Well, friends, this is it! We’ve made it to December 31, 2021 is over in a matter of hours and we can cross our fingers that 2022 is a whole lot shinier and sweeter to us all. But let’s not dwell on the bad, hmm? Because a lot of bloody great stuff happened this year, too, and a load of freakin’ amazing weddings were held – despite COVID’s best efforts to thwart plans – proving that loves always wins in the end. (Sorry, was that too cheesy? We’re just vibing the end-of-year feels over here…)
As 2021 wraps up, so do we, with our final Top 10. It’s kind of the ultimate roundup, in a way – the roundup of all roundups, if you will. We’ve gone through your favourite cakes and bouquets, we’ve revealed the brides’ looks and grooms’ gear you were loving most, and we’ve dished up all the wedding party and styling inspo you need to see you into 2022 and beyond. But for now, friends, it’s time to wrap all of those bits up in a pretty bow as we make our way through the 10 real weddings that you frothed over most (according to your clicks, likes and comments throughout the year across our blog, Instagram and Pinterest pages).
Featuring gorgeous snaps by many of our friends, including I Got You Babe Weddings, Flossy Photo, Alexandra Cohen, Katie Harmsworth, Madeline Kate, Adam Levi Browne Photography, Miranda Stokkel, Ashleigh Haase Photography and Janneke Storm, here they are… 2021’s most phenom real weddings. Enjoy!
MAX & GUY, VIC
Kicking things off with a couple of doggos (because we wouldn’t be us if we didn’t), the wedding of Maggie-Anne (aka Max to her mates) and Guy was fun, unique and had a focus on food – something we can totally get behind! While Matt Stone and Jo Barrett (previously of Oakridge Winery fame) took care of that side of things, Brown Paper Parcel snapped all the sweet shots, from Max’s Toni Maticevski dress to the stellar florals by Cecilia Fox. Planning a Melbs wedding in 2022 or beyond? Click here for some of our favourite Victorian vendors.
BOBBI JO & ELLA, WA
Bobbi Jo and Ella’s big day takes out two spots this year, with their phenom floral styling by Freakhaus (formerly Freek Flowers) also finding a place in our Top 10 Styling Ideas for the year. The gals looked gorge in their Lola Varma (Ella) and Maevana (Bobbi Jo) frocks, and Flossy Photo snapped the dreamiest photos of the day against the backdrop of the stunning Brigatti Gardens, before they moved the “slightly kitsch ‘Italy in the ’80s’ vibes”, over to Si Paradiso for a bangin’ reception. Check out every shot from their big day right here and get in touch with Flossy Photo on their directory listing.
CLARE & GARY, VIC
This cute pair snuck their nuptials in a week before COVID restrictions slammed into place – talk about a lucky break! “We feel truly blessed to [have] been able to share our special day with our family and friends and celebrate the way that we did,” shares bride Clare. “We were able to hug and kiss and share food and dance.” The photographers by I Got You Babe Weddings captured the memories while one of our fave florists, Pomp & Splendour, created some flower magic – those trailing orchids! Heartbreak Hotel Photo Booth and DJ were a winning entertainment combo for this “touch of disco” themed day, while Pallas Couture and The Bespoke Corner Tailors took care of the killer lewks. Check out the day in full here and reach out to I Got You Babe Weddings over on the directory.
ELISE & DAVID, WA
This dreamy WA day was the perfect mix of romance, great food, a fun party atmosphere and… horror movies?! Elise and David “[set up] a movie projector that played some of our favourite horror cult classics – Jaws, The Shining, Pan’s Labyrinth and The Thing”, they share, for a seriously unique twist on their day. With Alexandra Cohen on pics, florals by The Wildflower Perth and of course that dress by KYHA, Elise and David’s wedding was an easy pick for this year’s top 10. “We had so much fun, dancing on the streets to the music Alexandra Cohen was playing, popping bottles and throwing confetti at each other.” Check out all the heavenly details of the day here and peruse our top WA vendors here.
