It was in year 8 at Boarding School in Townsville that Madi & Keegan first met and throughout their high school days it never occurred to Madi that Keegan could be anything other than a friend, ‘it seemed the only logical thing given Keegan was so often up to no good, including supergluing my physics textbook together, or setting my phone ringtone to loud and calling me while I was up in front of the whole school in Chapel’. In turn Keegan shares from those early day ‘In general Madi came across as a smart little, goodie two shoes. My first impressions were further cemented by one of my earliest memories where we both received mathematics distinctions and talked while waiting for our awards.’ It wasn’t until their Uni days that things progressed and they very quickly knew that this was ‘it’.
All their favourite people came together last weekend on Madi’s parents property between Woodstock & Giru, the back drop of the mountains offering an impressive view. Ian & Jenni’s efforts to create this fantastic day were clear for all to see, from the Ceremony site to the perfectly positioned windmill, the place looked schmicko.
How did he/she propose?
M: We were on a weekend away at Hamilton Island and Keegan dragged me up a hike to ‘Passage Peak’ which is the highest point on the island. I was sour about hiking on our holiday and I angry at him shoving a camera in my red, sweaty face, which was a common thing for him to do while we were on holidays. I stomped away to get a picture of the view, then turned around to see him on one knee – I barely let him finish ‘Will you marry me?’. The photos he got with the go pro are my favourite ever, sweaty red face and all.
K: I got a ring made for Madi and it was just a matter of waiting for the right moment to propose. As we lived together, I kept the ring in the glovebox of my car and they just told Madi to never look in my glovebox no matter what. Months later we were heading to Hamilton island where I would obviously have a good spot for the go ahead. I carried this ring in my pocket, in my shoe and in other places when I didn’t have pockets for days. We went to Whitehaven beach and one of the tourists got lost – moment ruined. We went to a fancy dinner and then they messed up our reservation time and rushed us to eat then leave – moment ruined. With time running out we went on a hike to the top of the mountain at Hamilton, I brought cheeses and biscuits to make it romantic only to get to the top and find I have forgotten the knife for the cheese – moment ruined. Enough was enough and I decided that this was the time, so atop the highest point of Hamilton island, overlooking the oceans, Whitehaven, and islands, with beautiful sea breeze on our face I asked my then best friend and girlfriend of 7 years if she would marry me, (or as I was a bit on the nervous side, I asked “will you?…. marry me?).
What do you love most about each other?
M: I love Keegan’s optimism and and how much he believes in both of us. He has, for a very long time, been sure that he can find ‘the prime number formula’. I used to hear something like that and think, damn, there are some very smart mathematicians that haven’t worked that out, what hope would I have? But Keegan has a new theory every few months, and truly believes he can do it. He just as strongly believes in me, and us, and makes me feel like, as a team, we could do anything we set our minds to.
K: I love the understanding we have of each other. We know when and what each other needs and we are there for them when they need it. I love the purity in Madi’s soul. She is the kindest and sweetest person I have ever met, she is unique in every way. She is intelligent, beautiful, confident and ‘sometimes’ funny. The list goes on, but above all else Madi has seen every aspect of my being, strengths, weaknesses, ups, downs and still loves me despite it and my love is equally reflected every day I look at her.
I'd love to hear one special memory of your courtship...what moment/day/event stands out for you?
M: There was a night first few months of uni we were both still playing the ‘just friends’ role. We went star gazing for a meteor shower and there a shared mcnugget meal and a first kiss that changed all that.
K: The chicken nug and stars night. We had been tip toeing around being more then friends at uni. One week we did the nerdy thing and decided to watch a night of shooting stars as they passed, I got dinner (chicken nuggets from maccas), I went to her place and as we watched the stars and just laid there we both sort of looked at each other and risked a kiss, and we haven’t looked back since.
What Does Marriage Mean To You?
M: marriage is a celebration of love. It’s making the decision to keep choosing each other, every day. It’s a strange combination of tradition, social norms and human behaviour that on base level makes absolutely no sense but in the midst of all of it made more sense then anything else I’ve ever done.
K: Marriage is an opportunity for us to show everyone how we feel about each other. We loved each other before we were married and we love each other now we are married, but everyone can see that love a bit more.
What was the main inspiration behind your wedding day?
M: How corny is it to say love? Not just Keegan and I’s love, but all of the love from all of the people that contributed to the day. The love we have for the land we got married on that obviously inspired the venue, but also many of the themes of the day. The love of my mother whose first mention of the wedding was “When are you thinking of doing this THING anyway?” but soon followed it up with “I was thinking we could plant sunflowers.” How could I not draw inspiration from that? The love of my father and the love of family history that brought a 100 year old windmill to their back yard. I had no shortage of inspiration with all that love around me.
K: Our love, our background, our family, friends. The wedding was inspired by the things that have shaped us and the things we find important.
How would you describe your day? How did you feel?
M: I was so happy. I had so much fun. I honestly loved every second from the start – drinking bloody Mary’s with my favourite women – to the end – falling asleep in my new husbands arms. I have lived a very blessed and happy life so its a big call to say this was the best day yet – but it’s so true.
K: It was perfect, it was the collected effort of people we care about coming to support us. It felt like love.
What was your favourite part of the wedding day?
M: When Keegan turned around to see me walking up the isle. I can’t even put the moment into words, but everyone there felt it. Powerful, special and emotional
K: The first look.
Were there any surprises or honourable mentions you’d like to talk about?
M: Too many to list. My gorgeous, funny sisters speech. Dancing and laughing and singing until we were short of breath. Seeing loved ones that we’ve been apart from for far too long. The huge collective amount of happy tears cried. Seeing our hard work come together. Again, way too many to list.
K: All the family and friends coming together to support and celebrate with us.
How does it feel to be Mr & Mrs?!
M: Like something has clicked into place that was always meant to be. Like when something has been one way for forever and you thought it was perfect, like a room or a recipe or your morning routine. And you change one little thing that seems minor – add a rug or chillis or some morning yoga – and your world shifts and you think wow, how could I have lived how it was before? I never felt there was anything missing before we we married, but it feels so natural and right now it’s happened that I can’t imaging how I survived not being able to call him my husband.
K: It just feels right.
Bride’s dress: Blushous Beauty & Bridal Boutique – Maggie Sottero
Groom & Groomsmen’s outfit: New Park Suit Hire & Menswear
Bridesmaids: Revelry
Wedding planner: A Bride & Her PA
Makeup & beauty: Your Canvas Makeup
Hair: The Hair Creative
Shoes: Forever Soles
Rings & Jewellery: Greg Neill & Son Fine Jewellers
Flowers: Dotty Daisy Flowers
Cake: Mix Bake Frost Cakes
Celebrant: AJ Wedding Celebrant
Caterer: Magnums Mobile Catering
Videographer: Weddings By Hello Blue
DJ/music/MC: Boosted Beats
