Inside Hello Darling: A Considered Approach to Wedding Planning
With a background spanning international events and venue management, Chelsea brings a rare depth of experience to the world of weddings. Her path into planning was shaped by a pivotal moment of pause and reflection, leading her to discover a more personal, considered way of working with couples. Today, through Hello Darling Weddings her approach is defined by calm guidance, thoughtful detail and a genuine commitment to creating celebrations that feel as meaningful as they are seamless.
THEODORE Mag: When did you start your wedding planning business, and what led you to this work?
Chelsea: I had been working in the events industry for around eight years when COVID hit, managing a wide range of events across Australia and internationally — from weddings and conferences to national business awards.
When the industry came to a halt, I found myself back in Australia on the South Coast of NSW, where I was fortunate to step into the management of a beautiful, well-established wedding venue, Merribee (now The Merribee). It was there that I discovered my true passion for weddings — working closely with couples, guiding them through the planning process and bringing their vision to life.
That experience inspired me to launch my wedding planning business in late 2022, allowing me to support couples more personally and help create weddings that feel effortless, meaningful and beautifully executed.
THEODORE Mag: How would you describe your planning style in your own words?
Chelsea: My planning style is calm, considered and deeply personalised. I’m highly organised and detail-driven behind the scenes, so couples can feel relaxed and fully present throughout the process and on the day itself.
I take a warm, supportive approach — guiding couples with clarity and confidence, while always honouring their vision rather than overpowering it.
THEODORE Mag: What inspires you when it comes to designing and planning weddings?
Chelsea: I’m inspired first and foremost by the couple — who they are, what they love, and the emotions those things evoke. Their story and energy naturally shape the way their wedding comes together.
THEODORE Mag: What can couples expect from the experience of working with you?
Chelsea: Couples can expect a calm (but fun), supportive and highly organised experience from start to finish. I work closely and personally with every couple, ensuring the planning process feels thoughtful, hands-on and genuinely tailored to them.
THEODORE Mag: When speaking with potential couples, what is it about them or the way they’re approaching their wedding that makes you feel excited to work together?
Chelsea: I’m always most excited to work with couples who are genuinely in love and excited about the journey ahead. It’s not about perfection — it’s about their energy. Couples who have done some research, understand the value of working with a planner, and are open to trusting the process really light me up.
Whether they’re feeling overwhelmed or simply want guidance and support, as long as they’re excited to marry the love of their life, we’re excited to be right there with them — supporting, guiding and bringing their vision to life.
THEODORE Mag: What part of the planning process do you enjoy most?
Chelsea: My favourite part of the planning process is truly getting to know each couple, and then curating the perfect supplier team for them. I love diving into their personalities, priorities and vision, and thoughtfully matching them with suppliers who not only align with their style, but with their energy.
Having the right team around you makes such a difference — suppliers who excite you, understand you, and genuinely care about bringing your day to life. Creating that dream team is magic and seeing it all come together is just the cherry on top!
THEODORE Mag: How do you ensure each wedding feels personal and reflective of the couple?
Chelsea: Ensuring each wedding feels personal is at the heart of everything we do. No two couples are the same, so no two weddings should ever feel the same. Our goal is to create a celebration that genuinely reflects the couple — their personalities, their story and the things they love most.
We take the time to really get to know our couples — what excites them, what matters to them, and just as importantly, what doesn’t. From there, we focus on understanding their vision and thoughtfully bringing it to life through considered details and meaningful moments throughout the day.
THEODORE Mag: Looking back, is there a particular wedding or moment that really stays with you?
Chelsea: One wedding that truly stays with me was one of my very first after launching the business in 2022, with a beautiful couple, Monique and Anna. From the moment I met them, they were two of the most genuine, kind-hearted souls, and their love for each other was completely infectious.
Their wedding day reflected that perfectly. From the moment guests arrived, to the final song on the dance floor, there was an overwhelming sense of joy and connection — you couldn’t wipe the smiles from anyone’s faces. Their guests truly rallied around them with so much love and excitement.
It was a day filled with pure emotion, and moments like that are exactly why I do what I do. Being surrounded by that level of love and joy keeps me grounded and constantly reminds me why I fell in love with the wedding industry in the first place.
Visit hellodarlingweddings.com.au
Instagram @hellodarling_weddings
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