WEDDINGS

A Love Story at The Valley Estate

Ocean Road Magazine

// August 30, 2026

WORDS: Ocean Road Editorial Staff PHOTOGRAPHY Harley at Bulb Creative

For Clara and Jaxon, there was never another venue. Drawn to the old-world European charm and timeless beauty of The Valley Estate, the couple knew from their very first visit that it was where they wanted to say “I do.”

Inspired by their first date in Milan, their intimate Gold Coast wedding brought an elegant Italian sensibility to the estate, with romantic florals, long-table dining, chandeliers, Aperol Spritz and a vintage Porsche 356 Cabriolet adding to the atmosphere.

From the gardens and The Manor to the iconic Bridal Driveway and Glasshouse, every setting became part of their story. Here, Clara and Jaxon share the inspiration, details and unforgettable moments behind their beautiful celebration at The Valley Estate.

The story of how you both met?

I (Clara) was living in Hertfordshire, England, while Jaxon was based in Stuttgart, Germany, pursuing his motorsport career with Porsche Motorsport. After Jaxon commented on one of my Instagram photos and sent me a message, we spent the next three months talking via text and FaceTime as our relationship grew.

We met for the first time in Milan while Jaxon was racing in the Porsche Supercup during the Italian Grand Prix weekend. After six months of long distance, Jaxon moved to London, and in 2024 we relocated to the Gold Coast together so he could continue his motorsport career.

That first date in Milan became the inspiration for our wedding, with Italian culture influencing so many elements of the day. The Valley Estate captured that feeling perfectly, combining the charm of the Italian countryside with a modern, luxurious twist.

How did the proposal occur?

Jaxon proposed on Christmas Eve in Queenstown, New Zealand – our favourite place. After spending the morning with family riding the luge, the two of us took a helicopter flight to Glenorchy. When we landed on Mount Earnslaw, Jaxon got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.

Why did you choose The Valley Estate to host your amazing wedding?

We actually never looked at another venue. Before we were even engaged, we attended a L’Altro pop-up dinner at The Valley Estate and were completely blown away. Being from the UK and having travelled extensively through Europe, we loved the venue’s old-world charm and character, which felt unique on the Gold Coast. We remembered saying to each other how beautiful the venue was and that we could see ourselves getting married there.

After getting engaged, we booked a site visit and instantly knew it was the one. Even on a rainy day, it felt perfect, which gave us confidence it would be beautiful no matter the weather.

We loved that the venue didn’t need much styling to feel special. From the getting-ready spaces and manicured gardens to The Manor itself, every detail felt thoughtfully designed, beautifully maintained, and full of character.

What inspired you to choose the ceremony location at The Valley Estate?

As we were planning a small summer wedding, we felt the outdoor ceremony space went with the feeling of the day. We loved the idea of guests sitting beneath umbrellas surrounded by greenery, creating a relaxed and elegant atmosphere. Having The Manor as the backdrop added to the grandeur. Paired with a beautiful natural palette of florals – it looked so picturesque.

What is your fondest memory of the wedding?

In true bride-and-groom fashion, we have different answers.

Clara: My favourite moment was our first look in The Bridal Driveway. I loved seeing Jaxon’s full emotion and reaction when he turned around and we first saw each other. I felt we could be 100% present and take it all in before everyone else arrived.

Jaxon: Mine was standing at the top of the aisle watching Clara walk towards me. Seeing her smile and seeing all the happy faces of our guests, knowing that we were about to be stood up there in front of all our closest friends and family and get married.

What was the inspiration behind your styling?

Our first date in Milan became the foundation of our wedding inspiration, drawing heavily from Italian culture. Our venue, The Valley Estate, captured this beautifully, transporting us to the Italian countryside with a luxurious, modern twist.

A U-shaped table layout created a warm, family-style atmosphere for our reception, encouraging connection and shared moments amongst our intimate guest list of 74. This was contrasted by six additional chandeliers suspended above, adding a grand, elegant feeling to the space. Soft draped finishes like the curtains, a sheer chiffon sign blowing in the wind outside, and small knot details in the cake stand tablecloth were incredibly important to me, as I wanted to create a soft, romantic feel throughout the day. “Subtle but impactful” was my motto.

Every decision about the day was made with the intention of keeping everything feeling 100% authentic to us as a couple, with every element reflecting the small things we love when dining out or attending events ourselves. Luxurious, but not stiff or rigid – with a bit of fun.

Guests were welcomed with a seating chart designed as a map (all stationery was designed by Clara), presented on silver platters. There was an Aperol Spritz tower (Clara’s go-to drink), roaming oysters, and lawn games whilst guests wandered the grounds during cocktail hour.

Parked in The Bridal Driveway was a vintage Porsche 356 Cabriolet. This had always been Jaxon’s dream wedding car, with his connection to Porsche coming from many years racing for Porsche Motorsport, and it featured in our wedding planning from the very beginning as a key styling element. By the time our wedding day arrived, however, it had taken on a much deeper significance. The car travelled from Sydney to the Gold Coast and belonged to a friend we lost several months before our wedding day. It served as a quiet and heartfelt nod to him, making it one of the most meaningful details of the day, not only for us, but also for his family and loved ones.

Details of the dresses, Brand, style, the process:

My Dress: Designed by Italian dressmaker Peter Langner and sourced through Helen Rodrigues Bridal, my gown perfectly reflected the timeless Italian craftsmanship I was drawn to. I first discovered it on Instagram and was determined to find it in Australia to try on. What I loved most was that it felt both unique and timeless. For the reception, the gown transformed by removing the full tulle overskirt and revealing a shorter floral-trimmed underskirt, allowing me to stay in the same dress while being more comfortable for dancing.

Dress Shopping: One of my favourite memories was having my mum fly from the UK to Sydney for just two nights to dress shop with me. We tried on the gown on the morning she was due to fly home, and the moment I saw myself in the mirror, I cried happy tears because I knew it was the one.

Bridesmaids: I wanted each bridesmaid to feel like herself, so rather than choosing one dress, each wore a style that reflected her personality while staying within a black colour palette. The mix of Australian and English designers created a modern look that felt individual yet cohesive.

Details of the Suit, Brand, and style:

Jaxon and his groomsmen wore classic black tuxedos by Suitsupply, finished with a single rose boutonnière thoughtfully chosen to complement the bridesmaids’ long-stem roses. Sunglasses added a relaxed edge to the look and helped strike the perfect balance between polished and comfortable.

Your favourite dish of the night?

Choosing a favourite is almost impossible because we genuinely loved everything. We both opted for the Beef Eye Fillet as a main, which was beautiful. That said, many guests commented on how good the Beef Fat Potatoes and Green Vegetables were as sides.

Favourite photo location?

We have two favourites. We absolutely loved our photos down The Bridal Driveway. It felt as though we were transported somewhere completely different, making it hard to believe we were even on the Gold Coast. We also loved our bridal party photos in The Glasshouse. This part of the venue is just so picture-perfect, and the hanging plants, chandeliers and furniture created the most insane vibe. It felt like every corner was made to be photographed.

Words of advice for future couples who are planning their wedding:

Our biggest piece of advice would be to plan the wedding that feels right for you, not the one you think you should have. Every decision we made was based on what we loved as a couple, and that made the day feel incredibly personal and authentic. When your wedding reflects your personalities and relationship, your guests can’t help but connect with it too.