Nadia and Abraham’s wedding at the enchanting Chateau Du Soleil in Byron Bay was a celebration straight out of a dream – intimate, elegant, and brimming with heartfelt romance. Inspired by the charm of cozy evenings spent with loved ones, their day unfolded with the timeless allure of a French chateau. The floral arrangements, crafted with artistic precision, transformed every corner into a masterpiece, from the ceremony’s breathtaking display of the bride’s favorite blooms to the marquee reception adorned with exquisite centerpieces that radiated warmth and sophistication. The venue itself, with its vibrant yet laid-back ambiance, perfectly set the tone for a celebration where love, laughter, and beauty intertwined effortlessly.
Our Love Story
The Day We Met
Our love story started on a random go-karting day with friends. I didn’t know Abe back then, but he definitely noticed me—I was the one getting lapped in the blonde ponytail with everyone zooming by! It was a bit embarrassing, but it sparked something special. As we spent more time together, we became best friends, sharing laughs and adventures. Our love for food led us to explore new restaurants and discover hidden gems around the city, making unforgettable memories along the way.
The Proposal
I had a hunch that Abe would propose at some point, but the timing was a mystery. We were celebrating his 30th birthday with a trip to Los Angeles, which included a stopover in Tokyo. Like always, we had lined up some fantastic restaurants to visit, as well as a trip to DisneySea. But on our second day, Abe suggested we visit a park, the park in front of Tokyo Tower—an unusual choice since he’s not typically a fan of parks. I couldn’t believe it! It turned out to be the perfect backdrop for his proposal. As he got down on one knee, surrounded by the serene beauty of the park, I was over the moon. To make it even more memorable, he had booked a hotel that faced the exact spot where he proposed, adding an extra layer of magic to the moment.
The Engagement Ring
Abe poured his heart into designing my engagement ring, which made it all the more special. I had always dreamed of a simple ring, and when I saw the design he created, it felt like a perfect embodiment of our love. Every glance at that ring reminds me not only of the proposal but also of the beautiful journey we’re on together.
Our Wedding
The Vision
We dreamed of a wedding that embodied us—an intimate celebration reminiscent of cozy evenings with loved ones, enjoying delicious food and wine. We envisioned an atmosphere radiating warmth, blending elegance and romance with French chateau influences. The floral arrangements resembled art, complemented by moody hues, creating an opulent atmosphere that invited connection and joy. It was important to us that our big day felt authentically "us" so we could appreciate every carefully chosen detail that went into making it special and soak in each moment.
Our Team of Vendors
We were fortunate to work with an incredible team of vendors who helped bring our vision to life. I can’t thank them enough, especially our amazing planners, Laice and Doug from placeofLB. They had a remarkable ability to take our many ideas and transform them into a unique and cohesive wedding day that felt perfectly tailored to us. I had long admired Hattie Molloy’s floral styling and always knew she would be the one I’d reach out to for my wedding day; her artistic vision is truly unmatched.
Laice's attention to detail and creativity, combined with Hattie's floral artistry, created an extraordinary team that truly worked magic. Choosing Ladichosa as our photographers was an easy decision; their distinctive approach to capturing the essence of a wedding resonated with us. We knew the importance of our wedding photos and wanted every moment and detail captured beautifully. Their compositions and ability to highlight genuine emotions set them apart. We love how they blend candid moments with stunning scenery, creating a romantic feel that lets us relive our special day through memorable photos.
The Location
After an extensive venue search, we finally discovered our dream spot at Chateau Du Soleil in Byron Bay. From the moment we arrived, we were enchanted by the variety of beautiful spaces that perfectly suited our ceremony, canapé hour, and reception. Everything just felt right! We also fell in love with Byron Bay itself—a laid-back, vibrant place that we knew our friends and family would enjoy as they joined us for our special wedding weekend.
The Ceremony
The ceremony was held in a charming area at the back of the venue, perfectly sized for our guest list. It was beautifully adorned with my favorite flowers, lovingly arranged by Hattie, and we had our favorite songs played on string instruments, adding a magical touch. Standing there, surrounded by our loved ones, it was an incredibly special and emotional moment that we’ll always treasure.
