From Tasmania to the Gold Coast, Brooke and Matt's love story knows no limits. The two high school sweethearts tied the knot in 2022 in a timeless ceremony at The Valley Estate. It was important to the bride, Brooke, that she was able to look back on their wedding in 10 years' time and love every aspect of their special day. We sat down with Brooke to get a few of her favourite moments, her tips and tricks plus her journey that led her to say YES to the dress.
The Love Story
Brooke and Matt first met in high school, 11 years ago. It was an interschool sporting competition, with the pair both sharing a love for basketball. They've been inseparable ever since and made the move from Tasmania to the Gold Coast 6 years ago where they continued their life together - including their engagement!
Matt kept the proposal romantic with a sunset picnic near The Spit at Main Beach. The pair looked over the sunset and boats as they enjoyed their delicious food. Just as they dipped their toes in the water, Matt got down on one knee and the rest was history.
The Planning
It was incredibly important to Brooke that the pair got married in a chapel, so, when they toured The Valley Estate on the Gold Coast, it was hard to pass up. "It was the first and only venue we toured," Brooke said. "It just ticked every box in every way." So, with the venue selected, the wedding planning began!
As a previous Bridal Stylist, Brooke knew what she wanted. "I wanted to look back in ten years' time and still love everything we picked. Working in bridal, I was so used to seeing brides with beautiful blush tones, champagnes so, for our wedding, I wanted to step outside of the box and go for a colour that wasn't used regularly," This led to Brooke and Matt's colour palette of ivory and baby blue.
"We introduced blue hydrangeas to the reception and blue bridesmaids' dresses. The colour blue had always made me happy, and blue to us represents the ocean which to us is our happy place." She said.
The couple kept the wedding to 106 guests with a bridal party of 10.
Saying YES to the Dress
Having worked in bridal, Brooke spent countless hours searching for inspirational photos of what she thought would be the one. Brooke walked into her appointment at White Lily Couture with her mum and bridesmaids thinking she had already found her gown at another boutique.
"My bridesmaids and my mum convinced me to come to my appointment at White Lily Couture, I was so sure I had already found the one but luckily we came just in case!" Brooke said of the moment. "My mum saw a big white tulle gown on the rack and suggested I try it on, my consultant also assisted and showed me other gowns but when I put on this gown, I felt like a bride."
A beautiful and sentimental moment for Brooke was when she asked her consultant the name of the gown. "When she said Ani, I just knew I had to say yes. Annie was the name of my Aunty who passed away a few years ago. I was so close to her, I saw this as a sign and burst into tears. I knew this was my dress."
"The best advice I could give to any future brides is to trust the process, trust your consultant, and don't be afraid to try things you wouldn't usually try."
Brooke wore ANI in Ivory by Nicole Milano.
The Finer Details
The entire day ran perfectly for the couple. They worked closely alongside their Wedding Coordinator, Lauren, who ensured the day went off without a hitch. Brooke and Matt are so grateful for the staff at The Valley Estate, "The venue is incredible and the staff are amazing." Brooke said. "The day of the wedding was the most beautiful, stress-free day as our wedding coordinator Lauren had everything under control."
"Our vendors were amazing. If I had to shout out one in particular, it would be our photographer Aleisha Edwards. She is so amazing and I can't recommend her enough." Brooke said of her vendors.
When asked about the best thing about her special day, Brooke said, "Becoming a Doran, and the intimate time between each other when going off to take photos, just really being present with each other to let it sink in that we just got married."
The Post-Wedding Celebrations
With their families traveling from Tasmania to the Gold Coast to celebrate the couple, Brooke and Matt had a week-long celebration with them after the wedding. Following that, the couple flew to Bali for a small honeymoon and are currently planning a trip to Europe for our one-year anniversary.
Complete This Sentence:
Being married means: "Finding someone who is your best friend, someone who you can truly be yourself around. It means having each other's backs through all walks of life, in good times and bad."
The Dream Team (AKA Brooke and Matt's Vendors)
Wedding Dress: ANI in Ivory by Nicole Milano
Venue: The Valley Estate
Photography: Aleisha Edwards
Videography: Sunnyday Films
Florist: Moss n Stone
Celebrant: Married by Jake
Musician:Michael Vos Music
Grooms Suit: Politix Menswear
MUA: Erica Coffey, and Face by Jenn
Signage: Signed by Shaun
