Wonga Park Wedding
From “Old Mate” to Forever
Jess & Nathan
Their Love Story
Jess and Nathan's story began in 2021, after they matched on Tinder.
Jess had moved from Brisbane to Perth in 2019, chasing sunshine, beaches and a little adventure. Nathan was a Perth local, and despite some clear advice that Jess probably shouldn't find herself a Perth boy, fate had other ideas.
Nathan's opening pitch was fairly simple.
He had a boat.
Jess was interested.
Their first date was a Sunday afternoon at the Oxford Hotel in Leederville. Nathan had already ordered Jess a pint of Great Northern before she arrived, although there remains some disagreement over exactly how late Jess was.
From there, the afternoon turned into an evening of footy, Northbridge, Little China Girl and Jess attempting to use chopsticks.
Eventually, Jess drove Nathan home while Keith Urban provided the soundtrack.
And although Jess wasn't exactly convinced about men at the time, she saved Nathan in her phone as “old mate”.
It turns out old mate was actually husband material.
Over the next few years, they built a relationship based around doing things together and saying yes to the next adventure.
They tackled the Rottnest Channel Swim.
They completed the 123 kilometre Cape to Cape Track.
And somehow, after all that, they still wanted to spend more time together.
So they bought a caravan and travelled around Australia for two years while working FIFO.
They experienced dirt tracks, tropical nights, swimming holes, star filled skies, footy streamed through Starlink and plenty of simple dinners with a steak, vegetables and a beer in Nathan's hand.
Eventually, all of those adventures led them towards their biggest project yet.
A 150 acre property with a 100 year old Queenslander, macadamia trees, plans for future cattle and an enormous amount of blood, sweat and tears.
This wasn't just a house.
It was the beginning of the life they'd been dreaming about.
Then, in August 2024, while at the very top of Cape York after conquering the Old Telegraph Track, Nathan got down on one knee.
On a secluded beach, both in their togs and with a celebratory Bundy in hand, he asked Jess to marry him.
Of course, she said yes.
But there was one condition.
They were getting married on their own property.
And that's exactly what they did.
Sneak Peak
A Quote from the Vows
“Together, we’ve been on some amazing adventures, and I want to continue that for the rest of my days with you.” ~ Nathan
“Through the good and the bad, I've always and will always choose you because the best thing I've ever done is to love you and I will do that wholeheartedly without quitting every single day." ~ Jess
Full Wedding Film:
A little about the celebration
There was something pretty bloody cool about filming Jess and Nathan's wedding at Wonga Park.
This wasn't simply a wedding venue they'd hired for the weekend.
It was home.
It was the property they'd poured their time, money, energy and probably a few choice words into.
And it was also their housewarming.
So the guest list basically had two reasons to party.
The wedding brought together family and friends who had travelled from Western Australia, South Australia, North Queensland and Victoria to be there.
For Jess and Nathan, having everyone in one place made the day even more meaningful, especially as they took a moment to remember the grandparents who couldn't physically be there but remained very much part of the day.
The ceremony itself was filled with the stories that make these two who they are.
Their Tinder beginning.
The boat.
The Oxford Hotel.
Their adventures around Australia.
The caravan.
The farm.
And, of course, the proposal at the top of Cape York.
Their vows were equally personal.
Nathan promised to support Jess and be her biggest fan, while also committing to moccas, chocolates and the occasional hike.
Jess's vows were a little more extensive.
She promised to keep Nathan's eyebrows well trimmed, compliment his strong arms, admire his trailer reversing skills and continue listening to his endless supply of fun facts.
She also made one very important disclaimer:
She could not promise to empty the poo cartridge in the caravan.
Honestly, marriage is about communication and setting realistic expectations.
But beneath all the laughs, Jess said something that really captured the heart of their relationship.
She promised that they would always be on the same team.
And that's exactly what they are.
why I love this wedding venue for weddings
There is something incredibly meaningful about getting married somewhere that isn't just a wedding venue.
For Jess and Nathan, their property represents everything they've worked towards together.
They didn't simply arrive there.
They built it.
The 150 acres, the Queenslander, the gardens, the future cattle and everything else on the property are all part of the life they're creating together.
And that makes the location itself part of their love story.
If you're considering a farm wedding, property wedding or private estate wedding in Australia, Jess and Nathan's day is a pretty great reminder that your wedding location doesn't necessarily need to be a traditional venue.
Sometimes the most meaningful place is the one you've built together.
It can also create a wedding experience that feels incredibly personal.
Your guests aren't just arriving at a venue.
They're stepping into your home, your story and the place where your next chapter is going to unfold.
And from a wedding film perspective, that gives us so much to work with.
The land.
The house.
The little details.
The people who helped you build it.
The memories you've already made there.
And the moments that will happen there for years to come.
Because one day, you'll be watching your wedding film from that same property, probably with a few more animals wandering around, and you'll get to remember exactly what it felt like when it was all just beginning.
a thank you message
Jess and Nathan, what a bloody adventure.
From meeting on Tinder to travelling around Australia, completing ridiculous physical challenges, buying a caravan, finding 150 acres of land and turning it into home, you've already packed a fair bit into five years.
And somehow, you're only just getting started.
Thank you for trusting us to capture the day you finally got to bring everyone together on the property you've worked so hard to create.
It was pretty special seeing all of the people who had travelled from across the country to celebrate with you.
But more than anything, we hope your wedding film reminds you of what this day really represented.
Not just becoming husband and wife.
But everything it took to get there.
The adventures.
The hard work.
The ridiculous decisions.
The big dreams.
And the decision to keep choosing each other through all of it.
Here's to the next adventure, the future farm animals, more of Australia, more travelling and hopefully Nathan eventually getting Jess to walk at his hiking speed.
We couldn't be happier for you both.
legends from the day:
A little about the celebration
