How did your story begin?

"As Carl likes to tell the story, we met on the story mat in primary school when we were five years old. I told him his girlfriend had moved away from him, and he couldn’t take his eyes off me. We had an instant bond."

What is one aspect of your wedding that felt totally “you”?

"The Star Wars aspect felt totally us. We both saw it in the cinema when it first came out, and it had a huge impact on us. It was an era where space and sci-fi were new to TV and the big screen, and it’s something we’ve always shared."

What part of the day or planning felt like your best investment – in time, money, or love?

"The fact that Tui Hills fully embraced our Star Wars theme and added so much more, from Star Wars-themed cocktails to creative ideas with our props, made our day perfect. The time and money were so well spent, and the day portrayed our love perfectly."

Did you put your own twist on any traditions, or break a few entirely?

"Our wedding celebrant gave us the freedom to express ourselves in both our ceremony and our vows by incorporating personal elements and our love of Star Wars.

We were able to use audio and visual media to enhance the ceremony. My husband walked down the aisle with his two sons to Vader’s theme. Before I walked down the aisle, audio clips were played.

Steph, our wedding coordinator, tied lightsabers to the guests’ chairs, and we walked back down the aisle as husband and wife to the Star Wars theme tune while our guests held the lightsabers over our heads."

What caught you off guard, in the best or most unexpected way?

"The layout and presentation, which I left Steph to make the final call on, was amazing. It was everything I could have asked for and more. She is such a creative person, and I was utterly stunned by how fantastic the venue looked. Our guests complimented every little detail."

Do you have any advice you’d pass on to other couples just getting started on their planning journey?

"Your wedding day is a celebration of who you are and your love for each other. Be true to yourselves and ensure your venue accommodates your needs. Whether you’re planning a traditional wedding or one with a theme, the right team will deliver your perfect day."

Finally, who helped bring your special day to life?

"We were so happy to have Stephanie Metcalfe as our wedding coordinator. She was on board with our Star Wars theme from day one and had the knowledge and creativity to elevate our ideas even further.

Our wedding photographer, Kiri Marsters, was supportive from our very first phone call. She prepped us well for our pre-wedding photos, and on the day, both Kiri and Sonny captured the essence of our love — and our shared passion for Star Wars — with seamless organisation. We received our initial photos just days later, with the full gallery arriving about a week after that.

The bar staff were fabulous and genuinely embraced the Star Wars elements (one even brought his own R2-D2!). The chef deserves a special mention. We chose the Silver Buffet, and it was absolutely beautiful — the food was incredible.

I also have to thank Natalie Rose Bridal for my beautiful sparkly dress, with alterations by Fritz and Sarah in Newmarket, who did a stunning job. Go Flowers created my bouquet exactly as I had imagined — the colours, florals, and venue styling were perfect.

Finally, a huge thank you to Hayley Maree Robinson, our celebrant — and hair and makeup extraordinaire. She created the perfect Star Wars-style vows and nailed my hair and makeup for the day. Her bubbly personality truly lifted the whole experience. Everyone had a fantastic day, and we will always treasure our wedding thanks to everyone involved."