Melbourne-based Karina, an architect and her now husband Hugh, a furniture designer know what it takes to create a stunningly sophisticated celebratory event, thanks to their professions as designers.
Despite what many of our images and stories show, the planning of a wedding can be quite stressful, when detail and aesthetic is of great importance. This was the case for Karina and Hugh, who even though tried to avoid “drama or anything too high maintenance flash forward to the week of the wedding and here I was crying over whether the right coloured party poppers were chosen,” says the admittedly meticulous Karina.
In terms of style, “We wanted to be in Australian nature for our ceremony in black tie, as we knew it would complement the Golden Age Cinema which captures the atmosphere of film and old-world Hollywood in a contemporary way. We knew that if we had two special venues, and good quality food and drinks, then there really was no need for us to clutter it.”
A self-confessed minimalist, Karina looked at several boutiques for the perfect wedding gown, until stumbling on her beautiful Tony Maticevski number at Myer, which she then got altered to give her personalised touch.
Photographer Damien Milan was chosen by the pair to capture their special day, and delivered beautiful, brooding images which perfectly reflected the weather conditions of the day, and the dark and sophisticated “old-world” glamour the couple were aiming for.
As the couple consciously chose to focus their energies on quality, not quantity, they employed George and Smee to help with the Bentwood chairs and ceremony rug, while the bride and her bridesmaids did all the floristry themselves!
“This required a bit of planning logistically, but was so fun! We all got up at 4am to make it to the Sydney flower markets for 5am. I wanted to look at Australian natives and only thought to use a couple of different species, just to keep the look a bit wild but very simple… The bridal party were all designers, so we kind of just winged it. We were so happy with it all in the end.”
With the planning and joy of the day behind them, Karina shares her tips for creating a wedding that is a true reflection of you as a couple: “Work out what you really want to get out of your wedding day and make a list. There’s a huge amount of choices out there that can leave you side tracked and doubting your vision for the day.”
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Damien Milan Event Planner / Stylist Golden Age Cinema and Bar Florist The bride Stationery The bride & groom Printer Print Together Ceremony Venue McKell Park, Darling Point NSW Reception Venue Golden Age Cinema and Bar Food Catering Love Bites Bondi Raspberry ripple cake Pana Chocolate Desserts Messina Bentwood chairs and ceremony rug George and Smee Lighting / Sound Hire Golden Age Cinema and Bar Entertainment Danny May three piece Jazz Band and Spotify Playlists Celebrant Annabelle Peacock Engagement Ring Tessa Blazey Bride & Groom’s Wedding Band Vick Nackashian Transport Uber THE BRIDE Bridal Gown Designer Tony Maticevski Couture Shoes Jessa’ Billini Wendy’ Earrings Sphere Jewellery Hair & Makeup Sarah-Jane Phillips Bridesmaid Dresses BNKR Evening Wear Bridesmaid Gifts Accommodation at luxury apartment, Sapphire earrings THE GROOM Suit & Shirt Suit Shop Own Bowtie Shoes Meermin Barber / Grooming Menaje Hair Studio Heidelberg Groomsmen Gifts Japanese Ceramics from Mr Kitley THE KIDS Flower Girl Outfits Daisy embroidered tea dress’ by Hucklebones UK