A Love Story That Started With Burgers and Beach Chats

Like a lot of modern love stories, this one started with a swipe on Tinder. But what followed was the kind of slow-burn connection that feels meant to be.

After matching, the two spent plenty of time calling, texting, and FaceTiming before meeting up in person. Their first date happened at MM Beach, where they met up before heading to The Hungry Monkey in Kiama for burgers. The plan was simple: grab food and sit by the water.

Instead, the night stretched on.

They ended up parked by the beach, talking for hours and hours until around 2am. Then they went back to MM Beach and kept chatting even longer. You know those conversations where time disappears a little? It was one of those.

At the time, they were technically just friends. She’d only recently come out of a relationship, so for the next seven months they kept things casual. But “casual” looked a lot like Jay driving 45 minutes just to bring her coffee or lunch during her 30-minute work break before heading back home again.

Eventually, her dad asked the obvious question: When are you two actually going to start dating?

Her answer?
“I don’t know… he won’t ask me out.”

Her dad had the perfect response:
“That’s probably because you keep telling him you just want to be friends.”

Fair point.

So she spoke to Jay that very day, and by the next day they were officially together. Patient man indeed. He asked her out in his 1991 Nissan Patrol, which at the time was his pride and joy.

Honestly? Iconic.

 

A Byron Bay Proposal

Fast forward a few years and the next chapter of their story happened in Byron Bay.

On the 28th of December 2024 they were spending time at the beach, soaking up that end-of-year holiday energy. Like many couples do, they went to grab a quick photo together.

Except Jay wasn’t actually taking a photo.

He had the camera recording.

Right there on the beach in Byron Bay, he popped the question. Safe to say the “photo” turned into something much more memorable.

 

Why They Chose a Camden Valley Inn Wedding

When it came time to plan their wedding, Camden Valley Inn quickly rose to the top of the list.

The venue already had a special place in their relationship because they’d often go there together for drinks. It felt familiar, relaxed, and very them.

They toured a couple of other venues during their search, but none of them quite clicked.

At first, they actually assumed a Camden Valley Inn wedding might be out of budget. But when her mum made an enquiry, they got a surprise — it ended up being the most affordable option they’d looked at.

Safe to say the excitement kicked in pretty quickly.

They went to visit Camden Valley Inn in person and instantly fell in love with the space. The sweeping views, the relaxed atmosphere, and the way everything felt easy just sealed the deal.

In fact, they decided that very day that Camden Valley Inn would be where they’d get married.

Technically, they still had another venue tour booked up the road, so they went along anyway out of politeness… but in their minds the decision had already been made.

It was always going to be Camden Valley Inn.

 

Camden Vallen Inn Wedding – The Vendors

Venue: Camden Valley Inn

Celebrant: Trish Palmer

Florist: Brilliant Blooms

Hair Stylists: Hair by Deana & Belle Hair Artistry