Location: Yarra Valley, Melbourne, Australia
Setting: Winery
Wedding season: Australian Fall (March)
The number of guests: 165
How long did the couple plan the event: 2.5 years
Wedding theme/style: Tuscan-inspired, rustically elegant, as minimal white as possible, a celebration of color.
Adriana and James’s love story began in the whirlwind of their teenage years. They were introduced at the ages of 15 and 16, thanks to mutual friends and the serendipity of house parties. Their friendship blossomed swiftly, fueled by a shared sense of fun and adventure. Soon, they were inseparable, surrounded by a tight-knit group of friends who forged precious memories during those formative years.
James, smitten from the start, expressed his interest in Adriana. However, their youth and inexperience made Adriana hesitant about diving into a relationship. She eventually took a chance on James, and together, they navigated the awkward, shy moments of teen dating. They even briefly parted ways for a couple of years as they embarked on individual journeys of self-discovery.
At the age of 21, fate intervened once again. Their separate paths led them back to each other, revealing they were meant to be. From that point forward, their love story continued, more vital than ever. Over 15 years, they faced life’s highs and lows, evolving as individuals while nurturing their relationship. Adriana cherished that they had grown into best friends who could turn ordinary moments into extraordinary ones, filling their days with joy and laughter.
Today, Adriana and James consider themselves incredibly fortunate to have married their best friend and high school sweetheart. Their enduring love story is a testament to the power of friendship, resilience, and the choice to be together through life’s journey, transforming the ordinary into something truly spectacular.
Their journey to this day took two and a half years, marked by pandemic-related challenges, but their love endured. They were patient, waiting for the wedding they had always envisioned.
For their wedding venue, after long considerations, the lovebirds chose Stones of the Yarra Valley, a winery in Melbourne that was historically a farm with horse stables and a big barn, lovingly renovated by the owners in a Tuscan style, to incorporate a Chapel, hotel accommodation, and sprawling gardens overlooking the vineyard. It was a special and meaningful decision, as James proposed to Adriana there. They also spent the night in the same suite they would later use for their wedding night, making it even more sentimental and memorable.
With a gown that made a bold, maximalist statement, the focus shifted to understating the makeup, hair, and styling. The bride’s sister, make up artist – Alessandra – took charge of the makeup, creating a unique and intimate experience. The chosen makeup look was a radiant, natural style featuring a neutral eye, winged liner, and soft, voluminous lashes. Her hair, crafted by Christine Daoud, was elegantly swept back into a sleek bun, and she adorned her ears with simple pearl studs, completing the look with an elegant and timeless touch.
Adriana, a talented designer at the renowned KYHA Studio, had long held a distinct vision for her wedding gown. The prospect of collaborating with the KYHA team to craft her dress filled her with excitement and anticipation. Her vision for the gown was unconventional, and while there were moments of nervousness, she remained steadfast, knowing she had to stay true to her unique perspective.
In the end, the gown she co-created with the KYHA Studio team felt like a true reflection of herself. It was a garment that perfectly encapsulated her individuality and style, and she couldn’t imagine herself wearing anything else on her special day. This gown became a beautiful embodiment of her personality and artistic sensibilities, making her wedding attire an even more meaningful and personal choice.
The first look between the bride, her father, and the bridesmaids was a highly emotional moment, with her father’s tears of pride and the bridesmaids’ gasps of admiration as she stepped into her gown. It symbolized the profound love and support surrounding the bride as she embarked on her journey into married life.
For her bouquet, the bride chose to deviate from convention as well. Instead of a lush, multi-floral arrangement, she opted for a single, long-stemmed white rose. This elegant simplicity made a striking statement against the backdrop of her blush-colored gown, symbolizing the beauty found in the subtlety and uniqueness of her choices.
Adriana was determined to break tradition, insisting that her bridesmaids wear different dresses and colors. While this presented a challenge in finding four designs and hues that complemented each other, she was determined to avoid the typical uniform look seen at many weddings. Her priority was to ensure that each bridesmaid felt comfortable and beautiful and that their attire reflected their unique personal style.
James made a distinct sartorial choice as he prepared for the big day alongside his friends and family. Opting for a beige suit, he aimed to deviate from the traditional attire, embracing a style that exuded understated elegance and individuality.
Adriana had invested significant time researching platforms like Pinterest and Instagram, exploring various styling inspirations along the way. However, in the end, she circled back to what felt most authentic to them, ensuring that their wedding exuded a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfectly encapsulating their essence as a couple.
The ceremonial arch crafted by the talented florist from Sassafras Weddings was exceptional, a jubilant celebration of vibrant colors that stood as a testament to their desire to create a refreshingly unique wedding. Drawing inspiration from Tuscan aesthetics, their styling was an artful blend of sculptural floral arrangements adorned with fruits, bespoke hand-drawn stationery, and charming, intricate details.
Adriana’s father walked her down the aisle, a poignant moment filled with love and pride as they made their way to the altar together.
The ceremony was a moment of pure beauty, with Adriana looking absolutely stunning, and James struggling to contain his emotions during their intimate exchange of vows. They created an emotional and ethereal feeling in their ceremony.
Surrounded by their cherished loved ones, the ceremony witnessed the pure beauty of love as the couple said their heartfelt “yes” and exchanged vows, stepping together into a bright and promising future.
