Black tie and Italo-disco at Pizzini Wines, King Valley
Generosity might just be the most underrated wedding theme of all – and Kathryn and Kiran embodied it perfectly. Their vision wasn’t about formality or tradition, but creating a celebration that felt warm, abundant and deeply joyful for every person in the room.
Set amongst the rolling vineyards of Pizzini Wines in the King Valley, their wedding channelled the feeling of a Tuscan escape – complete with black-tie dress code, endless wine, Italo-disco tunes and dinner beneath glowing festoon lights. Their brief? One big dinner party, just elevated.
Food played a starring role in the celebration, with generosity guiding every decision. Their caterer understood the assignment entirely, serving a feast guests are still talking about long after the dance floor wrapped up.
Kathryn wore a custom gown inspired by a collection of elements she loved, finished with the dreamiest bow detail at the back. Captured beautifully by Kyra Boyer, the day unfolded with style, soul and the kind of energy that ends with tiramisu being eaten on the dance floor.
The meeting.
We met as teenagers at Youth Parliament (debate camp). But it wasn’t until 12 years later that we crossed paths again on Hinge. I thought it would be a ‘good story’ to go on a date with the boy from all those years ago.
The proposal.
At sunrise on a cold windy morning at the beach with our two Seeing Eye Dog puppies in training. If I had paid attention the signs were there…he is not usually a morning person, but insisted on an early morning walk, and chose to wear a cashmere sweater. Meanwhile, I was barely awake and in workout gear.
Planning process.
We never wanted a long engagement, so we got to planning straight away. We also set some reasonable expectations, accepting that since we were opting for only a six-month engagement, there may be elements we would have to compromise on to achieve the time frame. Thankfully, looking back, everything we wanted came together perfectly.
We both had a firm view of what we considered important – the venue, quality wine, lots of food, and a dance party. But how we achieved this was very flexible. I think this made the planning process a lot more approachable and enjoyable.
From the outset we shared a clear vision for the day – to feel as if we had taken our guests away on a Tuscan escape. The goal was for an intimate, fun, elevated, and generous day. I have personal ties to the Wangaratta region and have always loved the King Valley, and we were both eager for a winery wedding – where you can guarantee a good plonk. This quickly narrowed the venue options to a handful of wineries in the area. Thankfully, Pizzini Wines was our first preference, and they happened to have availability only six months out. There is something to be said about planning a wedding slightly further out of Melbourne.
Style inspiration.
The Italian style of warm family gatherings together with our love of hosting themed supper club style dinner parties (Kiran is a great cook) was what inspired us to plan a wedding that felt like one big dinner party – just with a black-tie dress code, killer dance floor and plenty of Italo-disco tunes.
Generosity was a key theme in planning our day, and our caterer, Adam, who specialises in Italian food and understood the brief of ‘generosity’ perfectly and ensured no one went home hungry. All our guests have raved about both the quality and the quantity of food.
Most useful inspiration.
Real wedding inspiration was the most helpful. We wanted to feel like us on the day, rather than another cookie-cutter Instagram wedding. This was how we found our photographer Kyra Boyer whose documentary style images all seemed to capture the happiness of each day she shoots. Seeing how other couples had altered traditions to make it more ‘them’ was helpful in giving us ideas for our own day.
Kiran found our DJ (DJ Dan) as a referral from a friend’s wedding. He asked the best man of that wedding whether he thought the DJ was any good, to which the friend replied, “he played a full hour of Blink-182 songs”. This gave us both confidence that DJ Dan was capable of some impressive customisation and had a willingness to make the day what we wanted it to be, rather than just a Spotify-mix on repeat.
The ceremony.
In planning it, we agreed it was important that it was just us up there in front of everyone on the day, and to be able to look out at the crowd and see all of those who love and support us smiling back at us.
Kiran swears that turning around to see me walking down the aisle will be a moment he remembers forever. I will remember him looking handsome; but crying a lot.
We had Kiran’s brother as our celebrant. Because of his intimate understanding of us as a couple, he was able to deliver a very personal service. We are extremely grateful for his assistance.
The outfit.
