‘Very emotional’: Newlyweds break wedding tradition to create ‘magical’ moment

A newlywed couple has revealed how breaking with tradition created one of the most intimate moments of their wedding.

Jane Armitstead

@JaneArmitstead

3 min read

July 22, 2025 - 7:48AM

QWeekend

The wedding of Rachael Vasey and Angus Gibson. Pictures: Miss Media/Lili Robinson

Lifestyle

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In a stunning hinterland celebration, Rachael Vasey and Angus Gibson celebrated the next chapter of their love story.

The Nundah couple, who have been together for four-and-a-half years, tied the knot on June 7 at Yandina Station, nestled in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

The country estate and cattle property is inland from Coolum and about 30 minutes from Noosa.

Among their 90 guests were Angus’s father and Sunday Mail columnist Rory Gibson and Rory’s partner and fellow Sunday Mail columnist, Angela Mollard.

The wedding of Rachael and Angus Gibson. Pictures: Miss Media/Lili Robinson

How did he propose?

Rachael: Angus proposed on a beautiful sunny day at Sunshine Beach, on the Sunshine Coast, where we first said I love you.

Angus is an avid photographer, so had hidden the ring box in his camera bag and asked me to go into the bag to retrieve a different lens, where I found the ring box and he got down on one knee.

Rachael and Angus Gibson. Picture: Miss Media/Lili Robinson

How did you choose your wedding venue?

We had a few venues in mind when we started looking. However, we always loved the idea of something on the Sunshine Coast.

We fell in love with Yandina Station immediately. It is a working cattle station, with cows, large fields and a beautiful view of Mount Coolum. The sunset there is also second-to-none, it was a no-brainer for us.

What would you spend more or less on?

For the size of our wedding, we felt that our budget was more than enough to create the wedding of our dreams.

Rachael Gibson. Picture: Miss Media/Lili Robinson

How did you choose your wedding dress?
I went to many wedding dress shops, because I wasn’t sure what style was going to suit me, as I’m quite curvy.

I had a good friend (one of my bridesmaids, Laura), have her wedding last year and she raved about her experience at Grace Loves Lace on the Gold Coast.

So I went down there with my mum and I tried on a bunch. I fell in love with a dress called Orla instantly, and actually ended up buying it second-hand through a site called Still White.

The wedding of Rachael and Angus Gibson. Pictures: Miss Media/Lili Robinson

What was the most stressful part of wedding planning?

Creating the seating chart!

First dance song?

Sweet Girl – Kyle Lionhart.

What was the standout moment of the day? Angus and I did a first look before we went to the ceremony, which was absolutely magical. It was a very emotional, yet intimate moment.

The wedding of Rachael and Angus Gibson. Picture: Miss Media/Lili Robinson

What was a wedding non-negotiable for you? We really just wanted a stress-free weekend with our friends and family. We wanted a wedding day that felt like us and reflected how much we love each other – which we were able to achieve.

Best wedding gift you received?

We received a pizza oven from a group of our friends. Absolutely incredible!

Honeymoon?

We’ll be doing a coastal road trip up to Cairns. Beach-hopping, reading and drinking lots of wine!

The wedding of Rachael and Angus Gibson. Pictures: Miss Media/Lili Robinson

Top wedding hack?

Buy that wedding binder and plan everything out … let your bridal party be the minions on the day to help bring your vision to life. Your wedding day should be a fun one from start to finish, and stress free. I briefed all my bridesmaids the night before on what tasks I had assigned, meaning I didn’t need to leave our accommodation once while we were getting ready. It was incredible.

Rachael Gibson. Picture: Miss Media/Lili Robinson

Best advice for other couples planning a wedding?

Listen to each other and try to enjoy the process (we know this is easier said than done!) The day is about both of you, and while you will be faced with challenges, remember it is your day. You need to come out the other side thinking “hell yeah, that was the best day of my life”.