LOVE STORIES SHARED WITH
HONESTY, BEAUTY & HEART
HONESTY, BEAUTY & HEART
Meet our beautiful Narelle & Trev – they first crossed paths 16 years ago at University, introduced by mutual friends Cam and Lachie. Living in opposing halls of residence, their friendly rivalry began on the mixed netball court – where Trev was captivated not only by Narelle’s sharp shooting skills but by something more. After a year of friendship, one of them (neither can remember who!) sparked a conversation on MSN chat, and from there, the rest is history.
Their first official date was a classic dinner-and-movie outing at Chadstone, where they shared a meal and endured Semi-Pro – a film they both fondly agree was a terrible choice!
After choosing the engagement ring together, Trev stayed tight-lipped about when he’d collected it – and somehow managed to keep it hidden too! Over the years, Narelle had often hinted at her favourite spot on the farm: a peaceful waterhole that held a special place in her heart.
When the day finally came, Trev quietly went out for a drive to scope out the location and figure out how to get there. On his return, he told Narelle to get ready because he wanted to do a ‘photoshoot’ with her and their fluffy baby, Benji the dog. Narelle saw right through the plan but decided to play along. She was less impressed, however, when Trev paused at a gate and suggested she’d have to jump it in her nice dress – lucky for him, she let him back in the car after he got out and opened it properly!
Once at the waterhole, Trev set up the camera and convinced Narelle to pose. He discreetly hit record, then dropped to one knee and asked the question that would change everything. The result? Gorgeous images capturing the magic of the moment – the sparkling waterhole, the sun glowing behind them, and their beloved Benji right there with them both.
Get the big things locked in early, and provide a clear, high-level brief for your vendors – then trust them to handle the finer details. They’re the experts and do this every day! Make sure you collaborate as a couple throughout the planning. Even though Narelle focused on the details, she always shared ideas with Trev and welcomed his feedback and suggestions. And for the grooms: stay interested, be part of the journey, but be ready to support and go with the flow when it comes to what matters most to your bride!
Narelle shared “I fell in love with the Austin gown by Made With Love – there was just so much to adore about it! Simple yet elegant, it’s a timeless piece that combines classic beauty with a modern edge. The dress creates a stunningly flattering silhouette, hugging my figure perfectly – highlighting my hips from the front and, yes, showing off the booty from behind! Some of my favourite features include the low-cut triangle neckline, the fitted design that flows into a line of delicate buttons down the back, and the long, trailing skirt that looked absolutely incredible in photos. But the true hero of the gown? That breathtaking open low backline with its soft, beautiful cowl. It was love at first sight – and I couldn’t have been happier wearing it!”
We discovered Coonawarra Farm Resort – a place typically used for school camps! At first, Trev had a few reservations, but once we visited, he could see my vision and all the incredible benefits it offered. Like many venues, it gave us a blank canvas to work with – but at just a fraction of the price. And Coonawarra came with so much more: the breathtaking drive in with views of rolling hills and trees, multiple indoor spaces, a full caterer’s kitchen, an outdoor undercover area with BBQ facilities, a beautiful lawn framed by trees, and plenty of accommodation so all our guests could stay on-site. We even had access to the pool and canoes if we wanted them! One of the things we loved most was the flexibility. We were able to plan for both indoor and outdoor options and didn’t have to lock in our final choice until the day before the wedding. Coonawarra was everything we could have hoped for and more.
Our ceremony was filled with meaningful touches that reflected who we are. As the bride made her way down the aisle, we had brass band music playing – a nod to her love of music and passion for playing in a brass band. We were honoured to have long-time friends take part in our day. Ash, all the way from Canada, read a heartfelt prayer; Steph shared a beautiful poem; and Georgie and Lachie stood with us as our witnesses, signing the register.
For our first dance, we were lucky to have the bride’s sister – a talented dance teacher – choreograph something special just for us. We chose ‘Avant Toi’, a French song with gentle piano backing. The lyrics, meaning ‘Before You’, spoke so perfectly to our story: before you, there was darkness; but now, everything is lighter and better. It set the perfect tone without distracting from the moment (except for one friend who speaks French and caught every word!). The groom even explained the meaning in his speech, making it all the more special.
For Trev, beyond the unforgettable moment of seeing Narelle walk down the aisle, pulling off their wedding dance was especially meaningful. As someone who proudly claims to have two left feet, nailing the choreography – set to a song that held such deep significance – was a truly special memory.
For Narelle, it was hearing the beautiful, thoughtful words shared during the speeches. Listening to friends and family speak from the heart was incredibly moving. And once all the formalities were done, seeing everyone dancing, chatting, and simply enjoying themselves made the day feel complete.
