Carmen & Ryan’s Wedding at Shambala Estate

On a cool June afternoon, seventy-four of Carmen and Ryan’s closest friends and family arrived on Tamborine Mountain and stepped into five private acres of gardens tucked quietly within the Gold Coast Hinterland.

From the moment the chapel doors opened to the final dances in the Galaxy Ballroom, the day moved beautifully from one moment to the next. Dusty rose florals framed the ceremony, champagne flowed in the gardens and laughter carried late into the evening.

Before returning to the moments that shaped their wedding day, it feels right to begin where Carmen and Ryan’s story first started.

How it all began

Carmen and Ryan first met in 2015 during their first year studying law at the University of Queensland.

What began as friendship slowly grew into something deeper, shaped by banter between classes, afternoons at the university café and nights spent catching up with friends at the campus bar.

Their love story began at university and has continued to grow through each new chapter together.

Their vows captured it beautifully:

“You’ve shown me a love that is nurturing and unconditional—a love grounded in trust and safety, filled with laughter, adventure and understanding. We share a world of quirks and special moments that belong only to us.”

The first visit

Shambala Estate stood out from the moment they first visited.

“It felt grand enough to honour the significance of our wedding day, yet intimate in a way that made it seem as though the entire property existed just for us.”

The gardens, chapel and Galaxy Ballroom immediately captured their attention. Having the ceremony and reception unfold in one place made the experience feel easier and more connected for them and their guests.

From the beginning, they also felt completely supported by the team.

“They were patient with every question, incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely invested in bringing our vision to life.”

The ceremony

Guests gathered inside the chapel while Ryan waited at the front of the aisle. When the doors opened, it created one of the most memorable moments of the day for both of them.

For Carmen, walking into the chapel and seeing the faces of their closest friends and family—and Ryan waiting at the end of the aisle—is something she says she will never forget.

For Ryan, the moment felt just as significant as he watched Carmen step through the wooden doors and walk towards him.

After the ceremony, guests moved into the gardens for champagne and canapés as the celebration continued across the estate.

See The Chapel gallery and Galaxy Ballroom gallery for a closer look at the two spaces that shaped their day.

The reception

As the sun began to fall behind Tamborine Mountain, the celebration moved into the Galaxy Ballroom and guests took their seats for dinner.

Inside, the room came to life as friends and family shared speeches, stories and a meal together. For Carmen and Ryan, the space had made an impression from their first visit.

“The Galaxy Ballroom is stunning—one of the best wedding reception areas we have ever seen. It truly set the tone for our wedding reception.”

Later in the evening, Carmen and Ryan slipped back into the gardens for a quiet moment together beneath the trees and fairy lights.

More than a year on, the next chapter of their story has taken them to London, where they are now living and loving life as a married couple.

If Carmen and Ryan’s wedding has sparked inspiration, you can book a private tour of the estate or speak with one of our experienced wedding coordinators about the celebration you are imagining.

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