An and Mikhaela’s wedding was a heartfelt celebration blending timeless elegance with personal touches that beautifully honored their cultures and love story. Held at the stunning Stones of the Yarra Valley, the couple brought their vision of a romantic yet relaxed day to life, surrounded by breathtaking scenery, family, and friends. From emotional first looks to vibrant cultural outfits and heartfelt moments, their wedding was a perfect mix of tradition, joy, and unforgettable memories.
Location: Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia
Style: Soft, romantic, elegant and timeless
Time of planning: 9 months
Number of guests: 125
Setting: Tuscany-themed Winery
Season: Fall
An and Mikhaela’s love story began as friends in the “Young Adults” ministry at their church in Melbourne’s western suburbs. Though they initially clicked as friends, everything changed in February 2022 at a friend’s wedding in Yarra Glen. An, one of the groomsmen, needed a ride back to the groom’s house after the festivities. Despite his efforts to find a lift, no one was available—until he asked Mikhaela. Initially hesitant, she declined but later felt regretful, realizing she was one of the few people he knew well at the wedding. Taking a deep breath, she called him back and offered him a ride. What could have been an awkward journey turned into a warm, genuine conversation that left a lasting impression. That night, An messaged to check if she’d gotten home safely, and from that moment, Mikhaela knew he was a keeper.
An proposed Mikhaela on his 29th birthday. Mikhaela had planned a day of surprises, including a visit to the Japanese Garden in Mt Macedon, a place An had always wanted to see. They arrived at the serene garden after a scenic drive and a peaceful lunch at a winery. An brought his DSLR and tripod, claiming he wanted to “practice photography.” As Mikhaela stood waiting for him to set up a shot, she caught a glimpse of him slipping a small box into his jacket pocket. Moments later, An joined her, held her hands, and dropped to one knee, capturing the entire moment on video. Overwhelmed with emotion, Mikhaela said yes. They celebrated by calling their families and meeting them for dinner. What began as a day planned for An turned into an unforgettable surprise for Mikhaela. “It was such a beautiful moment,” she shared, “and I was so happy.”
Vision & Photography
An and Mikhaela envisioned a clean, classic, and timeless wedding, and Stones of the Yarra was the perfect choice. “It was the first and last venue we visited,” they shared. “We were in absolute awe and fell in love instantly!” Their wedding day was filled with unforgettable moments, beautifully documented by Brooke Arte Studio. Every detail of this romantic celebration was captured with care, preserving the timeless elegance of their special day.
Couple's Morning & Fashion
Mikhaela’s bridal look perfectly reflected her vision for a classic, sweet, romantic, and elegant style. She wore a stunning dress by Raffaele Ciuca, paired with chic Billini shoes and her mum’s diamond necklace, earrings, and tennis bracelet, adding a heartfelt personal touch. Her makeup, a soft glam look flawlessly created by her sister Micah Joy Beauty, beautifully complemented her natural glow, while her soft curls styled by Styled by Teresa P added an effortless charm. Mikhaela’s bouquet, made by Rosie Haus, had a mix of delicate white wildflowers, tying together the timeless and romantic vibe of her look. “The delicate detailing on my dress and the wildflowers were the perfect additions to create this look,” she shared.
"I felt elegant yet simple at the same time."
For the reception, An and Mikhaela chose to honor each other’s traditions by wearing traditional outfits from one another’s cultures. Mikhaela chose the traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai in a striking red hue, paired with a matching red hat and a stunning 24k gold necklace gifted by An’s grandmother in Vietnam. “This particular style is generally worn by a bride,” Mikhaela explained, “though simpler designs can be worn for other events.”
An aimed for a classic, timeless look that embodied his belief that “less is more.” His suit from InStitchu was complemented by a meaningful accessory—a brown leather watch gifted by his dad. For the reception, he paid homage to Mikhaela’s Filipino heritage by wearing a traditional “Barong,” a delicate button-up shirt made from pineapple fibers brought from the Philippines. Typically worn by Filipino men for special occasions, the Barong added a meaningful and personal touch to the celebration. Together, the couple’s attire beautifully reflected their cultural roots, infusing their wedding day with deep symbolism and heartfelt connection.
