As a kid, I imagined a big, beautiful wedding — wearing a white dress, celebrating with hundreds of guests, a live band playing just like in the movies. But as I got older, my priorities changed. I met a wonderful man, and together we built a life that felt quiet, intentional, and full of love. We wanted all our friends and family there, but we also knew that a wedding was just one day, and the expense of a huge event could be put towards things that truly mattered to us — house renovations, a family holiday, or simply enjoying life together.

For years, we thought we’d wait until we had our dream home — a beautiful property where we could celebrate in our own space. But as time passed, we realised that waiting for the perfect setting, the perfect moment, or the perfect anything wasn’t what really mattered. What mattered was us — our little family, our love and the people who mean the most to us. So instead of waiting, we decided to make it happen in the simplest and most meaningful way possible.

Just after Christmas, we gathered at a local park with our immediate family. No grand venue, no big production — just nature, sunshine, and the people we love most. It was relaxed and full of warmth, exactly how we wanted it to feel. There was no rush, no pressure, just time to soak in the moment and be together. Our kids played, our families laughed, and it felt so us.

Megan Jordan, our celebrant, was incredible. From the very start, she made sure everything felt seamless and personal. I’ve known her for years, and I always said that if I ever got married, she’d be the one to officiate. And she truly exceeded every expectation. The way she told our story, the way she captured the essence of who we are — it was perfect. There were so many happy tears, and I wouldn’t change a single thing.

When it came to choosing a photographer, I knew exactly what I wanted. I wasn’t looking for a tonne of traditional portraits (well… just a few for the folks). Instead, I wanted it to be captured just like I would document a day at home with my family. The little details, the glances, the hugs, the realness of it all. We narrowed it down to two photographers, and with the time of year making availability tricky, we ultimately chose Kyra Boyer. Her work spoke to me in a way that felt so honest, so true to the emotions of a moment, and she delivered exactly that. Looking at the photos now, I don’t just see a wedding — I see our day, exactly as it happened. The love, the joy, the simplicity of just being with the people who matter most.

Would a big wedding have been lovely? Maybe. But this? This was perfect. It wasn’t about waiting for the right timing, or a dream house, or even feeling ready. It was about celebrating what we already had — love, family and a life that already feels full. If you’re holding off on something big because you’re waiting for all the stars to align, maybe they already have. Maybe, like us, you’ll find that what you have right now is already more than enough.

NOTE: Like me, my family are quite private so I haven’t shown many faces of my relatives to respect their privacy. As much as I’d love to show off more of Kyra Boyer’s amazing work, best to visit her website and see the range of gorgeous weddings she’s covered.

Photographer: Kyra Boyer

Celebrant: Megan Jordan