Friends, meet Maddy and Mike – a Melbourne couple who put on a banger of a big day, if we do say so ourselves. For these folks, who have been together nearly seven years, marriage means “building our lives together, as individuals and as a partnership”, says the bride. “It’s getting to spend the rest of my life laughing till we cry over some stupid sound one of us has made, doing our weekly market shop on the weekend, walking to our local coffee shop… just doing the normal everyday activities with my absolute favourite person. I know I could do all of that without the marriage part, but for us it felt exciting to make it ‘offish.'”
Adds Mike, “After the wedding it felt like something solid and steady clicked into place. It’s love, work, friendship, solidarity and companionship. It’s bloody good.” Naww! We love to hear it! But about the wedding… the pics were handled by one of the greats, Finder Seeker (the proof is right here for you to scroll through). Maddy and Mike also called in the pros at Good Day Club to jazz up the already phenom Post Office Hotel with fun neon signage and disco balls, making for some serious party vibes in one of Melbourne’s top spots. Good pick, guys!
THE VENUE “For the ceremony, we really wanted something that felt like a garden but had the safety of being undercover. We just felt like getting married in Melbourne, it was too much of a gamble to risk it raining on us. The Glasshaus Outside was perfect as it meant we didn’t need to decorate and we were surrounded with such beautiful greenery while we said I do! For the reception, we had definitely done more research and we just clicked with the Post Office Hotel staff immediately. They were so friendly and helpful, and what they were offering was so affordable compared to other venues without having to compromise on quality. The service, food and drinks were all fantastic and the atmosphere was exactly what we were hoping for.”
THE THEME “We had a little running theme of heart-shaped lollies throughout the wedding. They were on our invite, our signage, Mike’s cufflinks, they were our wedding favours and we had a few perspex versions of them around the reception. But the main vibe was that we wanted a relaxed casual day that would turn into a fun party!”
FAVE DETAILS “We absolutely loved the neon signs we hired from Good Day Club and the aerial installation from Bangin Hangins. I [Maddy] have been obsessed with both of those vendors for a while and I was so happy they were able to be a part of our wedding day! They just added so much fun and sparkle to the venue. It also felt really special that my sister was able to make our wedding cake, and she did such a phenomenal job.”
DIY “My mum, best mate and I did all the flowers for the reception, mainly to save some money, but it was a really nice experience to do something for the space with some of my closest women. I went to the Preston Market the day before, loaded up on a whole bunch of dahlias and a few other bunches, went to Art Stems on Lygon for a couple of more ‘special bunches’ and then we spent the afternoon making different arrangements.”
THE DRESS “I initially started looking for a green dress but then I looked up Teuta Matoshi’s website, someone I had followed on social media for a while, and there were so many to choose from. I narrowed it down to a few and with the help of my family and a couple of friends settled on the one I picked. I made a few alterations (as they make them to order), like removing a sleeve and adding pockets (because every gal loves a pocket!). I took a gamble on it, knowing that I had worn similar silhouettes before and that they suited me, and it paid off.”
MEMORABLE MOMENT “My favourite moment was reaching Mike at the end of the aisle. There is so much anticipation leading up to that moment and it felt so good to have him back by my side. I also think the moment he accidentally spat on me during his vows is up there. It was just one of those humbling moments where even in the midst of all the glamour, you can still get spat on, and it will bring you right back down to earth haha.”
TAKE ON TRADITION “My mum passed away before she had the opportunity to meet Maddy. We remembered her by sharing this story – a series of events that meant our paths crossed. I was rehearsing for a play back when I had graduated from drama school (before I decided to restudy and go into social work). We were about a week out from opening night. Mum had cancer and I got that call that no one wants to get, saying it was time to go back over and see her in NZ as she didn’t have long left. I left the show in the lurch to be with my mum, which was not even a debate for me. It had to be done but I did feel bad leaving the show in that position. Flash forward seven years, I got a call from a director I knew asking if I could help out. They were a week out from opening and one of the actors had to pull out of the show to be with his mother during her final moments. I saw it as an opportunity to close a loop. Maddy was in that show.”
A WORD OF ADVICE “Just do what makes you happy! Don’t like a white dress? Don’t wear one! Feel awkward about a first dance? Don’t do it! It’s your day, so do it your way. There should be no pressure to do things that don’t feel authentically you.”
STANDOUT VENDORS “Every single one of our vendors was amazing. Honestly, we were so lucky as all of them were so generous with their time, provided excellent service, were friendly and accessible, and they all honestly made our day such a breeze and so special. From beautiful settings and aesthetic, to excellent food, exceptional photos and a personal, funny and touching ceremony, our vendors really made our day one to remember.”
Loving the vibes? Get in touch with the people who made it happen over on our directory. We can personally recommend Post Office Hotel as a seriously epic venue, and Good Day Club for all those extra bits and pieces that will make your day truly fab – think neons, furniture, stationery… the works.
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Finder Seeker Florist Glasshaus (bouquet & buttonholes) Stationery Groom Printer Officeworks Ceremony Glasshaus Outside Reception & Catering Post Office Hotel Cake Family Wedding favours Swizzels via Catch (giant love-heart candy) Celebrant Kimberley Duband Rings Millie Savage Hire items Good Day Club (neon signs & disco ball) Streamer installation Bangin Hangins THE BRIDE Gown Teuta Matoshi Hairpiece Wendy Scully Millinery (ceremony), Electric Confetti x Rachel Burke (reception) Shoes Urban Collective Footwear via The Iconic Hair Amanda Audrey Makeup Madeleine Stewart (bride), Dana Leviston (bride’s family) Fragrance Le Labo The Noir 29 THE GROOM Suit, Shirt & Bow Tie Politix Cufflinks Mixed Up Dolly Shoes R.M. Williams Barber The Unknown Barbershop