Wandin Park Estate Wedding in the Yarra Valley

And let’s talk about their sneak peek photos. Lachlan Chatfield Photography captured the day brilliantly with candid, creative and fun-loving pictures that have elicited jaw-dropping reactions from those involved and those following on socials (I mean, the car, champers bottle!).

Ojella Catering often cater for weddings at Wandin Park Estate and the Yarra Valley and the food and hospitality is always wonderful (and our children went to school together.) Molly from Blonde and Co and Mikaela Kathleen Studio styled the girls ready for a runway fashion show. Black Tie Party entertained the crowd with funky tunes and dancing throughout the evening.

Their Love Story

Luke and Joan’s story kicks off in a romantic location, Tecoma McDonald’s, one morning in late 2015. Luke was behind the café counter on a morning shift. Joan was on her way home from a big night out with a mutual friend. They were introduced, said hello, and then promptly disappeared from each other’s lives for quite a while. Just a casual meeting over coffee machines and hash browns.

Fast forward to a small gathering with friends who tended to socialise most weekends, and suddenly Luke and Joan were reintroduced. What followed wasn’t a whirlwind romance, but a proper slow burn. They spent time together as friends, then a bit more time, then started hanging out one on one. After a couple of months, their parents were openly confused. They were always together, it looked exactly like dating, but nobody had officially called it that yet.

Luke remembers first noticing Joan as a tall, beautiful platinum blonde who got along with absolutely everyone. She had an easy-going personality and was just fun to be around. Joan’s first impression of Luke was equally memorable. A handsome man with a big JLo butt, a then full head of hair, and a calm, carefree vibe that made being around him feel effortless. He was relaxed, easy to talk to, and clearly someone who knew how to enjoy life without overthinking it.

Their first official almost date happened when they ducked into a dingy little dumpling restaurant in Upper Ferntree Gully while picking up dinner for Joan’s parents. They decided to eat in together. It was casual, full of laughs, set the tone perfectly for what was to come and continued their questionable locations for their firsts.

As their relationship found its feet, Luke was impressed by how easy Joan made it all feel and ger carefree nature. Her independence, her willingness to try anything, and the annoying habit of being good at most things on the first go made him both proud and slightly jealous. He also quickly noticed that whenever he introduced her to his friends, they started liking her more than him, which he took as a very good sign.

Joan, meanwhile, was struck by how thoughtful Luke was to her and the people who matter most, and he was easy to get along with. He remembered the little things and used that quiet attentiveness very effectively in the early days.

Love crept in gently. For Luke, it hit while he was studying at uni in Ballarat. Every weekend trip back to Melbourne became something he counted down to. He wanted to spend his time with Joan, sometimes choosing her over going home to Mum and Dad. The distance made their time together feel more special and made it very clear where his heart was. Joan felt it too.

Neither of them had been actively looking for a relationship, but during their semi long-distance phase she found herself missing him more and more during the work week. She never questioned whether it would work. She just knew it would. She could not imagine a version of life where Luke was not part of it.

In November 2023, Luke proposed while they were touring down the east coast. They were staying in Port Douglas and, after a day by the water, wandered down to watch the catamarans come in at sunset. There were cheese, biccies, red wine. Joan clocked Luke’s nerves immediately as they walked to the park, increasing as a growing crowd gathered behind them. After some sweet words, Luke reached into his back pocket and pulled out the ring, secured inside a plastic ziplock bag; the actual ring box was far too massive to fit in his pocket. It was romantic, thoughtful, and perfectly on brand.

Luke describes Joan as beautiful, carefree and honest. He loves Joan’s ability to make him laugh, her kindness, the fact she is a terrible liar so is always honest, and the calm she brings to every phase of life. Watching her become a mother has taken that love to another level altogether and it’s been a privilege see her unshakable through all the stages as they became parents.

Joan describes Luke as quick witted, competitive and loving. She loves Luke’s care for the people closest to him, his dark sense of humour that is sometimes best kept private, and the way fatherhood came to him so naturally. The look on Kelsey’s face when Luke walks into a room says everything.

They have taught each other important things. Luke has learned that happiness lives in the little moments, like a kiss hello and goodnight, and the occasional slap on the butt. Joan has learned that it is okay to let someone else take care of you, even when you are fiercely independent.

Together, they stay active, hitting the gym, going for runs, or walking Remi the dog. Summers are for relaxing, swimming spots and cold beers. Winters are for the couch, movies, a block of chocolate and red wine. And somewhere in between, Joan is usually roping Luke into the next house renovation project.

For them, the essentials of a successful marriage are honesty, affection and laughter. Luke is most excited about committing to a lifetime with Joan, watching her grow as a person and mother, calling her his wife, and building their family together. Joan looks forward to seeing their life continue to unfold, knowing how much they have already grown and how steady and supportive Luke is through every milestone. She cannot wait to call him her husband. Together they are excited for the next chapters of their lives.

Looking ahead, Luke and Joan hope to keep growing their little family, stay happy, and one day be that sweet old couple still walking hand in hand, never missing an opportunity for a cheeky smack on the butt.

In short, this is a love built on ease, laughter, and choosing each other again and again. From McDonald’s mornings to dumpling dinners, from long distance weekends to parenthood and beyond, Luke and Joan are proof that the slow burn often turns out to be the most solid kind of love there is. And as of today, that will all continue as husband and wife.

Joan’s Vows

Luke, I stand here today feeling overwhelmed with excitement that I will finally get to call you, my husband. Everything with you has always come so naturally, and the last ten years have been the most incredible journey of getting to know every side of you and discovering how to love but also how to be loved.

I knew very early on that you were going to be a part of my life for a long time. In the beginning, neither of us knew exactly what that would look like, but once we figured it out, everything fell perfectly into place.

I look at us now, with Kelsey by our side, still completely baffled that we are parents. Watching you become a dad and navigate the most precious moments of our lives has been nothing short of surreal. You’ve stepped into this new chapter like you were made for it and the love, the support, and all the fun, always starts with you.

Seeing it all unfold has made me love you in a whole new way, and I am so incredibly lucky to be the person you chose to share your entire life with. I feel grateful every day to be so deeply loved and respected by you, and you truly never let a day go by without showing me that.

You mean the world to me and thank you for being so loyal and generous to the people closest to you. I’m so proud of you for staying optimistic and driven when things were not going your way, and I thank you for always being there for me when things get rough.

Thank you for staying calm in tense situations, for remembering all the little things that I seem to forget and thank you for always allowing me to be my true self with you.

Luke, I promise to continue learning from you and your patience.

I promise to always prioritise our love and happiness, so that Kelsey and our future children can watch us grow old together while falling more and more in love every day.

I promise to be honest with you, to respect you, to stay competitive with you, and lastly, I promise to always look you in the eyes when we cheer.

You make me the happiest person in the world, and I love you so much.

Final vibes

If you’re searching for a Yarra Valley wedding venue that delivers breathtaking scenery, versatile ceremony options and that relaxed-luxe country feel, Wandin Park Estate absolutely deserves a spot on your list. It’s ideal for couples wanting vineyard views, timeless wedding photos and a celebration that feels both intimate and impressive.

If you think I might the celebrant for you, send me an email or jump on a video chat!

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