A Gold Coast Elopement with Giant Cat Heads and a Boat Ride

A forecast mini cyclone. A last-minute venue change. Giant cut-outs of beloved cats and a sunset boat ride across the Gold Coast.

Meghann (she/her) and Mei’s (she/her) elopement was heartfelt, chaotic in the best way, and completely centred around what mattered most to them. Their day unfolded with laughter, tears, and so much intention from getting ready together in the morning to dancing the night away as wife and wife.

How did your love story begin?

It all started on Hinge. Meg was on the verge of deleting the app and said the universe could make the decision when she found someone. Mei was the final swipe, and once we got talking, we never stopped.

It was a typical u-haul lesbian relationship. We felt instantly at home with one another and moved into our house within six months, got two cats, and wanted a baby together by 18 months.

Our house is one big neurodivergent dream.

What made you decide to elope?

We weren’t going to get married until Meg got pregnant, but after years of trying to fall pregnant, we decided to elope and do something special just for us.

We needed something meaningful that felt solely for and about us, rather than focused on other people. Plus, organising a big wedding for everyone else would have sent us into a spiral!

It was just us and our sisters, and no one knew. It was the best day for both of us.

When we told our loved ones afterwards, everyone was really happy to know we’d done what we wanted to do and felt good about the decision. Everyone is obsessed with us, so they were super excited that we made our relationship “official.”

A Gold Coast Elopement with Giant Cat Heads and a Sunset Boat Ride – photo 1

A Gold Coast Elopement with Giant Cat Heads and a Sunset Boat Ride – photo 2

What was it like finding your elopement outfits?

Meg had always wanted a Selkie dress and was obsessed with feeling like a princess.

Mei wanted a gender-neutral suit that fit her well and was tailored to her measurements by Shane Ave.

What did your elopement day look like?

The day before the elopement was crazy! We were meant to elope on the beach on the Gold Coast, as Meg’s dad had passed away and she’s always felt a connection to the ocean. But our day was forecast to bring a mini cyclone, so at 6pm the night before we were running around trying to find somewhere to hold the ceremony.

We found Granddad Jack’s Craft Distillery, and they were the kindest people. They offered to open 30 minutes before the public so we could have the venue to ourselves.

The morning itself was chilled. We got ready together at the hotel, with hair by Hair by Heidi and makeup by Porcelain Face, who we knew would be right for Mei.

When we arrived, Kyra Boyer was there snapping the best shots ever.

After the ceremony, we made our way to Emerald Lakes, which feels like stepping into a hidden European getaway. Kyra made us feel so comfortable and took away the anxiety of having to “perform” for photos. We now have photos that feel full of genuine light and love.

After that, we chartered a boat around the Gold Coast waters, watched the sunset on our first day as wife and wife, and shared a fresh seafood meal.

Then we went to the casino, got hammered on vodka, and danced the night away.

One of our favourite details was printing giant heads of our babies – our cats – because we couldn’t bring them to the wedding. Their names are Tammy and Mikki Bikki.

How did you find the people who brought your elopement to life?

Hair and makeup was an easy decision because our best friend did it for us, with hair by Hair by Heidi.

Our photographer, Kyra Boyer, and makeup artist, Porcelain Face, were both found on Instagram, and we fell in love with their work straight away.

Our celebrant, Married by Mandi, was recommended by a family member.

Creating the vows was very easy, but saying them during the ceremony was hard. We both just cried and babbled.

Mei missed half her vows because she was so emotional and couldn’t remember where she was up to!

Meg had been collecting snippets of amazing quotes and sayings that spoke to what her love felt like for Mei.

How did you handle the legal side of eloping?

We had our celebrant, Married by Mandi, so she did all the work for us. We signed the legal documents the night before, then signed the pretty certificate on the day.

She submitted our marriage through Births, Deaths and Marriages, and they sent us an email to obtain the ugly, boring certificate that officially makes us wife and wife.

What would you say to anyone thinking about eloping?

Do it!

Honestly, the stress is nonexistent. The sentimentality and intimacy of the day made it feel so special.

We wouldn’t change anything about the day. Even the last-minute ceremony venue felt so universally aligned.

We just came back from our honeymoon in Japan, but life has always been in the honeymoon stage for us. We are each other’s best friends and laugh uncontrollably at the stupidest things.