Wedding | Stavroula & John

Tell us a little about yourselves!

We met almost 7 years ago, and since then we have slowly morphed into the same person. We now have the same coffee order, watch the same tv shows, eat the same 3 dinners on repeat, think the same things, laugh at the same stupid videos, make the same jokes, like the same cocktails, eat the same breakfasts, crave the same snacks, drink the same wine. Everywhere we go we ask for “two of this”.

We do everything together. If I need to go to the post office John will jump in for the 5-minute drive.

I remember knowing John was the one on our first date. We talked for hours, and it was all just random stories – not like the typical first date where people come with questions. I didn’t even know what he did at the end of the date, we didn’t even speak about that. I couldn’t tell you what we talked about, but I remember laughing a lot. It was so fun getting to know him for the first time and having those butterflies, and being blissfully unaware of where we would be today.

John proposed just after our 4-year anniversary. We stayed at Sun Ranch in Byron Bay. He had booked dinner at Raes by the beach and suggested we go and watch the sunset first (we love doing this). Silly me wore high heels to dinner, not realising the park benches were a steady incline away. We tested out a few different benches because he claimed he wanted to find the best view, but he was really checking out the surroundings. He made me walk back up a hill to the 4th bench we sat on, and then he decided the first one at the bottom was probably the best. Very sore feet at this point FYI. We were just chatting on the bench and he swivelled onto his knee for about 3 seconds before sitting right back next to me. I can’t even remember what he said but I was so surprised. I didn’t even look at the ring. I am certain he never actually asked “will you marry me”, he put the ring box on my lap and said “aren’t you going to put it on” and I said “you’re meant to do that”. We laughed because he was so nervous. Sometimes when he’s tying his shoes at home I joke that he never even spent that long on his knee when he proposed.

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

Mandalay House and Garden was the very first venue we visited after getting engaged, and we fell for it instantly. From that point on, nothing else quite measured up. We were drawn to the way the space unfolds, offering multiple settings that each feel distinct, yet seamlessly connected. It allowed us to create a layered experience for our guests, where every corner revealed something new, while still feeling cohesive and intentional. We wanted the day to feel immersive, and for people to truly enjoy and explore the beauty of the space.

Guests were welcomed to the Maple Lawn for a champagne on arrival, then escorted to the Camelia Lawn for our ceremony, which was the perfect size for the amount of guests. From there, guests followed the path to the Mulberry Lawn for our cocktail hour (and a half!), where we had a 5-piece jazz band, canapés plus spicy margs and whisky sours on repeat. We finished at the Marquee Court for our reception, where we had set up a draped marquee. We absolutely loved that we could create so many unique spaces within the venue.

How many guests did you have?

100 of our nearest and dearest. The perfect amount for an intimate setting!

What was your budget?

Depends who you ask! The budget did not exist! We were far more focused on creating something that felt authentically us than working to a strict budget. While we kept track throughout the process, we tried not to let it dictate the creative direction. In the final month, we made a few considered decisions to scale things back in areas that felt less essential, allowing us to prioritise the elements that would have the most impact. It became less about how much we spent, and more about where it truly mattered.

Tell us about your outfits.

I knew I wanted something regal, timeless and classic. I had a vision from the beginning and knew exactly what I wanted. The very first dress I tried on was pretty much the gown I had designed, I used it as a base and made some tweaks that felt more like me. I tried it on for my mum and mother-in-law and they both cried. That same day we visited a few more boutiques and I tried on a lot of other dresses, but nothing else compared (or received a reaction even close – I think at one point they were both scrolling on their phones when I was in another dress lol!).

My sister-in-law had gifted me engraved earrings with my new initials which I absolutely adored. On the morning of our wedding, John had gifted me a Cartier bracelet which I wore, too.

I knew I wanted a second look that was totally opposite to the first. I fell in love with this risqué, low-back Jacquemus number that had to be it. I had it taken up at the back slightly, but it was still epic. I can’t wait to wear it again.I completely forgot to get something for the morning! I bought it the week of the wedding luckily. I had a custom embroidered bathrobe for the AM, and matching ones for my bridesmaids which were so cute.

John’s suit was from Calibre. He had it taken in to perfection. We wanted straight leg pants and had to work with the tailor many times to get them the perfect shape. He wore custom engraved cufflinks with my new initials, and a vintage Tom Ford bowtie which tied the whole look together.

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

For us, it was all about creating something that felt considered and entirely our own. John and I are both naturally creative, so designing all of the stationery ourselves was a non-negotiable – it became a way to set the tone from the very beginning and ensure every detail reflected our style.

Visually, we were drawn to something bold yet refined – striking a balance between simplicity and elegance, without leaning into anything overly traditional or expected. We wanted the day to feel intentional, with moments that subtly surprise and delight.

With a venue that offered so many distinct spaces, it was equally important that everything felt cohesive. We were conscious of not overlooking any area, instead treating each space as part of a larger, connected experience.

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

My dad has a corvette, so it was always in the plan (from a very young age) that they would be our wedding cars. We had 5 classic corvettes for the grooms’ party on the day.

Any tips for couples getting married?

Get the wedding coordinator! There’s no way we could have done it without Events by Charlotte. She made our vision come to life and provided so much guidance, reassurance and insight, while making everything seamless on the day.

Make sure your wedding feels authentically you. Add your personal touches and quirks, and let your personalities shine through.

And enjoy every minute, it goes too fast.

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

We loved Sebastian Paynter and all of our vendors!

Our celebrant Married By Deanna is a word wizard. She made the ceremony so special for us, and we loved hearing her tell our story. She was so calm, warm and easy to work with – we loved having her a part of our special day and couldn’t imagine anyone else doing it. Absolutely perfect.

And Venue Productions created a reception beyond words! The draping was so chic – I never could have imagined it would look that good. We always wanted the exterior to be draped, and last minute added the internal pitched draping after I had spent too long scrolling on Pinterest and decided it was non-negotiable. No regrets!

Photographer: Sebastian Paynter @sebastian_paynter_photo | Planning: Events by Charlotte @events.by.charlotte | Flora: Eve Bud @evebud | Videographer: Chapters Films @chapters.films | Ceremony & Reception Location: Mandalay House and Garden @mandalayhouseandgarden | Celebrant: Married By Deanna @marriedbydeanna | Hire: White Marquee @whitemarquee; Honoured Hire @honoured_hire | MUA: Alisha Makeup @_alisha_makeup | Hair: Chantelle Garreffa Hair @chantelle

garreffa.hair | Catering & Beverages: La Dolce Vita Catering @ldvcatering.co; Are You Being Served @areyoubeingservedadl | Cake: Heidelberg Cakes @heidelbergcakes | Stationery: Russh Studio @russhstudio | Entertainment: DJ Sami @djsami_ | Draping & Lighting: Venue Productions @venue.

productions | Content Creator: On The Day Editorial @onthedayeditorial | Entertainment: Adelaide Musicians Live @adelaidemusicianslive | Getting Ready Dress: Bec and Bridge @becandbridge | Wedding Gown: Caleche Bridal @calechebridal | Reception Dress: Jacquemus @jacquemus | Suit: Calibre @calibreaustralia | Groomsmen Suits: MJ Bale @mjbale | Veil: Caleche Bridal @calechebridal | Bride's Bag: Suryo @suryo.design | Engagement & Wedding Rings: Austen & Blake @austenandblake