Held at the opulent ballroom in Melbourne, this summer wedding brought together East and West, glamour and tradition, elegance and play. With a trilingual ceremony, a choreographed first dance floating over cloud effects, and a high-energy reception featuring a lion dance, red pocket toss, and champagne shoot, every detail reflected the couple’s bold vision. From the gold-framed florals to a tuxedoed pomsky, nothing was overlooked in creating a celebration that felt both deeply personal and unforgettable.
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Style: Glamorous, modern, opulent
Time of planning: 10 months
Number of guests: 200
Setting: Ballroom
Season: Summer
Helen and John met during their university years at a music festival—an unplanned moment that sparked a lasting connection. Over the next seven years, they grew together through travel, work, and a shared love for celebrating life with intention. Their engagement unfolded in Japan, beneath blooming sakura trees at Kanazawa Castle, a meaningful destination from their early travels. The proposal was quiet, thoughtful, and perfectly tailored to them. From the start, they envisioned a wedding that honored their cultures, style, and the life they had built side by side.
Bridal Morning
Designed by Le Lee Studio and selected at Eternal Bridal, Helen’s dress featured a halter neckline and delicate floral appliqué with beading that cascaded into a voluminous train. Soft layers of tulle added lightness and structure, while clusters of pearls and tiny blossoms caught the light with every step. She paired the gown with a pearl-studded veil worn low over her waves, adding subtle drama from behind. The final touch: a dainty Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet on one wrist and a bouquet of white roses, orchids, and baby’s breath by Pretty Wild Flowers.
Her beauty look was equally balanced between softness and glam. A warm flush of natural blush complemented her sculpted waves, styled into polished curls that flowed freely with movement. She carried the scent of Dior Miss Dior. On her feet, a pair of Jimmy Choo heels gave her just enough lift. “I felt so excited for the big day,” she shared. “After all the planning, I felt relaxed and ready to be present.”
Groom's Fashion
John chose a white tuxedo by Oscar Hunt paired with black trousers, a classic bow tie, and glossy Christian Louboutin shoes. He added personal touches with a white rose boutonnière, Tateossian cufflinks, and his Rolex watch. A spritz of Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 completed the look.
"I felt mixture of nerves and anticipation as the big day had finally arrived. And determined to finally seal the deal!"
First Look
Before the ceremony began, Helen and John chose to share a private first look—a quiet moment to take in the day together before it unfolded. On the steps of Melbourne’s grand architecture, they saw each other fully dressed for the first time. Her embroidered train swept around his polished shoes as she approached, bouquet in hand. The way they looked at each other—half-smiles, slightly teary, fully present—set the tone for the rest of the day. After that initial moment, they strolled through the city streets for portraits that felt effortlessly elegant, framed by white arches and soft morning light.
Their wedding party joined them shortly after, adding playful energy and symmetry to the portraits. From composed group shots to joyful candid frames, every image held a sense of movement and style. Photographer Kai Tan of Citrus 7 Photography captured the day with a cinematic eye, always catching real interactions in refined composition. From editorial moments to raw emotion, his work moved with the couple instead of posing them into stillness.
Tea Ceremony
Before the civil ceremony began, Helen and John honored their families with a Chinese tea ceremony styled by Angels Floral Event and Chinese Tea Ceremonies. Dressed in red and gold traditional attire—a qipao for the bride and tang suit for the groom—they knelt to serve tea to parents, grandparents, and elders, exchanging heartfelt gestures for red envelopes and blessings of prosperity. The space was bright and meaningful, with gold-trimmed chairs, red blossoms, and a table set with crimson teacups and symbolic details.
Ceremony
Set in the courtyard at Fior Melbourne, the ceremony unfolded beneath a soft, cloudy February sky. Lush clusters of white and blush florals framed the aisle in rounded mounds, mirrored by an oversized floral arch in matching tones at the altar. Velvet-lined chairs and clean marble textures gave the space a modern foundation, softened by the romantic color palette.
