BRITTANY IN CUSTOM DONATELLA

From a chance meeting on the rugby field to vows shared in the Byron Bay hinterland, Brittany and Joshua’s love story has been marked by resilience, adventure, and unwavering support. After navigating long distance, health challenges, and international moves, they celebrated their wedding surrounded by family and friends in a day that felt both relaxed and elegantly timeless.

For her gown, Brittany worked with the Ella Moda team to create a customised design — a Donatella silhouette with a Marigold-style bodice, finished with detachable bishop tulle sleeves detailed in delicate lace appliqué. “When I first tried it on, I actually cried — I finally felt like a bride. The gown was so comfortable yet so unique, it truly felt like me.”

Below, Brittany shares her story in her own words.

My beautiful husband and I met on the rugby field as I was working as a photographer while in university and he was playing. I’d asked him a question about the game when he came off the field. I’ll never forget those dark hazlenut eyes when we answered me back. And from that moment on, we couldn’t keep away from each other, even keeping our relationship a secret from the rugby club and other players for months.

I find ’the one’ such a funny concept because when you meet someone, i think you figure out they’re your person once they’ve stuck with you through some really low parts of your life. We’d both been through a lot early on in the relationship between long distance, moving countries and health battles. He’s been my rock and constant through all of it.

It was a very chilled weekend where we’d spontaneously organised to stay in a tiny home in the Sunshine Coast hinterland. I’d booked it and all. I usually pack our bags for the both of us on short trips but he was insistent that I not do that. I thought nothing of it and we drove up on a Friday night and sat around a beautiful fire on the property. The next day we got up early to enjoy a hike at Mount Cooroora in Pomona. Again, he was adament we get there before sunrise. I slept in and he was so annoyed. We eventually got there and hiked up. It was such a challenging hike and I had to stop multiple times. But of course it was worth it because he’d bent the knee and proposed with the ring of my dreams that he had custom made.

I was looking for something quite relaxed but a day that also felt elegant for all of the right reasons.

The theme was garden party vibes but in the country (somewhat – Byron Bay hinterland).

Ella Moda was the first place I went to try on dresses. It was local and I truly hadn’t heard of them before but I was very interested in the specific style. A lot of lace and gorgeous details which I hadn’t seen anywhere else.

This is a tricky one because I had a customised gown based on another design. But when I tried on the original design, I actually felt like a bride and I remember crying and thinking that I could get married in this dress.

The whole dress was very custom but my favourite would have to be the sleeves. They were detachable but had this incredible lace flowers detailed around the wrists and buttons. I wore them for the ceremony and photoshoot and then took them off for the reception.

Definitely the ceremony as a whole and then reading and hearing each other’s vows. The absolute highlight for me (aside from first kiss as husband and wife!).

My husband cried a lot! He was very emotional and absolutely loved my gown and all of the details. My parents loved it too and I think it was what they envisioned for me — the gown is very much who I am as a person (if that makes sense).

I wish it could be the whole day but probably the reception where we finally got to sit down, enjoy the beautiful food and actually catch up with each other and our friends and family.

I had planned to the eye balls so nothing comes to mind that was unexpected. I would say the music, etc was a lot better than I expected. We had to change last minute and the fill in artist was incredible!

Beautiful

Comfortable and like i was the star of the show. The compliments and questions about it just showed how incredible and unique it was.

Everyone says this but take your time to make decisions. Ask all of the questions of vendors because it’s their job to service you. We had amazing vendors but in some cases, I really had to push for what we wanted.

Venue: Byron View Farm

Photographer: Yellowbull Media

Videographer: Yellowbull Media

Florist: Wilderness Florals

Hair & makeup: Blushed Brides (hair), Makeup by Maree

Shoes: Betsey Johnson

Jewellery: Bought from Ella Moda AB Ellie, unique pieces gifted by family

Celebrant/planner/stylist (if applicable): Byron Bay Weddings, Ben Carmichael (celebrant)

Anyone other suppliers that contributed to your day: The Music Box Collective