Destanee Aiava stunned tennis fans on Instagram by sharing photos from her wedding day in Byron Bay, New South Wales, where she and husband Corey Gaal exchanged vows in dramatic, runway-worthy all-black outfits.
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The Australian-born tennis player, who switched to representing New Zealand in June this year, wowed in an unconventional black wedding gown with a Gothic-inspired aesthetic, while a white floral bouquet offered the only nod to traditional bridal style. Paired with a long black veil, the Gothic-romance masterpiece blended Victorian drama with dark fantasy, featuring a structured corset bodice with intricate ivory lace trim, dramatic off-the-shoulder sleeves and an ultra-voluminous, tiered skirt. The result was a bold bridal look that felt more at home on a high-fashion runway than at a traditional wedding.
The groom embraced the monochromatic theme, wearing an entirely black outfit consisting of a suit, shirt and tie.
“20.10.26 — Our Elopement
A day for just us, beautiful, perfect and ours in every way,” Aiava wrote in the caption accompanying the Instagram carousel.
Earlier this month, Aiava wore a white tassel dress for her bridal shower in Melbourne. For the wedding itself, however, the couple opted for an all-black aesthetic.
While black wedding dresses remain far less common than traditional white gowns, Aiava is not the first WTA player to embrace the look. Bethanie Mattek-Sands, known for her unconventional style on and off the court, chose a black dress for her wedding back in 2008.
Aiava and Gaal, an Australian tennis player, have been together since 2017. They got engaged in February 2024.
