents live, was fired into action by her father, who has a reputation in woodwork.
The prize piece among the creations was the Candy Cart.
All the centrepieces for the table were created by her mum who, with the help of her amazing friends at Marian Grove, also helped create flamingo croquet sticks for the reception.
“There was a beautiful community spirit that grew between the men working on this project,” Angie said.
In a modest understatement, Angie told NOTA: “The wedding reception was not your typical affair; there was nothing traditional about the whole day.”
Her sister took The Queen of Hearts as inspiration for her attire; Angie was Alice in Wonderland; while her new husband took on the guise of a cross between The Mad Hatter and Willy Wonka.
Angie said the wedding had exceeded her expectations.
“Corey and I are so appreciative of the Big Banana management being willing and open to support our dream of using the banana as our ceremony venue.
“And JJs Waste & Recycling were also incredibly generous and supportive.
“For so many of my friends, it was me arriving in a garbage truck that was their highlight,” she said.
Angie Derrett was born and raised in Coffs Harbour and began collecting Coffs Harbour souvenirs as a hobby.
“This, of course, included souvenirs of the Big Banana.
“I have since been a large contributor to the Facebook ‘Coffs Harbour Remember When’ page and created a series of historical videos on YouTube.”
When she donated family photos of the Big Banana for its 50-year celebrations in 2014, the photos became part of the slideshow for the anniversary.
“I entered a photo competition being run by the Big Banana and submitted photos of my collection.
“Their marketing manager at the time requested a meeting and subsequently I agreed to be involved in providing information and photos for the upcoming Big Banana book.”
When she and Corey became engaged in June 2024, she decided that, given their love and history with Coffs, and their eagerness to move back to the area, they would like to do something a little ‘out of the box’ and have their wedding at the Big Banana.
“We consider our wedding to be not only a celebration of our love for one another but also a celebration of Coffs Harbour, our precious friends and family, and the community we love.”
For the commissioned photographer Heidi Bell this was one of her most memorable jobs.
“It was honestly a dream to photograph something so completely unique,” Heidi told NOTA.
“Being there for the very first wedding at The Big Banana, with Angie and Corey embracing such a wonderfully bonkers Willy Wonka-meets-Alice-in-Wonderland theme, made for some pretty unforgettable photographs.
“I’m still completely buzzing from such a fun and memorable day.”
By Andrea FERRARI
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