‘Garden Black Tie and Cowboy Hats’ was the dress code for this western-themed wedding

When Jessica Bourke and Damian Brennan met for the first time, they were both a long way from home — at a rodeo in Spanish Fork, Utah. While both had grown up on family cattle properties in Queensland, they’d never crossed paths.

In 2022, while Damian was competing professionally overseas as a saddle bronc rider, Jessica visited the United States on a girls’ trip. She was travelling with two friends, including Damian’s sister, Jacinta.

“We had been talking over the phone for several months beforehand,” says Jessica. “But meeting in person brought an entirely new dimension to our connection.” Over the next three weeks, their relationship evolved into something special.

“Looking back, it’s incredible to think that a chance meeting on the other side of the world would ultimately lead us to where we are today,” says Jessica.

Their lives are now split between countries, travelling to rodeos and spending time in Australia whenever they can. We caught up with Jessica to find out about their wedding day.

How did the proposal happen?

Damo proposed while we were travelling through Canada on the rodeo circuit, making an already unforgettable adventure even more special. He took me to a beautiful spot called Snake Point Lookout, where sweeping views across the lake provided the perfect setting to ask the question.

It was a truly magical moment — quiet, intimate and completely unexpected. After celebrating our engagement at the lookout, we continued the festivities at a nearby winery, where we were able to soak in the excitement of the day and begin dreaming about our future together. It was the perfect start to our next chapter and a memory we will cherish forever.

How did you decide on a wedding venue?

Six years ago, my family made the move to Marionvale station, north of Greenvale, roughly 250 kilometres from Townsville. I wanted to create a destination-style wedding experience for our guests while still staying connected to the place I love and adore.

The venue [The Ville Resort-Casino] offered the perfect balance of tropical beauty and relaxed luxury, allowing our family and friends to enjoy a true North Queensland experience. The weather was warm, so the refreshing sea breeze coming off the water was an absolute blessing. The stunning waterfront setting and laid-back coastal atmosphere created the perfect backdrop for a celebration of the coastal cowboy.

“Seeing people travel from near and far to celebrate alongside us was truly humbling. Having so many of our favourite people gathered in one place created an unforgettable atmosphere and was one of the highlights of the entire celebration.”

What was the highlight of the day for you?

One of the most memorable moments of the day was exchanging our vows on the lawn, surrounded by the people we love most. Also listening to the heartfelt speeches from our family and friends was incredibly special, and there were plenty of moments that had us both laughing and tearing up.

Marrying your best friend is a feeling that is difficult to put into words, and the entire day felt like a reflection of everything we value most — love, family and connection. We truly couldn’t have imagined our wedding any other way and felt overwhelmingly blessed and grateful for every moment, from the ceremony through to the final dance of the evening.

Anything that caught you by surprise?

In the week leading up to the wedding, things didn’t quite go to plan. Myself and a few bridal party members came down with a nasty vomiting bug while attending the Warwick Campdraft and Rodeo during the International Bronc Match hosted by Damo, which made the final preparations especially challenging.

Despite the setback, I was incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by an amazing network of family and friends who stepped in wherever needed. Looking back, it made the celebration even more meaningful, knowing it was made possible by the people who love and support us most.

What are some of the ways you made the wedding personal?

We added a number of personal touches to make the celebration feel uniquely ours. Guests received custom matchbox wedding favours and throughout the evening artist Laura Crane painted special moments and portraits, creating beautiful keepsakes from the day. Laura also painted bespoke canvases that were displayed throughout the venue, including at our bar installations, adding a meaningful and artistic element to the styling.

One of the most special moments for me was changing into Mum’s wedding dress for the after-party. It had been lovingly redesigned into a mini dress, allowing me to honour a family heirloom while giving it a modern twist. Wearing something so sentimental made the celebration even more meaningful.