Love in the great outdoors: Stefanie and Michael’s classic Australian wedding

When Stefanie first swiped right for Michael, she wasn’t looking for commitment but luckily fate had other plans.

“I was moving up to Thursday Island in the Torres Strait to work as a nurse and didn’t want anything serious,” Stefanie, 27, says.

“Two months later I hear from Michael again and he tells me he’s coming up my way to do some work on [nearby] Horn Island. He organised a tinny ride over to Thursday Island so we could meet up and we have been together ever since.”

Michael, 25, popped the question when the pair were camping on Stefanie’s favourite beach.

They held their classic Australian wedding at Lake Tinaroo, Atherton Tablelands, Queensland, in front of 80 of their nearest and dearest on October 27, 2017.

“We wanted to have a very natural wedding with an outdoor ceremony followed by our reception at the Lake Tinaroo Resort,” Stefanie says.

“The reception hall was gorgeous, just like a hunter’s lodge, with a massive stone fireplace, wooden floors and exposed wood beam ceiling and marble tables. Our florist Nat from Stella Florist and Deb from By Design Weddings and Events made our dreams become reality.

“They worked their magic in transforming the venue into a whimsical forest with green foliage everywhere, and candles to light the tables. Pops of blood red amongst the gold and navy blue was perfect. Our dream came true on so many levels that perfect day in October where I married my best friend and soul mate.”

Photos courtesy of Blue Sky Photography.

Stefanie wore an A-line lace overlay gown from Irene Costa’s Divine Bridal.

Michael’s a firefighter, so it was only right that the wedding party got a photographed in front of a truck.

“I loved my wedding day and was over the moon with everything,” Stefanie says.

Spectrum Sounds kept everyone on the dancefloor all night.