We really wanted to lean into that natural, lush rainforest scenery.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
We’re a bit of an “opposites attract” duo—Chloe is the chatty extrovert who loves a good debrief, and Bryce is the quiet, considered one who keeps us grounded. Chloe works in HR within community services, and Bryce manages a manufacturing plant, but our world really revolves around our Labradoodle, Bobby. We’re pretty simple people at heart; if the Brisbane sun is out, you’ll find us grabbing an iced latte and heading out for a long walk, and if it’s raining, we’re more than happy to just sink into the couch. We spend most of our time with our friends and family, just enjoying the life we’ve built together.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
We actually met at a mutual friend’s house back in 2017. We spent a little while chatting, and a few weeks later, Bryce took his opportunity to “slide into the DMs.”
He almost blew it immediately by asking Chloe out for a hot chocolate at 8 pm on a weeknight—she was already in her pyjamas, so that was a firm no. Luckily, we made it to dinner a few nights later and everything just clicked.
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).
The venue itself was the biggest beauty of the day, and we really wanted to lean into that natural, lush rainforest scenery rather than competing with it. It was so easy to design a beautiful day when you’re surrounded by the property’s architectural variety and deep greenery. We used this to our advantage when choosing our black tie dress code, as well as when designing our florals with Alana from Folea. Instead of a traditional or structured look, we went for a more whimsical “ground arbour” arrangement. It made the flowers look like they were growing naturally out of the forest floor, which complemented the organic feel of the location perfectly. By sticking to a palette of lush evergreens and white foliage, we achieved a vibe that felt sophisticated yet completely at home in the woods. Seeing the white lodge glow against the dark, moody trees in the rain was a visual we’ll never forget.
What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?
We loved the “big picture” planning and were lucky to be on the same page from day one—we just wanted the day to feel like us. Chloe has a real creative streak, so she DIYed a massive amount of the day, from the décor and tablescapes to the wishing well and invitations. It was so rewarding to see our guests enjoy all those little details we’d spent months obsessing over. The absolute highlight, though, was the individual love notes we wrote to every single guest. We used them as place cards for dinner, and it gave us a beautiful opportunity to reminisce on our favourite memories with everyone there. It made the reception feel so personal and intimate, and guests felt like they were meant to be there with us. It still gets mentioned nearly a year on!
Our best tip for future couples is to pick a few special things that make the day yours and let go of the rest. You can’t sweat the small stuff; honestly, nobody remembers the things that don’t go perfectly to plan. If you have the people you love there to celebrate, it will always be a perfect day.
Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?
We can’t thank our vendors enough, but our photographer, Emma Tkalcevic, was on another level. We’re both pretty photo-shy, but Emma made us feel so comfortable. We wanted an editorial feel for our photos, and she absolutely delivered—even while standing out in the pouring rain with us! Our on-the-day coordinator, Polly, was also indispensable. Since Chloe had DIYed so much, Polly was the one who pulled the whole vision together. She was onto every detail and spent the day running back and forth in the rain to make sure everything stayed on track so we could actually relax and enjoy the moment.
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?
We went with a black-tie dress code to match the venue’s black wooden cabins and stunning white lodge. Bryce wore a timeless tuxedo and looked the part. Chloe’s dress was from KWH Bridal’s bespoke collection, which allowed her to “build” her own style. She paired the bold bow of the Ines top with the sleek Karly skirt for something classic but full of personality. To feel more herself, Chloe ditched the veil and instead opted for the Lindy train, which was attached at the top of the dress to add extra drama and volume. It was her absolute dream dress—the perfect balance of timeless elegance and modern style.
For the reception, Chloe had secretly organised white mini versions of the bridesmaid dresses to surprise her girls. It was such a special moment when she walked out to reveal the matching look to her Maid of Honour (her big sister) and her three high school best friends. It was definitely one of those “memory bank” moments that made the party feel even more like a celebration of our favourite people – and created a very cool photo opportunity combining the black gowns with the white mini!
Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.
