Looking back on their Melbourne restaurant wedding, arts industry duo Annabelle and Dom say, “It might sound trite, but we just wanted it to feel like us. A bit theatrical, not super traditional, and, crucially, indulgent for us and all our family and guests. We just wanted a fabulous party, pretty much.”
Drawn to the Brunswick East establishment’s eats, service, and warm, welcoming vibe, the twosome chose Old Palm Liquor as the place. As for photography, Victoria-based Jen Tighe was the woman for the job (“the best in the biz,” as the couple describes.)
Below, immerse yourself in film-captured moments from the day. Also, this tartan-wearing groom and bride in deep green give us a bts on their wedding day looks and pre-ceremony family rituals.
The couple’s warm, homely Melbourne wedding location
“We only looked at one or two others… we knew we wanted it to be a low effort event for us, including how many decisions we had to make. So a restaurant seemed like an ideal option, so we didn’t have to go hunting for every single vendor. We’d eaten at Old Palm plenty of times and loved the food, vibe and service, and I’d been to a wedding there a couple of years beforehand. We wanted the party to feel a bit like we were hosting it (if we had a huge house, rather than a one bedroom flat), which is a bit the MO of the owners of OPL. They Have Neighbourhood Wine as well, and I read somewhere once that they want their venues to feel like you’re going around to a friend’s cosy home. Where there just happens to be world class food and wine on offer. The restaurant’s aesthetic is already so detailed and cohesive that we barely had to change a thing and it already felt stunning. . .”
Fave details: deep green bridal gown and pre-loved groom gear
(Annabelle) “A lot of care and planning went into both of our outfits. Being able to design and have my dress made by a close family member was so special. I didn’t have to set foot in a single bridal shop, which was honestly such a relief. I just went and had coffee with my aunt and uncle a few times, and ended up with the most fabulous frock I could have dreamed of. Curating the wine and cocktail list was also not just a fun experience, but it felt really exciting to have lots of beautiful local wines to offer, rather than the house beer/wine/bubble package you often end up with at events.”
(Dom) “I had an amazing time sourcing each element of my costume, making sure it was all vintage/secondhand/borrowed. I take a lot of pleasure in putting together fun thrifted outfits in my day to day life, so this felt like the ultimate pinnacle of that passion being put to use. A specific detail was the pin I wore; it’s a vintage silver unicorn pin, which is my family crest. Annabelle bought it for me as a congratulatory gift for booking my first professional theatre gig after I moved to Melbourne.”
Pre-ceremony family moments: getting ready together and a ring warming ceremony
“Prior to the ceremony and reception at Old Palm, we got ready together – getting dressed up together and having a martini before going out to do something fun is one of our most favourite rituals. It seemed only right that we would get ready together on this day as well. Then our families came over for photos and some private, intimate ritual. Our dads made speeches, Annabelle’s dad played a song he wrote for us, we shared a Quaich (loving cup) of whiskey from Lark Distillery in Hobart, and invited our family to perform a ring warming ceremony with our rings. It was so special having that time with family to connect and get a bit grounded before the excitement of the rest of the day.”
More good stuff: Melbourne wedding ideas and non-white gowns
Looking for a photographer for your Melbourne or Central Vic nuptials? Check out more film goodness from Jen Tighe here. If white gowns aren’t your thing then you’ll feel right at home with these colour-wearing brides.
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Jen Tighe Cinematographer Bridget Sweeney (Friend) Wedding Venue Coordinator Mel – Old Palm Liquor Florist DIY, Madeleine Tudor (Family) Venue Old Palm Liquor Cake Maker Kirbie Other Desserts Monarch Cakes Sound Hire DJ Kirby via Between The Covers Celebrant Jess Stanley – Stan By Me Ceremonies Rings White November, Fredric March THE BRIDE Bridal Gown Designer Bride’s Aunt Shoes John Fluevog Hair & Makeup Trish Sousa Fragrance Aesop THE GROOM Shoes R.M. Williams Grooming Identity Man Barberia
FAQs
Yes. A restaurant covers the venue, food, drinks and service in one booking, so you make fewer decisions and chase fewer vendors. Many Melbourne restaurants also have a cohesive look already, which means you can keep styling minimal. Annabelle and Dom chose Old Palm Liquor in Brunswick East for this reason.
Yes. A non-white gown is entirely up to you, and deep green is a popular choice for brides wanting something personal. Annabelle wore a deep green dress designed and made by a close family member, so she skipped bridal shops altogether.
A ring warming ceremony is a short ritual where guests hold the couple’s rings in turn, passing them around so each person can add a wish or blessing before the exchange. It works well for a private moment with family before the wedding, as it did for Annabelle and Dom.
The Hello May directory, of course. Look through full galleries rather than highlight reels, check how many rolls they shoot per wedding, and ask about scanning and delivery times. Hello May’s directory lists film photographers across Melbourne and Victoria, including Jen Tighe, who shot Annabelle and Dom’s Old Palm Liquor wedding on film.
