We’re kicking off our week with the best kind of celebration – an engagement party, in the dappled shade and sunshine of Melbourne’s Fitzroy Gardens, filled with wine, fun and all the festive flair you could dream of.

Matt and Dan, choosing amid pandemic restrictions, to celebrate their new status with a 10 person picnic garden party. “The atmosphere was fantastic” exclaiming Matt, who remembers ” Summer was kicking in – we hadn’t been in such a large group or seen each other properly for a while so everyone was excited.”

With Smokey Oscar behind the camera, Matt and Dan enlisted the help of their friends to bring their vision to life. Dan sharing “It was lovely being more intimate – the theme was based around florals as we were in the stunning Fitzroy Gardens.” The pair enjoying an afternoon of friendship, food and wine with their nearest and dearest, Melbourne’s weather utterly showing off to boot. “The food was delicious and the wine was even better. We spent the day eating, drinking and playing lawn games.”

After meeting in a bar in Richmond, “We fell in love over jugs of beer haha”, Matt popped the question on a seaside holiday to the Philippines. He shares “I hired a private yacht – which turned out to be basically a giant pirate ship – and proposed as we looked over the islands of El Nido.”

There was no question that the celebration of Matt and Dan would be a goodie, these two have quite the reputation! “We are obsessed with hosting dinner parties – Dan is the cook and I (Matt) am the stylist – so we are a perfect match! We host four a year based around the different seasons and have different themes – we are over the top! haha.”

Says Matt of the couple’s chosen photographer “Jenna is the most amazing photographer – not only does she capture stunning portraits, her intimate photos she takes when no one is noticing are just the best. Her overall personality enables you to fully relax around her and she is then easily able to guide you.
The photos overall are just stunning and I could not be happier with them.”

Matt and Dan have postponed their wedding date twice so far (thanks pandemic) but we’re hanging out to see how they tie the knot, because of this love story? It’s built on laughter and friendship. “We are best friends and challenge each other to strive for more and make each other laugh” explains Matt.