Guests were welcomed by live music from a pianist, cellist, and vocalist trio, creating a moving backdrop as the ceremony began. The couple exchanged vows in three languages—English, Mandarin, and Cantonese—honoring the roots of both families and making every guest feel included. Helen walked the aisle with her parents, holding back tears before even reaching halfway. When she locked eyes with John at the altar, emotion overtook them both. They read personal vows, exchanged rings, and sealed the moment with a kiss under the floral arch. As they walked back down the aisle to a flurry of bubbles, the celebration had officially begun.
"When the bride laid eyes on the groom, emotion overtook her—tears welling before she even made it halfway down the aisle."
Reception
In the reception space, golden chandeliers rained down in long threads from a floral cloudscape above the bridal table, casting a warm, diffused glow over the room. White blooms flowed across the stage and staircase, designed to mirror the ceremony’s palette but elevated with opulence. The evening began with grand staircase entrances, surprise dances from the bridal party, and a vibrant lion dance by DBQA Lion Dance—a moment of tradition that brought loud cheers and rhythmic drumming to the space.
Throughout the evening, guests were treated to an eight-course Chinese banquet by Crystal Palace Catering and a lineup of interactive moments: a red pocket toss, scavenger games, and a photobooth by Boothmobil. The couple shared a father-daughter waltz before transitioning into a fully choreographed first dance, complete with lifts and a cloud floor, created by Sparked Events. The final sweet detail—a four-tier white cake with cascading sugar petals and custom toppers of the bride, groom, and their pup—was cut with laughter before the couple slipped away for a private champagne shoot.
Night Celebration
As the night carried on, Helen changed into a playful white mini dress from Jane Hill with a voluminous bubble skirt and structured bodice. Paired with satin bow heels and a delicate diamond necklace, the look brought fresh energy to the dance floor.
The couple stole away briefly for a champagne pop moment outdoors—joyful, light, completely unposed—before returning to a packed crowd of guests ready to party. From lifting the newlyweds into the air to cheering them on from every corner of the room, the celebration kept its momentum long after the formalities had ended.
For the send-off, friends and family lined the entrance with sparklers in hand, creating a glowing arch of light for the newlyweds to exit through. Helen climbed on John’s back, laughing as they made their way down the path surrounded by cheers and camera flashes. At the end, he dipped her into one last kiss under the sparklers—equal parts fun, cinematic, and heartfelt. It was the perfect final moment for a night that never held back.
"Dare to dream! There is no right or wrong way to plan your wedding day; you can customize it however much you want. Go against the status quo and do things your way as it is your special day!"
PHOTOGRAPHER Citrus 7 Photography | VIDEOGRAPHER Aldin Ortinez | PLANNER Self-planned | FLORIST Pretty Wild Flowers | MUAH Elly Liana | SOCIAL CONTENT The Social Diary | DRESS DESIGNER Le Lee Studio | DRESS BOUTIQUE Eternal Bridal | BRIDAL MINI Jane Hill | SHOES Jimmy Choo | BRACELET Van Cleef & Arpels | JEWELRY The White Collection | SUIT Oscar Hunt | CELEBRANT Jenny Chiu Weddings | VENUE Fior Melbourne | CATERING Crystal Palace Catering | CAKE Party Time Cakes | DJ DJ Davy Wong | MC Katrina Lai | LION DANCE DBQA Lion Dance | TEA CEREMONY STYLING Angels Floral Event | TEA CEREMONY SETUP Chinese Tea Ceremonies | VENUE STYLING Melbourne Event Florals | STATIONERY FZK & Co. Event Paper | ON-THE-DAY STATIONERY MH Events Melbourne | DANCEFLOOR DECAL HM Decal | ACCOMMODATION Shadow Play by Peppers | TRANSPORTATION Classic and Prestige Car Hire | PET CHAUFFEUR Fureverlasting | SPARKLERS Sparked Events | PHOTOBOOTH Boothmobil
