Wedding | Matilda & Angus

Tell us a little about yourselves!

We’re travellers at heart. Gus lived off-grid in Canada; Matilda hustled in New York and London. But our love story began back in Sydney. Our first date was, iconically, Sydney Camp Cope at the Opera House. The sound, the setting, the seats Gus had picked, it was all perfect. We talked all night and then called in sick the next day. We wandered through the Wendy Whiteley Garden, holding hands – it felt comfortable, easy, and intimate. 

From then on, music, food, art, nature and fashion became the through-lines of our relationship. Always laughing. Just a couple of galah's.

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

Straight away we knew we wanted to get married in Sydney. It’s where we both grew up, but it’s also a place that we both left for years independently. More importantly it was were we fell in love. Our love then invited us to fall in love with Sydney all over again. 

We also knew we wanted to do something a bit different. Something that felt like us. There is such a magic about Sydney in winter, beautiful, unexpected and quiet - an invite for our colour and chaos. 

Kittyhawk was the perfect fit. Dark green interiors, a bespoke wedding cocktail and an incredible DF. This was the only venue we visited and the first venue we decided on. Then we worked backwards, we wanted to have a moment of formality before the party. Somewhere in walking distance and The Mint was great. Close by, historic, beautiful - what more could you want…? 

Not even a rain day changed any of this.

How many guests did you have?

130 of the best.

What was your budget? 

It was a real community effort. Contributions from aunties, parents and self funding. It was a hustle but worth it. Approx $50k.

Tell us about your outfits.

With pleasure! 

Matilda’s had two iconic looks, both designed by close friend and famed costume designer who shall remain anonymous…The first dress was drama done right: a pink floral-sequin gown. The fabric was sourced and re-imagined, every flower hand-cut and placed, a sweeping cape instead of a veil, and jewelled bees stitched in as a nod to Gus’s suit. 

The second look was short, sculptural, and joyfully textural. Inspired by a Dolce & Gabbana dress that had lived rent-free in Matilda’s mind since 2019. The design drew motifs from Gus’s suit into sparkling embroidery. Lace, gold trim, hand-sewn flowers, intricate embroidery, it truly was everything and more.

We’d been to more than 30 weddings over the last few years, and Gus wasn’t about to wear “just another suit.” Together with Reigner, we designed a piece that was his completely. Embroidered galah's for us and our laughter, bees for community, Australian natives for home. And a martini with anchovies on the pants for our date-night ritual. It was so us, it was so him. It was a love letter he could wear.

What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?

When it came to our wedding, we knew we wanted colour. No white roses, no rules that didn’t feel like us. A dance floor that never emptied, flowers with personality, and a crowd made up of people from every walk of our lives. 

We wanted a dance floor, and wow - our wonderful friend and DJ, Wilko Music, delivered! Our brief was rogue – from Otis Reading, Wolfmother, CharlieXCX, Eminem. Also featured a performance from Til on her debut besties birthday album.

“Dress to impress” was our only direction and it unlocked something in our guests. Feathers, sequins, textures, colour – everyone showed up in full force.

We knew we wanted participation and community. Matilda’s brother officiated as her Mum (Cumquat May By Mj) teamed up with a friend at Paper Couture to create fresh-and-paper florals. 

We hid the wedding rings under two random seats, so guests became part of the ceremony. 

Between the ceremony and the reception, we had a calm ten-minute haircut, so Matilda could have long and short in one day. It was one of our favourite moments: quiet, us, and so much fun. 

A friend, Aussie Bagpiper then led our guests through the city with bagpipes.

Our favourite Enmore restaurant delivered a giant tiramisu in place of a wedding cake.

Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?

Honestly, just that it felt like us. We wanted everyone to feel like they were at Til & Gus’ wedding. We didn’t want to have a sit down dinner because we wanted everyone to mingle. It was honestly a day full of so much love, which I think it would have been no matter where we were.

Any tips for couples getting married?

Try to block out the noise, at the end of the day it’s about you celebrating your love with all the people you love. If you don’t want to wear a white dress, or a black suite… don’t just because it’s your wedding day. 

Take a moment together to step back and look at the room. It’s a room full of all the people you love, who are only here to celebrate your love. That is pretty special. 

Have fun – but have a water in between champagnes.

Photographer: Damien Milan @damienmilan_photographer | Floral: Cumquat May By MJ  @cumquatmaybymj | Paper Flowers: Paper Couture @paper_couture | Ceremony Location: The Mint @museumsofhistorynsw | Reception Location: Kittyhawk @kittyhawk_syd | Celebrant: Til's Brother | Makeup: Alla Saveliev @allasavelievmua | Hair Styling: Ellie May @elliemay.kup | Mid-Wedding Hair Cut: Stanely & Co Salon @stanelyandcosalon | Cake: Osteria Di Russo & Russo @osteriadirussoandrusso | Bagpipes: Aussie Bagpiper @aussiebagpiper | DJ: Wilko Music @wilkomusic | Dresses: Designed in collaboration with a costume designer friend | Dressmaker: Michelle Wiki @Michelle.wiki | Suit:  Reigner @reigner | Engagement Ring: Ruby Kannava @kannavajewels | Wedding Rings: Millie Savage @milliesavage | Shoes: Manolo Blahnik @manoloblahnik | Earrings: Romance Was Born 

@romancewasborn | Sneakers: Adidas @Adidas