Megan & Jake’s Elevated Coastal Wedding at Star of Greece

Meghan and Jake’s story began in the most modern of ways – on Tinder! But it turned out they had been orbiting each other for years. Through mutual friends, they quickly realised they may have even crossed paths at the same high school party long before they officially met. “Funny how things come together,” Meghan says.

What followed was nearly a decade of building a beautiful life together, complete with their beloved dog, Roo, before Jake proposed in 2022. Two years later, the couple celebrated with a breathtaking seaside wedding in Port Willunga in December 2024, surrounded by the rugged South Australian coastline they love so much.

THE PROPOSAL //

Jake chose to propose the morning after Meghan’s end-of-year work show, timing that, according to Meghan, required “a bit of convincing” to get her out of bed for a beach walk with Roo.

“He was walking very quickly, eager to get there, while I was dragging my feet wondering what was happening,” she laughs.

Once they arrived at their local beach, Jake casually asked Meghan to hold the dog for a moment. When she turned around, he was down on one knee with a beautiful rose gold ring chosen especially for her.

THE VISION //

From the beginning, Meghan and Jake knew they wanted a wedding that celebrated the beauty of the South Australian coastline. Their vision centred around a coastal backdrop paired with an elevated but effortless atmosphere, something refined without ever feeling overly formal.

“The vision was to have a beautiful coastal backdrop, which was certainly achieved thanks to South Australia’s coastline,” Meghan says. “I also really wanted an elevated vibe that seemed carefree on the day.”

The styling reflected exactly that: soft neutrals, minimal but impactful décor, and a relaxed energy that allowed the natural setting to shine.

THE PLANNING //

For Meghan and Jake, locking in the right vendors early was key to shaping both the practical flow and overall aesthetic of the wedding day. Their celebrant, photographer and venue were the first bookings made, and all three became integral to bringing the vision to life.

Their celebrant, Love with Lucy, was a friend and an up-and-coming local vendor the couple trusted completely. Photographer Bonnie McEvoy was an immediate choice for Meghan, who says she had her in mind even before getting engaged. “That was a no-brainer for a coastal situation,” she says.

The reception venue, Star of Greece, offered exactly the atmosphere they were searching for: exceptional food paired with one of the most spectacular coastal views in South Australia.

“Well known for its high quality food, it just happens to have one of the best views of the coastline in SA,” Meghan says. “We had full faith in the team to deliver us a fantastic experience, and were not disappointed.”

The décor embraced a beige coastal palette with soft feminine touches throughout. Neutral florals complemented the natural tones of the venue, while the coastline itself became the hero backdrop.

“Using the coastline as a backdrop for the most part allowed nature to do the talking,” Meghan explains. Looking back, she says the only thing she may have changed would have been sourcing scalloped umbrellas for the styling, though their chosen hire company didn’t stock them at the time.

THE DRESS //

Perhaps the most sentimental part of the entire wedding was Meghan’s gown. Her dress was custom-made using her late mother’s wedding dress from 1988, creating a deeply personal connection woven into every detail.

“The skirt was hers — simple with an organza layer — and the top was custom-made by ARA Experience in Adelaide,” Meghan says. Inspired by a simple yet striking silhouette, the gown featured delicate straps that added understated detail. “It made me feel like my mum was there with me.”

Bridesmaid styling came together surprisingly easily, with the group wearing elegant cream dresses from Billy J. The thick, quality fabric and minimalist design perfectly complemented the neutral coastal palette.

For the groomsmen, the brief was relaxed sophistication. The group wore sandy-toned tailoring from SABA paired with dark chocolate Oxford shoes — a combination that felt polished while still fitting seamlessly into the coastal setting.

“We were looking based on colours, and to suit the overall aesthetic,” Meghan says. “They didn’t need to break the bank for this achievable look.”

THE DETAILS //

Every detail of the day was chosen to enhance the relaxed coastal atmosphere while still feeling elevated and memorable.

The morning preparations became one of Meghan’s favourite parts of the entire experience, spending time with her bridesmaids while being pampered by Jaimee Makeup and hairstylist Amy Smith. Photographer Bonnie McEvoy also played a huge role in setting the tone for the day.

“Bonnie just kept being a fantastic hype woman and helped us feel comfortable to get some great shots wherever we went,” Meghan says.

Following the ceremony, the couple added a playful and unexpected touch by hiring a gelato cart ahead of the reception. Guests gathered with ice creams in hand before making their way to Star of Greece, creating a relaxed transition between events.

“Sunny and Co Events provided excellent options and it was so well received by guests on our summer day,” Meghan says.

THE BIG DAY //

The ceremony took place at a local reserve in Aldinga, framed by sweeping ocean views and the natural beauty of the coastline. Music played an important role throughout the day, helping to shape the relaxed but emotional atmosphere the couple envisioned.

For the walk down the aisle, Meghan chose Ivy by Frank Ocean alongside a cover of Clair De Lune by Thelma Plum, a combination that felt modern, sentimental and perfectly suited to the coastal setting. Throughout the celebration, the soundtrack moved effortlessly between artists including The Beatles, The XX and Jungle, creating an atmosphere that felt both romantic and fun.

Their first dance was to Let’s Stick Together, setting the tone for a dance floor that stayed full all night long.

Adelaide DJ Tania from Choons and Moovz then took over the reception and kept the energy high from start to finish.

“She really, really knows how to get a party going,” Meghan says. “I didn’t leave the dance floor all night. I am not kidding.”

While the entire day unfolded seamlessly, there were a handful of moments Meghan says she’ll never forget.

“Our final sunset shots at the secret cliffs… words can’t explain how bliss that part was,” she says.

THE REFLECTION //

Looking back, Meghan says she has absolutely no regrets about the way the day came together, especially because they stayed true to both their vision and their budget.

“We stayed within our budget, which mattered a lot to us,” she says. “I think we chose high quality vendors that we ultimately trusted to do their thing on the day, which paid off.”

For the couple, the key to creating a wedding that felt both beautiful and personal was identifying what mattered most and investing in those elements wholeheartedly, while letting go of unnecessary extras.

“Choosing what was important to us and sticking to it made our wedding a real win,” Meghan explains. “We decided to spend more on vendors that we considered essential for the success and vibe of the day, and let some other ‘add-ons’ go.”

That approach allowed every part of the day to feel cohesive, intentional and relaxed, exactly the atmosphere they had hoped to create.

“All of our vendors were exceptional,” she says. “Bonnie McEvoy deserves a photography award though.”

Their biggest piece of advice for other couples? Stay focused on the feeling you want your wedding to have from the very beginning.

“Choose your vibe and stick to that,” Meghan says. “Keep things consistent with your vendors and overall approach, and don’t be swayed by add-ons.”