Julie and Matt's Elegant Ballina Wedding

On the 31st January 2024, Julie and Matt exchanged their vows officially committing their love to one another at Shelly Beach Café right here in beautiful Ballina, with all of their favourite people surrounding them.

But their story started over 2 decades ago when they were both neighbours, Julie married to another creating a family, and Matt often visiting his girlfriend on the Gold Coast right next door. Their lives ran parallel with no signs of what their future held.

Fast forward into the age of social media, now both single, they were living differing lives.

Julie was living and working on the Gold Coast caring for her two ‘almost’ adult children enjoying her life and work.

Matt was living in East Ballina focusing on his newest project Gather By. Working long hours, he’d come to accept that maybe his final chapter would be one of solitude. But on New Years Eve, at the end of North Wall, Matt made a profound declaration to the Universe. He expressed his openness to welcoming peace, love, and joy into his world, and he posted his intention on Facebook.

Meanwhile Julie had recently begun exploring ‘The Embodied Feminine Woman Institute’, which offered guidance on becoming a ‘high-value woman to attract a quality high-value man.’ When suddenly, Matt started popping up in her Facebook feed – people you may know.

It was Julie who made the first move, sending Matt a message on a sunny Saturday afternoon. It was simple and friendly…

‘Hi, blast from the past, we used to be neighbours, and you’re popping up on Facebook, just wanted to say hi.’

Matt didn’t hesitate to invite Julie out for a friendly catchup.

This was the Covid era, amidst border passes and restrictions, they managed to arrange a meeting the very next day choosing to meet halfway in Brunswick Heads.

Matt transformed their dinner plans into a romantic picnic by the river arriving with prawns, salad, mangoes, chardonnay, and a cozy rug.

On that enchanting first date, Julie was genuinely impressed by Matt’s thoughtfulness, while Matt was captivated by Julie’s beauty, and relaxed and loving nature.

It was January 31, 2021, the day their lives changed forever

In those early days they embarked on covert Covid operations. After months of lockdowns and through police blockades, smuggling Matt through wires and barriers across the border into QLD while blue flashing lights sparked all around them, they made it to their secure room at the Greenmount Hotel. This added a playfulness to their lives reminding them that love knows no boundary even when faced with intense travel restrictions.

Whether they’re embarking on grand adventures or enjoying the simple pleasures of life, the joy of simply being in each other’s company surpasses all else.

Their love has a way of turning every moment into an adventure, every experience into a memory to cherish.

From the moment their journey as a couple began it’s been perfect. A remarkable voyage, one filled with love, laughter, and countless precious moments that have shaped the tapestry of their lives.

Together they’ve found a kind of love that radiates from within, touching everyone fortunate enough to witness it. Their love brings a joy that springs from the deepest corners of their hearts.

Their love story isn’t just about the two of them though, it’s also about the tapestry of families and people coming together. Their union is attempting to create better family environments with communication and boundaries, fostering unity, understanding, and a shared sense of belonging.

They’re building bridges between families, promoting love, respect, and harmony. Their journey has shown them the power of love to heal wounds, dissolve differences, and create a haven of love and acceptance for all.

This wedding really is a major highlight for me from 2024, I loved how Julie used hydrangeas and baby’s breath for her simple flowers. And, how she contacted Ballina’s Community Page to find out who drove the wonderful car she’d seen driving around. And how they both wanted everyone they loved the most to surround them as the signed the Marriage Register.

But what I loved most was how I learned so much about love, understanding and integrity from these two, lessons that I’ve been able to bring into my own relationship.

Just this morning on my morning walk, as I was thinking about putting this blog post together, I ran into them both riding their bikes along North Wall, both taking the day off to celebrate their special love day.

Julie now lives in Ballina full time and works with Matt in the Gather By business, if you haven’t tried their Manuka honey get onto it, it has wonderful healing properties and it’s a local business too. I take a tea spoon of it when I have a tired throat or when my glands are inflamed.

Happy Anniversary to Julie and Matt, wishing you all the love and happiness. You are both such an inspiration, thank you for sharing your story with me. xx

To organise an elegant local wedding like Julie + Matt’s click below to get in touch!