Begum and Ali  met at a wedding where Begum was the photographer and Ali was a guest. Just over two years later it was their turn to tie the knot and we just love what they had to say when asked what marriage means to them: “Our wedding celebrant summed it up for us ever so beautifully – marriage is a blessing which puts together two people who complete each other,” the couple share. Free The Bird Photography was on-hand to capture every heartfelt moment. Dive into all the details and what they newlyweds had to say below…

THE VENUE “The first time we laid eyes on Sophia we looked no further. We saw so many beautiful places but I fell in love with Sophia. No other venue compared. It just felt like I had traveled back in time, it had so much character. A timeless ballroom and gallery space with ornate architectural detailing, suspended high ceilings and streams of natural light through arched windows.”

THE VIBE “Our main inspiration came from our love for art and design. We based our styling around muted, earthen tones of almond and mocha, autumnal shades.”

THE DRESS “I was fortunate enough to have my childhood friend make my wedding dress. I wanted an effortlessly timeless, beaded French lace dress inspired by iridescent palettes of celestial midnight skies. She brought my vision to life in under two months.”

A WORD OF ADVICE “Time passes by so quickly, therefore it is important to cherish every moment of the wedding planning process and the day of the wedding. Do not stress over little details but focus on what you value, your emotions and celebrating with loved ones. You’re marrying the love of your life and that’s all that matters.”

WE’RE GLAD WE… “Had a honeymoon! We started our trip in Istanbul and flew to Prague, our first destination, a romantic city with fairytale cobblestone streets and pastel-coloured buildings. We then traveled to Belgium, Scotland, Portugal, Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, Greece and Turkey. We explored so many new cities, rich food, and overwhelmingly beautiful regions.”

Planning a wedding in Victoria and need a hand compiling a hitlist of the best-in-the-biz vendors? Our directory is full of ’em. And if you’re looking for the perfect planner & notebook to keep your ideas and inspo in one place, we gotchu… you can shop them here.

 

CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Free The Bird Cinematographer (Digital) Ninesixteen Films (Super 8 Film) Flynn Films Florist Twig & Type Ceremony & Reception Venue Sophia at Prahran Arcade Cake Get Caked by Lisa Entertainment The Wedding Maestro (DJ Umut) Celebrant Dr Bekim Hasani Rings Windfall Jewellery Transport Abbey Road Classic Car Hire THE BRIDE Bridal Gown Designer & Veil Bahar Robes Deiji Studios Shoes Badgley Mischka Accessories Jimmy Choo Hijab Styling Reyyan Emniyet Makeup Zee Makeup Artistry THE GROOM Suit The Suits Concierge