The Sunshine Coast is truly special for so many reasons, but part of the reason we have devoted the entire month of April to it? It’s got everything. The hinterland, the beach, and the rolling country landscape. Stacey and Ben embraced that country setting themselves for their summer country wedding in Maleny. The pair chose the grounds of a country hall in the rural zone of the region, for their day which embraced every bit of the Sunshine Coast’s stunning setting and stunning landscapes.

Stacey and Ben met through mutual friends way back in 2012, the pair hitting it off at college, they tell “We shared the same group of friends, spending a lot of time with each other. Stacey often said they couldn’t be more than friends because Ben’s last name was Stacey. But she couldn’t help but fall in love with him.
He would often organise fun nights out and catch-ups with our friends just to be able to hang out and spend more time with Stacey. He even had his mates break into her college to help him leave bunny footprints from her door, leading to a giant chocolate egg at the end of the hall for an Easter surprise.
Ben organised one of the most romantic nights for their first date and even today often surprises her with little adventures.”

It was another six years before Ben popped the question, choosing Stacey’s family farm to make it truly personal. “Ben proposed on our 6th anniversary after we had just spent two and a half years living and travelling throughout Europe. He tricked Stacey into believing they had spent all their money on the trip and suggested that they just do a simple romantic outback picnic on Stacey’s family property to celebrate. Little did Stacey know Ben had organised the proposal with each of their parents.
He set up a picnic with fairy lights and candles. Knowing Stacey loves games he’d even set up a piñata to distract her. When they got there Stacey was blindfolded to start trying to bust open the piñata, and after succeeding, she turned to find Ben on one knee!

Ready to settle in for the story? Scroll on to check it out, with beautiful photography today by Matthew Evans.

Ben chose a beautiful blue MJ Bale suit for the day, his groomsmen wearing navy blazers with stone-coloured pants.

Stacey donned the “Erandi” gown by Pronovias, which she found at White Lily Couture. She tells  “I fell in love with this dress the second I put it on. White Lily Couture made sure the experience was so fun and kept the bubbles flowing!”

The flower arrangements on the day were simple and beautiful. “We used eucalyptus leaves and other foliage for the tables and seasonal flowers – whites and greens, soft and romantic design for the other arrangements.”

The couple were married at country venue Obi Obi Hall holding their ceremony on the grass, and their reception in a clear marquee on site.

Stacey chose a very special song for her walk down the aisle with her father. “I surprised my parents and walked down the aisle to the same song they did! “Annie’s Song” by John Denver.” Stacey’s dad also made the wooden ceremony arbour himself!

Stacey and Ben chose Natasha Hill to officiate their ceremony, the couple noting “Our ceremony was outdoors on the grass next to Obi Obi hall. It was very relaxed and intimate. We wanted everyone to enjoy a drink, laugh and hear about our love story! We had a Bible reading by two of my younger cousins Corinthians Chapter 13 verse 4 to 13.”

The above shot? Is one of the newlywed’s favourites!

Sunset portraits are also some of Stacey and Ben’s favourite shots, working with photographer Matthew a decision they well and truly recommend. “He was so relaxed and took some epic photos! ” They tell “We honestly didn’t even hardly notice he was there throughout the night. Would highly recommend him!”

The couple planned and set up their decor themselves, including a memorial gate that honoured lost loved ones. “Stacey wrapped her Nanna’s necklace around her bouquet and wore her great great grandmother’s ring, the same one her mum wore at her wedding. Ben wore his Nonno’s pin on his pocket. We had photos of our grandparents and parents at their wedding up on a wooden gate from Stacey’s family farm. Some of our flowers were in a family vase from Stacey’s Mum’s side of the family that has all the family weddings it has been to engraved on it. It was really important to us that we remembered all the loved ones that were no longer there with us and include them in our day.”

Wedding band The Baker Boys kept the tunes flowing all night long, and remain one of the couple’s standout vendors. “We loved seeing all our friends and family have such a great time! Dancing into the night under the stars with the best band – the Baker Boys Band! Especially when they played INXS Never Tear Us Apart with trumpet solo!”

For their first dance, Stacey and Ben danced under the starlight sky, to “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran.

Stacey and Ben chose Threadless Films to capture their day on film.

A big congratulations on your marriage Stacey and Ben! Thank you for taking the time to share the stories of your day with us. Thank you also go to Matthew Evans for sharing today’s beautiful wedding with us.