A bride removed the skirt of her wedding gown to reveal that the semi-sheer bodice was actually a romper

The Australia-based couple first crossed paths at a concert in 2013. The concert took place on an island, and they ended up on the same mutual friend's boat to travel to and from the event.

Maddie told Insider she immediately took notice of Daniel, and she got her friend to introduce them.

"We spent the rest of the day and evening at the concert together, and he smoothly sealed the night with a kiss at the concert," Maddie said.

They got engaged in February 2022, and planned their wedding for March 5, 2023.

Today, Maddie, 30, owns the cake-making business Madeline's Cakes, and Daniel, 35, works in private equity. 

Maddie told Insider she considered several designers for her wedding dress, but she ended up selecting Paolo Sebastian to design two custom looks for her. 

"I was drawn to his attention to detail and ability to bring my dream dresses to life," she said. 

Early on in her shopping process, Maddie fell in love with the concept of a form-fitting jumpsuit underneath a detachable skirt, as it offered multiple looks in one.

Sebastian brought her dream to life. 

The romper had a high neckline and long sleeves. 

Floral appliqué sat on top of eyelet fabric, so the romper had a semi-sheer look. Delicate ruffles trimmed the sleeves and the hem of the shorts.

"I had always pictured myself in a very different styled dress, certainly not high neck, long-sleeved, or lace," she said. "Yet after trying multiple dresses on, I was unable to let go of this particular concept."

She paired the look with chunky, white Valentino pumps.

Maddie showed off the elegant back with an updo, at the suggestion of her hairstylist on the day of the wedding.

"The talented Mel Gesualdo suggested a modern twist for my hair, creating a low bun in the form of a vertical bow," Maddie said, adding that she "absolutely loved" how her hair turned out. 

The tulle skirt sat on Maddie's waist, flowing out around her into a statement train.

It also had a thigh-high slit, giving it a modern edge. 

Maddie accessorized the look with a floor-length veil and pearl drop earrings. Hendra did her makeup, while Gloss Plus did the bridesmaids' glam. Maddie also got a tan from Cocoaluxau ahead of the wedding.

She got her Natasha Schweitzer wedding band from a pop-up event just a week before the wedding after discovering it fit with her engagement ring perfectly. 

"Being in something long-sleeved with a high neck was not what I imagined I would wear, but looking back, I can't imagine myself in any other style," she said, adding that she loved how "intricate" the design was.

"The jumpsuit and being able to take the skirt off was a really fun edge," Maddie added.

Maddie and Daniel's wedding ceremony took place at a church, and they traveled to the reception in her father's vintage Austin-Healey convertible — the same car her parents left their wedding in when they got married. 

Maddie's bridal party followed in her father's friend's car, which was almost identical to the bride and groom's convertible.

She slipped off her skirt before hopping in the car, making the getaway easier.

Maddie said the ride "felt incredibly special and sentimental," both because of how cool the car was and because of its connection to her parents.

The bride also wore a headscarf from Paolo Sebastian to protect her hair during the ride, adding even more of a vintage flair to the moment.

She also carried her wedding bouquet and wore Chanel sunglasses.

Before heading to their reception, Maddie, Daniel, and their wedding party took photos at a family friend's home that had an Italian feel. 

"The place exuded the charm of an old European residence. It had beautiful exposed stone walls and breathtaking gardens," Maddie said. "It provided the ideal backdrop that perfectly aligned with my vision for the wedding."

CALLA ESSE photographed the wedding, while their videographers were from Symmetry Weddings.

Like much of the wedding, Maddie's bridesmaid dresses paid tribute to her parents' nuptials.

"They had worn matching minidresses in four colors, with coordinated handbags," Maddie told Insider of her mom's bridesmaids. She decided to do the same thing with a modern twist: strapless minidresses with feathers on the neckline.

Maddie tapped Tatiana from Tatiana Fashion Studios to design her bridesmaids' dresses, though she found the fabric for the colorful looks herself. 

"I sourced the feathers from overseas and traveled to Sydney to find the matching fabrics in peach, pink, lilac, and yellow — the same hues my mom's bridesmaids wore three decades ago," she told Insider. "The end result was just as I had envisioned."

