By Melissa Argyle
Six years ago, I bought a property. Living on 133 acres was a dream, but there was one problem: I had no idea how to use the tractor, an old Massey Ferguson, and I had no clue where to even start.
A friend of mine knew someone who could teach me how to use it. That someone was Reece.
The moment he walked in, I felt something I had never felt before. You know that feeling when someone walks past, and it’s like a magnet pulling you toward them? That’s exactly how it felt the very first time I met him. That day, he showed me how to work the old tractor, and before I knew it, I was out mowing the paddocks. Not long after, Reece started texting to ask if I needed a hand around the property. Being a single mum running a large property was a lot of work, and Reece would often lend a hand when he wasn’t working.
Over time, we grew closer and formed a strong connection. After months of getting to know each other, we finally started dating. At the beginning, Reece said he never wanted to get married. I accepted it because having him in my life meant more to me than marriage ever would. Fast forward four years, and we were still together, going stronger than ever. A few months later, Reece proposed.
I was honestly shocked. I didn’t think marriage was on the cards for us. Later, I found out that Reece had spoken with someone who had been in a serious accident. Because they weren’t married, their partner couldn’t legally act on their behalf. Hearing that story really struck a chord with Reece. He realised that if anything ever happened to one of us, we wouldn’t have a say in decisions for each other.
As Reece likes to say, that story “pulled a string in the old ticker.”
In 2024, wedding planning began… and honestly, it felt overwhelming. Since we met on the farm, we decided our property would be the place where we would get married. When we started looking into the pricing for styling and décor, I was gobsmacked. So I started experimenting with styling setups at home. The hardest part was choosing a colour theme.
Then I came across an advertisement for a wedding hire business for sale. It included arbours, décor, chairs, and so many styling pieces. The only thing we were missing was tables. We kept searching and found some round tables in Bundaberg that seated 8–10 people, perfect for our wedding.
When we went to pick them up, the lady asked what we needed them for. When I told her it was for our wedding, she said, “Come and have a look at this.” She opened a shed, and I couldn’t believe my eyes.
She was an ex-wedding stylist and had mirror pillars, gold urns, flower arrangements, chandeliers, and elegant décor, everything I didn’t yet have. We agreed on a price and packed the trailer full. We were actually supposed to buy hay for our horses that trip… but not after this! Don’t worry, the animals still got their hay later.
When we started unpacking the trailer, my mind was blown. We had over 30 different décor styles to choose from. Then I found a photo booth for sale… so, of course, we bought it too. Before we knew it, we had collected so much décor that it filled seven shed bays on our property. That’s when someone said, “Why don’t you hire it out?” At first, I thought no way.
But the idea kept sitting in the back of my mind. I would be able to help other couples have a beautiful wedding that is also affordable for their budget. Before I knew it, I had enrolled and completed a wedding and events course. And that’s how Everlasting Wedding & Events Hire began.
We officially opened in May 2025. Then, in July, another amazing find. A horse float, not a traditional float, but a bar. The Pickled Filly Mobile Bar. A beautiful matte-black horse float with a hardwood bar top and vintage crystal chandeliers. It can even operate off-grid, which makes it perfect for country weddings.
It was now time to focus on our own wedding, red-and-black themed to match Reece’s suit. Our new barn was decorated with red and black draping, round tables with red tablecloths and black lace overlays, black vines, gold candle holders, and red candles. On the 31st December 2025, we were finally husband and wife.
Today, our barn is the heart of our business. It serves as a showroom where couples can see the different setups and décor options we offer. We don’t have a website; we believe word of mouth is more honest, and you can find us on Facebook. We’re here to help couples create their dream wedding or event at an affordable price range. Our barn has off-street parking and a private area where couples can explore décor, experiment with styling ideas, and bring their vision to life. This is my favourite part, seeing people get hands-on and excited about their event.
We offer a wide range of styles, from elegant to simple country, and with over 30 décor designs to choose from, we cater for weddings & engagements, birthday parties, baby showers, private celebrations, and DIY hire. We truly are a one-stop shop with décor, arbours, sparkler machines, auto guest phones, a phone booth, and so much more. I absolutely love working with clients, understanding their vision, and helping bring it to life. We aim to make the experience smooth and enjoyable from start to finish. Helping people achieve their dream events is incredibly rewarding for me.
Most of the time, you’ll see me as the main contact; Reece is the “man behind the muscle,” and he calls me “the beauty of the business,” because I lead with my heart. Our daughter Alanah also lends a helping hand, and together we work as a family to bring your special day to life.