I was fortunate that my mother-in-law has a past in dress making and offered to make my wedding dress! Together we trawled Instagram and all the bridal boutiques in Melbourne looking for inspiration. I had always thought that I would attend a wedding dress fitting at a store and would have ‘that’ moment where I looked at myself and knew that this dress was IT. Somewhat sadly, this did not happen. Rather, I had to get creative, building a mashup of several elements that I liked, to create something unique for me. It was such a special experience to have my future mother-in-law’s expertise and help in creating my dream dress!
Favourite moment.
So many!
- Cutting the cake right after the ceremony so that it could be enjoyed alongside the canapes – canape cake!
- Following our entrance to the reception (and before dinner) we got everyone up on the dancefloor for 15 minutes of high energy dance songs. This really set the vibe for the evening and provided some of my favourite photo moments of the day!
- The atmosphere of eating an Italian feast outside on long tables under the festoon lighting as the sun set – being surrounded by our family and friends, hearing them laugh and chat away, the clink of glasses.
- The speeches from our parents and friends
- Eating tiramisu on the dance floor
Meaning of marriage.
That we’re aligned on what and where we want our lives to be. That we’ve committed to growing with each other, being a team in all aspects of life, challenging one another to be the best versions of ourselves and being each other’s bastion of warmth, safety and love.
Wedding soundtrack.
A mix of millennial nostalgia and Italian party classics:
Procession: Alicia Keys – If I Ain’t Got You piano version
Recession: Cranberries – Dreams
Reception entry: Gypsy Kings – Volare
First dance: Tamia – So Into You
Last song: Frankie Valli – Can’t Take My Eyes Off You
Funny stories (or near disasters).
Kiran made our wedding cake the day before the wedding. But the difficulty was trying to transport the cake from our accommodation to the venue. It was only a short 5-minute journey but travelling at 100 km/h on bumpy country roads. One brave groomsman was volunteered to hold the cake on his lap, risking his tuxedo and my dreams of canape cake! Thankfully his steady hands, and some kind driving, allowed cake and tux to arrive perfectly intact!
For a week leading up to the wedding, the weather forecast for the wedding day was thunderstorms. Just what you want for an al-fresco banquet dinner and open-air ceremony. On the morning of the wedding, we had to decide whether to continue with the plan, or shift and accept a wet-weather alternative. Against the much more rational wishes of our venue manager, we proceeded with the outdoor option. We figured that even if it rained, the party would go on. Plus, any party that involves dancing in the rain is sure to be a good time, right? Ultimately, despite the forecast and the looming grey clouds, we were blessed and didn’t receive a single drop of rain. No gumboots were required!
Planning surprises.
Custom hand-embroidered napkins are actually very expensive. Kmart sells fantastic alternatives at a fraction of the price.
Find a venue that includes everything, rather than charging you for extras like clean-up fees, security fees, dance floor fees, lighting fees, and rectangular table fees.
Words of wisdom.
It’s only as stressful as you make it. Focus on the aspects that are important to you and do what feels right for the two of you.
The most important thing: if the couple are having fun, then everyone else will be having fun.
Kiran and Kathryn’s Vendors.
Reception location: Pizzini Wines Whitfield
Celebrant: Kooms The Celebrant
Photography: Kyra Boyer
Videography: Isabella Sofra – Content with Bella
Florist: Flowers by Lindy, Wangaratta
Hair: Amanda Bell, Wangaratta
Make-up: Fairlie Extinaris, Wangaratta
The dress: Custom by Rosemary Marfatia
Shoes: Nina Armando
Rings: Austin & Blake
Bridesmaid’s dresses: Aje
Catering: Adam Pizzini, Rinaldos Wangaratta
Bar: Pizzini Wines
Favours: 135 individually wrapped burnt butter, chocolate chip cookies, made the day before by the groom
Cake: A raspberry butter cream cake with coulis and plenty of butter cream frosting– made by the groom
Stationery / Signage: Custom made by the bride
Entertainment: DJ Dan Alex – Our DJ was highly recommended by friends, and he lived up to the hype! The custom playlist was elite and he read the room perfectly.
Transport: King Valley Bus Tours
Décor: Handmade by the bride
Hire: Pizzini Wines and Ovens Valley Event Hire
Honeymoon: Greece and Istanbul