It’s so hard to choose just one! Ella Del was fantastic – she made decorating so easy and was an absolute pleasure to work with. Our caterers were relaxed, professional, and served up the most amazing food that everyone raved about. And of course, Coonawarra Farm Resort was incredible – so accommodating and supportive, they really went above and beyond to make the venue perfect for us. These three definitely stand out in making our day unforgettable.
Accessories Sunglasses I Accommodation Coonawarra Farm Resort I Alterations Steph Mowat I Bars DIY I Bridal Gown & Veil Designer Made With Love I Bridesmaid Dresses Billy J I Cake / Sweets Rachys Sweet Things I Catering Friends of Family I Celebrant Reverend David Perryman I Ceremony Venue Coonawarra Farm Resort I Entertainment / Music The Baker Boys I Florist Benita Tscharke Floral I Grooms Attire Whiskey on Rocks I Hire Services Gippsland Music and Sound / Ella Del Wedding and Events I Honeymoon The Maldives I Invitations / Stationery Carded I Jewellery Jeremy Fleming Jewellers / Lovisa I Makeup Artist Makeup by Juana Jose I Nails / Tan Eternal Beauty / Golden Nail Care and Beauty I Photographer Lisa Hayman Photo + Film I Reception Venue Coonawarra Farm Resort I Robes, Sleepwear & Lingerie Amazon I Wedding Stylist Ella Del Wedding and Events I Videographer Four by Four Films
For real wedding inspiration, explore our heartfelt Real Love Stories, where beautiful Gippsland couples share their heartfelt love stories and wedding day journeys. Discover how local brides and grooms brought their unique vision to life, from breathtaking floral designs and meaningful styling details to the special moments that made their celebrations unforgettable.
For even more expert advice, planning tips and creative ideas, wander through the I Do I Do Gippsland Planning Section and enjoy all the inspiration waiting for you.
Hi! I’m Lisa. I live in Central Gippsland with my husband Derek, our two sweet girls, and our fur baby Elliot the cat. I have an unhealthy addiction to “The Block”, buy far too many indoor plants, and I have a secret obsession with the ‘Guilty Pleasures’”’ playlist on Spotify. It is important that you find someone whose work you love, but I believe it is just as important to find someone who will bring out the best of who you are in your photos. The truth is, your wedding is a once in a lifetime occasion – the two of you are about to start the most challenging, rewarding, and exciting experience of your lives together – and choosing someone to capture that day through photography is a big decision. My approach to wedding photography is to tell your story – as it happens. On the day, I’ll be your cheerleader, your seamstress (if ever required, ha!), your level-headed support person and your dance floor comrade. Your day is about celebrating your love story and I’ll joyfully be coming along for the ride. From run sheets to location scouting, I do a whole heap of prep in the lead up to ensure the day runs as smoothly as possible and we can get the very best out of your wedding day photography coverage.
I am so thrilled you are considering me to document your special day!
Our gorgeous Real Wedding, Bec & Phill – technically, we met back in primary school – but it wasn’t until Year 10, when our friend groups merged, that we really connected. After a bit of nudging from a friend, Bec finally made a Facebook account and started chatting with Phill online.
At the time, she was in full matchmaker mode – trying to set him up with someone else! During one of those chats, Bec told him that all a girl really needs to be convinced is a good sandwich and a little appreciation.
Our friendship quickly grew, especially through the back-and-forth teasing in legal studies class. Then, on the night of 27 September 2012, during a late-night Skype call, Phill asked Bec to be his girlfriend. Her reply? ‘Only if I get a sandwich.’ So, right then and there on camera, he made one – complete with banana peel and lollies.
For context: in those early Facebook chats, while doing the classic 20 Questions game, Bec asked Phill who he had a crush on. He gave a name – and she immediately shifted into wingwoman mode. But as fate would have it, it wasn’t the girl she was matchmaking that he’d end up with. It was her!
Our engagement took place during an unforgettable backpacking trip through Europe. Although we’d talked about getting engaged, there were no set plans – until Phill secretly packed the rings, determined to create a beautiful surprise.
Being a pair of self-confessed nerds, we’d always bonded over our shared love of Assassin’s Creed. So, Phill arranged for us to stay in a room overlooking the Duomo in Florence – right in the heart of the plaza. On our very first night, as Bec was getting ready for dinner, Phill played ‘Waltzing on Rooftops and Cobblestones’ from the Assassin’s Creed soundtrack and asked her to dance.
The song ended before he could ask the question… so he restarted it. This time, with Florence glowing behind him, he dropped to one knee and proposed.
Choosing my wedding gown wasn’t easy. I’d always imagined myself in something soft, flowy, and mystical – think fairy-meets-witchy vibes with layers of lace and whimsy. But I tried on a more traditional dress (mainly to make my mum happy), and to my surprise… I fell in love. The silhouette, the structure, the way it made me feel like an actual princess – and yes, it had pockets.
