Danielle + Jack by Matt Godkin

We loved the mix of long and round tables, sculptural florals and cocoa velvet draping.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

We’re both drawn to beautiful experiences and the way different elements can come together to create something memorable. We love music, travelling, sharing great food and wine with family and friends, discovering inspiring places, and finding beauty in thoughtful design. Above all, we value connection and creating moments that feel meaningful, relaxed and authentic.

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

We met in 2014 while living at Campus East at the University of Wollongong. It wasn’t long before Danielle noticed Jack (she’s always had a soft spot for tall boys) and was intrigued by someone who’d grown up between the city and the country, but wasn’t your typical country boy. At 6’6”, with earrings, a love of drum and bass and AFL, he was a little different from what she expected. But after a sweet kiss on Jack’s birthday and a few coffee dates, she was eager to get to know the big heart, curious mind and caring nature behind the tall frame.

Jack’s first impression of Danielle was that she was beautiful, but it was her warmth and easy-going nature that drew her in. He remembers feeling nervous whenever they spent time together, but at the same time, there was an unexpected sense of comfort. Being around her just felt natural.

As they got to know each other through coffee dates, beach walks and early morning adventures/sunrises, he realised she was someone special. She had a way of making every conversation feel meaningful and every ordinary moment feel memorable. Looking back now, it seems obvious that something important had started all those years ago.

Little did he know that the girl he met at University would become his best friend, greatest support and the person he’d choose to spend the rest of his life with.

What styling and visual elements worked best for you?

The setting at Rowlee Wines was the perfect foundation for the day. Surrounded by manicured gardens and rolling hills in Orange, we wanted the celebration to feel connected to the landscape while drawing inspiration from European entertaining and fashion.

We loved the mix of long and round tables, sculptural florals and cocoa velvet draping, which added warmth and an autumnal richness to the space. Danielle also designed a contemporary bonbonniere inspired by matchbox-style slider boxes, filled with five sugared almonds and a note for each guest: a modern take on a traditional gesture.

Music was another important element. From Lueth Ajak’s jazz and soul acoustics during Aperitivo hour to dancing beneath the stars with our close friend Chris Barker DJing, every detail contributed to the atmosphere we were hoping to create: elevated, fun and deeply personal.

What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

One of our favourite parts of the planning process was developing a clear vision for the day and then watching it come to life. We loved collaborating with vendors who understood exactly what we were trying to create and brought so much creativity and expertise to the process. Jack – curating the music experience and song selections.

Our advice for other couples would be to stay true to yourselves and focus on how you want the day to feel. Once you have that guiding vision, every decision becomes a little easier. Trust the people you’ve chosen, enjoy the process, and remember that the moments your guests will cherish most are the ones that feel genuine and full of joy.

Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?

We were incredibly fortunate to work with an amazing team of creatives who each brought something special to the day.

The cake was a true standout. Crafted by Torte by Mirjana with a design vision by La Nipotina, it felt more like a couture fashion piece than a traditional wedding cake.

Our friend and florist, Sammy Bate, has known us since we first met, so entrusting her with the flowers felt like the most natural choice. We gave her complete creative freedom, and what she created felt both deeply personal and effortlessly beautiful.

The groomsmen’s custom brooches, created by Tessarella and inspired by Jack’s vintage-sourced Monet brooch, brought a modern sculptural detail to the classic black-tie look.

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?

Olivia Deur and Anya from L’eto created my looks with such care and artistry, transforming an initial vision into something deeply personal.

I knew from the beginning that wedding dress shopping wasn’t going to be straightforward. I’ve never naturally gravitated towards dresses or gowns, and finding something that felt both authentic to me and worthy of the moment felt daunting. It wasn’t until meeting Olivia that I felt completely at ease. What began as a collection of inspiration images, vision boards and sketches evolved dramatically throughout the design process. Across countless fittings, ideas were refined, silhouettes shifted, and details emerged organically. Design appointments soon turned into glasses of champagne, plenty of laughter and a genuine friendship, making the entire experience one of my favourite parts of wedding planning.

