Maddy and Dylan wanted to match the relaxed nature of Darwin when they tied the knot, they ditched traditions they didn’t want – a formal sit-down reception, a first dance, cutting the cake, and instead filled their day with what they did love – good food, drinks and utterly relaxed vibes, shares Maddy. “We really just wanted to have a party with good food and drinks. We didn’t have a sit-down dinner or a seating arrangement. We had a food-type van where people could get their own food, sit where they like and move around the venue to talk to other guests. Same with the drinks, go and help yourself at the bar. We wanted people to socialise and dance and just have fun with not too many formalities. The only formalities were the ceremony and speeches from both of our dads.”

Filled with flowers (both in the form of tropical floral details and floral detailed bridesmaids’ gowns) this story makes  the perfect warm weather wedding for The Flowers Issue, and luckily for us, the imagery captured by Naomi Hill is a beautiful way to tell the story.

The pair met at a 21st birthday, which Dylan gatecrashed, tagging along with a friend, and the proposal? Embracing every bit of the beauty of the Northern Territory. “We went for a weekend away to Uluru” remembering Maddy, “We had wine and nibbles watching the sunset over Kata Tjuta and then is when Dylan proposed.”

The gardens of Myilly Point Heritage Homes the perfect spot for Maddy and Dylan’s garden ceremony and cocktail reception. Shares Maddy “Our venue wasn’t our original pick for our wedding. Our first venue had construction works occurring meaning we had to change venues about 4 months out. We wanted an outdoor cocktail wedding with both the ceremony and reception in one place. The venue was very tropical, lots of greenery with fairy lights and tropical florals.”

“Dylan wanted to be dressed in Darwin-appropriate formal attire but not a black tie suit,” remembers Maddy of Dylan’s MJ Bale suit. “He wore tan chinos, a white button-up, navy jacket and bow tie with brown RM Williams boots (which) was the perfect combination.”

Maddy walked down the aisle on the arm of her father to Ruelle’s “I Get To Love You” played live by their musician, acoustically on guitar.

The ceremony also matched the relaxed atmosphere of the day, says Maddy.  “We wanted a ceremony no longer than 15/20 minutes that was casual. We had no readings. Our celebrant told our love story and introduced our wedding party (as we weren’t doing a formal entrance into the reception). We wrote our vows which were very special.  The ceremony was the best part of the whole day. The love we both felt was indescribable.”

“Our favourite photo is when we are walking back down the aisle together after being announced as husband and wife. The happiness in our faces sums up how we felt the whole day.”

“Naomi was fantastic! ” raves Maddy of the couple’s chosen photographer. “We didn’t know exactly what to look for when booking a photographer but there was just something about Naomi that stood out. She listened to what we wanted and made us both feel comfortable while getting photos. She also made it fun!”

The bright, tropical floral details of the day? The work of  Ritzy Flowers. Shares Maddy “I didn’t give any instructions on what types of flowers to the florist other than bright and colourful (no specific colours), tropical and whatever was in season. I didn’t know what my bouquet or any of the arrangements would be like so it was so much fun to see them all on the day.”

Maddy and Dylan were joined on the day by four of their favourite people. “We have two bridesmaids and two groomsmen. The bridesmaids are Madelaine’s sisters – Ebony and Tahnee. I wanted them to be comfortable and happy with what they wore so the only instructions I gave them were colourful and floral. The dresses didn’t match and were not traditional bridesmaid dresses but looked great together.  The groomsmen – Nigel and Zane – are Dylan’s, good mates. They wore tan chinos and a white button-up. Sticking to the formal but also casual theme.”

Maddy found her two piece dress online at Rasario Bridal, sharing “The top was fitted with an off-the-shoulder sleeve and skirt had ruffles. I didn’t want a traditional wedding dress or to go to a wedding shop to try dresses on, so when I found the two-piece it was perfect! Thankfully it fit (with some slight altering) and was just perfect!”

Big beautiful congratulations to you both Maddy & Dylan! Thank you for sharing your beautiful wedding day stories with us and thank you to Naomi Hill for sharing today’s images.