Eye-popping gowns, insane parties: Inside Qld’s most lavish weddings
From grand ceremonies to over-the-top gowns and bulk cash dropped on elaborate reception parties at exotic locations, we take you inside Queensland’s most opulent weddings. SEE THE PHOTOS
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It was a landmark year for love in Queensland across 2023, with some of the most high-profile couples tying the knot in grand ceremonies that combined elegance, opulence, and heartwarming moments.
From the sun-kissed beaches of the Gold Coast to the enchanting hinterlands, these weddings were not just celebrations of love but also spectacles of grandeur and style.
Let’s delve into the details of these unforgettable nuptials that have set new standards in wedding extravagance.
Ellie Gonsalves and Ross Scutts: A two-day Coastal fantasy
Model and influencer, Ellie Gonsalves celebrated her marriage to longtime partner Ross Scutts with a two-day, lavish ceremony back in March.
Known for her outspoken stance on not wanting children, Ellie made headlines this year for her extravagant wedding, which included a champagne tower and an all-white dress code for guests.
The Gold Coast-based couple, who have been together for 14 years, held their private ceremony at La Luna Beach Club in Main Beach.
The intimate event was attended by their dog Daisy as the ring bearer and a few close friends and family at a dinner catered by celebrity chef Alastair McLeod.
“I walked myself down the aisle to a string quartet playing ‘Wildest Dreams’. Daisy was our ring bearer and we had the most beautiful, personalised ceremony,” Ellie recalled.
The celebrations continued the next day at the same venue, with the couple arriving by yacht to join 90 guests for the all-white themed reception.
For her wedding attire, Ellie chose three couture dresses by Oglialoro Couture, emphasising modern style with a touch of old-school glamour.
The 33-year old wore a long-sleeved gown with an illusion neckline and a dramatic train for her private ceremony.
The next day, she kicked off the party with a strapless white gown featuring floral detailing and a racy thigh split – but later in the night Ellie “surprised” her new husband by slipping into something a little more revealing, a dress that has since been dubbed the “naked dress”.
The first dance was particularly sentimental, with Ellie recording a rendition of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” in memory of her father.
The wedding’s standout moments included a symbolic occurrence of three birds flying down the aisle and their first dance.
The couple worked with Alysia Bridger Events to create a timeless white-themed wedding, complete with extravagant floral arrangements.
Their engagement was equally unique, taking place at Australia Zoo with a surprise proposal during a crocodile feeding.
“I turned around and Ross was walking out with a box in his hands with the biggest smile on his face. It took me 20 seconds to process what was going on … He then got on one knee and asked, ‘Will you marry me?’ and of course, I said yes. Then I fed a crocodile” Ellie shared.
George Sheppard and Kathleen Seagar: A musical romance in Northern NSW
George Sheppard, the lead singer of the Brisbane band Sheppard, commemorated his tenth anniversary with Kathleen Seagar in a memorable way, marrying her in a beautiful wedding earlier this year.
The couple, who had been together for a decade, celebrated their union at the private residence Casa Campana near Cabarita Beach, New South Wales, on April 13.
Their wedding, themed around Mediterranean, Santorini, and pink hues, welcomed 60 guests.
The couple walked down the aisle together to Adele’s version of “Make You Feel My Love”, marking a special moment in their ceremony. Kathleen’s mother also presented a unique cross-stitch piece she had crafted over several months.
For their pre-wedding celebrations, the couple held separate events – a getaway with their wedding party and traditional parties in Brisbane.
They chose Casa Campana for their wedding, a venue selected for its immediate appeal when they first visited.
“We had been looking at venues for some time, but we decided to start looking at nice houses, and Casa Campana was immediately recommended to us by one of Kathleen’s physio clients,” George said.
“Her sister Alex and I went for a drive to check it out, and within two minutes of walking in the front door, it was clear that it was the perfect spot.”
Kathleen’s quest for the perfect wedding dress ended just two weeks before the wedding.
“She tried on more than 10 different dresses, and nothing was quite right.
Thankfully, she found the perfect dress at the last minute and bought the dress two weeks before the wedding,” George said.
“It only arrived three days before we left for the house!”
They spent $80,000 on the wedding, noting an excess in their alcohol purchase.
“We bought waaaaay too much booze. We are easily stocked for the rest of the year. Otherwise everything was perfect,” Kathleen said.
George’s standout memory was his speech and song for Kathleen, titled “Feels Like Home,” was performed by George at the reception and released to the public later that night.
The couple bucked tradition for the wedding dessert, opting for a unique Italian pastry with custard and fresh berries, instead of a traditional wedding cake, served alongside a champagne tower.
