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Real Wedding: Danielle & Michael

Real Wedding: Danielle & Michael

'La Dolce Vita' ambience in the Yarra Valley

In moments when plans for a destination wedding need to be more flexible, creativity and a unique flair can save the day. Bride Danielle and groom Michael embodied this notion with their Melbourne wedding, redefining the concept of a destination celebration with their own slogan - 'Destination wedding, sans the destination.' Infusing their event with an Italian-inspired zest for life, the couple conjured a sensual and relaxed atmosphere, transporting their guests to Italy in spirit, if not in reality. Discover the secrets and insights behind planning a dream wedding and feel inspiration for your own Italian-style ‘I do.’ The floral arrangements for this stunning affair were meticulously crafted by THE WED member Sassafras Wedding, while every magical moment was expertly captured by THE WED photographer, Mervé Togan.

Tell us a little about yourselves. How did you meet? What do you do for a living? What are your hobbies?

Mike and I first crossed paths when we were 17, in a way that I still love to affectionally tease him about to this day. The night we met, Mike was on a double date, but not with me. I happen to be at the same cinema, about to watch the same movie with a high school friend of Mike's. A casual introduction led to a movie full of stolen glances at each other instead of the screen. By the time the credits rolled, Mike had abandoned his original plans and decided to join my friend and I instead. Our first conversation had the ease and familiarity of catching up with someone you’ve known for years. It was the kind of connection that you just don’t forget. Over the years, our lives were always somehow intertwined. We made a few attempts at dating, but the timing was never right.

Life led us in different directions, but there was always this underlying connection between us, something we couldn't quite explain, but always felt. Fast forward a decade, the stars finally aligned, and Mike gathered the courage to ask if we could turn our friendship into something more. From that moment on, we've been inseparable. Looking back now, deep down we both somehow always knew that one day we would end up getting married. Professionally, I've dedicated myself to my family business, Designs To You, breathing new life into the work uniform scene with designs that are as fashionable as they are functional. Mike, navigates the world of finance with an acute attention to detail and a strategic mindset. Our weekdays couldn't look more different but, at our core, we're incredibly alike. Together, we complement each other's strengths and weaknesses perfectly.

Where was your wedding? Why did you choose this venue?

Our hearts were set on an Italian ‘I do,’ but with my grandparents in their 80’s and travel out of the question, we found the closest place to Italy in Melbourne at Stones of the Yarra Valley. Just a week after getting engaged, we found ourselves there for a celebratory lunch and instantly felt the magic of the place. We fell in love with the vine-covered chapel and old-world charm in an instant. As fate would have it, we met a wedding planner on-site with a just-cancelled tour slot. Without a moment's hesitation, we seized the opportunity and locked in our wedding date on the same day. 23/12/23, the last available weekend of the year, it felt like it was meant for us. The venue exceeded all our expectations, giving us a taste of Tuscany right here at home. Having the entire place to ourselves for the weekend made it even more special. We were able to extend our celebration with an afterparty and recovery brunch the next day. While our celebration took a different shape from the Italian wedding we once envisioned, it evolved into something truly our own — equally perfect and uniquely unforgettable.

What was the concept behind your wedding and how did you find your inspiration?

From the very beginning, simplicity and personalisation were at the forefront of our vision. Once we secured our venue, the concept of 'La Dolce Vita' naturally unfolded, a nod to the sweet life, a celebration of love, and the beauty of living. We aimed to create a celebration that was as intimately ours as it was welcoming to every guest, akin to a relaxed European escape under the warmth of the summer sun. 'Destination wedding, sans the destination'; quickly became our go-to phrase, encapsulating the idea of transporting our guests to Italy, if only in spirit. Nestled in the rustic charm of Stones, every element from our bespoke 'Sundown Aperitivo' cocktails to the florals laced with fresh figs and the grounding presence of natural travertine was an expression of the memories and dreams that we share. For us, this was not just a wedding, it was a true celebration of the life and love we've built together.

Chic Italian Inspired Wedding

How long did it take to plan your wedding? Did you encounter any challenges during the planning process?