Their fantastic photographer, Bianca Virtue, captured the essence of the day with an artistic eye and keen attention to detail. Her talent behind the lens brought out the beauty in every moment, from candid laughter to heartfelt exchanges. Bianca’s ability to blend into the background allowed her to capture the most genuine and authentic expressions of joy and love. Her incredibly stylish and sophisticated work transformed fleeting moments into timeless memories, making her an invaluable part of the wedding day.
The bride, groom, bridesmaids, and groomsmen embraced an elegant pastel color palette, departing from traditional white. Their stylish choice reflected a modern and sophisticated aesthetic, adding a touch of uniqueness and individuality to the wedding attire. Each member of the bridal party radiated a subtle yet distinct charm, harmonizing beautifully with the overall theme of the celebration. This departure from convention symbolized their commitment to celebrating love in their unique way.
The couple’s vision for their wedding dinner was to create a unique and authentic atmosphere that embodied their vibe. They aimed to craft a reception that felt more like an intimate family dinner, culminating in a fantastic party on the dancefloor.
Selecting a venue with on-site or nearby accommodations was crucial, allowing them to extend the festivities into the following day with their closest loved ones.
Rather than traditional wedding favors, the couple decided to treat their guests to a round of cocktails, believing this gesture would be better received and appreciated.
The bride’s styling inspiration was a lot of Tuscan references, with sculptural, artful arrangements of flowers incorporating fruits, hand drawn stationery and quaint details.
To add a personal touch, Adriana had custom napkins made that were beautifully coordinated with their wedding invitations. The satisfaction of guests noticing this attention to detail and cohesion was rewarding.
In a humorous twist, Adriana and a bridesmaid dedicated significant effort to sourcing vintage glass bottles and melting candle wax onto them for use as candlesticks. They delivered crates of these unique pieces to the venue, only to discover on the night that not even 10% of the bottles had been used in the table styling!
The entrance of Adriana and James was nothing short of spectacular! They had enlisted the talents of an incredible percussionist Sammy who played a pivotal role in selecting their entrance song. With the percussionist leading the way, they made a grand entrance, weaving and dancing between the long tables, captivating the entire room with infectious energy.
Adriana and James invested substantial time planning the flow and timing of the day, drawing upon their experiences as wedding guests. They opted to have entrees and mains served in one extended dining session, which also served as the backdrop for their heartfelt speeches. This approach allowed them to fully enjoy the culinary delights and wines before taking to the dancefloor for the rest of the night, where the actual celebration unfolded.
As the celebration continued, James and Adriana found themselves on the dancefloor, where they decided to venture out through the large open doors to the beautiful courtyard. It was a picture-perfect afternoon, and the spontaneity of dancing in the sunshine to live music with all their guests made for a truly unforgettable and unplanned moment, adding a touch of magic to their special day.
After the fun dancing, everyone returned to enjoy the presentation of a minimalistic but extra stylish cake, like the whole celebration.
The father-daughter dance was a touching moment during the reception. As they swayed to the music, Adriana and her father shared a beautiful bond filled with love and cherished memories, making it a heartfelt and memorable part of the celebration.
As the evening transitioned to the dancefloor, the bride surprised everyone by reemerging in a stunning second gown by KYHA Studio, much to the delight of their guests. It was a deliberate departure from tradition again, chosen to infuse the party with even more flair. She wanted something non-traditional and sexy, and her vision came to life with a silver celestial beading against a black background. The result was a gown that shimmered and sparkled, perfectly encapsulating the celebratory spirit of the evening.
This magical moment was further elevated as cocktails were served, setting the perfect tone for an epic party. The dancefloor was alive with energy all night, and James and Adriana made sure to dance with every guest, creating an atmosphere of pure celebration and togetherness.
Advice from the couple:
• Don’t be afraid to really go for it with your bridal look. This is your opportunity – for many of us, our only opportunity – to wear something of this extravagance, so be confident to push the boundary a little and make your look feel unique. There are no rules for wedding gowns anymore.
• It’s up to the couple to decide how they would like their day to run, and if a formality or a timeline doesn’t feel like you, don’t do it! In hindsight, I wish we had stuck to our guns even more by omitting formalities.
• Be bold and ask your venue to change things up; they will always defer to doing things how they have always been done. Think about your vision of how you would like your day to run, and suggest it to them.
• Have a dedicated person who can tackle on-the-day issues that pop up, for example, a bridal party member. This means you and your partner won’t get tied up.
• Join your guests at the pre-dinner drinks. This is often a lovely part of weddings, and everyone reflects on the ceremony, is excited for the evening, and takes in their surroundings. Structure your timeline so you can join them and spend a little extra time saying hello and taking photos- this will free up your time later in the evening.
• Invest in your entertainment- this will create a fun party atmosphere for your guests and make it a memorable evening.
PHOTOGRAPHER Bianca Virtue | VENUE Stones of the Yarra Valley | FLORALS Sassafras Wedding | MAKEUP Make Up by Alessandra | HAIR Christine Daoud | BRIDESMAID MUAH Andrea Takagi | GOWNS KYHA Studio | PERCUSSIONIST Sammy on Percussion | DJ MC the MC
