The wedding planning process was quite relaxed for Karina and Hansel. “We were under no time pressure to organise the wedding. Having a family of graphic designers including Hansel made the wedding stationery in particular a breeze to organise,” Karina said.

The ceremony took place in The Great Hall at Sydney University. An impressive building, it is also an excellent example of Victorian Gothic revival architecture. Karina recalls one of the funniest moments from the day, “As we walked out of the ceremony as newlyweds and into the quadrangle, hundreds of tourists started taking our photograph!”

While the wedding had no particular theme sorbet colours, white linens and white flowers kept the look clean and crisp. Natural light flooded through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Terrace Room at L’Aqua as guests dined in the afternoon sunlight. 

The venue offers quintessentially Sydney views of Darling Harbour and Cockle Bay and boasts a pillar-less layout and a silk feature wall. Guests can relish the commanding water views from every seat in the room.

Tall flower centrepieces of lisianthuses, hydrangeas and orchids sat atop mirrored bases at the reception. The bridal party bouquets and buttonholes consisted of David Austin roses. “It was a nice alternative to peonies which weren’t in season at the time,” Karina said.

The distinctive wedding cake featured 5 tiers of individual square cakes with white tempered chocolate and Limoncello flavoured centres. A larger top tier completed the look and it was decorated with white orchids and hydrangeas.

Gown: Steven Khalil | Photographer: Inlighten | Ceremony venue: The Great Hall Sydney University | Reception venue, caterer & decorations: L’Aqua | Flowers & floral decorations: Sydney Wedding Flowers | Cake: CioccolataBella | Stationery: Terrace Press | Groom & groomsmen’s outfits: Spurling | Bridesmaids’ outfits: J’Adore Bridaland Formal