Gorgeous Young Lovers and their equally Gorgeous Bali Wedding

July 10, 2022

Who loves a childhood sweetheart story? We do, that’s who! Maddie met Tom when she was just 14.. and they’ve been inseparable ever since [insert sigh]. Tom outdid himself on the wedding proposal front, popping the question in picturesque Hawaii – with fireworks in the background no less!

You’ll love reading about their Bali Wedding at the gorgeous Villa Infinity, it was so full of fun you literally feel happy looking at their photos! If you’re planning a Bali Wedding, Maddie and Tom nailed the perfect combination of Bali Wedding Vendors and the result was a absolutely stunning!

Bride Name: Maddie Oliver
Groom Name: Tom Mathieson
Where do you live? Geelong, Victoria, Australia
Wedding Date: 24/4/2019

Tell us, how did you meet? Was it Love at first sight?
We met back in High school at a mutual friends house as one of Tom’s friends (groomsman) had invited me over. We started going out when we were just 14 and 16 and have not separated ever since.. young love!

What about the engagement story? Can you give us a snapshot?
We went to Hawaii just after Tom’s 21st birthday. We had been together 5 years at this stage and a lot of our friends had suggested he would propose to me over there, because of the speculation I just didn’t expect it to happen.

We were walking along Waikiki beach, the fireworks had just finished (so funny because I was about to say to Tom this would be a perfect setting for someone to propose), Tom suggested we go out onto this rock pier that led out into the water.

I was taking photos of all of the buildings lit up over the beach and next to me Tom started to get down on one knee. I burst into tears straight away.

So you decided to become Mr & Mrs… Why Bali?
We had originally booked somewhere in Geelong however I always wanted something really small as I get very nervous and hate being centre of attention.

I started to freak out a little and suggested to Tom we do our wedding somewhere else so that we can keep it small and intimate.

I suggested Bali as we had both been there multiple times and love it and its still easy enough for friends and family to travel to.

I also loved the fact that our wedding would be remembered not only for just the day itself but the whole week of celebrations.

It took Tom a while to come around to the idea but now we would not have had it any other way. It was the perfect setting and everyone was so excited to come over and celebrate with us.

It was a holiday for everyone and everyone had the best time over there.

How did you choose your Bali wedding planner? What was her/his Super Power?
I had been looking at all of the Bali vendors on Instagram (Can’t believe how many there actually are) and I come across Hitch’d. Straight away I absolutely loved their style and every wedding of theirs was so different, every last little detail and their styling was incredible.

Kristen from Hitch’d was our planner and I loveee her. She did not miss a detail, I just feel like she is superwoman all together.

She can do anything and everything and she is the most beautiful, bubbly person.

Did you have a theme for the wedding? And was it a late night Pinterest obsession?!
Soo many screenshots! I basically sent all my screenshots of everything that I liked to my planner and then she put together a design brief for me and we adjusted it from there if need be.

In the end our theme was ‘Modern, Romantic and Tropical’.

We had all natural teak furniture from Bali Event Hire and white and green florals with a touch of pink to fit with the romantic theme.

We added touches of black throughout also to fit in with that modern theme (Black candles, signage/menus, our amazing black broadway bar from Bali event hire etc.)

I also knew I wanted lighting everywhere to set the mood and light everything up. My favourite was our pink neon ‘But first cocktails’ sign again from Bali Event Hire backdrop to our bar.

I am just obsessed with how it all turned out, every last detail couldn’t have been more perfect.

Did you sit down for a formal dinner or party the night away with canapés and cocktails
We did a buffet style so that everyone could help themselves and then sit down in an amazing setting to enjoy.

Once the formalities were finished everyone was straight onto the dance floor and did not sit down again for the rest of the night!

Did you have a special song to walk down the aisle to?
We had said for years that when we got married our aisle song was going to be ‘How long will I love you’ by Ellie Goulding, it was perfect.

We were both teary just in our rehearsal listening to it.

What was the most challenging aspect about planning a destination wedding?
I think the most challenging part was trying to keep track of our budget especially with the different currencies etc.

Other than that I honestly was not stressed about the fact of it being a destination wedding, I think that's because I had the best planner ever!

I think it would have been more challenging if our wedding had have been held in our hometown because I would have done everything myself rather than hire a planner.

Talk to us about your hair and make up. Who was your muse?
I never have very full on makeup so I just wanted something natural and I knew I wanted my hair up in some way due to the heat and I felt the pony tail was more ‘me’. I found Ranny Bronzer on Instagram and had also seen so many reviews about her on Facebook and I knew I had to have her.

I booked Ranny in basically as soon as we started planning because I did not want to miss out on her. She was awesome.

Tell us about your D R E S S ?
I hated dress shopping haha, but I realised pretty quickly what style dress I wanted- Something fitted, the front and back V style and a split up the front. I found my dress from Jane Hill Bridal in Melbourne on day 1 of dress shopping.

I ended up putting the dress I wore to my Hens day on once the dance floor started so that I was more comfortable, so much easier to dance in!

What was THE most memorable part of your big day?
It's hard to choose because we really did enjoy every moment..

I would have to say though surprisingly my favourite part was the ceremony (which I had been dreading as I was so nervous), just the emotion and love we felt was amazing.

Also I loved just hanging out with my bridesmaids during the day in the bridal suite getting ready. We were all really calm and chilled.

If there was one piece of advice you could give a Bali bride planning their big day, what would it be?
It is YOUR day, so do things how you want to do not what others tell you you ‘should do’ or ‘have to do’. You can do anything these days, you don’t have to stick to the traditional things. The day is about you and your husband so it should be how you want it.

On the day, nothing else matters except the fact you are about to marry your best friend, don’t let anything or anyone else get to you or ruin your day/night. Also, get a videographer! Best thing we did.

List of Loves

Cocktails or Bintangs? Cocktails
Wedges, heels or Flats? Block heels
Suntan. Fake it or bake it? Bake it
Hotel people watching or Villa alone time? Hotel – I am a mad people watcher
Nails. Nude or bold? Nudes
Sand between your toes or poolside fab? Poolside
Nalu Bowl & Green Juice or Eggs & Coffee? Good old Bacon and eggs
Sunrise or Sunset? Sunset (I’m not a morning person)
Bikini or One piece? Bikini
Favourite Instagram account? Anything interiors/homewares, also Hitch’d (my planners) seeing their amazing weddings every week.
What song makes you smile? Any of our wedding songs

Suppliers

Wedding Planner:Kristen from Hitch’d
Venue:Villa Infinity, Canggu
Florist:Flora botanica
Photographer:Evermotion
Videographer:Point one Designs
Caterer:Oma Thia’s
Cake: Butter
Furniture Rentals:Bali Event Hire
Hair & Make up:Ranny Bronzer
Sound and Lighting:Azimuth DJ–Dj Arshad
Bridal Dress:Jane Hill Bridal
Bridal Shoes:Tony Bianco
Jewellery: Duffs, Stephanie browne, Ruby & Sage, Pandora
Bridesmaid dress:Bec and bridge
Grooms Suit:Roger David
Stationary:I am poppy designs