GABRIELLE IN HONEY

From walking the same primary school corridors without ever officially meeting, to reconnecting years later over an Instagram message, Gabrielle and Tom’s love story feels destined. What began with a playful quip about The MET in New York soon became a romance filled with travel, milestones, and shared moments that only deepened their bond.

Their proposal at Sydney’s Camp Cove tied their story back to one of their earliest dates, with Tom waiting for the perfect moment — four years to the day later — to surprise Gabrielle with the question of a lifetime.

When it came time to plan their wedding, the couple envisioned a celebration that felt like a whirlwind European vacation with family and friends: timeless, elegant, but above all, warm and joy-filled. Despite an unexpected cyclone forcing them to move their entire three-day wedding home at the last minute, Gabrielle and Tom created something extraordinary — a day filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable memories.

For her gown, Gabrielle chose Honey, styled with the Paris sleeves and Paris veil. The combination of delicate floral appliqué, bespoke tailoring, and timeless silhouette brought her vision to life. “I never thought I’d be the bride who cried over a dress — but the moment I tried it on with my mum and sisters, I had goosebumps and tears in my eyes. It felt like me, elevated.”

Below, Gabrielle shares her story in her own words.

We walked past each other plenty of times between the ages of about five to nine, at the same primary school, having no idea that one day we would end up together. Tom was a year older in school, and we don’t remember ever meeting. Years later, when we were each living in different cities – Sydney and Melbourne – Tom slid into Gaby’s Instagram DM’s with a quip relating to The MET in New York, a place Gaby loves very much, which was enough to catch her attention and a reply. 

There was something particularly special and that felt “like never before” from the start, but it was one morning a few short weeks later, when we went for an early morning walk to a favourite beach in Sydney called Camp Cove; when we each really started to wonder if maybe the other person truly was “the one”. 

Tom consequently knew that he wanted to propose at that same spot at Camp Cove, which felt so special. Exactly four years later, on the same day in May, he tactfully hatched a plan. Gaby arrived home from an exercise class with one of her best friends, so he suggested a swim and coffee. After nearly being accidentally sabotaged by another one of Gaby’s friends, coincidentally suggesting a gals’ walk and coffee catch-up, they made it to Camp Cove. Gaby was oblivious to Tom’s ulterior motive of going down one knee on a rocky outcrop, even sitting down, just when he needed her to stay standing. Tom convinced her to stand, and in the same split second, he took her hands and gave her the best surprise of her life. Gaby was so beyond happy looking at Tom, she forgot to look at the ring. 

Before we started planning, we decided that the most beautiful day for us – was anything, as long as we had our families and best friends there with us, all having the best fun and most memorable time together. We knew it would flash before our eyes and it was important to us, that we could have quality time with the people that mean the most to us, over three days. We took inspiration from the chapters of our lives and favourite places we have travelled, weaving many little threads of what is special to us throughout several themed occasions as part of the event. We didn’t want it to feel like a wedding playbook or formula, but have special touches to surprise and delight our guests. We knew we didn’t want to do anything “just because it had been done before” if we thought we could make it more “us”. We wanted it to have the sense of atmosphere that we would have if we were travelling with those we love. So we landed creating our own version of a whirlwind European vacation in spirit; with a timeless and elegant style, wrapped in the warmth and welcoming atmosphere of love and family.

There were three distinct visions: the first day of welcoming everyone was to be like a Riviera ‘Pool Club’ and a relaxed alfresco dinner, for everyone to meet. The wedding day itself was black tie, with a very classical series of whites, offset by lemon and the green of coniferous trees (a favourite from our favourite place). Then the recovery was a lunch at a more topical themed bar near the beach. 

I grew up in Brisbane, and while I haven’t lived there since I was 21 years old and moved to Sydney for my first ‘real job’ post-university, I was home visiting family when I prioritised Ella Moda for a visit. I wanted to make the most of the special moments that come on the engagement and bridal journey, one of which was the chance to go shopping with my best girl friends, sisters and my Mum. We had planned to visit a couple of the boutiques in Sydney and Brisbane that I knew had some of the most beautiful designers, but I had saved some of Ella Moda’s designs as favourites.

I was so shocked! I really and truly never thought I would quite understand the crying reaction over a dress (for me personally), I just couldn’t see myself ever being that girl. So I was in somewhat of a state of shock when I had such an emotional reaction to the dress and realised I had tears in my eyes. There were three designs that had particularly caught my eye, but the one I chose – was ‘the one’ and I feel so corny saying it. I never thought I would have been that girl. Having my Mum and sisters there as well, seeing their faces, was something I will never forget. It was so precious. It was goosebumps and all the feels! I also remember thinking, that if I get to marry my husband in this dress and with these people I love – it will be everything I could have dreamt of and more – nevermind the rest! 

The sizing! Honestly, I can’t emphasise this enough. Having the team (Dharma, she is actually an angel!) spend such attention on the detail and measurements through all the fittings, just made the dress and feel of wearing it – so phenomenal. It actually breaks my heart now, not being able to get all my clothes custom-tailored haha. Everything from the exact length and every dimension – so perfect and graceful to move in. It made it feel like it fit me like a glove, all over – this feeling of moving as one with the dress is how I imagine Cinderella felt! Additionally, the gloves and the floral applique on the bodice and veil were all custom. The position and size was so perfectly specific. I also added another layer underneath the skirt, so it was less transparent and a full “white” which was more aligned to the black tie dress code. If it was a beach wedding, the transparency of the skirt without the additional layer would have been lovely. I can’t speak highly enough of the team working with me on all these touches and creating the dream dress! 

Easy, my husband Tom’s vows. Best moment ever. 

Tears! And smiles. Then I was crying too. 

All of it, it was such a wonderful whirlwind. 

For the dress, the hidden bows (I don’t know what they are called) but they are the niftiest trick – as they are ribbons that you can hang the garments with… but also take off and on again. All hand sewn and so dainty and useful! Ask the Ella Moda team about them! 

For the wedding, there are three – 

1. The letter my future-husband gave me in the morning with a special surprise 
2. The way our siblings had written their speeches, left us speechless with love for them all. 
3. We had written the menus like a story of all our favourite places and it was designed as a journey “visiting” these destinations and places we love to eat and drink around the world. I loved creating this and seeing everyone reading it. 

More excited for life than I knew it was possible to feel. 

Completely myself and very beautiful. 

Start by thinking about you and your personal style, before trends and hype or what brands are doing. I think this helps amidst a very busy and overwhelming bridal industry and really reduces any risk of choosing something you could ever regret. 

Venue: At Home (we had it all planned to book out a venue for three days, near the beach and in the hinterland of Byron Bay – but the first cyclone in 100 years coincided with our weding weekend!). The venue lost power and it was declared a state of emergency in the area, but we were incredibly fortunate to be able to have the wedding at home (organised within 24-hours!) by our incredible families. 

Photographer: Hayley Rafton 

Videographer: Henry Cunningham 

Florist: my mother – she was a professional florist and came out of retirement for me! 

Hair & makeup: with the cyclone – we did it ourselves on the day! Not what I would have chosen before, but it was actually so much fun – like the girls getting ready together again. 

Shoes: Numero Ventuno (if anyone is in Bologna Italy, I loved them!) 

Jewellery: Hardy Brothers 

Celebrant/planner/stylist (if applicable): Jenny McGragh