The Wedding of LUCY & OTTO at THE VALLEY ESTATE

WORDS: Ocean Road Editorial Staff PHOTOGRAPHY Andy Zheng - Evernew Studio

Let yourself get lost in love at The Valley Estate, the bespoke one-off venue crafted to inspire celebration and reflection with Loved ones. Here’s a peek at the intimate and unforgettable wedding of Lucy & Otto

• The story of how you both met?
We met while studying at business school in Finland, part of the same friendship group that often gathered around a study table trying to make sense of assignments. For about a year, we were simply friends. In fact, I (Lucy) was unaware anything more could be there. To me, Otto was just a genuinely lovely person, someone I thought deserved the best. I even tried to set him up once with someone at a party. Little did I know the person he cared about was me. Meanwhile Otto was trying to work up the courage to tell me about his feelings and he left it to what he knew would be his very last chance – the day I was moving to another city (Helsinki). We walked together to the train station and just as my train pulled in, he finally told me how he felt. I had seconds before needing to jump onboard, leaving both of us with our hearts racing. We talked afterwards on the phone and agreed to go on a first date. In true Otto fashion, he took me axe throwing. It was unexpected, a little wild, and absolutely unforgettable —the start of everything that followed.

• How did the proposal occur?
The proposal took place during a romantic getaway in Portugal. We were staying in the seaside town of Cascais, not far from Lisbon, in a small boutique hotel that felt like a hidden gem. Our room opened onto a private balcony overlooking the hotel’s lush garden, complete with a little waterfall and a pond where frogs croaked softly in the evenings. After spending the day exploring the winding streets and vibrant energy of Lisbon, we returned to Cascais in the late afternoon. The light was low and golden, and we stepped out onto the balcony to relax and take in the peaceful sounds of the garden below. It was there, just the two of us in that quiet, sun-lit moment, that Otto got down on one knee. The proposal was intimate, heartfelt, and perfectly us — no grand audience, just the sound of water, the rustling garden, and a few frogs chiming in for atmosphere. Afterwards, we walked to a beautiful local seafood restaurant with sweeping sea views and celebrated over an unforgettable dinner.

• Why did you choose the Valley Estate to host your amazing wedding?
After the proposal, we began imagining what we wanted our wedding to look and feel like. With our families spread across Europe, us living in Finland, and our long-time dream trip to Australia already booked, we started exploring different possibilities. One evening, Otto suggested something “crazy”: turning our East Coast Australia trip into something even more unforgettable by getting married there—and making the whole experience our honeymoon as well. The very next day, Lucy dived into research, and that’s when we discovered The Valley Estate. The gorgeous grounds, the stately Manor, and the Italian inspired vibe were everything we had dreamed of and more. The option to hold the ceremony inside the stunning Glasshouse felt so unique and instantly stood out to us. Good food was also incredibly important for our day, and Lucy’s best friend Joy—who lives on the Gold Coast—knew the venue well and told us the food was exceptional. Hearing
that from someone we trusted sealed the deal even more. We loved that the estate offered so many versatile, beautiful spaces and that everything— from the ceremony to the celebration to the accommodation—could happen on the property. Having the chance to stay the night with our guests in such a stunning setting made it feel even more special.

• What inspired you to choose the ceremony location at The Valley Estate?
We chose to hold our ceremony in The Valley Estate’s Glasshosue, which instantly stood out to us as one of the most stunning and unique spaces we had seen. We knew from the beginning that we didn’t want a traditional chapel or church ceremony — we imagined something more whimsical, romantic, and a little unexpected.
The Glasshouse felt exactly like that dream brought to life. The soft, natural light that pours through the glass, the lush greenery surrounding the space, and the way the whole room seems to glow created the most magical atmosphere. It was also perfect for our small group of guests. The size and layout made the ceremony
feel incredibly intimate, exactly the feeling we wanted for our elopement. Choosing the Glasshouse felt effortless — it was beautiful, distinctive, and gave us the sense of closeness and wonder that we hoped for on our wedding day.

• What is the fondest memory of your wedding day?
It’s almost impossible to choose just one moment — the day was filled with so many unforgettable memories. One that will stay with us forever was Lucy’s sisters performance during our reception. Sara, who is a professional dancer, gifted us the most beautiful ballet dance, accompanied by the incredibly talented violinist Lauren Bradnam. It was deeply meaningful to us and felt like such a personal, heartfelt tribute woven into our wedding day. For Otto, the most memorable moment of all was seeing Lucy walk down the aisle — a moment that felt both overwhelming and magical, and one he will cherish for the rest of his life. Another moment that stands out vividly was toward the end of the reception. We all moved outside the Manor for sparklers, and Lauren began playing “Angels” by Robbie Williams.
Under the soft evening sky, surrounded by our closest loved ones, we danced and soaked in the magic of the day. It was one of those rare moments where time feels like it pauses — pure bliss, love, and gratitude all wrapped together.