Bryce designed Chloe’s engagement ring with Kate & Kole. Chloe had a few styles in mind, but she really wanted Bryce to have the final say, so it felt more special—he chose a gorgeous oval trilogy on a yellow gold band. For our wedding bands, we went to Bryce’s family jeweller, Bill from B&G Jewellers. It was such a nice experience designing them directly with him. Chloe went for a beautiful half-diamond band, and Bryce chose a wide yellow gold band with a little off-center indent detail to give it a bit of modern character while staying classic.
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 our big “non-negotiable.” We upgraded our package to include a fine-art album, a second photographer, and extra hours. We knew that at the end of the day, the photos are the only physical thing you really have to look back on, so we wanted to make sure they were perfect. We had total trust in Emma, and every cent was worth it for the keepsakes we have now. Investing in the way your memories are preserved is definitely something we’d recommend to anyone, and if you can save time and effort by entrusting your photographer to create the album for you, do it!
Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?
Everyone fears rain on their wedding day, and it absolutely poured for us—an unusual rain event hit the Gold Coast that entire weekend, which, of course, caused some stress and worry. But in reflection, the rain was one of the best things that could have happened. While our guests enjoyed the cocktail hour in the Main Lodge, we ended up tucked away in a cabin with just our bridal party. We drank, we danced, we broke a few glasses, and we even made a makeshift speaker using a phone and a glass vase. Having that private, high-energy time to just be with our closest friends and soak in the magnitude of the moment was so incredibly special. It took the pressure off and allowed us to just be together. Yes, the ceremony looked a little different from what we’d envisioned, but those spontaneous, rainy memories are the ones we’ll treasure most. It proved that as long as you have your person and your best friends by your side, a bit of weather only adds to the magic.
What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?
To us, marriage is a beautiful way to formalise the love and respect we’ve shared for years. Nothing really changed in our day-to-day lives, but there’s something special about wearing our rings and being able to call each other “husband and wife.” It’s a constant reminder of the best celebration we’ve ever had. Ultimately, it’s just knowing that we have our best friend by our side for every moment life throws our way.
LOCATION Kwila Lodge, Mudgeeraba, Gold Coast, QLD, AU, @kwila.lodge BRIDE Chloe, @_chloebelle_ GROOM Bryce, @brycemcgregor PHOTOGRAPHER Emma Tkalcevic, @emmatkalcevicweddings CONTENT CREATOR Kris Simpson – Content by Kris, @contentbykris STYLIST By the bride ON-THE-DAY COORDINATOR Polly from Under the Arbour, @under.the.arbour FLORIST Alana Kerr – Folea, @_folea CELEBRANT Weddings by Maria Stauber, @weddingsbymariastauber ENTERTAINMENT Trent from Manu Music, @manu_music_au HIRE Plinths & Signage Stands – Next Event, @nextevent.com.au; Tablecloths – Mosaic Linen, @mosaiclinen CATERING Ridgeway Catering, @ridgeway_catering CAKE Yum Bakery, @yumbakery.au STATIONERY All Invitations & Table Stationery – By the bride SIGNAGE Next Event, @nextevent.com.au ENGAGEMENT RING Kate & Kole, @kateandkole WEDDING BANDS B&G Jewellers, @bg_jewellers BRIDE’S CEREMONY DRESS Ines & Karly Gown with Lindy Train by Karen Willis Holmes (KWH) Bridal, @kwhbridal BRIDE’S RECEPTION DRESS Giselle Mini Dress by Meshki, @meshki BRIDE’S SHOES Zara, @zara BRIDE’S ACCESSORIES Earrings – Gift from the groom MAKEUP Kimmi Knight, @kimmikartistry HAIR Millie Carter, @millie.hairstylist BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Tezza’s Tea Party by Zimmer Parfums, @zimmerparfums GROOM’S TUXEDO Saunders Tuxedo – MJ Bale, @mjbale GROOM’S SHOES Carbon Shoe – Bared Footwear, @baredfootwear GROOM’S FRAGRANCE Hero Eau de Parfum by Burberry, @burberry GROOMSMEN SUITS Dinner Suit by Oxford, @oxfordshop BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES Giselle Maxi Dress by Meshki, @meshki
