Wedding Party
Luke Winter
Groom
How did you meet James? "James and I matched on Tinder in 2019. I had just downloaded the app that same day, after ignoring advice to do so for nearly six months! I had convinced myself I was having a "hot girl summer," but in reality, I was just drinking wine by myself on weeknights and developing a nicotine addiction. So, while I was outside with a glass of pinot noir and a cigarette, an alert came through that someone had "super-liked" me! My first thought was, "What sort of insane person super-likes?" But after a cheeky peruse of his profile, I was pleasantly surprised to see that not only did he seem normal, he was cute, too! Of course, this was James, and six years later, I'm still swiping right on him everyday."
James Fowler
Groom
How did you meet Luke? "How I met Luke sounds fake, but I swear it’s true. Whilst driving back to Brisbane with my best friend Marini I was swiping away on Tinder. Don’t worry I was the passenger, though to be fair, me driving and swiping is probably just as dangerous as Marini driving with both eyes on the road. Roaring down the Bruce Highway through the scenic rolling hills north of the Sunshine Coast, the most beautiful man I had ever seen appeared on my phone. I turned to Marini and said, “oh my god, I’ve just found the one”. I unashamedly (very shamefully) super-liked him as I realised he lived in some random place called ‘Kingaroy’, and I had to shoot-my-shot. Clearly Luke vibes with desperation and here we are six years later. A psychic once said to me that who I am with at the age of 22 I will be with for the rest of my life. Luke and I met six months shy of my 23rd birthday, and I have a good feeling this psychic was right."
Beth Kulich
Maid of Honor
How did you meet the Grooms? "I first met Luke when he was 10 years old and I tried desperately to tutor him in maths - for the record, I got him to a B. A few years later when all my lessons had faded from his brain, all that was left was a friendship forged through mutual orchestral trauma, and strengthened by shared homosexuality. James was the ray of sunshine that took the responsibility of managing Luke’s finances off my hands, and these days we happily talk about anything and everything while our wives wander off to share in some vices together."
Marini Mendis
Maid of Honor
How did you meet the Grooms? "I met James in a first-semester social psych tutorial, in a group mysteriously packed with his friends (including Olivia) except me. We half-joked the lecturer was running a hidden experiment. James and Olivia welcomed me from day one. Then, a random run in with James in the psych courtyard at UQ turned into study sessions and plenty of collusion. Soon courtyard hangs migrated to my house; late nights study sessions blurred into sleepovers; and one sick day turned into James basically never leaving our house. My parents gained a son, my sisters, Meliza and Meriza, a brother, and I gained a soulmate. When James introduced me to Luke, he also felt like home and the family grew. Now, watching them choose each other feels like the most natural next step to a story that began with a social psych experiment and grew into family and real love."
Rose Kulich
Groomswoman
How did you meet the Grooms? "I met Luke through Beth, and through Luke I met James — the best surprise of my life. Luke eventually found his own love (with a little Tinder push from us), and together he and James have become the other half of our perfect “couple of couples.” Luke and I have spent countless hours laughing over expensive things we can’t afford, and it still amazes me that we even share the same taste in partners — James and my wife could be twins. I know when we’re 90, we’ll still be having sleepovers and watching Heartstopper. Some friendships truly last a lifetime."
Lucinda Spencer
Groomswoman
How did you meet the Grooms? "I met James and Luke through Marini during our psych masters, though James, Marini, and I had unknowingly crossed paths years earlier in undergrad! What started as late night study sessions quickly became something so much more. Between shared dinners, red wine, and our beautifully wired brains, they became my second family — and the most adoring uncles to my dog, Bosley. Some people arrive quietly, but change everything. That’s what James and Luke did. I feel so lucky to know them and can’t imagine life without them."
Meliza Mendis
Groomswoman
How did you meet the Grooms? "I met James and Luke the way all great friendships begin — by accident, with good food, and a lot of laughter we never really stopped. James came first, through my sister, over pizza — I was sceptical he’d stick around. Then came Luke, who James brought to Friday night dinner. At first, we all apologised for every cheeky joke… until we stopped and the real friendship began."
Meriza Mendis
Groomswoman
How did you meet the Grooms? “I met James when he befriended my older sister and then moved into our house like a charming, long-term squatter. Rent: $0. Snacks: all inclusive. Then came Luke, after their first date I tried to be polite ... but now I insult him freely like any good friend should. I love them both dearly, despite all the trauma.”
Olivia Demichelis
Groomswoman
How did you meet the Grooms? "I met James in a first year undergraduate course. We were sat at the same table together and would go to quiet corners of the campus to watch "My Strange Addiction." The first time I met Luke, he was cooking something delicious but I couldn't remember if his name was Luke or Lucas, so I just avoided using his name!"