Palm Creek Estate Wedding
A Love Story Built on Adventure, Family & Finding Your Person
Maddison & Stephen
Their Love Story
Maddison and Stephen’s story started in 2019 at Gilligan’s Hotel in Cairns, during a ship stop in the middle of deployment. Maddison spotted Stephen across the bar, decided he was a total cutie, and made the first move with the classic “my friend thinks you’re cute” line. They spent the night chatting and playing pool before Maddison disappeared off for a kebab with the boys. The next morning, they realised the random attractive stranger from the night before was actually someone they’d be spending the next three months working alongside. From there, things moved pretty quickly, with training sessions, plenty of laughs and a deployment that took them through Guam, Vietnam, Malaysia and Japan.
Their relationship grew through long distance, deployments and a whole heap of life changes. Stephen told Maddison he loved her in Malaysia, she made him wait another six months before returning the favour, and their first proper date back home involved Bondi, takeaway and the very important discovery that chocolate mousse is absolutely not designed for sharing. Not long after, they found out they were expecting their first daughter, Willow, and suddenly life moved into full family mode. They welcomed Willow, moved to the Sunshine Coast, bought their first family home, started what sounds like a never-ending renovation and later welcomed their second beautiful daughter, Wren.
The proposal took a few attempts, but Stephen eventually nailed it on Christmas Eve. After previously trying to organise hikes and hiding the ring in his socks at the ballet, he convinced Maddison to stop wrapping presents and open one of her own. Under the tree was what looked like a cereal box ... a running joke between them about how Stephen would hide a ring if he ever bought one.
This time, he actually had. Inside was the ring, followed by the question, “Will you be my person?” After everything they had already built together, Maddison said yes, and the next chapter as husband and wife officially began.
Sneak Peak
A Quote from the Vows
“I love your passion for our family, you bring out the fun in me when I need it most, you're honest and loyal to your core.” - Stephen
“With you, I don't feel the need to explain myself. I don't need to rush into being better or different. I can show up exactly as I am and that is enough.” - Maddison
Two completely different people, two very different personalities, but the same feeling underneath it all: they feel safe, understood and completely at home with one another.
Full Wedding Film:
A little about the celebration
Maddison and Stephen’s wedding at Palm Creek Estate was exactly what you'd expect from two people who clearly don't take themselves too seriously.
The ceremony was filled with laughter from the very beginning, with celebrant Monty Harron wasting absolutely no time roasting the bridal party, the couple and pretty much anyone brave enough to stand within microphone range.
Their guests even had their own promises to make, agreeing to “belly laugh in the good bits, ugly cry in the mushy bits, cheer like mad for the awesome bits, and later on drink like fish.”
There were stories about how Maddison and Stephen met, the concussion that apparently delayed their relationship progression, the chocolate mousse incident, Maddison's love of coffee and Stephen's fantasy football team.
Then came the wedding day promises.
Maddison promised to share her food, hold Stephen's hand for more than five seconds in public and stop gasping at puppies while he was driving.
She absolutely refused to promise she'd pretend to listen to his fantasy football conversations.
Stephen promised to hang up the bathroom mat, breathe silently so Maddison couldn't hear him and, most importantly, keep her well fed and heavily caffeinated.
So, basically, the foundations of a very healthy marriage.
But underneath all the laughs was something really lovely.
Two people who have already lived a huge amount of life together.
They've travelled across the world, navigated military deployments, long distance, pregnancy, parenthood, moving interstate, buying a home, renovating, raising two daughters and everything that comes with building a family.
And somehow, after all of that, they still clearly have so much fun together.
That came through in every part of their ceremony.
The vows were emotional. The stories were hilarious. Their girls were right there beside them. Their favourite people surrounded them.
And when they were finally pronounced husband and wife, there wasn't much doubt that everyone in the room was absolutely bloody stoked for them.
why I love this wedding venue for weddings
There is a reason Palm Creek Estate works so beautifully for a Sunshine Coast wedding.
Located in Yandina Creek, Palm Creek Estate is a private hinterland property set within a natural landscape, with established gardens, peaceful ponds, mature trees, expansive lawns and sweeping views. It's also only around 10 minutes from Peregian Beach and Coolum Beach and around 20 minutes from Noosa Heads, making it a beautiful option for couples wanting that relaxed hinterland feel without being miles from the coast.
The estate offers both indoor and outdoor spaces, along with alfresco terraces and picnic areas, giving couples plenty of flexibility when it comes to creating their wedding day. The property also has a contemporary barn and a range of natural backdrops, which is a pretty great combination when you're looking for a Sunshine Coast wedding venue that looks just as good on film as it does in person.
For a wedding videographer, the variety is a huge bonus too. Palm Creek Estate has everything from manicured gardens and lawns to creeks, bushland, vineyards, orchards and expansive views, meaning there are plenty of different environments to work with throughout the day.
And then there is the location itself.
You're close enough to the Sunshine Coast beaches, Noosa and the surrounding hinterland to make a whole weekend of it, while still feeling tucked away in your own little pocket of the coast.
For couples searching for a Palm Creek Estate wedding venue, a Sunshine Coast wedding venue or a Sunshine Coast Hinterland wedding videographer, it's a pretty hard combination to beat.
a thank you message
Maddison and Stephen, thank you for trusting Blue Vale Films to be part of such a huge chapter in your lives.
Your wedding was the perfect reflection of the two of you.
Funny, emotional, relaxed, a little bit chaotic and completely centred around the people you love most.
From meeting in Cairns and travelling around the world together, to raising Willow and Wren, renovating your home, navigating all the ups and downs of life and finally standing in front of your favourite people and making it official, you've already packed a lot into your story.
And honestly, we reckon the best parts are still ahead.
We hope whenever you watch your wedding film, you're reminded not just of how you looked or what happened that day, but of how it felt to have everyone you love in one place celebrating the life you've built together.
Thank you for letting us be there to capture it.
legends from the day:
A little about the celebration
