Location: Rosewood Estate // Photography: Tessa Cox Photography Guests: 110
It may have been an unconventional meet-cute (at the Kirwan Ambulance Station, no less), but paramedics Bronte and Brendan were destined for ‘we do’. The Toowoomba-based couple looked to another glorious Queensland region, the Scenic Rim when planning their classic-with-a-twist celebration. And with its perfect pops of colour, family focus and irresistible vibe (so much love in that fresh mountain air!), we’re well and truly hooked.
We asked Bronte to clue us in on all the details, including her take on traditions, puppy stage fright and why cocktails and pizza were non-negotiables.
QB: All good love stories start somewhere; tell us how and when you met …
Brendan opened the door for me on my first day at Kirwan Ambulance Station in October 2016. We attended a cardiac arrest together and bonded over that, so it’s not your typical love story.
We did the long distance from Brisbane to Townsville, then Brendan moved to Toowoomba, and I followed as I also got a full-time job there as a Paramedic. Now we both call Toowoomba home. One of our most memorable jobs working together (which we hardly ever do) was delivering a healthy baby boy. I assisted mum with the delivery whilst Brendan went outside to get a few extra things, I think he was petrified, but managed to calm his nerves and helped swaddle the baby after and we got them to hospital happy and healthy!
QB: Tell us about your lives together …
Our lives together are probably different to most — we are both Paramedics, and with that comes the shift work! When we aren’t at work doing 12-hour shifts, we love spending time with our two dogs, Benny (mini poodle) and Maple (cavoodle). We love a Bunnings trip and are constantly working on our little home. If we aren’t at home, we are at the park catching up with our friends, their kids and dogs, having a BBQ. Or we are at CrossFit or visiting our families in Brisbane. We love a beach trip, which is exactly why Brendan proposed …
QB: Tell us more about that proposal …
Brendan proposed under the boardwalk at Caloundra. He planned on proposing in Iceland, but (due to COVID-19), we were unable to go. We spent a few nights in Montville and then Brendan planned a date night at an Italian restaurant in Caloundra. Before dinner, he told me he wanted to scope out a good spot to come back and take Milky Way photos on his good camera. Little did I know he was just trying to get me in the right spot on the rocks where he could get to one knee!
Brendan asked me to hold his phone up with the Milky Way app to help get the right spot for the photo later. I had my back to him and took my job super seriously: asking him if I was in the right location. I didn’t know I was making things difficult by asking so many questions while he was trying to get the ring out of his pocket.
When I turned around, he was kneeling with the most gorgeous Hogans ring — and our good friend Liz, who is a photographer, was hiding under the boardwalk taking photos! It was such a surprise and the perfect proposal. We went out to dinner after and shared a pizza and I enjoyed some Champagne.
QB: How did you celebrate your hens/bucks/hucks?
I went to Noosa for a girls’ weekend. On Friday, we had a beach day, and on Saturday, we had a long lunch at Seasons Restaurant, followed by some beach time and cocktails at Miss Moneypenny’s. We went back to our Airbnb and played a few games and I jumped in the pool.
Brendan had a weekend in Toowoomba, the boys had an all-you-can-eat BBQ at a place called Proof and then beers around the fire.
QB: Why did you choose your venue?
Because of the location, the views of the Gold Coast and hinterland are amazing, and the ability to choose all our own vendors. We had seen a few weddings at Rosewood Estate pop up on Instagram and loved the vibe. When we met the owner and looked around the first time, we loved the place so much we booked it in that day.
QB: What was the inspiration behind your wedding style?
Our style was very simple and classic with pops of colour. It very much reflects my love of classic things, as you can see in my choice of dress and then the pops of colour in the flowers. Brendan is a no-fuss guy and didn’t want anything over the top, so we stuck to what we knew. Brendan is Italian, so pizza and pasta was a must, and I love a cocktail, so a cocktail bar for me. Funnily enough, our very first inspiration was from the Queensland Brides magazine my mum purchased for me when we first got engaged.
QB: Did you incorporate any traditions or perhaps do something a little different?