Maddie also made her bridesmaids coordinating, feathered bags the week before her wedding. 

"Funnily enough, I had asked him prior to the day what style dress he thought I would choose, and he said, 'As long as it's not high-necked, long-sleeved, or lace I will like it,'" Maddie told Insider.

She said she was "so nervous" about what Daniel would think of the dress since it featured every element he said he wouldn't like. But she didn't need to worry.

"When I got to the front of the church, he said he loved it, which was a big relief," she said. 

Daniel got his Pal Zileri tuxedo from Parker & Co., while Eton designed his shirt and Zegna made his bow tie.

Shoes from Meermin and a watch from Daniel Hechter completed his ensemble. 

"I had always dreamt of getting married at my parents' house," Maddie told Insider. 

The home overlooks the Swan River in Perth, and the picturesque views and sentimentality of the location felt perfect for the Johnstons' wedding.

Maddie said she didn't want a traditional wedding tent because she wanted the views to be a focal point. 

"I envisioned a European-inspired, open-air structure with tall pillars adorned with intricate detailing, connected above with cascading greenery and flowers," she said, tapping OTS Productions to bring her vision to life. "While it was a risk given you can't control the weather, it turned out to be a still, calm night, which made it absolutely perfect."

Nina Wiener of Nina Ma'Belle Weddings planned the wedding.

"Being a creative person with many ideas made it difficult to make decisions," Maddie said of the wedding planning process. "Nina understood my ambitious vision, and it was her expertise that brought this dream to breathtaking life."

"My vision for the table setting was to create a seamless blend with the natural surroundings," Maddie said, so she opted for off-white table linens, crystal glassware, and wicker chairs.

The minimalist decor drew the eye to the water, just as the Johnstons wanted. 

Rebecca Grace from Natural Art Flowers provided florals for the event, while the rentals came from Hire Society, Black Label Events, and Event Artillery.

Maddie worked with Heyder & Shears to cater the nuptials, even sharing her own recipes with the staff to ensure the menu fit with her vision.

"As a food enthusiast, the food was a crucial aspect of the celebration, and I wanted every guest to have an exceptional culinary experience," she told Insider. 

In addition, One Mimosa Please provided stationery for the wedding, and they used Wedit for their registry. DJ Elise Keddie played at their reception, while Dolce Ensembles and Coby Grant joined them for a performance during the Johnstons' cocktail hour.

Because she makes cakes for a living, many of Maddie's loved ones anticipated she would make her own wedding cake.

She didn't want to have to worry about baking her wedding cake for her big day, so instead, Maddie came up with the idea to create a dessert pyramid display for her nuptials. 

"The idea of petit fours and mini desserts resonated with me, as it allowed for a delightful variety of flavors rather than limiting ourselves to just one," Maddie said. "To bring this vision to life, I collaborated with some of my favorite dessert makers in Perth, who lovingly prepared 600 mini desserts. As a personal touch, I also made 600 desserts myself on the eve of the wedding."

The desserts, made by Maddie, Layers Bakery, The Honey Cake, and Posh Little Cakes, also doubled as guests' party favors, as everyone got to leave the wedding with an assortment of treats. 

Also designed by Paolo Sebastian, Maddie's second dress was mushroom-toned, fitting with the neutral hues of the reception.

It had one, semi-sheer shoulder, lace detailing, and a tulle skirt with no train, so it was easier to dance in.

She also took out her bun when she changed ensembles to match the more relaxed look, and she changed into Rene Caovilla heels.

Maddie swapped the long skirt for a mini version for the end of her reception.

The bride told Insider she loved that the skirt allowed her to "dance comfortably and freely."

She also changed into Prada slingback pumps for the final look of the night. 

From the nostalgic nods to her parents' love story to custom additions like the dessert table that spoke to the Johnstons' personalities, the wedding was everything they wanted it to be. 

"Every detail and moment of the day was just magical," Maddie told Insider. 

"I love how easygoing we both are and how alike we are," Maddie said of her relationship with her husband. "We bounce off each other really well, which makes for a great relationship."

If you wore an eye-catching wedding dress and want to talk to Insider for a story, get in touch at sgrindell@insider.com.