From our engagement in November 2022 to our wedding in December 2023, we had a bit over a year to make our dream day a reality. Fortunately, the entire process unfolded relatively seamlessly for us, we believe largely due to our vendor selection process, for which we owe Stones a huge thank you. Their impeccably curated recommendations guided us to most of our incredible vendors and then we placed our complete trust in each of them wholeheartedly. We provided each vendor with the same theme and brief, ‘Destination wedding, sans the destination,’ our vision was to keep everything as organic and natural as possible, in harmony with the beautiful surroundings at Stones, we then allowed them complete creative freedom to take our very brief, brief, and run with it. We found that in doing so, each vendor was able to essentially create their own “dream” production and the result was truly nothing short of beautiful. Each vendor's contribution added a completely unique touch of magic to our day, elevating it beyond our expectations.

How many guests did you have? And what was the seating arrangement at the wedding like?

We always envisioned an intimate wedding, but navigating our Italian and Greek backgrounds presented a bit of a challenge. Despite this, our final guest count of 110 felt just right, striking a balance between intimacy and inclusivity, ensuring no special person was left uninvited. For our seating arrangement, we opted for three long tables, with Mike and I sitting in the centre of the middle table. We absolutely loved this setup as it allowed us and our guests close access to one another. It was really special to be able to look around and see everyone connecting and enjoying each other's company. The atmosphere was full of life, echoing a sense of togetherness that perfectly complemented the spirit of our celebration.

Tell us about your outfits. How many different styles have you tried?

Mike is a purist when it comes to style, and he always knew he wanted a classic suit tailored perfectly, in a beautiful fabric. Something special yet understated. We couldn't have found a better fit than a classic Zenga Tuxedo, which he looked incredibly handsome in. As the evening unfolded, he naturally loosened up, unbuttoning his shirt and bow tie, and rolling up the cuffs of his sleeves for a more relaxed look that worked perfectly. As for me, fashion has been a part of my life from the very beginning, filled with the glossy pages of Vogue and inspired by my mum’s effortlessly stylish influence. Dreaming up my wedding day attire was always something we were destined to do together. My pre-wedding look was curated by my mum, who chose me a Victoria Beckham Silk Slip Dress, paired with Magda Butrym's Floral-Appliqué Satin Sandals — a look that truly reflected my personal style, it felt effortless, chic and perfectly bridal.

My wedding gown, however, was always set to be a departure from tradition. I dreamed of a dress that was a nod to my love for simplicity and texture and a silhouette that played with light, creating an illusion of both sheerness and opacity. Although I didn't have a clear vision of the dress, I've always had my heart set on J’Aton Couture as the designer. From the moment we met Jacob, we clicked instantly. We spoke about our lives, what we love, and slowly, this incredible gown took shape, it was true bridal architecture that captured everything I adore about fashion and design, stunning and different from every angle. Slipping into my dress on my wedding day, I felt completely me, more than I ever have before. I'm forever greatful for Jacob and Anthony, not only for designing such a masterpiece but also for the friendship we built along the way. To complement this vision, my parents gifted me a stunning set of Artisan South Sea Pearl earrings, each unique in size and shape, along with a pair of abstractly set baguette diamond bangles in a blend of white and yellow gold. These pieces played with the theme of 'classics reimagined' bringing a sense of fashion to my final look.

What was your first dance song? Did you choreograph or improvise?

Our first dance was to Mariah Carey's 'Always Be My Baby,' a song that's been the soundtrack of many impromptu dance sessions in our home. It felt like the perfect fit, truly reflecting our playful and loving dynamic. Funnily enough, we had planned a choreographed routine with the help of a few dance lessons. However, during the week leading up to our wedding, I tried on my finished dress for the first time and quickly realised our planned moves weren't going to work, so we opted to go with the flow instead and looking back, we're so grateful we did. The spontaneity of improvising felt incredibly natural and allowed us to be fully present in the moment. As the song wound down, our MC invited everyone to join us on the dance floor with Cher's 'Believe' and Cece Peniston's 'Finally' turning our special moment into a celebration with everyone we love. It was a wonderful and unstructured way for our guests to congratulate us and kick off the party.

Did you have any special performances or entertainment?

