Tell us a little about yourselves!
We technically met on the 2010s microblogging site Tumblr, and shortly after at uni when we were 19 and 20 years old. I was doing a neuroscience undergrad and Con was doing his music and art history undergrad. We kind of had, and still have, opposite personalities. We do, however, share strong social/climate justice values and taste in doom metal, country and indie music. Con talks his mouth off about things he finds interesting (a lot), and I love listening.
I always talked about how I wanted a honeymoon that looked like Gwen Stefani’s 'Cool' music video. So 12 years, 3 pet bunnies and a house later we decided to finally make it “official” with the added incentive of a summer Euro honeymoon.
Why did you decide to get married where you did?
Con’s parents were married in this church, amongst other important events in his family’s history, so it was a natural choice. Nice to inject a bit of tradition as we are very untraditional people.
How many guests did you have?
132 which was the perfect for our venue at 12-Micron. Enough to spend a bit of time with everyone including friends and family who had come from Norway, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Melbourne, far north Queensland and Western Sydney.
I have to say also, the team at 12-Micron were amazing to work with. Amedeo and Patricia, and Ajay on the night, helped everything run so smoothly and were so so friendly.
What was your budget?
Initially about $60k, which we were able to extend to $65k with the very generous help of our families and friends.
Tell us about your outfits.
Traditional Filipino formalwear was very important for me. We had custom embroidered designs made by Randolf Clothing made in beautiful piña fabric (silk-like fabric made from pineapple leaves). They both had Australian, Greek and Filipino flora including flowering gum, flannel flowers, olive branches and sampaguita.
Con’s Barong had ruinous corinthian columns embroidered with the flowers. My Terno sleeves had an ancient Greek vase with flowers on one sleeve, and on the other sleeve the top of a corinthian column used as a plinth for the vegetables used in my favourite home cooked meal, Pinakbet. I had the Terno made with a modern twist of a cape. Also had our two current pet bunnies, Binky and Coconut, embroidered at the bottom of my cape which was a fun easter egg.
For the reception Con changed into his tailored suit from Oscar Hunt with the Prada bolo tie I got him for his 30th birthday, and Prada loafers to match. I got jealous and got myself Prada heels to match my stunning corset top and skirt from Prea James. I chose a top-skirt set as I hope to re-wear it on special occasions - I hate the idea of it wasting away in the closet!
What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?
That we were well and truly represented, and for everyone to have a great time. I’m an ICU nurse and Con is an art curator, so we both crave control and can be very specific with our tastes. So it was important to plan the wedding ourselves and include some talented friends of ours.
Our friend, designer and artist Evi O, designed our black and teal invitations which kind of formed the basis of the rest of our wedding. With the goth-y font within a design that looked like a rave poster, we went with it.
Our stylist/florist Viv from FOLA was expertly able to deliver the post-human-ruins reclaimed-by-nature but in a goth-romantic way, vibe we were after. Our friend and artist Ruth Li made the most gorgeous wax sculptures on antique candelabras for some of our tables as a wedding gift, which were truly priceless. The largest sculpture on our bridal table was made on Con’s Yiayia’s candelabra.
It was also important to us that our reception wasn’t at a typical events venue (the carpet/lighting is usually soo ugly). 12-Micron was perfect in its classy restaurant feel, with its cobblestone-y floors and subtle draped fabric ceiling again leaning towards the romantic ruins feel.
Finally, we loved having a good friend instead of a stranger MC, another talented artist and one of our favourite karaoke buddies, Andrew Yee.
Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?
Evi designed a logo for us which was quite special, so that was featured throughout our wedding including our welcome sign. Alexandra from One Mimosa Please complemented the styling so beautifully with our signage and menus, it was such a pleasure to work closely with her. Viv from FOLA Styling was thankfully able to accommodate our no-floral-foam mandate because it is so bad for the environment.
Perry Tsepetzis was our reception bouzouki player - he has done most of Con’s family’s wedding so it was important he was there for us, like having an old friend entertaining our guests. DJ Fried Pork Chop also killed it incorporating traditional Greek music and Filipino 70s disco, to garage and electro house.
Any tips for couples getting married?
Don’t sweat it. At the end of the day what mattered was that I married Con so everything else was a bonus, and if things don’t go to plan, you still got to marry the love of your life. Drink Hydralyte the morning of, and take frequent moments to take it all in.
Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?
Amber from Modern Day Romance did our content creation and camcorder footage - we didn’t initially want any video for fear it may look too cheesy/ rehearsed, but I’ve got to say having Amber there was one of our best decisions.
Rachelle Facello on hair and makeup was a dream to work with, she did my engagement makeup and I wish she could make me up everyday. Valentine from Vegemamma did a stunning job on our black wedding cake, which was very Us.
Finally our photographer Ed Summerhays captured the day perfectly. He made us feel super comfortable and was always at the right place at the right time for those candid shots. Shout out to Ed for our dreamy and thoughtful photos!
Photographer: Ed Summerhays Photography @edsummerhays | Flora: Ellebore @_ellebore | Styling: FOLA Styling @folastyling | Content Creator & Camcorder Footage: Modern Day Romance @modernday.romance | Ceremony Location: All Saints Greek Orthodox Church, Belmore | Reception Location: 12-Micron, Barangaroo @12micron | Celebrant: Parish Priest | Hire: G Class Hire Sydney @gclasshiresydney | HMUA: Rachelle Facello @rachellefacelo @rf.brida | Cake: Valentine Fodor @vegemammma | Stationery: One Mimosa Please @onemimosaplease_ | Wedding Logo: Evi O @evi_o.studio | DJ: DJ Fried Pork Chop @friedporkchop888 | Bouzouki Player: Perry Tsepetzis @perry.t.bouzouki | Dress: Prea James @preajames_bridal | Suit: Oscar Hunt @oscarhunttailors | Bolo Tie: Prada @prada | Barong and Terno Cape: Custom Randolf Clothing @randolfclothing | Wedding Rings: Sarah Gardner & Cubone Club @sarahgardnerjewellry @cubone.club | Shoes: Prada @prada | Wax Sculptures: Ruth Ju-shih Li @ruth.li.art
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