Belinda & Leroy's Elegant Ballarat Wedding | Family, Love & Black MET Gala Style!

20 June

Some weddings are all about tradition. Belinda and Leroy's was all about making a statement - and they absolutely understood the assignment. Set in beautiful Ballarat, their black-tie celebration was a masterclass in timeless style, incredible food, and putting family at the heart of every moment. Oh, and did I mention the all-black, black tie dress code? Think MET Gala energy, but make it a wedding.

From the moment guests arrived dressed to impress, it was clear this wasn't going to be your average celebration. Every detail was thoughtfully curated, every outfit served, and every moment reflected who Belinda and Leroy are as a couple: stylish, generous, down-to-earth, and completely devoted to the people they love.

As their Celebrant, I had the absolute joy of sharing their story and creating a ceremony that balanced heartfelt moments with plenty of laughs - because while the dress code was high fashion, the atmosphere was all warmth, connection and genuine celebration. If you're planning a Ballarat wedding and love the idea of combining elegant style, amazing food and a ceremony full of personality, you're going to love this one.

Belinda & LeRoy's Real Wedding Story: From Ballarat Bootcamp Crushes to a Dancefloor Romance

Some love stories start with a swipe right. Others start over coffee. Belinda and LeRoy's real wedding story began somewhere far less glamorous: at 6am on freezing Ballarat mornings, surrounded by burpees, squats, and far more enthusiasm than anyone should have before sunrise.

How It Started: RPH Bootcamp, Ballarat

Back in the late 2000s, Belinda and LeRoy were both regulars at RPH Bootcamp in Ballarat. Around 40 hardy locals would gather twice a week to brave the cold and get a workout in before the rest of the town had even hit snooze. Belinda was there for one reason only: to train. She'd arrive, pull her hoodie up, keep to herself, and quietly get the job done.

LeRoy's motivations were... slightly different.

Sure, he was there to exercise - but if he could strategically position himself behind Belinda during the session, well, that was just an added bonus. As he openly admits now, she had "a great bum," and catching a glimpse of it was enough to make those icy mornings a whole lot brighter.

Despite sharing plenty of early-morning workouts (and a distinctly one-sided admiration), their timing wasn't quite right. They chatted here and there, but life had other plans. LeRoy still remembers feeling genuinely disappointed when their trainer, Hutchy, announced that Belinda was moving to Torquay. Just like that, she was gone.

A Second Chance: Reconnecting at F45

Fast forward a few years, and fate decided it was time for another workout.

In late 2018, Belinda moved back to the Ballarat area. After welcoming her son, Lenny, and getting the all-clear to return to exercise, she signed up to F45. On her very first class, there he was - LeRoy. This time, he didn't waste the opportunity.

He wandered over for a chat, and while Belinda can't remember exactly what they talked about, she remembers one thing very clearly: his beautiful smile. It must have made an impression, because as soon as she got home, she did what any self-respecting modern woman would do - she looked him up on social media.

The Night Everything Changed: The 2019 F45 Ball

The two crossed paths a few more times at the gym, but it wasn't until the 2019 F45 Ball that the sparks really started flying. For Belinda, it was her first proper night out since having Lenny. Hair and makeup done, slipped into a stunning bright yellow Rebecca Vallance dress, she was ready to enjoy herself. Enter Georgie - the friend every great love story needs.

After a few drinks, Georgie spotted LeRoy across the room, marched Belinda over, and boldly asked him what he thought of her that night. Once the introductions (and a little matchmaking) were out of the way, the rest took care of itself. They spent the evening talking, laughing, and - before long - kissing their way across the dancefloor. By the end of the night, they'd earned themselves a bit of a reputation, but neither of them seemed to mind.

The Wedding: Five Years Later

Five years on, surrounded by family and friends, Belinda and LeRoy celebrated not only their wedding day but the anniversary of the night everything truly began.

It just goes to show: sometimes your soulmate isn't found on an app - they've been standing behind you at bootcamp all along.