KARA IN PARIS & NIKKI MINI

From a university campus meeting to a cliffside proposal overlooking Bell’s Beach, Kara and Tim’s love story has been built on warmth, ease, and shared joy. Their wedding at The Old Dairy, Maleny was exactly that — a relaxed yet elegant garden party filled with personal touches, heartfelt speeches, and a surprise announcement of their big move to Italy.

For her ceremony, Kara wore the Paris gown, customised with organza puff sleeves adorned with Paris flowers and paired with a Paris lace veil. “It was so romantic and feminine — nothing else gave me the same feeling.” Later in the evening, she surprised her guests (and Tim!) by changing into the Nikki Mini, a playful reimagining of her gown that brought the dance floor to life.

Below, Kara shares her story in her own words.

Tim and I met while living on campus at the University of Queensland. He was at King’s College and I was at Women’s College, so we had lots of mutual friends. We officially met after King’s Ball in September 2019, and a few days later he asked me out. Our first date was at the Riverfire Festival in Brisbane, and from then on, he kept finding little ways to win me over.

There were so many little moments that built into one big certainty. Early on, during peak Covid, we had to spend time apart, and that distance made it clear how much we meant to each other. Not long after, Tim told me he loved me, and we’ve been “all in” ever since. But the real moment of knowing came when he joined my family on holiday. Seeing how seamlessly he fit in, surfing with my dad and laughing with everyone, I couldn’t imagine life without him.

Tim organised for my family to stay with his in Victoria. One morning he insisted on taking me to Anglesea to check out a surfboard he had been eyeing. After buying the rainbow board, he drove me to Bell’s Beach, where he got down on one knee on a beautiful cliffside overlooking the ocean. It was so perfectly us: intimate, a little spontaneous, and in a place that reflected both our love for the coast.

We wanted it to feel warm, personal, and joy filled, like a big family celebration. We wanted everyone to feel comfortable, well fed, and completely at ease, like they were at the best garden party they had ever been invited to.

Our vision was a relaxed yet elegant garden party. We loved weaving in lots of personal touches. Tim announcing our big move to Italy during his speech made the night even more special, almost like a farewell party as well as a wedding.

I loved that it was Australian. I loved that the designs are classic yet unique, and that they feel so feminine and girly while still maintaining a timeless elegance.

I was with my Mum and sister, and I think they could see in my face and demeanour that it was the one before I had even processed my own feelings. Even my baby sister, who is usually the brave tough one, teared up.

Yes. The Ella Moda team were so wonderful. Not only was the dress perfectly made to my measurements, but they also added some of the florals to my veil and the little puff sleeves so that everything tied in seamlessly.

The speeches. Sitting in that room surrounded by our favourite people, hearing such heartfelt words from our families and closest friends, was overwhelming in the best way.

Tim’s smile stretched ear to ear, and it immediately put me at ease. My family’s reaction was full of happy tears, big smiles, and delicate hugs as they tried not to mess up my hair and makeup.

Skipping down the aisle after the ceremony, holding hands and hugging all of our loved ones along the way. Our second kiss, a dramatic dip kiss, was also pure magic.

I surprised all the guests with a dress change into the mini version of my exact gown. It was fabulous and really brought the dance floor to life! Tim had no idea and was so surprised. After a few champagnes, we even attempted the iconic Dirty Dancing lift for the first time.

Elated

Completely myself. It was super comfortable, and despite being strapless, not once did I feel the urge to tug on it.

Choose the dress that evokes a feeling. You only get to do this once, so make it your fairytale. Don’t get caught up in perfection or expectations. Choose the dress that makes you feel like yourself, not what you think (or others think) you should wear.

Venue: The Old Dairy, Maleny
Photographer: Manuel Brandao
Videographer: Morgs, Filmed by Bolton
Florist: Willow Bud Flowers
Hair: Nyree Maclellan
Makeup: David Huia
Shoes: Jo Mercer
Jewellery: Trenna Moore, Moore Designs (Eumundi Markets)
Celebrant: Emma Homewood
Planner/stylist: Myself (with a 60 page Google Doc)
Music: LoveNote
Caterer: The Bertino Brothers (Italian food truck)
Transport: Lux Transfers