Sparks fly when two gym junkies meet at the bench press
After catching sight of muscly Hayden pumping iron, Meghan made sure to strike up a conversation and before long love blossomed.
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When she caught sight of a muscly stranger pumping iron at her local gym, Meghan McGregor was keen for a chat. After checking him out for a few weeks, she eventually asked Hayden Gambie to spot her while she did some bench presses, and when they started messaging each other on Instagram she gave him her number.
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A romantic sunset picnic at Devil’s Elbow, in Beecher State Forest, south of Bundaberg sealed the deal.
“The gym is the last place I thought I would find someone,” laughs Meghan.
“The spotting eventually turned into smiling at each other during workouts. Then one day we sat at the gym for an hour chatting to each other after we had finished training. It was his smile as well as his muscles that attracted me.”
The couple, who live at Flaxton, in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, tied the knot at Flaxton Gardens overlooking a vineyard.
They celebrated with 28 guests, who dined on barramundi, roast chicken breast, and slow roast New England lamb. “We both wanted something small and intimate with our closest friends and family,” Meghan says.
How did Hayden propose?
I had always wanted to watch turtles hatch so we planned a weekend away to Mon Repos (near Bargara in the Bundaberg region). We were lucky enough to see two clutches hatch and assist in guiding them by light to the water and then the evening ended with a proposal.
First dance?
God, Your Mama & Me, by Florida Georgia Line
Honeymoon? Queenstown, New Zealand
Special memories?
Spending the morning with my mum and sister and having my mum walk me down the aisle, because my father is no longer with us.
What made this uniquely your wedding?
We wrote our own wedding vows, along with ninja vows – when you write a vow or three for your husband/wife to read out after they complete their vows, you won’t know what they are until you’re handed the piece of paper. Thank you to Lynette Maguire, our celebrant, for the idea.
Funny moments?
Hayden randomly belly dancing during our first dance – I am still in shock over that. Also Hayden kissing me when I got to the end of the aisle and Mum telling him, “None of that yet – you’re not even married yet!”
Best advice for other couples planning a wedding?
Sometimes it’s OK not to please everyone.
What would you have done differently?
We would have incorporated our golden retrievers, Otis and Arlo, into our day.
THE BRIDE
Meghan McGregor, 31
PROFESSION Production support co-ordinator
PARENTS Jane and Raymond (deceased) McGregor
BRIDESMAIDS N/A
DRESS Jack Sullivan Bridal
HAIR AND MAKEUP Backstage Beauty
FLOWERS Wendy’s Flowers & Event Hire
ENGAGEMENT RING 18ct white gold halo set with a 1.01 brilliant cut diamond and 28 brilliant cut diamonds.
THE GROOM
Hayden Gambie, 25
PROFESSION Refridgeration mechanic
PARENTS Lois & Graham Gambie
GROOMSMEN N/A
SUIT M.J. Bale
TRANSPORT Skoda Superb, organised by a friend
ENTERTAINMENT Spotify playlist
CAKE Semi naked off white chocolate drip with floral arrangement (Sweetness Contained, Noosaville)
CELEBRANT Lynette Maguire
CONTACT hannah.davies@news.com.au
PHOTOGRAPHY
Ben Connolly Photography
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