Music truly set the vibe for our wedding day. From the moment our guests arrived, they were greeted with acoustic versions of some of our favourite songs, classics like, Yazoo's 'Only You' and 'Endless Love' by Luther Vandross and Mariah Carey. For my walk down the aisle, I chose an acoustic version of 'Simply the Best' and we exited our ceremony to Sixpence None The Richer's 'Kiss Me,' it truly felt like something out of a movie. Throughout the night, 'Max on the Sax' added an extra layer of entertainment to our personally curated wedding playlist. We also wanted to infuse our own twist of tradition by creating a mash-up of the Zorba and Tarantella, affectionately named the 'Zorbantella' perfectly blending our two cultures into one.For the final song of the night, I decided to surprise Mike with a playful nod to my love for Mariah Carey and in embracing the festive season.

I took hold of the DJ's microphone and lip-synced 'All I Want for Christmas Is You.' It was a fun way to end the night with everyone on the dancefloor and perfectly captured us as a couple. It also echoed the sentiment of the final line in Michael's speech: 'Looks like I got exactly who I wanted this Christmas: the woman of my dreams.' It was a sweet affirmation that we had found our perfect match. Finally, we had one last surprise in store for our guests. As we made our exit from The Barn to a sea of sparklers illuminating our path, a breathtaking display of fireworks lit up the summer night sky. It was the most unforgettable and fun-filled night of our lives, and we hope our guests enjoyed it as much as we did.

What was the most memorable moment from your wedding day?

Our wedding day was a whirlwind of unforgettable moments, but if we had to choose just one, it would undoubtedly be our ceremony. We decided to forgo a traditional bridal party and instead invited special people in our lives to take on key roles, one of whom was my sister, Kristen, who we asked to officiate our ceremony. Kristen truly blew us away with her heartfelt and highly personalised ceremony. Collaborating with our wonderful celebrant, Sarah Davoli, Kristen struck the perfect balance of sentimentality, humour, and personal touches. Her words had us laughing, crying, and falling even deeper in love with each other in that moment as she beautifully shared our love story in a way that felt uniquely ours — so intimate, so special. It's a moment we'll never forget, a highlight of our day that truly captured the essence of who we are as a couple. A close runner-up for our favourite moment was our first look, which we were both initially reluctant to do. But to share that moment, just the two of us, is something we'll never forget. As our eyes met for the first time, all the nerves melted away, and an overwhelming sense of peace and love took over. It set the perfect tone for the rest of the day, allowing us to be fully present and savour every moment of our ceremony.

Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?

From the moment we got engaged, there was no doubt in our minds that Mervé Togan was the photographer we wanted to capture our special day. Her warmth, dedication and attention to detail guided us through our entire wedding planning process. Mervé didn't just capture moments; she captured emotions and connections in such a beautiful way. Working with her felt more like spending time with a friend. She is truly one of those one-of-a-kind people, incredibly talented and truly beautiful inside and out. Equally deserving of praise is Jess from Sassafras Wedding. Jess turned our vision into something truly magical. Every detail of our wedding decor, from the stunning floral installations to the smallest touches, was meticulously curated by Jess, leaving both us and our guests in complete awe.

Mirjana from Torte by Mirjana collaborated with Jess to create the most spectacular and intricately detailed wedding cake we could have ever imagined. Not only was it a work of art, but it also tasted absolutely divine. Lastly, Tahlia Liapis and Caroline from Hair by Caroline made my morning preparations a dream. From the moment they arrived, they quickly became my hype women, joining my Mum and sister in creating a loving and fun atmosphere. Not only did they make me feel beautiful, but they helped to calm me and ensure that every detail of my makeup and hair was perfect. Their talent is undeniable, but what truly sets them apart is their genuine kindness. We feel so fortunate to have collaborated with all our incredibly talented vendors, each of whom had a significant impact on making our wedding day so special.

What advice would you give to couples who are currently planning their wedding?

Reflecting on our own experience, we wholeheartedly believe that the key to loving every moment of your special day lies in honouring your authentic selves. Our advice to couples navigating the intricacies and stresses of wedding planning is to prioritise your own desires and wishes. This day is a celebration of your unique love story, a reflection of who you are as individuals and as a couple. Embrace the journey of creating a day that feels genuine and meaningful to both of you. Trust your instincts, lean into your vision, and don't be afraid to carve out moments that feel truly reflective of your love. Looking back on our wedding day, every cherished memory is a testament to the beauty of staying true to ourselves.