Giant beer pong, famous chef: Basketballer’s epic Brisbane country wedding

When this WNBL player met her beau she wasn’t looking for love. But there was one moment on day one ‘that sparked a lifetime together.

Alison Walsh

@AlisonAWalsh

4 min read

January 28, 2025 - 8:19AM

QWeekend

The wedding of Miela Goodchild and Joshua Sowah. Pictures: Hannah Redman Images

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After a surprise Disney proposal, a professional basketball player and her beau married at her family’s country estate near Esk in the Brisbane Valley on August 31 last year.

Miela Goodchild and Joshua Sowah, who met when he helped with her basketball practise when she was home on holiday from her university scholarship in the US, had been together four years when they married at Holy Red Deer Estate before 120 guests.

The theme was classic Hollywood glam meets country simplicity, with white roses, dark greenery, gold highlights, mirrors and crystal.

The couple maintains a long-distance relationship as Goodchild lives interstate for half of the year.

“I play for the Perth Lynx and will remain here for the entirety of the Women’s basketball League (WNBL) season (till mid March). Josh commutes between Brisbane and Perth every month.”

The theme was classic Hollywood glam meets country simplicity. Pictures: Hannah Redman Images

First dance song?

Lifetime by Justin Bieber.

Honeymoon?

Paris, Venice, Amalfi Coast, Rome.

How did you choose your venue?

Miela: We chose to get married at Holy Red Deer Estate, our family 1876 church property and wedding venue at Esk. We wouldn’t want to get married anywhere else! My brother got married there in 2022 and it was such a beautiful day. Also I wanted to fully DIY and design the whole wedding. So we got to create our dream day.

The wedding photo Miela had always wanted - in a convertible with veil trailing.

How did you meet?

I came back during our two-month break after my first year at Duke University in the US where I was on a basketball scholarship and I asked my church if they knew someone who would be willing to rebound for me when I trained. Joshua Sowah’s name came up. We exchanged numbers and a week later he rebounded for me. He bought me dinner that night and opened my car door … that moment sparked a lifetime together.

The wedding was held at Holy Red Deer Estate. Pictures: Hannah Redman Images

How did he propose?

The WNBL play all across the country and that week we were in Sydney, where my sister Briana lives. I was thinking I was going to a lunch for her birthday at The Grounds as it was celebrating 100 years of Disney. We are both Disney lovers and we love any excuse to dress up so we did! There was a Disney castle and we got selected to be in social media pictures. Briana and I did a group photo then I was asked to do individual pics. The photographer said “Disney on 3” and as I yelled “Disney” Josh snuck out of the bushes and got down on one knee in front of the castle! It felt like a dream as I’ve always wanted a Disney proposal.

The newlyweds at their reception.

Pictures: Hannah Redman Images

Where was your ceremony?

Our ceremony was outside, which featured a long, white aisle from the church, decorated with green and white rose floral arrangements and gold chairs. We had a worship song that was sung acoustically by Jess Steer and accompanied by guitarist Jai Lucas. As we exited as Mr and Mrs Sowah we were showered by confetti cannons. As we were doing photos, the guests enjoyed Holy Red Deer Estate produce such as macadamia dukkah with Agnes Bakery potato bread and fig and Meredith goat cheese tarts with beverages. Guests played lawn games such as the giant beer pong that my mum and I DIYed and local artist Dr Sandi Hook did watercolour portraits of our guests. We had a classic white Mercedes convertible, as we wanted epic photos like the classic old Hollywood scenes such as driving out in the fields, off into the sunset with my veil blowing.

Miela Goodchild wanted classic old Hollywood scenes. Pictures: Hannah Redman Images

Where was the reception?

Our reception was held in a large, fairy-lit marquee with a stunning chandelier. There were long white tables with gold cutlery, white plates, gold jasmine-scented candles and greenery that was meticulously styled by Everlasting Event Co. We had a vintage-style Champagne tower, a wooden dance floor that featured our initials and where guests later danced the night away to the DJ we had on the hall’s back deck. We were lucky enough to get the MasterChef contestant Chloe Bowles, who cooked the most delicious food for hours over wood-stocked fire pits.

The newlyweds beneath fairy lights at the family venue.

What was the budget for your wedding?

$35k.

How did you choose your wedding dress?

It was always a dream to design my own and I did that thanks to Jodie and The Blushery by Oh Hello Bride. It was a two-in-one dress. The ceremony dress had a full duchess satin skirt with a belt that I removed for a sleek classic reception look at night.

Miela and Josh in a convertible.

What thoughts did you have while waiting at the altar?

Joshua: I was thinking of how beautiful she looked and how much I couldn’t wait to marry her.

Any unique details?

Our Bubble Tea Bar.

What was the standout moment?

The whole day but a special moment was when we took aside 10 minutes to ourselves to soak in the wedding. We stood back and looked at our beautiful friends and family under the fairylit marquee and stars. Some had come long and far like my bridesmaid and teammates from Duke University all the way from the US.