Eddie's birthday, 1am, during a very legal gathering
It was Eddie's birthday. The world was in the grip of COVID, which meant the celebration was technically a small, responsible get-together — nothing more. Charlotte had done the sensible thing and uber eats'd a pizza. She was perched contentedly on the couch when a very composed James sat down beside her and began explaining, with remarkable calm, what a "crazy" night it had been so far.
What followed was a very structured and intellectual conversation. At some point, Charlotte shoo'd Eddie away. That was the last time they spoke that night.
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Chapter Two — 1 July 2020
Now that Eddie was 24, he had fallen into the algorithm
Fast forward a few days. Eddie had magically appeared in Charlotte's Hinge algorithm. His profile was in stark contrast to the ridiculous character she had met on the weekend — so Charlotte swiped right.
Eddie, on the other hand, thought Charlotte was gorgeous. He also swiped right.
Hours later, Charlotte sent Eddie a message that would change both of their lives forever.
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Chapter Three — 17 July 2020
The first date. Drinks at 8. Or was it dinner?
Their first date was scheduled for a drink at 8pm. Eddie, clearly a man of great ambition and romance, informed Charlotte that he had "pulled some strings and gotten a table at KFC."
Charlotte, reasonably interpreting this as dinner, did not eat beforehand. James, who had apparently intended this as a drink, had eaten a very large dinner beforehand.
Two people. One table at KFC. Completely different expectations. Somehow, they both turned up anyway.
The jury is out
Was it a drink or a dinner?
Cast your vote and see where the wedding guests stand.
🍸 A drink
🍗 Dinner
Tallying votes…
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The celebration
The Venue
Venue photograph
Venue
Maleny Country Estate
Address
213 Maleny Stanley River Road Maleny, QLD 4552
Ceremony
The Garden Lawn 3:00pm
Reception
The Estate Pavilion 5:30pm onwards
Maleny Country Estate sits on a rolling hillside in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, overlooking the Glass House Mountains. Just over an hour from Brisbane and approximately 30 minutes from the Sunshine Coast, the property is surrounded by lush subtropical gardens and sweeping countryside views.
Map embed or directions image
Parking is available on site. We recommend staying locally given the rural location — see our Accommodation page for options nearby.
The weekend
Weekend Schedule
Monday, 13 April 2027
All day
Golf Day
An optional day on the greens for those arriving early. Course and tee time details to follow — add yourself to the list on your RSVP.
Evening
Settle In
Check into your accommodation and get your bearings in Maleny. Plenty of good spots for a quiet dinner in town if you need a recommendation.
Optional activity
Golf on Monday is entirely optional — a casual day for the early arrivals who want to make a long weekend of it. Details on course and tee times will be shared closer to the date.
Tuesday, 14 April 2027
Morning
Free Time
Explore the Maleny area at your own pace. The hinterland is beautiful — there are walks, markets, and excellent cafés to keep you busy.
3:00pm onwards
Arvo Drinks & Early Dinner
Mapleton Public House. Join us for a relaxed afternoon session — cold beers, good food, and a chance to catch up with everyone before the big day. Dinner from around 6pm.
~8:30pm
Early Night
We'll wrap up at a reasonable hour — big day tomorrow. Save your energy.
Location
Mapleton Public House
Mapleton, QLD — approximately 20 minutes from Maleny
Thursday, 16 April 2027 — The Wedding
2:30pm
Guests Arrive
Welcome drinks on the terrace. Find your seats by 2:50pm.
3:00pm
Ceremony
Garden Lawn. Duration approximately 30 minutes.
3:30pm
Cocktail Hour
Canapés and drinks in the gardens while the bridal party take photographs.
5:30pm
Reception Begins
Doors open to The Estate Pavilion. Dinner, speeches, dancing.
6:00pm
Dinner is Served
Shared table style, with all dietary requirements catered for.
7:30pm
First Dance & Speeches
Dancing to follow. The bar will not close.
11:00pm
Last Dance
Farewell and transport departs on the hour.
A note on timing
We ask that all guests be seated by 2:50pm so we can begin the ceremony on time. Given the rural location, please allow extra travel time and plan to arrive a few minutes early.
Friday, 17 April 2027
11:00am
Recovery Pool Party
Back at the estate. Exactly what you need after the night before — pool, sunshine, light bites, and cold drinks. Theme to be announced.
Afternoon
Lunch & Lounging
Relaxed grazing lunch served poolside. Sunscreen provided, dignity optional.
4:00pm
Wind Down
The afternoon is yours. Linger as long as you like.
Theme announcement
The pool party theme will be announced closer to the date. Watch this space — and start planning accordingly.
Saturday, 18 April 2027 — Farewell
Morning
Farewell Breakfast
A casual breakfast send-off for those staying locally before making their way home. Details to follow.
All day
Departures
Safe travels, everyone. Thank you for being part of our weekend. We'll miss you already.
Finding us
Getting Here
Maleny Country Estate is nestled in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, about 90 minutes north of Brisbane and 45 minutes inland from the Sunshine Coast. The area is beautiful but rural — plan ahead, allow extra driving time, and consider staying locally so you can fully enjoy the weekend.
Flying In
Nearest major airport
Brisbane Airport (BNE)
The closest international and domestic hub. Approximately 100km from Maleny — allow around 90 minutes by car, longer during peak hours. The most practical option for interstate and international guests.
~90 min drive
Alternative
Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY)
Maroochydore airport services select domestic routes and is approximately 50 minutes from Maleny. A good option if you're flying in from Sydney or Melbourne and can find a convenient connection.