KAT & WILL, VIC
Who says a wedding has to take a long time to plan? Kat and Will organised their sunrise elopement in the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria in 24 hours – that’s got to be some kind of record!. The bride designed her own dress, put together her own bouquet – with a little help from Grown Florists – and brought Kate McCleary Hair & Make-Up Artist on board for her glow-up. Photographer Katie Harmsworth snapped every moment and celebrant Precious, from Precious Celebrations, made the whole thing official. “We’re glad we eloped after our second wedding got cancelled due to COVID-19,” shares Kat. “We did wish we had friends and family there, but we couldn’t imagine organising a third wedding and we do not regret it one bit!” See all the day’s pics by Katie Harmsworth here and give Melbourne-based makeup guru Kate McCleary Hair & Makeup Artist a holler here.
SAM & CALEB, VIC
How fun are these guys?! The beach setting, the champagne poppin’, those super-relaxed candid shots (by camera queen Madeline Kate)… it all came together for this one, friends. The “romantic, coastal and a tad fancy” theme was totally achieved, with fluffy white roses by The Bloom Room of Mornington, a simple KYHA slip for the bride, a schmick linen M.J. Bale suit for the groom (complete with linen shorts to sub in if the day got too hot) and – the best bit, according to Sam– hats and sunnies packed by the maid of honour to make for some super-fun photos. If you love them as much as we do, chat to Madeline Kate about snapping your own big day!
STEPH & ZAC, WA
This is, hands down, the sparkliest wedding we’ve ever seen and we are so heckin’ here for it! The jewel tones and shiny disco balls that inspired Steph and Zac’s day gave it their own unique spin, and would you get a look at that bloody incredible tinsel jacket – how could we not fall head over heels for this big day?! Hannah from Nocturnal Wonderland Creative is responsible for the brilliant statement piece, which Steph paired with a sequined skirt from Seed Heritage. These gorgeous snaps were taken by the talented Adam Levi Browne Photography (check out his directory listing here), and the innovative pair live-streamed their ‘I do’s via EventLive for everyone who couldn’t make it. Genius!
CORA & GLEN, VIC
This fresh, modern wedding played up the summer vibes in a big way. Lapping up the sunshine on the deck of The Prince Hotel, Cora and Glen totally nailed their brief of “luxe, fun and contemporary”, with every aspect coming together perfectly – from Cora’s sweet Alca Line Bride gown to the bright, bold pink and yellow blooms by Flowers by Brett Matthew John. The lovely Miranda Stokkel was there to capture the day in all its glory (her directory listing’s over here if you want to get in touch) – definitely take a look at all the gorgeous shots right here!
JESS & LUKE, VIC
We bloody love a surprise wedding here at Hello May HQ and this one is seriously delicious. Jess’ flower-studded Rime Arodaky bridal jumpsuit was perfect for comfortably cutting shapes on the dance floor (and was gorge paired with those Grace Loves Lace heels) and that Little Pineapple neon sign is cute AF. Sassafras Flower Design took care of the flowers while Ashleigh Haase Photography captured each and every moment on camera (check the rest of her pics here). If you’re vibing those stilettos, check out Grace Love Lace’s directory listing, or get in touch with Ashleigh Haase Photography for your Melbs wedding snaps.
CHLOE & EWAN, QLD
When Chloe and Ewan got hitched, they had a very special little guest in attendance after Chloe discovered she was pregnant ahead of the big day! Talented lens lady Janneke Storm captured the precious family affair, which featured a divine gown by Odylyne the Ceremony (sourced from bridal boutique Amante Bridal), beautiful blooms courtesy of Kate Dawes Flower Design and a stellar setting up on the rooftop terrace at Agnes – not to mention the delicious food the Fortitude Valley restaurant served up. But it was Janneke that really impressed the loved-up couple. “Her creative guidance on the day put our awkward selves at ease and made for truly beautiful photos,” gushed the bride. (Get in touch with Janneke at her directory listing.)