• What was the inspiration behind your styling?
From the very beginning, we wanted our wedding to feel whimsical and dreamlike — soft pastels, a fairytale atmosphere, and an almost floating, ethereal quality. That vision shaped every element of the day, from the décor to the florals, and everything came together to feel like a real-life dream. We owe so much to our incredible stylist, planner, and celebrant, Nat from Under the Arbour, who completely understood our vision and brought it to life with such creativity and
care. The Valley Estate also provided a few beautiful styling elements that were incorporated into the day. Lucy especially loved the soft pink gauze on the tables and the candle holders, which perfectly complemented the romantic and airy vibe we were aiming for. Every detail worked together seamlessly, and walking through it all on the day itself felt like stepping into the fairytale we had imagined.

• Details of the dresses, brand, style, the process:
For the ceremony, I wore a one-of-a-kind dress from a boutique in Helsinki called Niinatar — meaning there’s truly no other exact same dress in the world like it. I had initially imagined preferring something modern, sleek, and form-fitting, but when I tried this whimsical, princess-like gown on, I instantly fell in love. The organza dress featured a corseted top with delicate floral details and beaded straps, along with subtle floral accents on the skirt — enough to feel special without feeling “overloaded.” The moment I tried it on, I knew that if I ever wanted to wear a dress like this, this was my chance. I went home thinking about it for weeks, and when I returned for a second fitting, I knew it was the one. To compliment it, I choose an organza and tulle cathedral length veil from Pronovias. For the rest of the day, I changed into a second dress, which I also adored. This dress was a rental from Ivory Bridal Hire, a local small business on the Gold Coast. I cannot recommend them enough — the experience was wonderful, and the selection was stunning. I ultimately chose a dress called “Unique,” which tied perfectly into the theme of the day, with similar floral and corset details, while offering a fun and more comfortable look for dancing and enjoying the afternoon. Both dresses made me feel completely special in their own ways and perfectly suited our whimsical, fairytale-inspired wedding.

• Details of the suit, brand, and style:
Otto wore a classic Italian black tuxedo from Boggi Milano — timeless, formal, and elegant. He found it at a second-hand suit boutique in Helsinki, and it was like brand new and tailored perfectly to fit his size. The combination of Italian craftsmanship and a perfectly fitted silhouette made it a great choice for our wedding day.

• Your favourite dish of the night?
The food was absolutely incredible, which was really important to us. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented. For Lucy, the standout was the remantle Octopus, green romesco, kipfler potato, caper salsa, wild leaves — full of flavour and perfectly balanced. Otto’s favourite was the Burro Seared Salmon, vierge sauce, potato fondant, soft tomatoes, basil, lemon, EVOO — rich yet delicate and absolutely delicious. We also both agreed that the cocktail hour food was amazing — we couldn’t get enough of the Arancini! Every bite felt like a special treat and really added to the overall magic of the day.

• Favourite photo location?
This is such a hard question because The Valley Estate is filled with so many gorgeous spots, each offering a different atmosphere. One of the things we loved most was being able to explore different parts of the estate and capture a variety of moods in our photos. Our photographer Andy from Evernew Studio knew the estate so well and was able to guide us, helping us make the most of the different locations. The Glasshouse, of course, was stunning and completely unique, with its lush greenery and natural light. But we also adored having the Manor as a backdrop — the red brick, the chandeliers, and the classic elegance made those shots feel timeless and special. We loved capturing moments inside the Manor as well especially our first dance. With the dancing on a cloud” smoke effect and the cold sparkulers, it felt completely magical — as if the room was glowing with the joy and love of the day. Andy captured it perfectly, and every time we look at those photos, we’re instantly transported back to that incredible moment.

• Words of advice for future couples who are planning their wedding
Our biggest advice would be to do your research and build a great team of vendors who truly understand your vision and can help make your dream day a reality. Choose people you feel a connection with and who align with the style, feel, and priorities you want for your wedding. For us, having Nat as our planner was absolutely invaluable — not only because of her expertise, but also because she knew the industry, could recommend the right vendors, and guided us seamlessly through the whole process. Once you’ve assembled your team, trust them, and let them help everything flow smoothly. Equally important is to focus on what you want for your day. Think about what truly matters to you and your partner, rather than being influenced by expectations or traditions that don’t feel authentic. When your wedding reflects who you are as a couple, every moment will feel more meaningful, joyful, and unforgettable.

• Photographers name and company: Andy Zheng, Evernew Studio

Visit: The Valley Estate 393 Currumbin Creek Road, Currumbin Waters – 1800 908 090 Click here:  www.thevalleyestate.com.au