Chantelle + Jackson by House of Love Weddings

We wanted the day to feel like – elegant, simple, and intimate.

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

We’ve spent the last few years fully committed to ticking off our travel bucket list, exploring new cities and discovering local cultures along the way. Travel has become our shared passion, a way to learn, seek out new experiences and create memories that feel ours uniquely. We have just returned from a 3-week trip in Africa for our honeymoon, which for us was a trip of a lifetime.

At home, we love trying new restaurants and cafés, spending time with friends and family, and taking walks with our dog, Charlie. I work as an Operations Manager in Banking, and Jackson is a Commercial Refrigeration Mechanic. Between work and travel, we just try to make the most of every day, finding small pockets of adventures wherever we can and enjoying them together.

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

We met on Tinder and went on our first date soon after. From the very beginning, what stood out to me about Jackson was his calm, grounding presence; he has a way of making everything feel easy and settled. For Jackson, his first impression of me was my bubbly, outgoing energy, something that instantly made him feel comfortable and at ease.

We met two weeks leading up to my six-week trip to Europe, and in that short window, we somehow managed to spend almost every day together, fitting in as much time as we could. Even once I left, we stayed in constant contact, checking in with calls and messages every day across time zones. That time apart quickly showed us how strong our connection was, even from a distance. From the moment I returned home, we picked up exactly where we left off, and since then, we’ve been inseparable. Looking back, it’s crazy to think it all began with one swipe!

What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).

We went into the styling with a really clear idea of what we wanted the day to feel like – elegant, simple, and intimate. We didn’t want anything to feel overdone and kept coming back to the idea that we wanted it to feel more like a special family dinner than a big production. Once we had that in mind, it made decisions around styling feel a lot more straightforward.

The room itself had a quiet elegance to it, which meant we could keep the styling minimal and let the venue do a lot of the heavy lifting visually. The 180-degree views of the city became part of the styling in their own way. As the sun went down and the city lights came on, the whole space shifted.

We chose florals in deeper tones of reds and purples to bring warmth and depth to the room, adding a slightly moody, romantic feel without taking away from the simplicity we wanted. The floating candles tied it all together, and once the city lights were glowing outside and the candles were lit inside, the atmosphere felt really special.

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

For us, the most important part of the day was simply being next to each other. From the start, we planned everything with the goal of simplicity and intention, prioritising presence over tradition, and that focus shaped every decision throughout the planning process. The morning of the wedding, we even took a little time for ourselves, going for a walk and grabbing coffee together before the celebrations began. By keeping the bigger picture simple, we were able to focus on the smaller touches that made the day special, like writing a personalised note for each guest.

Our advice for those starting to plan their weddings- Amid all the details and celebrations, keep each other at the centre. Be intentional with your time, savour the quiet moments together, and don’t lose each other in the rush of the day. It’s a mindset shift from doing things because they’re expected to focusing on what truly matters to you and your partner. When you prioritise the moments that reflect your relationship, everything else tends to fall into place naturally.

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

What stood out most about our suppliers and vendors was how supported we felt, not just on the day itself, but throughout the entire lead-up to the wedding. There was a genuine sense of care that went beyond simply delivering a service. In particular, our photographers, James and Kirsty, became such a grounding presence for us during the planning process. They were there to help us debrief ideas, offer suggestions, and sense-check decisions when everything started to feel a little overwhelming.

They also helped us shape timelines in a way that felt natural rather than rushed, always keeping the focus on how we wanted the day to feel, not just how it needed to run. Having someone we could run things past brought a huge sense of calm and clarity, and reminded us that the planning process didn’t have to be stressful to be meaningful. That level of reassurance and quiet guidance is what stood out the most.

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

From the moment we decided on a registry wedding, I knew I wanted my outfit to reflect that energy—modern, understated, and a little unexpected, rather than traditional. After trying on dresses in Adelaide without finding “the one,” my mum, my best friend, and I turned the search into a whirlwind weekend in Sydney, hopping between boutiques with very tired feet.

In the second boutique, I found the dress which was completely different from what I had imagined, but instantly, it felt like me. Even though I tried to convince myself to keep searching, the three of us knew straight away. We honoured the rest of our appointments before circling back to KYHA just before closing to try it on one final time and said yes with fifteen minutes to spare. I was quickly drawn to the idea of a corset and skirt, but it wasn’t until I tried the dress on that I truly appreciated how the tailored feel of the corset worked with the softness of the skirt. The contrast gave the dress an effortless elegance, while the neck scarf added the timeless finishing touch that pulled the whole look together. 

It was just as important that Jackson felt equally considered in choosing his suit. He was involved in every detail. From selecting the fabric and refining the fit to adding personal touches like our initials embroidered in the sleeve and collar. Watching it all come together so intentionally made it feel his uniquely.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

Jackson spent months searching for the perfect ring. He wanted something simple, timeless, and elegant, and was drawn to Kate & Kole for their exceptional quality, refined design, beautiful finish, and thoughtful, seamless service, making it feel just right. Our wedding bands were crafted by Fili Jewellery in Adelaide. We wanted them to feel cohesive with the engagement ring while still having their own quiet character. We were after something timeless with meaning behind it. Each ring is engraved with our anniversary date, and we love how the bands complement each other so effortlessly.

What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).

Photography was a non-negotiable for us — it’s one of the few things you get to keep long after the day is over. We wanted images that felt editorial and polished, highlighting the venue, the atmosphere, and our relationship in a way that was natural and authentic. The goal was to capture small, genuine moments between us, the little interactions, glances, and laughter, while also reflecting the overall style and vibe of the day.

We also chose to prioritise our venue. With such an intimate celebration of just 15 guests, creating the right atmosphere was essential. We wanted it to feel welcoming, elegant, and truly special — more like a beautiful family dinner than a traditional formal wedding. This was also the same location we had our dinner the day we got engaged, which made the space feel personal and meaningful.

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

The moment we’ll always cherish most from our wedding day was when we intentionally carved out time for ourselves that morning. Before anything officially began, we went for a quiet walk together and grabbed a coffee, something that felt grounding and familiar amid the significance of the day ahead. Afterwards, we returned to our hotel room and shared a private vow and ring exchange, just the two of us. Without the structure of a ceremony or the awareness of being watched, we could speak openly and take our time. The calm, quiet intimacy of the space felt deeply personal and unfiltered (whilst allowing more time for the ugly cry to occur). Without the rush of schedules or the nerves of public speaking, we could simply be present with each other.

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

Marriage to us is choosing to be on the same team, a shared commitment to grow together, support each other and navigate whatever life brings side by side. It was never about the legalities for us, but about creating a moment to acknowledge our partnership and celebrate the life we’re building together. It feels less like a milestone and more like a continuation of something we already knew to be true.

One ritual we’ve promised to keep is a mini night/vacation away each year. We’ll take turns planning it as a surprise — a small tradition that gives us time to pause, reconnect, and celebrate ourselves.