Weddings & EVENTS

Chloe And Luke

The dream team.

Married at Bimbadgen, Pokolbin

Unbeknown to either of them, Chloe and Luke ‘stalked’ each other through a Contiki Tours Facebook group before they even met on the other side of the world. They’d both booked a three week tour, starting in London.

‘I remember saying to my best friend who was also going on the trip, “Wow look at this girl.” The night before the tour started, I can still see Chloe as she walked through the door of the pub. I was blown away.’

Chloe laughs and admits she ‘stalked’ Luke many weeks before the trip began. ‘Admittedly, I was on the hunt for the best-looking guy on the tour. There were 30+ women and 10 men (half of whom were with their partners) and he was the one. I remember being so nervous saying hello on that first day.’

‘Chloe played hard to get, she was trying to be so cool,’ says Luke. ‘Until the first night in Paris where she had one too many champagnes and kissed me.’

‘I think the unexpected thing about it was that we fell so deeply for one another in such a short timeframe.’ says Chloe. ‘I wouldn’t say it was love at first sight – I don’t think that’s a thing. But absolutely, we wanted to be in each other’s lives.’

Luke’s original plan was to stay in the UK for a year or two after the tour. ‘When she went back to Australia, I knew something was missing. We Skyped every day for three months but knowing that someone who made me so happy was on the other side of the world made me realise I needed to come home.

‘I always wanted a partner who was active and into similar things to me,’ says Luke. ‘She used to own a motorcycle, which I thought was pretty cool until I found out she rode less than 50 km on it before selling it a year later!’

‘I love Luke’s ability to love deeply, forgive easily, and bring out the best in all those around him. I always imaged someone who was tall, handsome and with dark hair – someone who supported me,’ says Chloe. ‘I won the lotto; Luke fits all those – except he is losing his hair; that could be a deal breaker.’

Their love was put to the test a year into their relationship when Chloe’s dad passed away and then her grandparents and her brother all in a short space of time.

‘I went into depression and developed severe anxiety,’ Chloe admits. ‘I left it undiagnosed for almost three years before I sought help. I relied on Luke to be my punching bag, an unfair expectation of anyone, most of all the person you love most in the world.

‘I was drinking excessively and as a result we had many arguments. Luke always stood by me, even when I had nothing to give. It would have been easier to give up and go our separate ways but something in each of us just didn’t want that to happen.

‘In a way I’m deeply grateful for those experiences. It’s allowed us to build a solid foundation of trust, honesty and support and now it feels like every day is so easy with one another. Sure, we have tiffs (usually because Luke washes my white clothes with red towels) but we like to call ourselves the dream team. I don’t think anything could phase us quite as much compared to those early years.’

‘I knew we were going to be together forever,’ says Luke. ‘I just didn’t realise how special the wedding day would be to me. Best day of my life.’

Luke proposed to Chloe in their small apartment during a Covid lockdown.

‘I started setting up the living room at 5 am and she woke up to strewn rose petals, candles and our favourite song playing. I was down on one knee in the living room.

‘Marriage was a way for us to celebrate this incredible love that we have formed over the last eight years,’ says Chloe. ‘We wanted to scream from the rooftops and share this day with all those most important to us.

‘Luke and I both had goosebumps when we first visited Bimbadgen Palmers Lane. We didn’t even have to discuss it, we just both knew: incredible backdrop, vineyard, good wine and space for outdoor canapes.’

‘The happiest, most in love, special and everything-you-can-imagine day together was our wedding day,’ says Luke. ‘I will remember the love, special moments and memories of our perfect day for the rest of our lives.’

Chloe’s vow to Luke: ‘Today, I join my life with yours. Where you go, I will go. Whatever you face, I will face. If you have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders, I’ll be standing their shoulder-toshoulder with you.’

Coordinator Bimbadgen Palmers Lane

Celebrant Lauren Elle Celebrant

Photographer Matt Ashton

Videographer GMTMT Films

Makeup Make-up by Candice

Hair Hair by Aleica Pace

Florist Bloom Folk

Musician Ben Fox Band

Cake Flourish Custom Cakes

Car hire Classic Limousines Newcastle

Photobooth audio book The Photo Booth Guys

Furniture Everlong Events

Signage Locale Print Co

Wedding dress Brides of Beecroft, Anna Sposa

Earrings & veil Amelie George

Jacket Unreal Fur

Shoes Mi Piaci

Reception dress Katie May

Groom suits Ferrari Formal

Bridesmaid dresses Chancery