‘The rest was history!’: Extraordinary DM groom sent his wife the first day he met her

It’s not every day a slide into the DMs leaves a woman feeling like a “giddy schoolgirl”, but for this couple a nine-word message sent just hours after they met had a profound impact.

Ayla Connolly

@AylaRConnolly

4 min read

March 25, 2025 - 5:00AM

QWeekend

Mark and Maddie Cole met at a music festival and married seven years later. Picture: Ivy Road Photography

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“Maddie Brown, I have decided we should get married.”

That was the message, just hours after meeting for the first time that would kickstart one Canberra-based couple’s happily ever after and see that dream brought to life in their stunning Gold Coast wedding.

Mark and Maddie Cole wed at The Valley Estate in Currumbin Valley. Picture: Ivy Road Photography

It’s not every day a slide into the DMs professing love leaves a woman feeling like a “giddy schoolgirl”, but for Maddie Brown and Mark Cole, who were introduced at a Canberra music festival seven years ago, it was love at first sight.

Making the trek from Canberra to The Valley Estate in Currumbin Valley in September last year, Mark’s intention to marry Maddie finally came to life. Surrounded by 80 family and friends, and their beloved pup Fred, the pair rock-paper-scissored their way to their vows and made the day one to remember.

How did you meet? Maddie:At a music festival in Canberra called Groovin the Moo. We were introduced through a mutual friend. Later that evening Mark sent me a DM which said, “Maddie Brown, I have decided we should get married”, and the rest was history!

The hen’s do and buck’s night? My hen’s was a Barbie-themed three nights on the Gold Coast, which included a dinner at Rick Shores on Friday, a boat day on the Saturday and a paint the groom activity on Sunday. Mark’s buck’s was three nights in Melbourne, where his best man and groomsmen treated him to a steakhouse dinner on the Friday night and a day at Flemington races on the Saturday.

About 80 guests attended the “playful, lighthearted” Gold Coast wedding. Picture: Ivy Road Photography

What was the theme?

Our ceremony brief was for it to be playful, lighthearted, and not too lengthy. Our celebrant delivered on exactly our brief here. We arranged to have him hide our rings in a seat pocket and have a guest find them and be our “ring bearer”. It was my sister’s best friend Hannah who I grew up with calling my second sister. She was shocked to have found the rings but very excited. No guests knew the plan … it was all a big surprise, which I loved. We also played scissors paper rock to decide who went first to read their vows. Our brief for the overall feel of the reception was classic styling but a modern take on the formalities. We had a number of beautiful floral pieces to fill out the room, one at the base of the stairs with candles also running up the stairs. We also incorporated black bows into our styling.

How did you choose your wedding venue?

We attended a wedding on the Gold Coast before we were even engaged, and we fell in love with the idea of a destination wedding because of the fact that it brings everyone together for more than just the wedding day. Everyone’s on holidays and the vibe is high. When we got engaged, we decided to make a trip up to the Gold Coast to do some wedding venue searching. From the moment we entered the gates at The Valley Estate we were blown away by the immaculate gardens and incredible service provided by the staff.

What was the budget for your wedding?

Our budget was $100,000, however we did end up spending a little more than this and we can honestly say we wouldn’t have changed a thing.

How did you choose your wedding dress?

I tried on about 12 dresses. I ended up with a Blanche Bridal gown from the Ivory Room in Paddington, Sydney.

The couple chose their venue after being blown away by the gardens. Picture: Ivy Road Photography

What were your thoughts as you waited at the altar? Mark:I was nervous. It was a big lead-up - we were planning for 15 months. I said to Maddie in my vows that I have only ever cried in front of her twice, once was when my nan passed away and once when we had a pause in our relationship but she got me for the third time when I saw her walking down the aisle.

What was the most surprising detail of your wedding? Maddie:Mark’s groomsman Jordan dressed up in a blonde wig and white dress and we pranked Mark by having my sister go to their room and say there was a surprise for him. She got him to close his eyes and guided him outside where he waited and Jordan (dressed as me), came up behind him and grabbed his waist. When Mark turned around, he was expecting it to be me, but no, it was his best friend dressed as me.

Mark:There were a lot of surprising details for me. As I have a very busy work life, Maddie took full rein of the planning which meant I was lucky enough to be surprised with a few of the details on the day that I was unaware of, like a wedding newspaper, napkins with our dog’s image on them, bar menus with “his, hers, and Fred’s” beverages on them.

Mark and Maddie Cole's dog at their wedding. Picture: Ivy Road Photography

Top wedding hacks or advice for other couples planning a wedding? Our top wedding hack would be to get a wedding planner. As soon as we got Panorama Events on board the whole planning process changed, and I found it so much easier. They would come to me with options, and I would just pick based on that, it made things a million times easier for us. Having on-the-day planning services was also a huge help.

The Bride

Maddie Cole, 27

Profession Project manager

Parents Steve and Cassandra Brown

Bridesmaids Caity Brown, Caitlin Miloloza, Allira High,

Bridget Cringle, Emma Norton

Dress Blanche Bridal, from the Ivory Room in Paddington NSW

Hair Isabella Jane Hair & Makeup

Make-up Ginelle Dale

Flowers Panorama Events

Engagement ring Nicholas Haywood Jewellery

Wedding planner/stylist Panorama Events