The love story
Mel and Danny met in 2018. At the time, Danny was living and working in Traralgon, and Mel had taken a two-week physiotherapy placement there. One Friday night, Mel and her friend Helen went to 3844 Bar for a drink. They were seated at a table right in front of the door, so every time someone came in, they felt a cold breeze, as it was early June. The bar was very busy that night, and the only available seats were at a table shared with two guys—Danny and his housemate. They started talking and ended up having a fantastic night, dancing until late. Danny later admitted that he saw Mel walk through the bar and immediately knew he wanted to talk to her—it was love at first sight for him! On Sunday, they went for a group hike, and the following week, Danny and Mel had their first date where they baked a Tiramisu together. Mel, who loves baking, found it to be the perfect date and started to really like Danny. After Mel’s placement finished, they spent each weekend taking turns visiting each other in Melbourne and Traralgon.
The proposal
Mel proposed to Danny! They had planned a wonderful 10 day camping trip through the high country, and that’s when Mel decided to do it. Mel had engagement rings made as a pair and shared, “Danny’s ring had the shape of my ring engraved on the inside so they fit together perfectly.” During the trip, she wooed him by giving him a new pair of socks every morning when they woke up (Danny loved socks). On the second-to-last night, she surprised him with a cosy log cabin accommodation on the Howqua River. After they showered and enjoyed some champagne, she popped the question. He, of course, said yes!
One piece of advice
If you can embrace breaking tradition, the first look is TOTALLY worth it. It gave us a precious moment to soak up our love for each other and center ourselves before the day’s craziness. The day goes by so fast. Stay true to your values – if you want to elope, do it. If you want the big white wedding, go for it. If you want to eat cake at 4:30 pm, do it. There are no rules; only the two of you matter.
The wedding outfits
Mel shared “I knew I didn’t want to wear white. With three young children, practicality was key—I could easily end up with dirt or tomato sauce on my dress before walking down the aisle. Plus, I wanted something unique and memorable. I found a gorgeous dress at a sample sale in Melbourne and had it altered. With its tulle and train, I felt like a goddess. It was divine.”
Danny shared “I was set on finding a green suit from the start. Amazingly, it fit perfectly off the rack without any tailoring. It was classic yet distinctive, and the service was fantastic!”
Mel and Danny gave their bridal party a colour palette and let them choose their outfits. They wanted everyone to feel 100% comfortable and true to themselves. Coincidentally, both bridesmaids chose off-the-shoulder dresses!
The venue
DIY was very important to Mel and Danny, especially to Mel. Mel has always been crafty and loves taking on projects. Their venue was perfect—spacious enough for their 118 guests but intimate enough to keep everyone connected. With 18 kids attending, it was crucial to keep them within sight. The hall is beautifully maintained and provided a level surface for the tepees.
The ceremony
Mel and Danny had a first look before the guests arrived, which Mel shared “was a wonderful moment to see each other and the kids before the chaos began. I think everyone was surprised to see me in pink, though it probably wasn’t too shocking for those who know me well and we tried to have our three boys walk down the aisle to the Bluey theme song, but only Edi and Hucky made it—Fionn was a bit stubborn!”
Edi had given each of Mel and Danny’s mums a large burgundy dahlia to acknowledge their importance in our lives and to show our gratitude. They had had surprise witnesses for the signing of their marriage certificate. Mel and Danny had hidden two pens under the guests’ seats and had asked everyone to check their seats when it was time to sign. The lucky finders got to be their witnesses! After the ceremony, they cut and served the cake immediately, offering it at 4:30 pm when the bar opened. Mel had made Limoncello favours for all their guests, each with a tag indicating their table number. This had allowed guests to choose their seats at the table, creating a relaxed and inviting atmosphere.
Favourite memories
Additionally, each favour contained a handwritten thank you message for every guest. The children each received goodie bags to keep them entertained during the ceremony, and Mel and Danny had a children’s entertainer dressed as Emma Wiggle for two hours during the day.
Mel created a ‘Generations of Love’ board to honour guests married for over 40 years, including their parents. Mel and Danny also had a champagne tower, and while pouring, Mel accidentally knocked over one of the glasses. This is a special memory for Danny because Mel is notoriously clumsy. Edi says “the Tiny Teddys were the best part!” Mel also made the cake herself, starting over a year in advance to learn the skills needed to construct and ice a two-tier cake.
Favourite vendors
Mel and Danny shared “that they had chosen well for their vendors. A special shout-out goes to my brother at Wandering Events. He is amazing at what he does, and all the little extra touches he added made a huge difference. The venue and the teepees fit together perfectly, and he handled all the lighting and the disco ball – it was pure magic! Kate Lafferty Photography, I am IN LOVE with our photos. She captured our day beautifully and told our story through her lens perfectly. She is approachable, easy-going, and made us feel instantly comfortable. The catering was delicious, and everyone raved about the food. The band was fantastic, hitting the vibe perfectly—they are truly talented!
Vendors
Accommodation Wood Duck House Korumbura I Alterations Amante Bridal I Bridal Gown & Veil Designer Evie Young Bridal I Bridesmaid Dresses Self Provided I Cake / Sweets DIY I Catering Essential Catering I Celebrant Naomi Clark Wanderlust Weddings I Ceremony Venue Jeetho Hall Entertainment I Music Baker Boys Band I Favours / Gifts Limoncello Mini Bottles DIY I Florist Old Barn Flower Farm / Allambee Blossoms I Grooms Attire 105 Shades of Black Melbourne I Hair Stylist Hair By Rach I Headpiece Fairy Julianne Gippsland I Hire Services A Day to Remember Event Hire I Honeymoon Hobart I Invitations / Stationery DIY I Jewellery Megan Webb Jewellers I Makeup Artist Batari I Marquees / Teepees Wandering Events I Photographer Kate Lafferty Photography I Reception Venue Jeetho Hall I Transport Mel’s Dad’s Corvette
Kate Lafferty Photography
I’m in the business of creatively capturing the beauty of life so that you can relive the beauty of that special day, every day. I have fallen in love with the art of photography. In its ability to capture a fleeting moment – a tear of joy, a hug between friends, a glance of love. Those moments can show more than words can explain. I aim to capture every detail of your big day, preserving real moments to be cherished enabling love ones to reminisce for years to come. My biggest hope is to bond with my clients quickly to ensure that their day is as relaxed and free-flowing as possible capturing emotions and loving details in the most natural and reflective way.