ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
ThatsLife
  • WIN
  • News
  • Real Life
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Pets
  • Your Stars
  • Puzzles
  • Podcasts
  • Video
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Real Life

Our big naked wedding: we’re getting married in the nude!

A wedding like no other. - by Jacqueline Mey
  • 27 Apr 2018

A naturist all her life, Kaylene found the perfect home.

Here, Kaylene Swanson, 54, tells the story in her own words.

Running in the backyard I loved the way the sun felt on my bare bottom.

‘Kaylene pull up your undies,’ my mum, Pam, would yell from the house. Pulling up my briefs, I headed inside sniggering. As I passed our family photo hanging proudly on the wall, I smiled. The sight of me flashing my rear, tucked in between my siblings, said more about me than I ever could. Nicknamed the family naturist, everyone who knew me understood that the textile world wasn’t for me. As my dad Vick hammered in the last panel of wood for our brand-new deck, I rubbed my hands together. ‘I can’t wait to sunbake on here,’ I said. ‘Can you keep your clothes on this time,’ he laughed.

As a teenager, I was constantly reprimanded for taking off my clothes, but that never stopped me. Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I made my way to the beach to sunbathe there. Scouting out my perfect spot, I always found a secluded patch to sunbake. No-one likes a tan line, I thought, dropping my shorts. As the warmth of the sun hit my bare body, I felt just like my five-year-old self running in the yard with my tushie uncovered. This is where I am most comfortable, I exhaled. Sometimes I’d grab my best girlfriends and we’d head to a club for a night out. As we danced around, I lost count of the number of times someone pinched my bum or said something inappropriate to me. This would never happen on the beach, I thought.

couple

Terry and I are looking forward to our big day

Supplied

Tired of being grabbed and catcalled while out and about, I retreated to my favourite place. So, for the next 40 years, I hid out at nudist beaches on weekends and during the week I lived back in the material world. I’m living a double life, I thought. Like it was second nature, I slipped off my clothes as soon as the sand hit the soles of my feet. Baring all, I couldn’t help but wonder why it was that everyone at the beach was very respectful, yet, as soon as I put on my shirt, it was almost like an open invitation for unwanted attention. ‘You would think it’d be the other way around,’ I opened up to a close friend. Explaining that she had joined a private country club, she invited me to join. ‘There are just two rules,’ she said. ‘Clothes are not optional and you must respect everyone.’

In a secret location on the outskirts of Sydney, I was granted a pass to visit for the day. Opening the locked gate, I drove through into the well-hidden Kiata Country Club naturist resort. Stepping out and pulling my shirt over my head, I instantly felt at home. In 2012, I made it official and became a member. Everyone welcomed me into the community and I instantly knew this was my forever home. Getting along like two old souls, Terry, a member at Kiata, always knew how to make me laugh. As the resident karaoke man, once a month he put on a sing-a-long night at the resort. ‘Shall we dance,’ asked Terry with a wink. Grabbing his arm, I headed with him to the dance floor, which was lit up by fairy lights. Terry twirled me around, with the pair of us in fits of laughter. Afterwards, we headed for a deserted spa overlooking the bush. Tilting our heads back, we gazed into the night sky and talked and talked. Amazingly, a shooting star trailed through the dark. ‘That must be a sign,’ Terry said to me.

Kiata is our sanctuary

Kiata is our sanctuary

Supplied
Terry

Terry makes everyone feel at home

Supplied

From that day on, Terry, now 65, and I have been happily together. He is the only person I feel like I can truly be myself with, whether I’m in the nude or clothed. For Kiata’s themed monthly functions, Terry and I coordinate our ‘outfits’. I handmade sequinned sashes for the Carnivale event and when Christmas came around, Mr and Mrs Claus accessories were a must. Talking about marriage, Terry and I often discussed if it was the next move for us. ‘Is this something you want to do?’ Terry asked. ‘Yes, I think I would like that,’ I said. And just like that, we were engaged.

Planning our perfect day –the date is set for 02/02/2020 – we intend to exchange vows twice, once with clothes and once without. Terry and I can’t wait to spend the rest of our lives together. But I don’t think I’ll wear white, nude looks much better on me! 

Terry and Kaylene

Terry and me all rugged up!

Facebook

Read more in this week's issue of that's life!

Jacqueline Mey
Jacqueline Mey
Jacqueline is a Features Writer for that’s life! magazine. Previously working at Prevention, she has published works across Bella, Closer, Take a Break, Real People and that’s life! UK. She is also the host of Girlfriend’s Beauty Boss Podcast.

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Subscribe to That's Life!

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to That's Life!

Recommended to you

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis
Watch 0:37

There's A Better, Faster Way To Predict Sepsis

{headline}

{headline}

Why this sweet granny’s BUM went viral

Why this sweet granny’s BUM went viral

Best Nude Beaches in Victoria and Melbourne

Best Nude Beaches in Victoria and Melbourne

I turn people into art!

I turn people into art!

Holly the heart hero

Holly the heart hero

{headline}

{headline}

30-year heartbreak  - who killed Kerry Turner?

30-year heartbreak - who killed Kerry Turner?

My runny nose was cancer

My runny nose was cancer

I was paralysed at the beach

I was paralysed at the beach

{headline}

{headline}

Horror at the servo - I was abducted and raped

Horror at the servo - I was abducted and raped

My husband forgot I was his wife so we wed twice

My husband forgot I was his wife so we wed twice

Empty nesters... so we adopted SEVEN kids!

Empty nesters... so we adopted SEVEN kids!

Back from the brink!

Back from the brink!

A cockatoo proposed to me!

A cockatoo proposed to me!

Brave Ellie - 420 days in hospital for a new heart!

Brave Ellie - 420 days in hospital for a new heart!

I woke up with no hands and feet

I woke up with no hands and feet

ThatsLife
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy
ThatsLife Magazine Subscribe
  • Gold Club
  • Online Entry FAQ
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Competitions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Who
  • Girlfriend
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • New Idea food
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • 7mate
  • 7Sport
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to That's Life!-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to That's Life!