The Reception
Laice did an amazing job positioning the marquee at the front of the venue. Half of it was open, allowing us to appreciate the stunning chateau as our backdrop, while the other half was elegantly draped, creating a warm and romantic atmosphere. Hattie styled each table with exquisite flowers and centerpieces, ensuring that every detail felt thoughtfully curated and unique. When we entered the reception in our second look, it was a surreal experience to see our guests seated in the candlelit area. As dinner began, we were treated to heartfelt speeches from our lovely sisters, which truly warmed our hearts. To top it all off, my childhood friends sang us a beautiful performance, making it an unforgettable moment we will always remember.
The Special Touches
We collaborated with byV to design all our stationery, and it turned out to be everything we had dreamed of. To give our guests a memorable keepsake, we incorporated elements from our invitation into a beautiful scarf. Every detail on that scarf held significant meaning for us, serving as a personal ode to our wedding day. Even though my favorite flowers, hydrangeas, were out of season in Australia, Laice and Hattie made sure I had them in my favorite colors, which truly meant the world to me.
Our Favorite Moment
One of the most unforgettable moments was our first look, shared in front of everyone at our ceremony. It was deeply emotional, filled with anticipation and love. Seeing each other for the first time in our wedding attire, surrounded by our closest friends and family, made it a moment I’ll cherish forever.
Our Style
The Bridal Looks
I wore three beautiful looks on my wedding day. My first was a bespoke gown by Emilia Wickstead, designed with the vision of achieving something classic yet modern, exuding regal grace. It featured her signature architectural silhouette and a perfectly square neckline with rectangular pleats crafted from a stunning shade of ivory silk mikado. For the evening, I changed into a bespoke silky white gown by Lillian Khallouf, a vision of simplicity with a bold neckline and a modern, sophisticated cape that captured the essence of the night. I also changed my hair to complement the gown. Finally, I concluded the night in a playful mini gown, perfect for celebrating and dancing the night away.
The Groom Looks
He wore three looks to complement me throughout the day. For the ceremony, he chose a morning dress that matched my English wedding gown, featuring traditional colors and shapes for a classic look. He paired this with custom Edward Green Carnegie shoes, finished in black cordovan leather for a polished appearance without patent leather. Next, he transitioned into a white tuxedo made from heavier wool to prevent creasing, paired with contrasting fresco wool pants and traditional John Lobb shoes. Finally, for the after-party, he opted for a sharp full fresco wool tuxedo, complemented by elegant velvet slippers from Rubinacci. All suits were tailored by Trunk Tailors, with bow ties for the second and third looks from La Noued Papillon.
Our Advice
For The Planning Process
Focus on what matters most to you as a couple and invest in it. Enjoy every moment of the planning process together—it's not every day you get to plan something as special as a wedding!
For On The Day
Take a moment to slow down and cherish every part of your special day. You’ve planned and dreamed about this for so long, so don’t forget to soak it all in together. Enjoy each precious moment!
For Post-Wedding
Take some time to relax and savor the post-wedding bliss before diving back into everyday life. We were lucky to have family and friends fly in from all over for our wedding, and spending those moments together afterward was truly special. It was wonderful to catch up, share stories, and reminisce about one of the biggest weekends of our lives.
Vendors
Photography: La Dichosa
Videography: John Kurt
Content Creator: Aniella Batten
Wedding Planner, Stylist & Coordinator: Place of Lb
Venue: Chateau Du Soleil
Florist: Hattie
Stationery: BYV.STUDIO
Cake & Catering: Beach Byron Bay
Music: Yena Choi
Hair: Cody Chua
Makeup: Shiyo Joo Chee Boon
Style
Welcome Dinner Dress: Dior
Bridal Gowns: Emilia Wickstead Bridal, Lillian Khallouf, Vania Romoff Bridal
Shoes: Dior, Jimmy Choo
Wedding Ring: Chrome Hearts
Welcome Dinner Suit: Paul Smith, Trunk Tailors
Shoes: Rubinacci, Edward Green, John Lobb