As much as I adored it, something still felt a little off – it wasn’t completely me. So I turned to accessories to weave a little of my own magic back in. I explored everything – celestial tiaras, gothic-inspired hairpieces, delicate capes and veils — but then I found her: the Rue de Seine Desert Rose Veil.
It was love at first sight. This veil brought everything together – the romance, the mysticism, the hint of the celestial. It became the perfect bridge between the gown I chose and the woman I am. The moment I put it on, everything just felt right.
Phill’s tip? If you’re setting up the venue yourself – double the time you think you’ll need. Those little finishing touches take way longer than expected, and having extra time makes the whole experience way less stressful.
Bec’s advice? Always come back to you two. Everyone will have opinions about how a wedding ‘should’ be – but the truth is, there are no rules. This is your day. You don’t need a bridal party to walk down the aisle, you don’t need speeches, you don’t even need a cake if that’s not your thing. What makes a wedding truly special is you – your love, your personalities, your story.
So take time to celebrate each other. Make the day a reflection of who you are – because that’s what everyone is really there for.
We looked at so many venues in the city, but in the end, we wanted to celebrate closer to home – where we both grew up and where most of our family still lives. After checking out a few local options, we fell in love with the charm and flexibility of Jeetho Hall. It offered the perfect blank canvas with plenty of character, and the cost made it even more appealing.
Being able to bring in our own marquee and not having restrictions around catering or drinks was a huge help when it came to keeping everything within budget. Originally, we planned to hold the ceremony inside the hall, but with more guests than expected, we transformed it into a relaxed chill-out space instead.
The location just felt right – warm, welcoming, a little bit country, and full of freedom to bring our own personality into every detail.
Some of the most meaningful touches from our ceremony were in the little details. All the dried petals we used were lovingly picked and dried by my beautiful mum and her dear friend – they had been growing and preserving flowers for months leading up to the wedding. Among the petals tossed by our flower girl were blooms from bouquets that Phill had given me over the years – a quiet, beautiful nod to our journey together.
One of the most special parts of the ceremony was having my mum come up and literally tie the knot during our rope-tying ritual. It was such a symbolic and emotional moment for us.
And while not traditionally ‘beautiful,’ one of our favourite, most memorable parts was holding a raffle to choose our witnesses! Rather than picking ahead of time, we called out three names on the day – with the first name drawn winning a meat platter we’d put together ourselves. In the end, a new friend and someone who’s like an auntie to me were chosen. It was unexpected, fun, and perfectly us – bringing everyone into the moment and letting our personalities shine.
One of the absolute highlights of our day was nailing our first dance! We had commissioned a choreographed routine through Fiverr – they sent us a video with all the steps, and we spent weeks practicing in our driveway, using chalk to mark out the size of the dance floor.
All that hard work paid off. The moment we pulled off the big lift and final spin, the crowd erupted with surprise and cheers – and it’s a sound I’ll never forget. It was the perfect way to wrap up the formalities of the night and made every minute of practice so incredibly worth it.
Honestly, I don’t think I can pick a favourite vendor – every single person who contributed to our day was absolutely incredible and left a lasting impact on us.
Donna captured our moments more beautifully than I could have ever dreamed. Racheal had everyone laughing and crying with her words. Xander’s harp playing was pure magic – so moving and soulful. Jamie kept the energy high, played banger after banger, and even let me live out my little emo dance floor moment (thank you!). The amazing team at Trullis were total superstars – they made sure Phill and I ate, drank, and got to enjoy a little of everything.
Behind the scenes, our hair and makeup team were calm, kind, and worked their magic effortlessly – even with my oddball requests and questions.
Every single person who showed up, shared their talents, and helped bring our day to life… you were all our favourites. We’re endlessly grateful.
Accommodation The Farmhouse at Hopwood Estate I Alterations Fairytales Bridal Boutique I Bars DIY I Bridal Gown & Veil Designer Fairytales Bridal Boutique I Cake / Sweets Cakes by Netty I Catering Trulli On Wheels I Celebrant The Ivy Aisle I Ceremony Venue Jeetho HallI Entertainment / Music Asterixx Entertainment / Xander Beach Harpist I Grooms Attire Panthers Menswear I Hair Stylist Hair by Diana Purvis I Hire Services Snap Photobooth Hire I Invitations / Stationery Canva / Zazzle I Jewellery Lovisa I Makeup Artist Batari Beauty I Marquees / Teepees Twilight Event Hire I Nails / Tan Gel by Jade I Photobooth Snap Photobooth Hire I Photographer Donna Lee Photography I Reception Venue Jeetho Hall I Robes, Sleepwear & Lingerie Shein I Transport Westernport Roadlines / 4 Door HQ Monaro / 2 Door HJ Monaro
For real wedding inspiration, explore our heartfelt Real Love Stories, where beautiful Gippsland couples share their heartfelt love stories and wedding day journeys. Discover how local brides and grooms brought their unique vision to life, from breathtaking floral designs and meaningful styling details to the special moments that made their celebrations unforgettable.