Our wedding was a mix of traditional and a modern take. This is very much a reflection of us: Brendan loves traditions, whereas I’m not into the whole garter/bouquet toss thing. We met in the middle on most things but decided everything was to be fun and for everyone to enjoy. Our ceremony was personal, funny and not traditional at all and our speeches had everyone in stitches. We even had our cavoodle Maple at all aspects of the wedding, we love the photos with her.
We did a first dance, which we were both very nervous about — but looking back, we’re so glad we did it as it felt like it was just us in that moment. We had a feasting-style service for our food as we wanted all our guests to be able to share food at the table and interact.
QB: What were your funniest moments of the day?
We had every intention of Maple coming down the aisle last to come and be with us whilst we said our vows. However, she got overwhelmed and went around the back of our guests, not down the aisle, and Brendan’s dad had to hold her the whole ceremony.
We didn’t know what our best man was going to say but some of my favourite photos are of everyone laughing at his humour.
QB: Tell us about your dress/suit choices …
Brendan always wanted a black or navy suit. He chose navy as we went for a more relaxed wedding vibe. I chose a classic crepe dress by Madi Lane. I had tried on a lot of different styles that weren’t for me: the more material and detail, the more I felt I was getting lost in the dress. I opted for the ‘Miles’ as it had the off-the-shoulder sleeve, which I loved, and the option for a clip-on veil. It was so windy on our day that I ended up taking the veil off not long into our photos.
QB: Do you have a special mention for any stand-out vendors/suppliers?
How do I say: all of them? Well, firstly, our stylist, planner and coordinator Emmagen from Ivy & Bleu. We couldn’t have done it without her; every detail was thought about, and she was there for me the whole day, working with her amazing team. Nothing was a worry, and she made my day so stress-free.
The food was amazing, we had pizza and pasta in a feasting style by the Italian Job catering.
Tessa Cox and Renee from Earthbound Stories did our photos and videography. They made us feel so comfortable in front of the camera — and it shows as every time I look at our photos, I can see how much fun we’re having, and just Brendan being his cheeky self.
Our celebrant, Jac, made our ceremony so personal, relaxed and fun: just what we wanted. Danny Dyson, our musician, kept the vibes up the whole night, along with our amazing bartender, Andrew from Wunderbar, who made epic cocktails and kept the drinks flowing.
QB: Any words of wisdom to offer other couples?
Brendan: Send each other funny Instagram reels every day.
Bronte: Have fun. Go into your wedding day with the mindset that everything has been planned and it is your day to enjoy. Relax as much as you can, the work is done. Listen to your music whilst getting ready with your nearest and dearest, (try to) change those nerves to excitement, you are about to marry the love of your life (and have a party). Well, that’s what we did anyway.
Just be careful of sparkler exits: they make for amazing photos but do them early in the night before too much booze kicks in, and you burn a hole in your mother-in-law’s dress!
QB: How did you honeymoon?
We enjoyed two weeks in New Zealand. We got some amazing snow for skiing and had such a great time in the Onsen hot spas, zip lining, going to Milford Sound and touring the wineries. Our six-week Europe trip (our meant-to-be-the-proposal trip/delayed honeymoon trip) will include Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and Iceland!
QB: What does marriage mean to you?
It means that we are a family. We are both very close with our families and hope to have our own children in the near future. We see our marriage as a promise to be a team and to get the best out of each other. To Brendan, it means fully committing his undying and unwavering love and support to me forever. Brendan is definitely a bit of a romantic.
DREAM TEAM
Photography: Tessa Cox Photography // Videography: Earthbound Stories // Ceremony venue: Rosewood Estate // Reception venue: Rosewood Estate // Celebrant: Jac Moore/Moore Celebrations // Gown: Miles by Madi Lane from Luxe Bridal Toowoomba // Accessories: Bridesmaid earrings from Lovisa, Bride’s earrings from White Lily Couture Shoes: Forever Soles // Groom’s outfit: MJ Bale // Groomsmen outfits: MJ Bale // Hair: Jody Callan Hair // Makeup: Kate Johnston MUA // Bridesmaids hair & makeup: Sarah Kelly Wedding Rings: Hogans Family Jewellers Toowoomba // Stylist: Ivy & Bleu // Flowers: Ivy & Bleu // Cake: gifted to us by a good friend Katie Anderson // Catering: The Italian Job Catering // Music: Danny Dyson // Bar cart: Wunderbar Australia
