Daniel and Garet: Simple, Modern and Elegant
‘Simple, modern and elegant’ are the words Daniel and Garet used to describe their Melbourne wedding, which took place earlier this year. The grooms chose Melbourne's iconic Quat Quatta as their venue, a setting steeped in history and adorned in elegance and charm. Daniel and Garet redefined traditions and created a wedding celebration that would set the tone for the rest of their life together.
Photographer Katie Harmsworth | Location Melbourne, AUS
“Marriage means commitment and a joint partnership in life together. It is about constantly supporting your partner and helping to grow your life together…”
So, let’s go right back to the beginning. How did you meet?
Garet: We met in Los Angeles after connecting on Instagram 4 years ago. Our first date was at a rooftop bar overlooking the sunset, and after many hikes and road trips around California together - we made it official.
Daniel: The early days of our relationship were full of adventure, travel, great food and creating beautiful memories together.
And the proposal, we saw this on Instagram after it had happened; tell us a little about it...
Garet: I proposed. As Melbourne’s first lockdown was fast approaching, I nervously watched the news, hoping the proposal I planned could happen. Honour with Fete created an incredible picnic spread in Fitzroy Gardens, and Katie Harmsworth captured the moment.
Tell us, what does marriage mean to you?
Daniel: Marriage means commitment and a joint partnership in life together. It is about constantly supporting your partner and helping to grow your life together.
Garet: To me, marriage is about choosing to be with a person you know supports you in everything, and you can support the same. Marriage is seeing your best selves in each other and building a life you both want.
Now, onto the wedding. When was it?
Daniel: Sunday, 27th March 2022
Garet: And it was 26 degrees and sunny - which Daniel manifested every day leading up to the day.
What was the main influence behind your wedding day? In other words, why did you choose to have the style of wedding that you did?
Garet: I wanted simple, modern and elegant. Daniel took the lead on everything.
Daniel: We wanted our day to reflect us and the tone we wanted to set up for our future together.
Where did you find the bulk of your inspiration?
Daniel: To be honest, it was mainly through THEODORE. You have such a great vendor list that not only supports LGBTQ+ weddings but truly creates beautiful weddings. We, of course, also found some fantastic suppliers through Instagram.
Why did you choose the suppliers you did?
Garet: I saw photographer Katie Harmsworth’s work on Instagram and was quickly obsessed with her work. She was the first vendor we hired, and I would have moved the date to work with her availability. Moon and Back Co. have a fresh, bright, and intimate feel to their videos, and the cinematic style captures the vibe of weddings so perfectly. Megan Watson was one of the few celebrants we just connected with immediately; she recommended our florist Tweed Twigs who made the most stunning arbour for us and created a beautiful room.
Daniel: While Garet wanted to make our invites and stationery ourselves, I connected with Demie from Petite Paper Co. Working with her was such a fun and easy process. The custom monogram she made us was awesome. We chose all our vendors based on their work style and if it aligned with what we envisioned our day to be. We also felt like they would all work wonderfully together too. They also seemed to be really great people, who were warm and treated us like friends and family.
Modernising more 'traditional' wedding elements is something couples love to do. What are some traditional wedding elements you took and created as your own?
Daniel: Garet and I shared our first dance together as husbands. We had some aspects of traditional elements that we modernised, such as both our parents walking us down the aisle and having our mother-son dance together.
What was the most challenging thing about planning your wedding?
Garet: Border restrictions, international travel, and a few vendor changes from moving our original date.
Daniel: Time and energy. Garet and I both underestimated the level of work it would take to plan the day, especially in the weeks leading up to the wedding.
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
Daniel: We hope to go on a honeymoon to Hayman Island soon.
Garet: I think we’ll wait for the warmer weather and make a plan to visit some white sand beaches soon.
Any advice for other couples planning their day and finding it challenging to navigate the journey?
Garet: THEODORE was the best resource. It was how we found our venue, celebrant, stationery, DJ and videographer. Knowing that suppliers have actively invested in building an inclusive clientele was essential and made us feel seen.
Daniel: Focus on you both and what you want the day to be. Talk to people within the industry; there are a lot of resources, blogs and platforms to help you feel supported and help you enjoy the process.
Is there anything else that you might like to add?
Garet: So many friends gave us this same advice… take a moment on the day to take it all in with your partner. Just a few seconds looking over all your closest people in one space celebrating your love. It’s a pretty amazing feeling as the day goes by too quickly.
Garet and Daniel’s Team
Photographer Katie Harmsworth
Videographer Moon and Back Co.
Venue Quat Quatta
Fashion Calibre (grooms) and Manning Cartel (groomsmaids)
Flowers Tweed Twigs
Cake Melissa’s Cakes (family friend)
Stationery Petite Paper Co.
Celebrant Marry Me Megan (Megan Watson)
DJ/Entertainment Ministry Of DJ’s
Transport RSV Limo
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