Madi & Selby

Madi & Selby’s Unforgettable Wedding Adventure

Some weddings are a day; others are an experience. For Madi and Selby, their wedding was an epic journey of Hobart—one that spanned boats, buses, breathtaking landscapes, and a night of dancing until sunrise. Their love story, a decade in the making, culminated in a celebration that was nothing short of perfect.

How It All Began

Madi and Selby’s story started in college in Hobart. Selby, a notorious school-skipper, hadn’t met Madi despite her being part of his wider friend group. That all changed one Friday night at Rectango, a live music event held at Salamanca in Hobart.

“When we first met, we fell pretty instantly for each other (well, I did at least). We got to chatting late, found we shared an interest in so many things, and talked until morning. We were pretty inseparable after that,” Selby recalls.

Their love grew into a shared adventure, made all the richer in 2014 with the arrival of their daughter, Eleanor. After ten years together, Selby orchestrated a proposal as grand as their love story—an indulgent getaway at Eagle Nest Retreat in the north of Tassie, complete with a private chef, an outdoor hot tub, and even an in-room massage. “I was the most nervous I had ever been in my life,” Selby admits. But as they walked among the moo-ing cows under the Tasmanian sky, Madi said yes before he even finished his carefully prepared speech.

The Wedding Vision: An Ever-Growing Dream

What started as a small garden wedding soon blossomed into a full-scale adventure. “We infected each other with excitement, and the day grew and grew,” Selby says. Three locations, a double-decker bus, a boat ride down the Derwent River, and a carefully coordinated transport plan ensured that every moment was seamless and spectacular. The final stop? A bush-doof afterparty complete with smoke machines, party lights, and karaoke!

Their planning process was fueled by passion and meticulous attention to detail. “We started out thinking we would compromise, pick the things most important to us, and trim the budget later. But the excitement kept building, and we became project coordinators with plans upon plans, backups, and complicated handovers. Each location had its own challenges and vibe.”

Fortunately, they were surrounded by an incredible team who embraced their vision. Susan from the Botanical Gardens helped secure a hidden, hedge-lined spot for the ceremony—an area never used for weddings before. Phoebe from Flora Gondwana brought their floral dreams to life with stunning native arrangements. And the wonderful team at Cygnet Pizza went above and beyond, even enlisting their mum to help with deliveries.

A Day of Perfect Moments

For Madi, the day began as all big days do—watching the sunrise. Meanwhile, Selby made the most of the breakfast buffet, pushing the limits of how many guests from one room could eat for free.

As the ceremony neared, Selby and his best men gathered for a cool moment in the Antarctic Room at Botanical Gardens, where nervous excitement mixed with the urgent need to learn how to properly tie their ties (thank you, YouTube). But the second he saw Madi walking down the aisle, all nerves vanished. “No need to feel anxious—this is the woman I love, and I know she loves me too.”

From there, the adventure truly began. A post-ceremony photo session led straight to a ride on a double-decker bus. “So many friends and family, beautiful weather, and yes! I got to sit on the back seat!” Selby exclaims.

Then came the catamaran trip aboard Peppermint Bay II, sailing toward their reception. There was delicious food, great music, heartfelt speeches, and their first dance—set to Blink-182, of course. A special moment came when Selby shared a dance with their daughter, Eleanor, making an already unforgettable day even more meaningful.

As the reception wound down, Madi and Selby stole a quiet moment together, walking along the beach at the family shack in Eggs and Bacon Bay. It was a place filled with childhood memories for Madi and had become a treasured retreat for them both. “We took the time to reshare our vows and enjoy the moment, just the two of us. And that sunset—it delivered.”

The Party That Never Ended

Of course, no wedding of this scale would be complete without an afterparty. As the last of the vendors departed and the day’s elegance faded into the night, the party kicked into full swing. Pizza, karaoke, and dancing until the sun came up.

“I was a little dirty that Madi beat me in the cruiser downing contest, but I quickly forgave her,” Selby laughs.