For even more expert advice, planning tips and creative ideas, wander through the I Do I Do Gippsland Planning Section and enjoy all the inspiration waiting for you.
Congratulations on your engagement! I’m Donna and I would love nothing more than to join you and capture your big day. I strive to capture those deep, emotive moments between you and your significant other with minimal posing and more authentic, candid imagery. I want you to reflect on your images and feel the love oozing out of them. My work is described as bold and romantic with a modern twist, but I ensure my images remain timeless and relevant. As your photographer, I love to hear what you envision for your big day and to help with pre-wedding plans to ensure your day runs smoothly. With some slight prompting and plenty of laughs, I promise our time together will be relaxed and full of fun!
Posted by ido-admin in Engagement on June 3rd, 2025
Our families were friends through another family, so we kind of grew up together – spending time on a few road trips over the years. We weren’t exactly friends outside of those holidays, but we’d always hang out during the trips.
Then came Fraser Island in 2017… and that’s when the sparks started to fly. The flirting kicked off, and something shifted between us.
Our very first date was at the movies. The film? Honestly – terrible. But we both lied and said it was great so we wouldn’t hurt each other’s feelings. Safe to say, we’ve come a long way since then!
Falling in love with Darcy felt so natural and easy – especially considering how young we were. From the beginning, we were inseparable and just never gave failure a chance. There was no awkward stage between us because we’d already built such a strong friendship, talking every single day. Now, we’re truly best friends, which is something really special. It’s been such a beautiful thing to grow up together and grow into our relationship at the same time.
We were in Hamilton Island on a trip our family had planned for Darcy’s birthday. I’d been before, but it was his first time – so I was excited to show him around. Earlier, he’d spotted a lookout from the pub, and later that day I took him to check it out. It was a quiet, tucked-away spot by the marina – perfectly private, just like Darcy wanted.
Right before it happened, I had actually asked him, completely out of the blue, why he thought I was the one. We’d talked about marriage for a while, always knowing it was in our future, but we’d agreed to wait until our house was finished before really thinking about that next step.
Then, out of nowhere, Darcy got down on one knee.
My question turned out to be perfect timing – and totally unplanned.
Honestly, the planning has probably brought more stress than anything else! Juggling a house and a wedding – plus having a partner like Darcy who’s happy to give me whatever I want – makes it tricky to set any real limits!
But through it all, our relationship hasn’t really changed. At the heart of it, we’re just best friends who know each other inside out. We still miss each other when we’re apart, and over the past seven years, we’ve quietly built a life together that we hope will last forever.
I think deep down, I walked away from our very first date knowing we’d end up married one day. And ever since, we’ve just lived each day knowing there’s nowhere else we’d rather be than right beside each other.
I was in complete shock. I just kept asking if he was serious – laughing, swearing, and completely overwhelmed. He was holding the ring out in front of me, and even though I instinctively stuck out my hand, I still hadn’t said yes – I was too stunned to form the words!
The second he slipped the ring onto my finger, the emotions hit me all at once. I started bawling like a baby. I’d imagined this moment so many times since we first started dating, and now it was real – more beautiful and surprising than I ever could’ve planned.
Darcy is a man of very few words – so there was no big speech, no rehearsed lines. In fact, my spontaneous question gave him the perfect opening to ask me to marry him! And while he may not say much, he knows how to create a moment – and I do love surprises. This one was massive. I truly had no idea it was coming.
What made it even more special was seeing Darcy cry. It made me feel a little less like a sook for bawling my eyes out! He might not always find the words, but he has the softest heart, and that means the world to me.
It was really lovely to be in a quiet, private spot – just the two of us. We got to enjoy being secretly engaged for a few hours before sharing the news with our families, who were two states away. That time together felt like bliss, like we had this magical little secret just for us.
FaceTiming our parents later to tell them was such a joyful moment. Our mums have been just as excited for this day as we have, and of course, there were more happy tears. It was all just really, really beautiful.
Jewellers Jeremy Fleming Jewellers I Photographer J.L. Watson Photography
Based in stunning Gippsland, Victoria, Jodie is a passionate wedding photographer who adores capturing romantic stories and special moments. A self-confessed Disney fan, lover of travel, Jodie found her true calling and hasn’t looked back since.
With a cozy studio and a heart full of creativity, Jodie is here to celebrate your milestones and create unforgettable memories. Ready to capture your love story? She can’t wait to meet you!