The First Touch & Vows
Instead of a traditional first look, the couple opted for a more intimate “first touch,” where they held hands without seeing each other and exchanged heartfelt, personal vows. This tender moment became one of Mikhaela’s favorite highlights of the day. “I felt like I needed that quiet time with him after a busy morning,” she shared. A beautifully serene pause allowed them to connect deeply before the celebration began.
"It was so nice to be able to have our moment before the night unfolded and to be able to be in each other’s company definitely made us feel relaxed and prepared for what was to come."
Ceremony
The Chapel where the ceremony took place was breathtaking. Its neutral earthy tones, textured finishes, and thoughtfully designed materials created a serene and timeless space that the couple instantly fell in love with. One of their top priorities was ensuring all guests could be comfortably seated during the ceremony, and this venue delivered perfectly. During the rehearsals, their families were in awe of the stunning space, and guests were in love with its beauty on the wedding day.
The ceremony was filled with heartfelt emotions. One of the most unforgettable moments for Mikhaela was walking down the aisle and seeing An become emotional at the altar—a memory she will always treasure.
Surrounded by their loved ones, the couple exchanged heartfelt vows and sealed their promises with a kiss, marking the start of their forever together.
Moments Alone
One of the couple’s favorite moments was their photoshoot with the bridal party. Brooke Arte Studio beautifully captured stunning portraits of the newlyweds alongside their cherished groomsmen and bridesmaids, setting the perfect tone for the evening’s celebration.
"Despite the cold and rain, it was just so much fun being able to let loose after the ceremony with our people."
Reception Decor
An and Mikhaela’s reception took place at The Barn, conveniently located just across from The Chapel. They loved that everything could happen on the same grounds and guests wouldn’t have to leave the site. The reception space was decorated with care and featured some of the most breathtaking floral arrangements they’d ever seen. Initially, they had considered incorporating pops of brown and rust tones into the florals, but after much thought, they opted for a classic palette of white and greenery. Their inspiration came from weddings they admired on Instagram and Pinterest and the natural beauty of the Tuscany-style venue. The concept was intentionally understated, ensuring nothing overshadowed the venue’s natural simplicity and charm.
"The place looked like a magical garden with white flowers in stone vases and double fairy lights draped across the room."
Celebration
An and Mikhaela made a memorable entrance to their reception, embracing each other’s cultural heritage through their outfits. The couple loved the fun and excitement of the moment, especially seeing their guests’ reactions to their cross-cultural attire. It was a joyful highlight that perfectly reflected their love.
Surrounded by elegant white florals and candlelight, the couple cut their classic white tiered cake adorned with delicate sugar flowers, a perfect symbol of their joyous union.
Rather than the traditional bouquet toss, Mikhaela and An opted for a meaningful twist by including a red pocket—a symbol of good wishes and luck for the year ahead. “Instead of getting all the single women up to the front (as there were only about 4 of them), we decided to get ALL the women up,” Mikhaela shared. This thoughtful gesture made the moment more inclusive, allowing everyone to share joy and well-wishes while adding a touch of cultural significance to the celebration.
The couple wanted a relaxed and laid-back vibe for their wedding, choosing acoustic covers and classic old-school songs to set the tone. One of the most heartfelt moments of the evening was the father-daughter dance. Mikhaela recalls, “This will forever hold a special place in my heart.” Her dad transitioned from his speech to singing I Loved Her First by Heartland, surprising everyone as he serenaded her while leading her to the dancefloor. The emotional performance brought a few tears to the crowd and became one of the most cherished highlights of the night. The evening flowed into a lively celebration, with everyone hitting the dance floor and dancing the night away.
The night ended on a magical note with a private last dance in the courtyard, illuminated by twinkling lights, as the reception ended. While their guests gathered at the front for the sparkler exit, the couple cherished this quiet moment together, sharing their feelings and reflecting on the incredible day they had just experienced. “We loved having another quiet moment to ourselves, sharing our feelings and debriefing about our night,” Mikhaela recalls.
Advice from the couple:
• Just go with the flow because there are people who have got it under control for you.
• Don’t stress out about the little details on the day of the wedding because 1. It’s too late and 2. It probably doesn’t matter anymore. The wedding will be incredible regardless.
• Make time to take photos with everyone! There were some people at the wedding where we didn’t even get to say hi to or get photos with. Set time aside for a big/fun photo session during the reception with all of your guests – you won’t regret it!
