With a shared love of thoughtful design and spirited celebration, James and Chris brought their signature blend of warmth, wit, and elevated style to their wedding day — a vibrant, high-energy affair held under golden skies at Luminare in South Melbourne.

Surrounded by city views and bold textures, the couple exchanged vows in a ceremony that felt deeply personal — modern, romantic, and intentionally intimate. Every moment was carefully considered yet effortlessly joyful, striking a balance between sophistication and cheeky exuberance that felt wholly, undeniably them.

The reception unfolded as an immersive experience: from a packed dance floor straight after the bridal party entrance, to outfit changes, pyrotechnics, and a traditional Greek band complete with plate smashing — each chapter designed to delight, surprise, and bring their guests closer into their world. Over the course of the evening, cocktails flowed, chandeliers shimmered, and laughter echoed long into the night.

This is their love story….

We met on a night out in May 2014. Both of us had ventured out with friends and crossed paths late that night in St Kilda. Neither of us could have predicted what would unfold, but there was an immediate connection — conversation flowed effortlessly, with a sense of ease and humour between us from the very beginning. That night quickly turned into days, then weeks, and we’ve been inseparable ever since.

James’ first impression was that Chris was the funniest person he had ever met — incredibly quick-witted, effortlessly cool yet grounded, with the most amazing smile he’d ever seen. Chris’ first impression of James was that he was warm, kind, inviting — and annoyingly well-dressed.

James always knew it would be Chris — the real challenge was finding a way to surprise the most intuitive person he knew with a proposal.

Disguised as a celebration for James’ 29th birthday, he planned a heartfelt proposal in Elwood — close to home, with their golden retriever Elliot by their side. With the help of close friends who set up a picnic, champagne, and a balloon at the top of Point Ormond, the couple set off on their usual Saturday morning walk.

As they climbed the hill, Chris began chatting about their future — a perfectly timed moment. At the summit, James dropped to one knee in front of a morning crowd, completely surprising Chris. Their friends soon joined in to celebrate, and back at home, James had organised a second, intimate gathering with both families — including a surprise visit from an interstate sibling.

But the surprises didn’t stop there. That evening, everyone gathered for what they believed was James’ birthday party at the Botanical Hotel — the same venue where James’ parents had celebrated their engagement decades earlier. In a beautiful full-circle moment, James and Chris announced their engagement to a room full of unsuspecting loved ones, recreating the same shock, joy, and love from earlier that day — a memory they’ll cherish forever.

"We wanted our wedding to feel like a party — fun, lively, and unforgettable."

When we thought about our wedding aesthetic, we wanted the day to feel like a true extension of us — elegant yet relaxed, modern but warm, with just the right amount of cheek and excitement. Nothing too traditional or fussy; instead, we focused on creating something intentional, elevated, and full of love. Above all, we wanted our guests to have a party. Luminare in South Melbourne was our first choice — the rooftop views, modern architecture, and golden hour light ticked every box, and its proximity to the CBD felt fitting for the life we’ve built together. We loved the idea of a blank canvas where we could bring our vision to life with a touch of drama. Rather than drawing from a single inspiration, we created something uniquely ours — a celebration that felt elegant, sophisticated, and vibrantly luxurious.

We called our theme Palm Court Luxe — a nod to refined glamour, brought to life through luxury textiles, blush silk draping, fresh greenery, white florals, and sparkling chandeliers. It struck the perfect balance between timeless romance and bold celebration. We wanted our guests to feel constantly engaged, with no dull moments — from champagne activations and a live string quartet to a strawberry chocolate dipping station and an ice luge. With an outfit change for our first dance and indoor pyrotechnics, the night overflowed with energy and joy — a celebration that truly reflected us and swept everyone up in the magic.

“Our three non-negotiables for the day?

Incredible food, great entertainment, and a celebration that felt undeniably us.”

"Stay true to yourselves — the most meaningful moments are the ones that genuinely reflect who you are."

In the lead-up to the big day, we made a conscious effort to stay grounded in our relationship, setting aside time to connect beyond the whirlwind of planning. Amidst the busyness, it was important to us to remember why we were doing it all — to celebrate our love. We also focused on taking care of ourselves practically: getting enough rest, staying active, and managing our to-do lists without losing sight of who we are. We approached everything with balance, aiming to arrive at the day feeling calm, energised, and completely ourselves.

When it came to the planning, Chris loved the creative aspects — bringing ideas to life, dreaming up moments like the Ring for Champagne wall and the bridal party entrance, and finding ways to surprise and delight our guests. James thrived on the logistics, diving into spreadsheets, organising seating plans, and tracking RSVPs, finding real satisfaction in seeing the event come together from the ground up.

Our advice for couples currently planning their wedding is to stay true to yourselves. Don’t get swept up in trends or outside expectations — the most meaningful moments are the ones that genuinely reflect who you are. Try to balance being organised with being present, enjoy the journey together, and trust your team.

Let go of perfection and remember: at the heart of it all, it's about celebrating your love with the people who mean the most.

The night before the wedding, we enjoyed a fun, relaxed “Robe’d Dinner” with our bridal party of ten at Crown Towers. As the day unfolded, for Chris, the ceremony was everything — seeing James walk down the aisle and reading his vows aloud was a dream come true. James cherished the quiet, intimate moments: shared glances, hand squeezes, and quiet laughter throughout the day. A highlight for both was their choreographed first dance, which flowed into a heartfelt Mother–Son moment and a full dance floor celebration.

Although Melbourne’s unpredictable weather forced the cancellation of the fireworks and damaged part of the seating chart, the night was still packed with planned surprises — from an ice luge and electric violinists to outfit changes, CO₂ guns, and indoor pyrotechnics. Kicking off the reception with dancing set an instant tone of celebration, while a traditional Greek band brought James’ heritage to life with 45 unforgettable minutes of music, dancing, and plate smashing — a vibrant, personal tribute that made the night uniquely theirs.

Three words that describe your wedding?
Elegant, Personal & Unforgettable

The day after the wedding, Chris and James hosted a relaxed “Happily Ever After Lunch” at the Botanical Hotel — a full-circle moment held in the same room as their surprise engagement party. With 200 guests at the wedding, the recovery event was kept intimate, reserved for close family, the bridal party, and interstate and international guests. It was a laid-back afternoon of laughter, storytelling, and sneak peeks from their pre-wedding photoshoot.

A week later, they set off on their honeymoon, wanting to hold onto the joy of the celebration while taking a moment to reset. They began with five days in Dubai, exploring Downtown, the Arabian desert, and Palm Jumeirah, before heading to the Maldives for eleven days in an overwater villa — snorkelling, relaxing, and soaking in every magical moment together.