real wedding story

Denise & Matt’s Love Story: A Wedding for the Ages

By Tanya McDonald 13 May 2022

Denise and Matt’s fun-filled wedding began the moment the couple woke to thier very special day. The couple wanted thier wedding to be a party so kept the feel of the day casual and relaxed.

Denise and Matt have two beautiful boys Tate and Kye and it was really important that they played a big role in the celebrations. From getting dressed with their mum, through the official marriage ceremony to celebrating at the reception, Tate and Kye played a major part in the wedding day.

Find out how Denise and Matt included their children to the ceremony as well as all the special touches they add to their day to make it a true celebration of their love.

fun-filled family wedding

Denise & Matt’s

Denise and Matt's Wedding with Tanya McDonald Marriage Celebrant - Little Image Co. Photography

Denise and Matt's Wedding day with their sons

Wedding Location

Bathurst Goldfields

Wedding Photographer & Videographer

Little Image Co.

Bride’s Look

Denice wanted a soft country love story look, and didn’t she achieve it in her jaw-dropping ball gown? Her look was so easy to fall in love with.
The bodice is ornately beaded with V-neckline and spaghetti straps that cross at the back. The skirt was a lightweight tulle ruffle that had been delicately detailed with beaded lace appliqués. The horsehair hem gave the skirt volume and helped to define each tier. The skirt was finished off beautifully with a chapel-length train.

Denise completed her look with a romantic cathedral-length veil with detailed lace appliqués at the edge and carried a bouquet of white flowers and gum leaves.

Groom’s Look

Matt was after a relaxed, laidback, and suitably informal look, for himself and his wedding party. He also wanted an outfit they could party all night in.
Matt achieved his casual look in a navy blue waistcoat, matching pants, a white shirt detailed with navy blue buttons, and tan dress shoes.
He definitely rocked this look for his big day.

Wedding Party Fashion

Matt’s groomsmen wore outfits that matched his. Matt and Denise’s sons Tate and Kye also had outfits that matched their dads.

Keeping with the casual feel Denise’s wedding party wore relaxed style, dusty pink, satin bridesmaid dresses. The floor-length dress was accented with a ruched waist and skirt that had a high slit. The girls carried bouquets of baby’s breath and gum leaves.

The Ceremony

Tate, Denise and Matt’s son, had a big part in the proposal as he couldn’t understand why his mum had a different surname than his dad. So it was fitting that he was the person to walk his mum up the aisle to marry his dad.

The flower man entered the ceremony dancing and grooved his way up the aisle to Jaggered Edge. This indicated the start of the ceremony and you knew that the day was going to be a very special one.

Denise and Matt’s younger son Kye signaled the bride was coming when he entered carrying a wooden love heart sign with “Daddy Here Comes Our Girl”.

To start the ceremony I asked Tate and Kye if they were happy for their mum and dad to get married both boys shouted “Yes” with so much excitement. It was such a beautiful moment between mother, father, and sons.

Wedding Ritual

Denise and Matt chose to celebrate their marriage and the importance of their children within their marriage by performing a sand ceremony ritual.

Denise and Matt’s individual containers of sand represented the essence of all they are and the gifts they brought to the marriage. They poured some of their sands into the ritual box, showing that their marriage is the foundation of thier family.

Tate and Kye, Denise, and Matt’s sons then added their sands representing each of them as unique and beloved children.

Denise and Matt then poured the remainder of their sands over the sands of Tate and Kye’s to mark their intention to seal the family in an environment of unconditional love.

The Brides View On The Importance Of A Good Celebrant

“Tanya was a fantastic celebrant. Not only did she suggest ideas to help make our wedding ceremony everything we wanted she was so much fun.
She was a great support throughout the planning process and so easy to work with. It was like I have known her for a lifetime.

She was also there for me before I walked down the aisle helping to calm my nerves.

Tanya was amazing. I will recommend her to everyone”.

Signing The Marriage Documents

To be the legal witnesses for thier ceremony, Denise and Matt chose two people very close to thier hearts. Denise chose her grandmother and Matt chose his mother.

It was a really special moment in the ceremony that Matt and Denise’s son’s where also a part of if only to watch and give cuddles.

Personalising The Wedding

For the ceremony, Denise and Matt had Maple Creek playing live music for the wedding party’s entry and exit. Then the band changed it up to play the part of wedding singer for the reception, entertaining guests throughout the evening.

During the reception, one of Denise and Matt’s friends proposed to his partner and she said yes. So Denise and Matt had an additional celebration of an engagement at our wedding, which they say took their celebration to a whole other level.

Newly engaged coupe at Denise and Matt's wedding

The Cars

Denise and Matt wanted to have cars that were unique, fun, and a bit different from the ideas of traditional wedding cars.

Denise and her son Tate arrived in a 64 Chev, built by Victor who is a very good friend of Matts. Denise chose this car for no particular reason except that she felt really special in it.

The bridesmaid’s car was an XR Falcon supercharged. Denise and Matt picked this car because Denise’s best mate Ben had worked on the car and it was super loud to scare the girls.

The car that brought the Maid Of Honour and Denise and Matt’s youngest son Kye, was an LC Torana. This car was a surprise gift from Ben to Matt. The boys also love Toranas so a perfect choice.

Matt and his boy’s car was “DaGRub” which has been Matt’s car for 24 years. It’s a VL Commodore Supercharged, that was built in Ben’s shop back in 2000. The obvious reason this car was picked is that it’s Matt’s baby.

The cars were also a fitting choice as the wedding location, Bathurst Goldfields is on Mount Panorama Motor Racing Circuit.

The Brides Wedding Day Advice

“Create a wedding or party that shows who you are as a couple. We planned a party from the start rather than a wedding, and we had an amazing day”.

The Bride’s Favourite Moment

“When I stood at the top of the aisle and saw Matt standing there looking back at Tate and me. The love in his eyes melted me and I knew all over again why I was marrying him”.

Unexpected Hiccups

“One of the zippers on a Bridemaids dress broke 10 minutes before the ceremony was meant to start and the clasp on my dress wouldn’t work properly. We just took a moment, stressed out a little, then figured it out. In the end, we were only a little late for the ceremony”.

Matt had his own drama. He was getting ready and realised he had lost his pants. Luckily for all attending the wedding he found them.

Your Wedding Team

Venue – Bathurst Goldfields

Photographer & Videographer – Little Image Co.

Duo & Wedding Singer – Maple Creek Music

Makeup – Jackie Clark Makeup

Party supplies – Birdie Party Hire

Party supplies – Bathurst Party Hire

And of course our celebrant – Tanya McDonald Building Forevers

AboutTanya McDonald

With a decade in the wedding industry and a love for weddings, I'm here to guide your journey to the altar. No matter your vision, I'll assist in creating an extraordinary day. Reach out, and let's work together for an unforgettable wedding. From the moment you entrust me as your celebrant and/or master of ceremonies, my dedication is to stand by your side at every juncture. My aim is to ensure that your journey towards your special day is adorned with cherished moments and positive encounters, culminating in a wedding day that remains etched in your memory for all the right reasons.