With a grin that was unmistakably on her face, Lisa skydived into the ceremony space, her gown soaring like a parachute under the clear Swan Valley sky. Josh, dressed as a devil with horns and a tail, was standing excitedly next to a bouquet of broccoli below. It wasn’t satire. This wedding was authentic. One that the whole city of Perth came up with, created, and broadcast via Mix 94.5’s radio waves. Amazingly, it did the trick.
The team behind Mix 94.5’s “The Wedding YOU Built” produced something especially unique by working closely with listeners—an occasion that transformed a public radio engagement into a life-changing event for two worthy individuals. Four days before her first wedding, Lisa had been abandoned, but this time she stood tall with a community by her side, literally lifting her off the ground.
| Event Name | Mix 94.5 Wedding – “The Wedding YOU Built” |
|---|---|
| Main Couple | Lisa and Josh (Ellenbrook, Perth) |
| Wedding Theme | Audience-Built, Quirky, Joyful |
| Location | Barrett Lane Function Centre, Swan Valley |
| Bride’s Arrival | Skydiving Entrance |
| Groom’s Outfit | Dressed as the Devil |
| Officiant | Kymba Cahill (in balloon dress) |
| Bouquet | Broccoli |
| Wedding Cake | Baked by Ben Cousins (dressed as Woody) |
| Music | Live performance by Year 5 school band |
| Radio Hosts Involved | Pete Curulli, Kymba Cahill |
| Original Air Date | Morning, Undisclosed Date |
| Official Website |
The ceremony’s officiant, Kymba Cahill, who wore a dress covered in balloons, wasn’t merely a prop. She held a celebrant’s certification. Lisa’s passionate vows added to the surreal joy that pervaded the wedding. She spoke in a clear, unwavering voice. She paused as emotion swept through her, saying, “You love me for me.” “I get to laugh and grow old with you, and I never give up.” The same intensity was echoed by Josh, who was clearly moved: “You took the broken me as I was.” For you and the children, I will always be there. The words landed heavily even though they were spoken between balloon arches and under a parachute.
Perth had previously been exposed to radical romance through radio. Another couple with twenty years of history but no formal vows, Troy and Lisa, had a wedding organized by Mix 94.5 just months prior. Their ceremony was both deeply humorous and incredibly heartfelt, and it took place inside a Vinnies op shop. From vintage Casio keyboards to Hawaiian shirts, it was a patchwork of new emotion and recycled aesthetics.
Their 11-year-old son Harrison’s live on-air proposal of “Mum, will you marry Daddy?” was a particularly poignant moment. Lisa didn’t think twice. One of Perth’s most private weddings, which was aired live and watched by listeners over their morning coffee, was sparked by that “YES.”
The intimacy fostered by the community is what unites both events, not just the setting or the humor. These weddings turned into canvases for happiness shared by all. Previously thought of as background noise, radio has evolved into a platform for collective celebration and public empathy.
Mix 94.5 effectively crowdsourced love by using public feedback for every aspect, from bouquets to Buck’s party plans. But instead of diluting meaning, the process gave each tear and laugh a sense of community. The bouquet of broccoli wasn’t ridiculous; rather, it was a representation of humor that had been earned through years of adversity.
Once a contentious figure in Australian sports, Ben Cousins dressed up as Toy Story’s Woody to bake their wedding cake. Even though it seemed strange at first glance, this detail gave it unexpected weight. The scars of redemption are carried by cousins like Lisa and Josh. His participation, grinning and covered in flour, set off an unexpected emotional chain reaction, serving as a reminder that healing frequently occurs in unexpected places.
Mix 94.5’s strategy stands out in contrast to the wedding culture that is dominated by staged photos, Pinterest boards, and crushing expenses. Being genuine—with all of your past, heartache, and humor intact—is more important than trying to impress anyone. These unorthodoxly planned and wildly erratic weddings demonstrate that true happiness doesn’t have to be costly. All that is required is sincerity.
Additionally, these radio-curated events offer a nuanced yet potent social critique. The traditional fairy tale can feel especially unattainable for working-class couples, single parents, or people whose first marriages didn’t work out. Perth, however, gave them more than a ceremony by honoring these same individuals in front of a live audience; it gave them a platform, a standing ovation, and a second chapter.
The logistics were atypically intricate. Event planners advise against organizing a balloon-dressed celebrant, a live child band, and a skydiving entrance. However, it went off without a hitch, demonstrating the power of local cooperation when passion takes the place of perfectionism. Instead of creating a moment, Mix 94.5 created momentum by turning radio listeners into wedding planners.
A producer’s segment log does not contain footnotes about these marriages. These are periods of people’s lives that the city surrounding them amplifies, dramatizes, and ultimately elevates. As listeners, we were engaged rather than merely amused.
Clips from these weddings have gone viral recently, not just because they are funny but also because they provide a deeper level of emotional clarity. What strikes a chord isn’t ridiculousness, but genuineness, whether it’s a bouquet of broccoli or a child proposing to his father.
This model—participating in stories rather than merely broadcasting them—may be adopted by more broadcasters in the years to come. These occasions fill hearts as much as they fill airtime. Furthermore, love stories don’t have to be glamorous to be profoundly touching, as Perth’s morning radio reminded us. They simply must be authentic, untidy, and perhaps, with luck, created by a whole city.