~50 min drive
Driving to the Venue
From Brisbane
Via Bruce Highway & Landsborough
Head north on the Bruce Highway (M1), take the Landsborough exit, then follow the Maleny–Landsborough Road up into the hinterland. The last section is winding mountain road — scenic but slow. Allow 90–100 minutes from Brisbane CBD.
~90 min
From Sunshine Coast
Via Palmwoods or Landsborough
From the Sunshine Coast motorway, exit at either Palmwoods or Landsborough and head inland toward Maleny. The drive up the range through Mapleton and Montville is particularly beautiful. Allow 45–60 minutes.
~45–60 min
The venue address is 213 Maleny Stanley River Road, Maleny QLD 4552. GPS is generally reliable in this area. Parking is available on site — we encourage carpooling where possible, and please do not drink and drive on these mountain roads. We will have transport information and a late-night vehicle option available closer to the date.
Public Transport & Transfers
Train + Bus
TransLink to Maleny
Trains run from Brisbane Central to Landsborough on the Sunshine Coast line (approximately 90 minutes). From Landsborough, Bus 637 connects to Maleny township (a further 30–40 minutes). Note that services are infrequent — check the TransLink Journey Planner before the trip.
Allow 2.5+ hrs
Recommended
Private Transfer or Car Hire
Given the rural location, a private transfer or rental car is the most practical option for most guests. Several Sunshine Coast operators offer airport-to-hinterland transfers. We will share a list of recommended providers closer to the date. Rideshare is limited in the area.
Most practical option
Our Recommendation
Given how much is happening across the weekend — golf on Monday, pub on Tuesday, wedding on Wednesday, pool party on Thursday — we strongly encourage guests to stay locally in Maleny or the surrounding hinterland for the full duration. It makes the weekend infinitely more relaxed, and you won't need to worry about transport back after the reception. See our Accommodation page for our recommended options.
Where to stay
Accommodation
Maleny township is about 15 minutes from the estate and has a lovely range of accommodation — from boutique guesthouses to private holiday rentals. Given the week of events, we strongly encourage staying locally for the full stretch rather than commuting each day. Book early; this is a popular long weekend in the hinterland.
Boutique Hotel
Maleny Lodge
Maleny township — 15 min to venue
A well-regarded boutique property in the heart of Maleny with individually styled rooms, a garden terrace, and excellent breakfast. Ideal for couples wanting a relaxed base in town.
A highly regarded hinterland retreat with spa, exceptional dining, and beautifully appointed rooms in a rainforest setting. The standout splurge option for the weekend.
Airbnb has an excellent range of private cottages and farmhouses throughout the Maleny area — many sleeping 4–8, ideal for groups. Search "Maleny" or "Sunshine Coast Hinterland" on Airbnb and filter by your dates.
The villages of Mapleton and Montville, a short drive from Maleny, also have a great selection of private homes and retreats on Airbnb — often with sweeping hinterland views and more space for larger groups.
Rideshare is limited in the Maleny area. If you're staying in town, we recommend arranging a return taxi or private transfer for the wedding night so you can enjoy the evening without worrying about driving on the mountain roads. We'll share recommended local operators closer to the date.
What to wear
Dress Code
The dress code is Black Tie for gentlemen and Pastel formal for ladies. We'd love the room to feel elegant and celebratory — think formal evening wear with a soft, warm colour palette to complement the hinterland setting.
Pastel palette for ladies
Blush, powder blue, sage, champagne, peach, lavender — any soft pastel tone works beautifully.
Please avoid
White, ivory, or cream (reserved for the bride)
Black for ladies
Very high heels (the lawn will be soft underfoot)
Overly casual attire
For him — Black Tie
Black dinner suit or tuxedo
White dress shirt with black bow tie
Black formal shoes — Oxfords or patent leather
Cufflinks and pocket square encouraged
Waistcoat or cummerbund optional
For her — Pastel Formal
Floor-length or midi gown in a pastel shade
Formal evening separates in soft colours
Block-heeled or wedge sandals for the lawn
Embellishment, lace, and sheer fabrics welcome
If you're unsure, err on the side of dressed up — and remember, April evenings in the Maleny hinterland can be cool and breezy. A light wrap or stole is a good idea.
Good to know
Frequently Asked
While we love your little ones, this is an adults-only celebration. We hope you'll use it as an excuse for a long weekend away. Immediate family with infants under 12 months are of course welcome — please let us know on your RSVP.
Yes, there is ample on-site parking. However, as many of you will want to enjoy the wine on these winding mountain roads, we strongly encourage staying locally. Rideshare is limited in the Maleny area — we will share information on a late-night vehicle option closer to the date.
The nearest major airport is Brisbane (BNE), about 90 minutes by car. Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY) is around 50 minutes away. We have a full Getting Here page with driving directions, public transport options, and transfer recommendations.
We are having an unplugged ceremony. We ask that you keep phones and cameras away during the ceremony itself so you can be fully present — and so our photographer can do their job. There will be plenty of opportunity for photos at the reception.
Absolutely. Please note any dietary requirements on your RSVP form — vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, allergies and everything in between. We want everyone to eat well.
Your presence is the best gift. For those who'd like to give something, we have a small registry and a honeymoon fund — details will be included with your formal invitation.
The celebration concludes at 11:00pm. We will have transport arrangements in place — details to follow closer to the date. We strongly recommend staying locally so you don't have to worry about the drive home.
Plenty — which is why we encourage everyone to make a long weekend of it. Monday 13 April is an optional golf day. Tuesday 14 April is a relaxed arvo session and early dinner at Mapleton Public House. Wednesday 16 April is the wedding. Thursday 17 April is the recovery pool party (theme TBA). Friday 18 April is departure day. See the Schedule page for full details.
