Gabby + Blake by Megan Kelly

We approached styling with a light touch.

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

We’re both creatives, which naturally shapes so much of how we live and work. Blake is a tattoo artist, and I work in the content space, as well as owning two photo studios. Our warehouses happen to sit right next door to each other, so our days are often intertwined.

Outside of work, we’re drawn to slower environments. We spend a lot of time driving through the hinterland, discovering old towns with a sense of history, places with character, aged buildings, and considered architecture. That kind of setting has always resonated with us more than anything overly polished. This shaped the inspiration behind the venues we picked for our wedding.

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

We both grew up in Brisbane and had mutual friends, but somehow never actually crossed paths until 2022. We ended up matching on Hinge and decided to meet that same night for a drink. It felt so natural, like we had known each other for years.

From that night on, things moved quickly in the best way. We naturally fell into each other’s lives and routines, and it wasn’t long before we were spending almost every day together. It all felt very effortless and certain from the beginning.

Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes, etc.).

The direction was always simple, understated, but considered. We weren’t drawn to anything overly styled or trend-led, more something that felt quiet and intentional.

A lot of the vision came from time spent driving through our favourite small towns, looking at older buildings with character. We were drawn to places with history and structure, and wanted the venues themselves to do most of the talking rather than layering too much on top.

We ended up choosing a 130-year-old church on a macadamia farm for the ceremony, and a 120-year-old hall for the reception. Both had a strong sense of identity already, which shaped everything else.

Many of our friends described it as a very traditional Australian wedding, yet refined and elevated in a way that reflected us.

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 venues themselves were the strongest visual element, so we approached styling with a light touch. Both spaces already had so much character, and it felt more important to highlight that than compete with it.

The church, set among macadamia trees, didn’t need much added. We kept everything around it quite minimal so the space could speak for itself.

The reception hall was similar. Being over 100 years old, it already had a strong presence, so we focused on softening it rather than transforming it completely. Draping and candlelight added warmth and atmosphere, but still allowed the structure of the building to come through.

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

One of my favourite parts of the planning process was gathering inspiration and slowly shaping the vision. I had a very extensive Pinterest board that I kept adding to, which helped me refine what I was drawn to over time. It felt really creative and exciting in those early stages.

As the planning progressed, I realised how important it was to have the right support around you. If I had one piece of advice, it would be to invest in a great wedding planner. Having someone who understands your vision, manages the logistics, and keeps everything moving behind the scenes is invaluable. It allowed us to stay present and actually enjoy the process rather than feel overwhelmed by it.

Also, trusting your instincts is key. It’s easy to get caught up in what you think you should do, but the best decisions were always the ones that felt most aligned with us.

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

We were incredibly lucky with our vendors, but The Romantics Weddings were truly a standout. The girls were an absolute dream to work with from start to finish. They understood the vision so intuitively and were able to translate everything from my Pinterest board into something real, cohesive, and even more beautiful than I had imagined.

They brought such a calm, considered energy to the entire process, which made a huge difference. Nothing ever felt too difficult, and every detail was handled with so much care and intention. On the day itself, everything ran seamlessly, which allowed us to fully relax and enjoy every moment.

Having a team that not only executes your vision but elevates it is so special, and we felt incredibly supported throughout the entire experience.

Second to this, our guests loved the music performances throughout the day. We had a beautiful Harp player, Lake Kelly, at our ceremony cocktail hour in the gardens. At our reception, we had a 70s cover band, Late For Woodstock, and finished off with our favourite DJ, Jack Rabbit. Each performance matched the mood of the day perfectly.

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

My dress was created by Kate Willa, who is also a friend of mine, which made the entire experience even more special. Being able to collaborate with someone you trust on such a personal piece is really special, and it felt like a very natural and organic process. One of the most special parts is that she named the dress after me.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

My engagement ring has a bit of a full-circle story. About eight years ago, I pinned an image of a Louise Jean oval trilogy ring to my vision board, long before I ever met Blake. It was always my dream ring, and something I was very drawn to aesthetically. To now be wearing that exact style every day feels incredibly special.

When it came to the wedding band, it felt right to continue with Louise Jean. It keeps everything consistent, both visually and in terms of the story behind it.

Blake’s ring was handmade by a close friend of ours, Aidan Rice, which made it feel even more personal. We’ve always tried to support our friends’ businesses where we can, and it felt important to carry that into the wedding as well.

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 one of the biggest priorities for us from the beginning. We always knew how important it would be to have the day captured in a way that felt authentic and true to the atmosphere, rather than overly posed or staged.

We were so lucky to work with Megan Kelly and her husband Toby, who completely understood that balance. Their approach felt very natural, which allowed us to stay present while still knowing everything was being documented beautifully.

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

One of the most defining moments happened straight after the ceremony. We stepped into the gardens and had each other’s initials tattooed by a friend. A quiet nod to Blake’s world, and something that felt fitting.

Another moment that stands out is driving away from the ceremony in Blake’s brother-in-law’s vintage Series 1 Defender, my dream car!

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

It’s less about a shift, more about a continuation. The foundation was already there.

For us, it’s about consistency, showing up for each other in small, everyday ways. Shared routines, time together, the quieter parts of the relationship.

There’s nothing overly defined about it, which is what makes it work. It’s steady, considered, and something that continues to build over time.