How did you meet? 

We met in our early 20’s both working in the fashion industry.   Glenn had started a fashion label and I worked for a textile supplier, he used to come in to purchase fabrics off me, and well the rest is history. 

Tell us about the proposal.

Glenn surprised me with a weekend away down on the Peninsula.  We took off in a helicopter and landed on a private island named Elizabeth Island. The proposal happened on the island’s pier early afternoon that day and of course, I said Yes.

How did you choose your Venue and location? Why?

We both always wanted an iconic Melbourne wedding paying homage to the beautiful grand architecture of our city’s heritage buildings.  The superb La Trobe Reading Room in the State Library of Victoria with its grandeur and elegance ticked all of the boxes for us.   As soon as we saw the Dome, we had our heart set on turning the La Trobe Reading room into the ultimate black-tie,  Art-Deco-come-Gatsby inspired celebration.  Being the very first wedding reception to be held in the Dome, we took our time and planned the event extensively to make it seamless and one of a kind. 

Tell us about your Gown (style, how you found it, what you loved about it). What about the groom and the bridal party fashion choices?

Forever inspired by Grace Kelly’s iconic wedding dress and my own childhood memories of my Aunty Helen’s wedding dress, I wanted to have a custom gown created for the day.  Josephine from Romeo Bastone Couture created my dream gown.   The brief was classic elegance meets mid-century glamour. Josephine crafted an incredible long sleeve form-fitting gown with sheer sleeves covered in silk floral applique and fastened with pearl buttons down the back.   This was complemented with a full tulle overskirt featuring a standout cathedral train with over 110 meters of tulle.  Josephine did an incredible job on this gown and it will be treasured forever.   I paired the gown with classic Saint Laurent white patent pumps, an heirloom marcasite watch, and pearl drop earrings.

For the Bridal Party, they wore white floor-length gowns from Elle Zeitoune. We styled these back with emerald drop earrings, white two-strap heels and white rose bouquets to create a classic glamour look that wouldn’t date.

For the Groom and Groomsmen, we kept it classic with a black tuxedo, patent black leather shoes, and black bow-ties. 

What Style / Styling did you choose for your wedding? (eg: colour scheme, flowers, stationery, cake, transport, details, themes, inspiration, the overall “look and feel”)

We wanted to draw on the old-world glamour of the venue and encapsulate one of the very best party eras, with a decedent Gatsby style theme.   We started this off with our Save the Dates, sending our guests a copy of Scott F. Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby & Tales of the Jazz Age with a custom Black and Gold tassel bookmark outlining the date.  

The color scheme for the wedding was classic white and gold with art deco accents.   For the venue, elegant table settings with crystal glass wear, touches of gold and pure white floral arrangements graced the existing desks of the La Trobe Reading Room, along with custom made table cloths to perfectly drape across the heritage desks. The white and gold styling added to the grand architectural elegance of the State Library’s Dome. 

We worked with Valley Designer cakes to create our dream wedding cake.  The wedding cake,  a 5 tiered hexagonal design with gold fan pattern, ivory-toned applique, pearls and florals beautifully accentuated the lavish Art Deco theme. 

The venue florals and styling pieces were provided by Melbourne Event Florals, who crafted pure white floral arrangements with gold, using Roses, Peonies, Phalaenopsis orchids, and dark emerald toned greenery.   The bridal bouquets were classic white opened roses in a staggered hem arrangement provided by Juliet Louise Flowers.

We chose a vintage Cadillacs for our transport purely because we love mid-century automobiles.  Two Blush Pink toned 1959 Cadillac DeVilles for the bridal party and a white 1959 Deville for us.  

What were the highlights of your day?

The Ceremony - Walking down the aisle with my father and seeing Glenn when I arrived at the altar.   It was such a special moment I will always forever treasure.

The La Trobe Reading Room reveal for guests when they were walked through to a harpist playing Lana Del Rey’s Young and Beautiful with the flowing champagne tower.

After the cutting of the cake, the band started to play Frankie Valli’s Can’t take my eyes off you and all of our guests sung along to it.  

Tell us about any funny, poignant, challenging or emotional moments?

Getting into my dress, it had so many buttons, and then it had to be bustled.  None of the ladies were able to get the train to bustle up correctly, in the end, my brother was called in to do it.

Where did you go for your Honeymoon? Why?

We traveled to the French Riviera for our honeymoon starting off in Monaco and making our way down the coast through Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Cannes, and Saint-Tropez.   We love the culture and history of France and wanted to make sure we had a very special trip away for our honeymoon.

Do you have any advice for other brides?

Be organized well ahead of time.  The week before the wedding can be quite full-on, so make sure you have all that you can tied-up before then.

Make sure you stop and enjoy the moments when you can.  It is such a big day, with so much going on start to finish.  Make sure you take the time with your partner to really take it all in.

For more inspirational wedding stories, Visit Real Weddings to find your perfect Melbourne wedding venue or get your obligation free quote today at State Library of Victoria!

Venue: State Library Victoria |  Bridal gown: Romeo Bastone Couture |  Photographer: APL |  Videographer: These Wild Eyes |  Reception caterer: Show Time Event Group |  Accommodation: The Hotel Windsor |  Bridesmaid dresses: Elle Zeitoune via White Runway |  Flowers and Styling: Melbourne Event Florals |  Bouquets: Juliet Louise |  Stationery: Designed by Bride |  Cake: Valley Designer Cakes |  Makeup: Stephanie Alexandra Jones | Hair: Hair by Elesha Rae |  Transport: Absolute Limousines and Caddy Man