It’s weddings like Anita and Adam’s that get us excited about the future of marriage in Australia. With many LGBTQI friends and their wedding falling around the time of the postal survey, it was important for the couple to have a public ceremony that didn’t involve a reference to marriage being between a man and a woman’. So they tied the knot in an intimate private ceremony at their apartment with celebrant Michele Bolitho and did the public ceremony their way with their friend Rithy initiating.

Captured ever-so-discreetly by Dan Brannan from All Grown Up Weddings, who the couple describes as “an absolute champion who doubled as an excellent chauffer too,” the union of Anita and Adam was typically ‘them’ and typically Canberra, after meeting there over a decade ago and deciding to settle there together.

“We really wanted to showcase the home that we love. Canberra has transformed over the last few years into a really vibrant urban community. Our entire wedding took place in and around the places we live and work, from a coffee stop at Barrio Collective Coffee to the after party at Kokomos.”

In fact, the majority of their vendors were local  their custom designed invitations from Artforme Letterpress included an image of a Canberra landmark, the Telstra Tower, the beers at their ceremony were from Braddon microbrewery Bentspoke; the couple walked past All Grown Up Weddings on their way to work each day and the flowers were from their favourite florist Barton Flower Bar.

“We also made sure to secure vendors with a strong and clearly defined style that we liked. This meant we could be comfortable having broad conversations with them about what we wanted from our wedding, without needing to sweat the details,” explains Anita.

Dressed to wine, dine and party in a BHLDN halter jumpsuit purchased online (and first spotted from a Google search the day they got engaged), Anita advises others planning their special day: “It’s 2018. So you do you. Your wedding can be filled with what brings you joy and represents you as a couple. It doesn’t have to include that latest trends or old traditions. You won’t regret it.”

CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer All Grown Up Weddings Florist Barton Flower Bar Stationery Artforme Letterpress Ceremony National Gallery of Australia Sculpture Garden Reception Sage Dining Rooms and Mint Garden Bar Cake Topper alphabetcanvas Lighting & Sound 3rd Phase Audio Solutions Signage By Kate Foiled Prints Entertainment Silk Entertainment & Spotify Playlist Celebrant Michele Bolitho & friend Rithy Lim Engagement Rings Partridge Jewellers, Harlequin Jewellers Transport Murrays Bus. THE BRIDE Bridal Jumpsuit Jill Jill Stuart Bridal Boutique BHLDN & Enchante Bridal and Formal Wear Alterations Annie’s Tailoring Hair Comb Affordable Bridal Shoes Christian Louboutin Necklace Partridge Jewellers Hair & Makeup Z & Co THE GROOM Suit & Shirt Hugo Boss Tie David Jones Shoes Aquila Socks Happy Socks Watch IWC Portugieser Chronograph Barber The Ugly Barber.