Since their wedding, the couple has moved to Nashville, USA, with George’s sisters and bandmates, Emma and Amy Sheppard, to advance their music careers.
Chris Jensen and Tayla Made: An intimate elopement in Italy
Former “Married At First Sight” contestant Chris Jensen and influencer Tayla Made, real name Tayla Jade, celebrated their love by eloping to Italy for an intimate wedding on the Amalfi Coast.
The couple, who have been together since 2021, chose to marry in a private ceremony on a yacht during sunset on May 23.
The Sunshine Coast duo, residing in Marcoola, first crossed paths on a photo shoot in Sydney.
Their wedding day began with a leisurely breakfast at The Marincanto in Positano, followed by a scenic drive along the Amalfi Coast in a mint green vintage Fiat convertible.
Their special day included a surprise from strangers who paid their restaurant bill and a private sunset boat cruise where they exchanged vows.
“When we went to pay, the bill had been settled by a couple sitting across to congratulate us! They had left before we were told, so we had no idea,” Tayla said.
However, a humorous mishap occurred during their candlelit rooftop dinner when they were served seafood despite Chris’s allergy and Tayla’s preference.
“They served us seafood, even though we told them Chris is allergic and I don’t really eat seafood. The downside of communicating in a foreign country! But we laughed about it,” she said.
Reflecting on their decision to elope, Tayla explained, “We loved the idea of travelling and seeing beautiful parts of the world, instead of spending money on one day … It also meant that we could have an intimate ceremony the way we wanted.”
Tayla chose her wedding dress from Grace Loves Lace, knowing exactly which one she wanted before even trying it on while Chris donned a suit from Casamastro Positano.
The couple shared their elopement plans with close ones beforehand, opting to keep the ceremony intimate.
Post-ceremony, they celebrated by sharing videos and photos with family and friends.
The highlight of their day was the simple joy of eating ice cream in bed while watching Italian movies with English subtitles.
Their wedding planning was largely reliant on Google reviews, which added a touch of stress to the process.
For their honeymoon, Chris and Tayla ventured to the Croatian and Greek islands.
Sabrina Durante and Ryan Hayes: A grand affair in the Gold Coast Hinterland
Sabrina Durante and Ryan Hayes’ Gold Coast hinterland wedding was nothing short of a fairy tale, quickly earning the title of “Queensland’s wedding of the year.”
The extravaganza showcased a bejewelled wedding gown, a stunning headpiece, arrival by horse and carriage, and a strict dress code, all contributing to the day’s grandeur and luxury.
The singer and Australian Outback Spectacular performer, Sabrina, and landscaper Ryan, celebrated their union at The Valley Estate in Currumbin Valley.
The French provincial-themed wedding hosted 100 guests, with men in black tie and ladies in pastel formal gowns.
The wedding preparations were filled with glamour and precision, right down to the bespoke cutlery.
Sabrina’s gown, a creation of her long-time friend and designer Richard de Chazal, was a masterpiece of thousands of jewels, inspired by 18th-century Versailles extravagance.
“The first gown and headpiece were inspired by the idea of 18th-century extravagance in the court of Versailles,” Sabrina said.
“The bodice of the gown is a jewelled garden of gilded and crystal blossoms giving way to rose quartz, opal and frosted tourmaline tendrils into an explosion of sumptuous ivory 3D embellished lace and beaded tulle over gold brocade petticoats.”
The second gown channelled old Hollywood, featuring a feathered skirt and a beaded bodice.
“The second gown is purely old Hollywood, a layered rose gold, platinum and ivory beaded bodice of fine French laces with a voluminous feathered skirt,” she added.
The wedding day was filled with unique touches, including musical performances from Sabrina’s industry friends and NIDA classmates.
Ryan, eagerly awaiting at the altar, was overwhelmed with anticipation to see Sabrina.
Despite challenges like Covid-related supply disruptions, the couple’s day was flawless, featuring a reception adorned with pastel blooms, crystal vases, and countless French pear-scented candles.
“The ongoing interruptions of supply due to Covid – our bespoke cutlery and crockery arrived hours before the reception,” Sabrina said.
Their strict black-tie code ensured a magical, glamorous experience, with the standout moment being the first sight of each other at the altar.
“Strictly black tie. We both wanted a magical and glamorous experience,” she said.
Their grand exit mirrored the magnificence of their entrance.
Just as they had arrived in style by horse and carriage, the couple made their departure in a Bentley, maintaining the grandeur that characterised their entire wedding day.
Jess Jonassen and Sarah Gooderham: Secret vows in Hawaii
Australian cricketer Jess Jonassen and her partner of 11 years, Sarah Gooderham, celebrated their love with a secret beachside wedding in Hawaii.
