Two words, folks: Colour. Explosion. Seriously how straight-up FUN is Tessa and Jem’s big day? The sparkly gold dress, the multicoloured confetti suit… We’re so here for all of it!
These two had been together for nearly a decade when they tied the knot, and they tell us they feel super-lucky that the whole wedding planning process was “pretty smooth sailing on all fronts and a fairly relaxed experience”. It wasn’t a hard choice for them to pick Luna Event Space as their venue for the celebrations – “we fell in love with it immediately. It was the perfect size, the perfect vibe, and Katie [the co-ordinator] was so lovely and accommodating to our requests.” The team at Smokey Oscar were also an obvious pick to capture photos on the day, Tessa and Jem share. “We found our amazing photographer through the event space’s Instagram,” they share. “Jenna had worked with the space before, and we loved her photos and knew she knew how to photograph the space.”
Onto the details then, right? Because this one’s bursting with so much fun!
THE THEME “We just wanted a day that reflected who we were, bright colours, lots of smiles, laughter and love. From rainbow confetti (and rainbow grooms party members) to Pokémon cakes and fake grass/fake plants on the table. It sort of felt like a little indoor garden party!”
FAVE DETAILS “The desert bar and the cakes were great. Each of us had our favourite cake and then my mum put together a total dessert charcuterie board of all the lollies and goodies we love. It looked AMAZING and was a delicious fan favourite!”
DIY “The bouquets were all DIY. I don’t love cut flowers so I didn’t really want traditional bouquets, opting instead to put together my own fake bouquets of hanging green and purple and yellow fake flowers, as well as a little fake plant lapel pin.”
THE DRESS “I had originally bought two white dresses (both pretty cheap) before deciding I just wasn’t a white dress kind of girl. I tried on a lot of outfits in A LOT of different colours before I finally found the Bariano dress and it was love at first sight. Gold glitter, yet simple design and super comfortable!”
THE SUIT “I found the suit on a website called OppoSuits that does big patterns or generally silly suits, Tess and I made a shortlist of ones we liked and I settled on one called ‘Confettironi’ and came up with the idea to get everyone in my groom’s party to pick a colour from the suit and wear that to match me.”
MEMORABLE MOMENT “The whole ceremony really was standout to us, our celebrant Zee Scott was so warm, charismatic and funny, it just perfectly set the tone for the whole day. Then getting to walk down the aisle newly married while everyone threw confetti, that was something I won’t forget.”
TAKE ON TRADITION “Jem is Jewish so we wanted to incorporate some Jewish wedding traditions such as the breaking of the glass and the Hora (chair dance). The Hora was a pretty funny sight. I really wish I hadn’t worn a dress with such a dramatic slit up the side and I almost flashed the whole party (if it wasn’t for my bridal party Best Boy, who covered me up at the last moment).”
WE’RE GLAD WE… “We’re really glad that we kept the day so ‘us’. We’ve only ever been ourselves and if we were to have forced ourselves into a traditional white wedding it wouldn’t have felt right, to us or anyone there.”
STANDOUT VENDOR “All our vendors were amazing! Jenna from Smokey Oscar delivered just the most wonderful photos, celebrant Zee Scott absolutely nailed the ceremony with such love and humour – I think our wedding was as good as it was because of her. And of course, Luna Event Space – Katie got us and our needs from the second we met and all throughout the day she went above and beyond with kindness and help!”
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Smokey Oscar Florist The Bride Stationery Vistaprint Ceremony, Reception & Planning Luna Event Space Catering Fourside Food Design & Events Cake Monarch Cakes, The Cheesecake Shop Cake Topper Jolli Creations Photo Booth Undisposable Celebrant Zee Scott Rings Del Fonte & Co. Fine Jewellery Florence THE BRIDE Gown Bariano Jacket Nasty Gal Shoes Estilo Emporio via Grace & Willow Accessories Regal Rose (earrings) Bridal party gifts T2 THE GROOM Suit & Tie OppoSuits Shirt Target Cufflinks Zing Shoes Vans Watch Samsung Galaxy Barber BSpoke Grooms’ party gifts Gewurzhaus