Mark and Tessa’s wedding at Wye Beach Hotel in Wye River was such a beautiful celebration along the Great Ocean Road. With incredible coastal views, a heartfelt ceremony, and a relaxed atmosphere throughout the day, it was an absolute pleasure to be part of.

The day began with getting ready coverage of both Mark and Tessa before heading to Tessa’s accommodation for their first look. With sweeping views across Wye River and out over the ocean, it was the perfect setting for them to see each other for the first time and enjoy a quiet moment together before heading out for some portraits.

With rain forecast for the afternoon, we were keeping a close eye on the weather, but thankfully it held off until after dark. This meant Mark and Tessa could have their beautiful outdoor ceremony on the lawn at Wye Beach Hotel, followed by canapés with their closest family and friends. The ceremony itself was heartfelt and personal, with plenty of lovely moments throughout.

Before the reception, we managed to sneak down to Wye River Beach for a few more portraits, making the most of the coastal scenery and beautiful surroundings. From there, it was back to the venue for the reception, where the celebrations continued into the evening with plenty of laughs and a packed dance floor.

Such a fantastic day, with a genuinely lovely couple, incredible scenery, and a little bit of luck with the weather that made everything come together beautifully.

Dream Team

Cake Maker: Mali Bakes
Celebrant: Our Friend Stanley
DJ: Little Wolf Entertainment
Dress Designer: Talia Esther
Engagement Ring: Serpent Rouge
Hair Stylist: Studio 2 Makeup And Hair
Make Up Artist: Laurie Boring
Photobooth: Geelong Photobooths
Photographer: Wild Heart Photography
Suit Designer: Oscar Hunt
Venue: Wye Beach Hotel
Wedding Rings: Comune Gallery

Tell me about your The Beginning!

We originally met in a caravan park in Rome when we were on a Topdeck tour in 2018. We barely said a word to each other during the busy tour, but there were a few of us from Melbourne on the tour and we would catch up every now and then when we all got back from our travels. Through these catch ups we started to become closer and eventually became really good friends, although this was around the time of covid so things were pretty slow at times. Somewhere along the line we matched with each other on Hinge, very much as a joke and very much as friends. Around the start of 2022, a job opened up at Mark’s work and he helped Tess apply for it, despite many warnings from Mark that the workplace was terrible (he was proven correct many times over). Tess got the job, and we were suddenly spending 40 hours a week together and got to see a different side to each other. One night in May or June, the group of friends from Topdeck were catching up at Northcote Social Club, and Mark offered Tess a lift home despite her living about a 5 minute walk away. They shared their first kiss in Mark’s sister’s old Hyundai, with SEN footy talkback playing on the radio. The rest is history.

When and where did you get engaged?

Mark proposed in March 2025, just after Tess and Mark shared a delicious florentine steak in Florence.

What style/theme have you chosen for your Wedding Day?

Our key colours are mossy green and burgundy, with dusty pink features throughout. Florals-wise, we will have lots of beautiful greenery throughout the venue, alongside vibrant, native flowers.

What are you most looking forward to on the day?

Seeing each other’s faces at the end of the aisle, and celebrating our love with our nearest and dearest.

Top Tips!

Work together! We have split up the organisation, and it’s made everything a lot more manageable between us. Try to stay true to your style and preferences throughout the process – it can be hard to compare your wedding to social media highlight reels. Focus on what’s most important to you on your day. Book the big things early (date, venue, photographer, etc), you’ll have plenty of time to fill in the little details later on.