Maddy & Gerard

Although we know Tasmania truly shines during winter, there is no doubt that this island knows a thing or two about the beauty of Summer too. “We wanted a low key, no fuss wedding that celebrated just us. We didn’t want bells & whistles we wanted each other & nature,” explains Maddy. “We decided to elope, apart from recently welcoming our son into the world it was the best day of our lives & we have no regrets!” With just two guests, the help of Pop Up Weddings Tasmania to take care of every little detail and Astrid Simone Photography to capture all the magic, Maddy and Gerard wed in one of the most stunning locations in the country. It was a day that was just as they wanted – laidback, no fuss and completely about their own story.

It’s been a long time coming for these two, and we’re travelling back to 2006 with Maddy to get the story of how they met. “Gerard (Gez) & I first met in March 2006. He walked into my work office & I saw this young chap and I distinctively remember he spoke funny (he is a kiwi!). We grew fond of each other and became friends catching up all over Australia & near misses in Europe & randomly fell in love lifetimes later in late 2016! All of our friends & work colleagues couldn’t believe it! (Neither could we really!).”

Gerard popped the question “with our two children (my beautiful step- girls & little boy in my tummy!) in a National Park in front of a waterfall – it was magic!”

Maddy found her gown completely by chance! She says “I am passionate about sustainable fashion & I am not into spending unnecessary money on things that I won’t be able to wear again & again. I was literally packing up my life in Victoria ready to move back home to Tasmania & I was running errands with my mum in Bay Street in Port Melbourne. We literally randomly parked outside an op shop, and the wedding dress of my dreams was in the window! I said super casually to my mum, “that’s my wedding dress I just know it!”. We went inside, I tried it on, it fitted like a glove, $80 later my mum kindly gifted it to me! Ta-da! Done! The funny thing was we fell pregnant with our son & it cost more to alter to fit me than it did to originally purchase! The dress is vintage with bell sleeves & floral lace. Divine. I wore some of my oldest loved brown boots & made a floral crown with boho cream detailing. Being a National Park everything had to be faux – my bestie who was my “bridesmaid” so kindly gifted me the most amazing bouquet of surreal faux native flowers which literally smack my heart with happy emotion every time I open my front door as they’re sitting on the sideboard!”

Maddy and Gerard chose to say “I Do” on King Billie Track in Cradle Mountain National Park, just a short wander from their accommodation.

Maddy and Gerard were married by Tracey Bruce. “We asked our celebrant to keep it as short and sweet as possible with a side of vows. Mine turned out to be a novel (oops) but I had a lot to say about how wonderful my husband is and what our lives mean to me! So blessed.”

“My boho style & love for old loved items saw us being relaxed and comfy and ensured there was no waste afterwards!” notes the bride. “It was the most simple day that allowed us to relax & breathe & just be us, we were so grateful to just spend the time together.”

Maddy carried a bouquet by Seaholly Flowers, sharing “we were not allowed to take real flowers into the National Park. I was lucky enough to be gifted my bouquet from Seaholly Flowers – a divine collection of unstructured natives. I only like natives and I don’t like anything that looks too “done” so my brief really emphasised the “I just picked this, not perfect look”, I couldn’t be happier or grateful for this beauty of a bouquet!”

Of their photographer, the bride shares “I randomly picked Astrid from a list of links that our planner supplied us. Astrid was the second link I clicked on. I saw her signage, and her (then) first Cradle Mountain shoot & I was instantly captivated by her brilliance & beauty (& her photographs are amazing too!!). I was so excited and comforted weeks prior to the wedding knowing that our most beautiful moments would be remembered forever by the film. Astrid was a dream to work with. She made us feel incredible and didn’t at all break our love gaze to get the shot. She just got it. She actually did more than that. She has captured memories of my heart that will stand with me for the rest of time. I cannot wait to place these moments of joy on our walls.”

And after photos? There as an intimate dinner, jumping on the bed and a decadent jacuzzi!

A big congratulations to you both Maddy and Gerard! Thank you for sharing your day with us. Thank you to Astrid Simone Photography for sharing today’s beautiful celebration.