My ceremony gown was a custom Olivia Deur creation designed to embody soft, romantic elegance with a sculptural modern edge. We envisioned something understated yet striking, allowing the drama to live within the fabric itself. Each layer and angle of silk was meticulously draped on the body, creating a gown that felt completely individual while enhancing my natural shape. A delicate tulle veil introduced movement and lightness, while a pointed-toe wedge by Toteme added an unexpected contemporary finish.

For my second look, I wanted something playful, fashion-forward and entirely true to my personality. I always knew I wanted to wear pants, and the cream lace two-piece set felt like the perfect expression of that. The halter-style top featured a soft drape and open back with flowing ribbon ties, paired with fluid wide-leg lace trousers.

While the two looks felt distinctly different, they were united through soft draping, movement and a sense of ease.

Jack’s custom P Johnson tuxedo was crafted from a luxurious Loro Piana wool-silk fabric. The double-breasted jacket featured a low, wide shawl lapel and was paired with double-pleated trousers. An intentionally oversized bow tie and a vintage-sourced Monet brooch brought an unexpected detail to the classic black-tie look.

The groomsmen wore coordinating P Johnson tuxedos, each finished with a custom Tessarella brooch inspired by the groom’s vintage Monet piece.

My bridesmaids wore Cris Sera dresses that felt effortlessly elegant and romantic. We chose autumnal tones that complemented the landscape and added depth to the overall aesthetic. The subtle variations in colour, silhouette and drape allowed each dress to feel individual while remaining cohesive.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

The groom always knew the bride was drawn to the emerald cut, complementing her more masculine-leaning style, and had a beautiful experience finding the perfect diamond with Cullen Jewellery.

Her engagement ring by Sarah & Sebastian is a considered, unconventional piece. Crafted in 18k yellow gold with a pear-cut diamond in a tension setting. Refined yet sculptural, it carries a quiet boldness that feels her distinctly. She styles it as a stack with her emerald engagement ring, the pear diamond sitting slightly offset to the left, an intentional, asymmetric pairing that feels modern, layered and entirely personal.

The groom was drawn to Sarah & Sebastian’s brushed range, landing on an architectural white gold band with a structured, flat silhouette.

What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on?

The overall guest experience was incredibly important to us. From the food and wine to the music and atmosphere, we wanted every element to contribute to a celebration that felt warm, generous and immersive, like a European gathering turned into a party.

We also placed a strong emphasis on fashion and styling, as they helped shape the overall mood and aesthetic of the day. Investing in these elements ensured the experience felt considered and cohesive, while still remaining relaxed, personal and true to us.

Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?

There were a few moments we’ll treasure forever. Missing the cake cutting during aperitivo unexpectedly gave us a quiet moment alone with our photographer. A chance to pause, take it all in and have some fun together amidst the celebrations.

Another favourite part of the day was sharing a speech together during aperitivo. Rather than waiting until the reception, we wanted to thank our family and guests while everyone was gathered beneath the trees, Negroni in hand, before the evening celebrations began. It was something we’d envisioned from the beginning and one of the ways we made the day feel distinctly our own. Seeing all of our favourite people in one place, bathed in the soft afternoon light, made the moment feel incredibly meaningful.

Another unforgettable moment was when the father of the bride surprised his daughter with ‘My Little Girl’ by Tim McGraw. This had been organised as a surprise with the groom and kept secret with fake run sheets and emails by the groom. As the father of the bride was a man of few words, the gesture felt especially meaningful and there wasn’t a dry eye in sight.

What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?

For us, being married means choosing one another every day and building a life that reflects our shared values, ambitions and dreams. It’s a partnership grounded in trust, friendship, support, respect and comfort.

We don’t have any grand rituals, but we do treasure the traditions we’ve created together: road trips, discovering new restaurants, cooking meals at home, heading to gigs and sharing a special bottle of wine. Whether we’re exploring somewhere new or simply enjoying time at home, it’s the experiences we share that matter most.

These days, married life has settled into a comfortable rhythm. Morning coffees, slow Sundays and time spent with our British Shorthair, Romeo, have become some of our favourite rituals.