Just shy of nine years together, creative, Zara and corporate, Michael, had this beaut wedding in the middle of Melbourne and we just love it. “Michael popped the question during lockdown,” the bride explains. “Nothing like a global pandemic to make you want to seal the deal!” Too right. Friends of Hello May, Melbourne Entertainment Company, were there to get the dance floor pumping and Ashleigh Haase Photography took the pics. Scroll down for more…

LITTLE LOL… “Something we still laugh about now is an email Michael sent to our florist, setting out descriptions under categories with headings. E.g. ‘Bouquets’, ‘Table Arrangements’, ‘Hanging Installation’ etc. However, instead of ‘Buttonholes’, he had mistakenly typed ‘Buttholes’! In bold and underlined. A barrage of jokes ensued: ’Could we get some more foliage in the Groom’s butthole please?’… ‘Where would you like your Dad’s butthole delivered?’… ‘We’re happy for the Groomsmen buttholes to all look slightly different.’… It was the joke that kept on giving.”

THE VENUE “Michael stumbled on Butler Lane (via Peter Rowland) shortly after we were engaged. We were sold by the beautiful courtyard and vertical garden wall, and we really liked the idea of keeping our wedding local, and having our photos taken in and around the suburbs where we’ve grown our relationship. It was the first and only venue we saw!”

FAVE DETAILS “We loved that we had our reception set up with the bridal table in the middle, surrounded by all the guest tables. We never liked the idea of the traditional bridal table that is essentially ‘on show’ in front of an audience. We also didn’t seat our families on separate tables/ sides of the room. We seated our parents together on one table, and our siblings and cousins together on another. It was so nice seeing our favourite people mingling with one another and enjoying each other’s company.”

THE DRESS “It was the first dress I tried on! I’d originally planned to go for something anti-bridal but my bridesmaids pointed out that I would miss the once-in-a-lifetime experience of genuinely being able to try on wedding dresses, and convinced me to do it at least just once – for them. Cristina, of Couture Love Madness, is the perfect no-fuss bridal designer. We instantly hit it off, and after a quick chat about some of the ideas I had in mind, she pulled out the Brielle gown – which had been catching my attention from the corner of my eye – and it fit like a dream!”

STANDOUT VENDORSAshleigh Haase Photography was incredible – she definitely went above and beyond. Lauren Dell’Arciprete is an amazing makeup artist – can’t recommend her enough! We also need to give a shout-out to Michael’s sister Laura (of  Led Visual) for the beautiful stationery and signage she designed for us. And the floor staff at Butler Lane via Peter Rowland absolutely need to be commended. Oh and A Stand-up Celebrant totally nailed the ‘love-to-lols’ ratio, and summed up our relationship from initial meeting to marriage in such a beautiful way.”

Victoria-based and looking for a local DJ to entertain your guests on the night? Melbourne Entertainment Company will have you covered, so check out their Directory listing with us here for more. Oh and don’t forget click through to Ashleigh Haase Photography and scroll down for more weddings from this lovely lens lady responsible for Zara and Michael’s delish pics below…

CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Ashleigh Haase Photography Florist Little Stag Floral Couture Stationery & Signage Led Visual Ceremony & Reception Butler Lane via Peter Rowland Cake Friend Entertainment Melbourne Entertainment Company (DJ) Celebrant A Stand-up Celebrant Rings Sarah & Sebastian THE BRIDE Bridal Gown Couture Love Madness Robes Homebodii Shoes Loeffler Randall Accessories FinerRings (Pearl Hair Clip) Hair SOAK Bar + Beauty Makeup Lauren Dell’Arciprete Bridesmaid Dresses STAUD, Sister Jane, ASOS Bridesmaid Shoes Billini & Nine West Bridesmaid Gifts Kirstin Ash THE GROOM Suit, Shirt, Bow Tie P. Johnson Shoes Paul Smith Groomsmen Suits Own