Some love stories are grand, others quietly powerful—and for this radiant couple, their day was a tribute to intimacy, meaning, and celebrating what truly matters. From meeting on Hinge, to a heartfelt ceremony surrounded by family, Shauna and Matt's journey reminds us that beauty often lies in simplicity.
The Swipe That Started It All
It all began with a swipe. The two connected on Hinge and were quickly drawn to each other. “We connected really well on our first date and just kept hanging out, having interesting dates—we were magnetized,” Shauna shares. That effortless connection grew into something unshakable. And soon enough, the pair decided to forge their union through marriage.
Hoping Shauna's father, who is living overseas with Alzheimer’s, would get to attend and witness her nuptials, the pair expedited the entire process. “This would be his last trip to Australia,” she shared. “Once my family booked their visit, we quickly planned everything so we could celebrate together.” But aside from that, Shauna and Matt believed marriage is not just a legal bond—it’s a lifelong promise of support and companionship.
“It’s a state of love and belonging, knowing that person will be there for you in the dark and the light, laugh and cry next to you, and enjoy being your best friend for life.”
Choosing to focus their finances on future travel, the couple planned a beautiful wedding on a thoughtful budget. The day began with an early morning coffee and a trip to the dog park as they wanted to include their beloved sausage dog in their special day. Then the pair continued to the registry office, followed by a civil ceremony, and celebration at Stratton Bar in Newstead. Although Shauna and Matt went without any added decorations, the ceremony and location were all beautiful nonetheless.
The emotional peak of the day? “Watching my husband be overwhelmed with emotion when he saw me and speak so genuinely during our vows.” He shed many tears, and in a sweet, unscripted moment, they even kissed before the vows—breaking the rules and warming every heart present.
Dress Shopping For An Economical Bride
Finding the dream dress wasn’t without its challenges. After a dress disaster, Shauna turned to When Freddie Met Lilly in a moment of stress. All she had to do was message Vanessa, and it was all sorted out. With her short timeline, Shauna decided on a beautiful sample gown tucked away in the racks and was ready to go. But my oh my, even without custom-making the design to her measurements, the dress fit her like a glove. It looked like it was MADE FOR HER.
But what stood out to her most was not only did she get to leave with a dress she adored, but the bridal experience she had–even though she went with a non-traditional route of a sample dress. From the moment she walked into the boutique, she felt embraced.
“You feel like an old friend when you’re there and it's truly a special experience. From the moment you walk in you feel seen and appreciated for your own unique style and beauty. Every effort is made to make you feel like a queen—even if is just for a moment in time.”
Conscious Decisions For A Gorgeous Wedding
Just because you're planning to be economical for your wedding, does not mean that you can't have fun. With a little thinking outside the box, Shauna's big day proves just that! For her blooms, Shauna brought her vision to life by arranging seasonal white and blush florals that she sourced from the Brisbane Flower Markets herself. She also decorated her cake (which was two Coles cakes stacked together), did her own hair, and had a makeup session at Mecca. AND she used the remaining store credit for her makeup touch-up kit. Talk about a find! “You can have a beautiful day without breaking the bank,” she advises. “You just need to get a little creative!”
Vendor Tags:
Florist: Shauna, sourced from Brisbane flower markets
Location: Stratton Bar Newstead
Cake: Shauna, decorating two stacked Cole's cake with icing and flowers
Makeup: Mecca's Glam Session
Hair: Shauna
Wedding Dress: When Freddie Met Lilly
Transport: Uber, it definitely made their day to take a bride around, it was awesome
