After 11 years together, Ali and Mat say marriage wasn’t a gamechanger for them but they loved the opportunity to bring their favourite people together for a “night filled with love, laughter, happy tears, and fun.” They also had this sage advice to share… “Try to make quick decisions that align with what you want and don’t look back. Oh, and get the venue sorted early; it really helped everything else fall into place.” Not only did the pair stick to their guns when creating a day that was truly them, but they also surrounded themselves with an epic team when planning their dream day: the incredible Kinship By Kristy worked her magic behind the lens, Ladybird Cakes whipped up yet another drooool-worthy cake, and the peeps at Bared Footwear made sure Ali and her maids were comfy enough to dance the night away. This is one not to be missed, friends. What are you waiting for…
THE VENUE “We went to Hazel Restaurant a couple of years ago for some drinks. I just loved the vibe from the minute we walked in, and the staff were so lovely. I said to Mat if we ever got married it would be at Hazel.”
THE THEME “We were really aiming for a simple, elegant, and fun vibe. It was the mantra we kept repeating to all our vendors. I think being clear on this vision helped our vendors nail the brief and weave it into every aspect of the day.”
FAVE DEETS “Our flowers were amazing! My mum oversaw flowers, so it was the only part of the wedding that was a surprise for both of us. he did such a great job with Nat from WildFlos – the installation on the staircase absolutely blew us away on the day. The food was next level, everyone was raving about it on the night, and we’ve received so much feedback from guests since. We had decadent toasties for supper which was an inspired choice!”
THE DRESS “My dress was from Harriette Gordon. I was drawn to it because of its elegance, and although it is simple, it has extraordinary detailing with the panelling which felt unique to me. It didn’t take long to find because I tried to not overwhelm myself by visiting too many bridal boutiques. Day-to-day my style is very casual, so I was nervous about the process and thought it would be impossible to find something that I was comfortable in, but all the consultants were so helpful along the way. It was a great experience mainly because I got to spend some quality time in the lead-up to the wedding with my mum, sister, and bestie.”
MEMORABLE MOMENT “Our favourite memory is dancing and laughing with our friends and family all night. We just wanted a party and that is exactly what we got! The Greek dancing at the start of the night was mayhem with everyone jumping in and giving it a go, which was unexpected but such a nice tradition to share with everyone. Followed by impromptu karaoke and a conga line later in the night – absolutely made our night.”
STANDOUT VENDORS “Our photographer Kristy was a dream to work with – I’m sure working with two introverts is not easy, but she made us feel so comfortable in front of the camera.”
Looking for your own amazing Melbourne-based team? Head on over to our directory – you’ll find the amazing Ladybird Cakes there (and omg, those CAKES), as well as the legends at Bared Footwear, who seriously make the comfiest shoes going round!
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Kinship by Kristy Florist Wild Flos Stationery & signage Jo Wicks – Scenic Studios (friend) Ceremony & reception venue & Catering Hazel Restaurant Cake Ladybird Cakes Entertainment Hey Jack Celebrant Karen Cramer Rings Simon West Fine Jewellery THE BRIDE Bridal gown designer Harriette Gordon Bridal Boutique Bluebell Bridal Shoes & bridesmaids shoes Bared Footwear Hair & makeup Megan Harrison THE GROOM Suit & Groomsmen suits Institchu Shoes Aquila Barber Lighthouse Barbers