North Queensland Cowboys legend Matthew Bowen and long-term partner Rudie Doyle, tied the knot in an intimate wedding on Sunday, September 22.
The couple, who have been together for 14 years and share three children, were the picture of happiness as they said ‘I do’ during an outdoor ceremony at Hervey Range Rodeo Grounds in Queensland.
Rudie looked every inch the blushing bride in a simple yet elegant white gown, while Matt wore a white suit with blue jacket.
View the couple’s official wedding day photographs by Vicki Miller Photography below.
Just married! Cowboys legend Matthew Bowen and Rudie Doyle tied the knot in a very special wedding ceremony this month after rushing to plan the big day in THREE WEEKS amid heartbreaking family news
Husband and wife: North Queensland Cowboys legend Matthew and long-term partner Rudie have been together for 14 years (engaged for six) and share three children
The former rugby league star was introduced to his wife in 2005 by her brother and his former Cowboys team mate John Doyle.
They announced their engagement in 2013, before moving to England for Matt’s two-year stay with Super League team Wigan Warriors.
Rudie looked positively radiant during her wedding day in the v-cut bridal design, which hugged into her svelte frame and showed off her toned arms.
She wore a white gown by Bridal Palace, which was ‘altered to perfection to fit like a glove’ for the WAG by a local dressmaker.
Meanwhile, her husband Matt looked suave in a blue suit jacket with a floral lapel.
Stunning! Rudie looked positively radiant during her wedding day in the v-cut bridal design, which hugged into her svelte frame and showed off her toned arms
Family moment: The lovebirds, who had been engaged for six years, were also joined by their adorable children: Diaz, MJ and Tatum
Simply beautiful: Appearing to go against tradition, Matt and Rudie’s bridesmaids and groomsmen were also wearing white and light blue tones
The lovebirds, who had been engaged for six years, were also joined by their adorable children: Diaz, MJ and Tatum.
The youngsters were dressed in white and blue for the special day and were seen alongside their parents during the sweet post-wedding photo shoot.
Appearing to go against tradition, Matt and Rudie’s bridesmaids and groomsmen were also wearing white and light blue tones.
‘Long time coming yes I know but worth the wait’: The couple announced their engagement in 2013, before moving to England for Matt’s two-year stay with Super League team Wigan Warriors
‘If you want to do a wedding in three weeks, call my wife’: Speaking to Townsville Bulletin , the couple revealed the heartbreaking reason they rushed for the aisle this month was Rudie’s cancer-stricken father’s condition
Matt shared photos from their wedding day to Instagram, writing: ‘Well this happened, married my best friend now WIFE. Long time coming yes I know but worth the wait.’
The footballer-turned-coach also wrote: ‘If you want to do a wedding in three weeks call my wife, she’ll make it happen.’
Speaking to Townsville Bulletin, the couple revealed the heartbreaking reason they rushed for the aisle this month after being engaged for six years.
The sporting spouses said Rudie’s father, who has cancer, recently took a ‘bad turn’ and they wanted to share their dream day with him.
‘He couldn’t be there’: The sporting spouses said Rudie’s father, who has cancer, recently took a ‘bad turn’ and they wanted to share their dream day with him, but unfortunately he was unable to make it due to his condition becoming worse days prior
‘He’s not in a good way’: The bride confirmed her father missed out on attending the wedding as he was hospitalised in Rockhampton, but he witnessed the entire ceremony via FaceTime
‘We received a crazy amount of help, it was unbelievable’: Matt and Rudie thanked local businesses and professionals who pitched in, and the couple’s friends and families for their support
‘We received a crazy amount of help, it was unbelievable. It’s times like this that brings people together, and we can’t thank everyone enough,’ Rudie said of the local businesses and professionals who pitched in.
Unfortunately, the bride confirmed her father missed out on attending the wedding as he was hospitalised in Rockhampton just days out from the big day.
‘It’s a shame that he couldn’t be there,’ Rudie told the publication, but mentioned he was able to watch the wedding, and her ‘I do’ vows, via FaceTime.
‘He’s not in a good way… but everyone was so supportive and it meant a lot to us to have so many close family and friends there,’ she said.
Matt also had a host of former Cowboys teammates in attendance on the day.
On Wednesday, Matt and Rudie traveled to Rockhampton, where they held another small ceremony with Rudie’s father and close family members.
Special: On Wednesday, Matt and Rudie traveled to Rockhampton, where they held another small ceremony with Rudie’s father and close family members