The intimate ceremony, held at Magic Island, Waikiki, Oahu, on April 6, was attended only by a celebrant, photographer, and wedding co-ordinator. This serene event marked the couple’s third attempt at tying the knot, following cancellations due to the pandemic and cricket commitments.
Abandoning their original wedding dresses, Jess and Sarah opted for a more casual look, selecting their outfits during a brief stop at Chermside amid Jess’s cricket schedule.
The couple wore jackets from Connor and trousers from Goondiwindi Cotton, complementing their laid-back Hawaiian setting.
Post-wedding, they shared the surprise news with friends and later celebrated at The Lawn in Kangaroo Point upon their return to Australia.
The decision to elope came after their wedding plans were twice disrupted.
“With only a small time allocated for holidays, we thought our holiday to Hawaii would be the perfect opportunity to quietly escape and get married at the same time,” Jess explained.
Their wedding day unfolded with shared preparation, a limousine ride, and a ceremony overlooking the water, where they felt completely absorbed in the moment.
The unexpected addition of a vanilla cake and champagne, arranged by their wedding planner, added a sweet touch to their special day.
They informed their mothers about the elopement beforehand and announced it to their immediate family the following day, receiving joyous reactions.
Jess and Sarah’s advice to couples considering elopement is to remember that it’s still possible to celebrate with loved ones afterwards.
Reflecting on their meeting, Jess said, “I reached out to Sarah and didn’t get a reply for a few hours … then suddenly my phone buzzed and we haven’t stopped talking since.”
The proposal, six years into their relationship, was meticulously planned with Jess’s sister and brother-in-law’s help, culminating in a dinner by the water captured by photographer Brodie Grogan.
Billy Walters and Rachel Ownsworth: Tropical bliss in Fiji
In a celebration that perfectly blended romance with tropical elegance, Broncos star Billy Walters and Rachel Ownsworth tied the knot on October 28 at the luxurious Sofitel Resort and Spa in Fiji.
The beach-loving couple’s special day was a testament to their love for the ocean, set against the stunning backdrop of Denarau Island’s five-star resort, known for its picturesque views.
The intimate ceremony saw the newlyweds exchange vows on the beach in front of their loved ones, with the couple’s two-year-old Hugo cradled in Rachel’s arms, adding a heartwarming touch to the occasion.
Speaking to The Courier-Mail prior to the big day, Walters had shared his and Ownsworth’s anticipation for their destination wedding, saying, “We love the beach and cannot wait to get married in Fiji with some of our closest family and friends.”
The decor at the ceremony struck a balance between tropical vibrancy and refined elegance, combining the simplicity of neutral tones with the vibrancy of pink, and a blend of exotic flowers and traditional white roses.
The wedding attire complemented the theme, with the groom and his groomsmen donning beige and white, and the bridesmaids reflecting the same neutral palette.
The wedding was not just a celebration of Billy and Rachel’s love but also a gathering for rugby league stars.
Broncos teammates Adam Reynolds, Reece Walsh, Patrick Carrigan, Corey Oates, Storm player Christian Welch, and Billy’s father and Broncos coach Kevin Walters were among those who added a touch of sporting glamour to the occasion with their presence.
The festivities extended beyond the wedding day, with the couple hosting a boat cruise for their guests.
The recovery day was marked with laughter and relaxation, highlighted by Walters sporting a speedo humorously labelled “Groom,” encapsulating the joy and informality of their postnuptial celebrations.
Dayne Zorko and Talia De Marco: An elegant inner-city celebration
Former Brisbane Lions skipper Dayne Zorko and Talia De Marco celebrated their love with a stunning wedding at Fortitude Valley’s Calile Hotel, just weeks after the Lions’ AFL grand final.
The October nuptials saw the couple exchanging vows against a backdrop of a whitewashed wall adorned with floral arrangements on the hotel’s rooftop, surrounded by friends and family.
The event was a delightful gathering of Queensland personalities, with Lions teammates Cameron Rayner and Ryan Lester among the guests.
Adding to the charm of the ceremony was the couple’s one-year-old daughter, Giselle, who adorably assumed the role of flower girl, and Zorko’s son Louis, 7, who he shares with ex Kalinda Salla, assumed the role of pageboy.
The wedding showcased Talia’s flair for style, with a surprising costume change that captivated the attendees.
She first appeared in a detailed off-the-shoulder mermaid silhouette gown complemented by a cathedral-length veil.
Later, for the reception, she switched to a strappy satin mini dress adorned with pearl details on the straps and diamond and flower applique detailing.
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