‘They really got the dance floor started’: Newlyweds on allowing kids at their wedding

It can be a moral dilemma knowing whether to invite kids to your wedding or not, but this newly married couple are all for it, saying it was the highlight of their wedding. What do you think?

The wedding of Chloe Maxwell and Jack McNeil. Pictures: Hamilton Island Photography

Chloe Maxwell and Jack McNeil opted for an intimate, informal wedding with one key inclusion that was a surprising highlight.

The couple, who have been together for seven years, opted to allow parents to bring their children, with Chloe saying it was one of their best decisions because kids know how to party.

It made for an extra-special celebration for the pair as they tied the knot at Chapel Gardens on Hamilton Island before continuing on to the Bommie Deck at the Yacht Club Hamilton Island with 47 guests on October 17 last year.

The wedding of Chloe Maxwell and Jack McNeil. Pictures: Hamilton Island Photography

How did you meet?

In 2017 on the Gold Coast through our involvement in surf lifesaving.

How did he propose?

In 2022 on the beach at Lucky Bay, near Esperance in Western Australia.

How did you choose your wedding venue?

We knew we wanted to get married on Hamilton Island. We stayed there during Covid when you could only travel within Queensland and absolutely loved it. We had been to other destination weddings and loved that it was a holiday for everyone, plus also gave us more time to spend with our guests.

How did you choose your wedding dress?
I knew I wanted a KYHA dress, so went to Sphere Bridal. I tried on a few other styles but ended up going with one of my original picks. I hadn’t planned a second dress but when I saw the bow on the Prea James dress, I had to have it!

What did you think when you saw Chloe for the first time?Jack: I was really excited to have everyone there after they’d travelled so far. When Chloe appeared at the top of the aisle, I thought she was stunning and it’s the happiest I’ve ever seen her.

The wedding of Chloe Maxwell and Jack McNeil. Pictures: Hamilton Island Photography

What was the most stressful part of wedding planning? Chloe: Guest list! We wanted a small, intimate wedding, but that meant we had the difficult choice of deciding who made the list.

Any unique details about your wedding? We allowed children to come, and we were so glad we did as they really got the dance floor started.

What was the standout moment?
Walking into the reception with all our guests cheering, the sun was setting and everything looked beautiful.

What was a wedding non-negotiable?
We didn’t want a heap of formalities, we opted to keep speeches to a minimum, not have a first dance and just have one long table.

What would you do differently?

Try not to stress over the minor things.

The wedding of Chloe Maxwell and Jack McNeil. Pictures: Hamilton Island Photography

Top wedding hack? A second outfit, including a fresh shirt for the groom. It was a lot easier to dance and move around in the shorter dress!

Best advice? Have a wedding co-ordinator. We wouldn’t have had capacity to do any co-ordination on the day as you get caught up with everything else, so it was great knowing that Liz had everything under control.

The wedding of Chloe Maxwell and Jack McNeil. Pictures: Hamilton Island Photography

The Bride

Chloe Maxwell, 27

Profession Media relations

Parents Shayne and Emma Maxwell

Ceremony Dress Chosen by KYHA

Reception Dress Prea James Bridal

Hair Evalyn Parsons

Make-up Renee Jean Makeup

Flowers Floral Collections Hamilton Island

Wedding planner Liz from Hamilton Island Weddings

Signage and stationery Sage by Annalise

Videographer Hamilton Island Photography

The Groom

Jack McNeil, 30

Profession Senior manager

Parents Helen and Ian McNeil

Suit Michael Innis Menswear

Videographer Hamilton Island Photography

Celebrant Kylie McIntosh

Cake Jocelyn’s Provisions. Butter cake with raspberry butter icing between split layers and plain buttercream on the outside with vintage style piping.
And it made it safely there by plane