Sydney celebs descend on NSW town for wedding of Leilani Abels and Matthew Chapman

Braidwood is where it was at with a bunch of Sydney celebs descending on the rural township for the wedding of prominent couple.

Braidwood is where it was at on the weekend with a bunch of Sydney celebs descending on the rural NSW township for the wedding of prominent Sydney publicist Leilani Abels.

Richard Wilkins, Giaan Rooney, Nathan Buckley and Daniel Kowalski were among the guests as Abels wed long-time partner, Matthew Chapman, at the scenic Mona Farm.

Wedding of Sydney publicist, Leilani Abels and Matthew Chapman., Picture: Daniel Nadal / @vontrap_photography

Wedding of Sydney publicist, Leilani Abels and Matthew Chapman. Picture: Daniel Nadal / @vontrap_photography

Abels is the owner and founder of Thrive PR, which is celebrating its 25th year.

The three day destination wedding kicked off with welcome drinks on Friday afternoon.

And on Saturday, guests gathered for the ceremony under a canopy of giant oak trees, where the bride emerged in a breathtaking gown of tulle and chains by close friend, designer Jason Grech, who was in attendance also.

Richard Wilkins and Mia Hawkeswell at the wedding of Leilani Abels and Matthew Chapman. Picture: Supplied

Another friend of the bride, former host of The Mole, Shura Taft, acted as celebrant, telling heartfelt stories as the couple were finally married after years of delays due to Covid.

There wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd as the couple’s nine-year-old son, Rafa, sang Benson Boone’s Beautiful Things.

Well known Sydney Publicist, Leilani Abels and Matt Chapman wedding in Braidwood at the weekend. Various celebs attending. Picture: Supplied

The newlyweds then led guests to a cocktail party complete with a mountain of fresh oysters and prawns, and an impressive martini tower.

Well known Sydney Publicist, Leilani Abels and Matt Chapman wedding in Braidwood at the weekend. Various celebs attending. Picture: Supplied

The elated couple made an explosive entrance at the reception, with the groom nailing the current TikTok trend of popping two bottles of Champagne on the ground to create an elaborate spray.

They then started the dancing before dinner – a brilliant twist to tradition – complete with the groom performing Daniel Ricciardo’s classic ‘shoey’ with the bride’s heel.

Today weather presenter Tim Davies led the speeches, doing an undies reveal in the process, wearing the brand owned by Chapman, PocJox.

Popular Sydney band La Fiesta Sound System provided the tunes as guests partied the night away.

Wedding of Sydney Publicist, Leilani Abels and Matthew Chapman. Picture: Daniel Nadal / @vontrap_photography

Others on hand included top talent agent Mark Morrissey, Social Diary’s Tiffany Farrington and soon-to-be-lawyer Richard Buttrose, and Bondi Tony.

Wilkins’ partner meanwhile, Mia Hawkswell, was a guest but also did Abel’s exquisite hair and makeup.

For Sunday Recovery, there was a Four Pillars gin station and a live performance by Jack from Sons of the East.

Confidential hears Rooney was best on ground at the recovery, the former Olympic swimmer rapping for guests.