Intimate vows & Old Hollywood vibes in Melbourne
It began with a meet-cute while pouring drinks together in a Melbourne bar, and culminated in a Vegas-style exchange of vows in an iconic Melbourne hotel room – this is the wedding of Bethany and Alexander.
From the very start, Bethany and Alexander wanted the day to feel easy and relaxed. With just 12 of their favourite people in the room, the ceremony quickly became the standout moment. Even more special, the suite overlooked the very spot where they first met.
Bethany looked incredible in a corseted bodice and sleek skirt, serving effortless, tailored cool as she was walked across the room to marry the love of her life. The ceremony itself was light, fun, and full of love – completely “them.”
Guided by an after-party brief of “Roaring Twenties, Old Hollywood, speakeasy vibe,” Bar 1806 proved the perfect setting as they settled into newlywed bliss. Georgia Verrells captured it all effortlessly – this is one you’ll want to see.
The meeting.
We met at the start of 2016, both pouring pints and shaking cocktails at a bar in Melbourne’s CBD. I was working while at university, and Alex was on a working holiday. We were good friends for a few months at first.
The one.
When we would sit for hours at the local dive bar across the road after work. We’d discuss music and giggle our heads off until the early hours of the morning.
The proposal.
Alex had originally planned to propose on a ski holiday in Japan that we would be on with our friends at the start of 2024.
While the interim ring my best friends Anh and Christie had picked for him burned a hole in his pocket, the conditions were grim. The only plausible spot to do the job was at the top of a black run with moguls. Not wanting me to blow an ACL after such a happy moment, he decided to wait until the day before our eight-year anniversary…almost six weeks later…back in Hong Kong.
We had a cute day planned, but I ended up having a work party the night before and was quite dusty. Not wanting that to get in the way of his special day, Alex, in true form, dragged us out on an 11km trail run – not before ordering me jam on toast and avocado on toast for himself.
I was furious about him ordering me jam on toast while he got avocado, and I complained for the first 45 minutes of the run. When we reached a small bridge overlooking the reservoir (me still complaining), Alex dropped to one knee and said he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me.
I sobbed “yes,” but then walked away in shock, and he ran after me – jam on toast was forgiven. It was a very “us” day.
Style inspiration.
We have been living in Hong Kong for the last few years and just wanted a big old party with all our friends and family who we miss so much. We wanted something relaxed from the get-go. I love a Roaring Twenties, old Hollywood, speakeasy vibe. Bar 1806 was exactly that.
The ceremony.
Our ceremony was my favourite part of the day. We were married in our hotel room, Vegas style. It was a beautiful oval room, with leafy oaks outside the window. About 12 people were present—our parents and siblings, and a few of our very best friends.
The hotel, and our room, looked onto the rooftop of the bar where we first met working, which felt pretty special. A close family friend was the celebrant, with one of our best friends helping to marry us. My dad still walked me from one end of the room to the other while we all smiled and felt the love.
The ceremony was light but loving, and I felt so incredibly calm. Alex also said “I will” instead of “I do”- he had one job!
The outfits.
Alex had his suit tailored in Hong Kong. He ended up having an outfit change, while I didn’t – opting instead for a party jacket. We went with cream to keep in line with the Old Hollywood vibe. The venue would be dark, and everyone else would be in black tie, so it was a nice way for him to stand out a little. I bought the first dress I tried on at Kyha Studio. I had always known the style I wanted, and they made the dream come to life. Alex’s mum offered me his grandmother’s jewellery, which was stunning, and my mum gave me my own Nanna’s glow mesh bag to carry for the evening – a piece I have always loved!
Favourite moment.
As I mentioned before, I adored our ceremony—it felt so “us.” A part of the day I hadn’t expected to love so much was our portrait time with our photographer, Georgia. We had so much fun moving between spots in the city, and it felt really personal and memorable. At the venue, we had a private room where Alex and I waited before being presented at the party. Our friends made sure we had a little time alone and a few cocktails – another favourite moment of mine.
Meaning of marriage.
Spending the rest of your life with your best friend.
Wedding soundtrack.
No aisle songs, we entered the party to The Twang by Barney Rubble. It’s one of the first songs we bonded over
Funny stories (or near disasters).
When I opened my dress at the hotel the night before, I discovered a big black oil mark on the skirt. After a lot of stress and a tearful call to Kyha Studio, the girls asked me to come in. They helped me clean the mark while I sipped champagne and did my makeup in their bathroom for the evening. Angels!
Planning surprises.
Just the sheer amount of admin there is without a wedding planner!
Words of wisdom.
Come up with your top three “must haves” together. It is so easy to get carried away. Not everything needs to be perfect, people are not looking at the finer details!
Final words.
Make sure you take some time in the day for just the two of you.
Have someone in charge of organising the parents and someone on the day designated to answer any questions. That way you can just focus on being present and taking it all in
BETHANY & ALEXANDER’S VENDORS
Ceremony location: The Hotel Windsor
Reception venue: Bar 1806
Celebrant/Officiant: Todd Neeson
Photography: Georgia Verrells
Styling: Bride
Florist: Weeds Flower Studio
Hair: Natlie Jaye
Make-up: Liv Romeo
The dress: Bridal Gown: Kyha Studios, Vermont corset and Nix skirt
Rings: Power Jewellery, Hong Kong
Bridesmaid’s dresses: We didn’t have an official wedding party, but our special people were by our side all day. They all picked their own outfits!
Groom: Ornald’s Design
Catering and bar: Bar 1806
Favours: DIY
Cake: We did late night hot jam donuts, they were a hit!
Stationery / Signage: Large vintage mirror hire and our good friend Warwick did the decals! This was a huge hit – big regret though, we forgot to take a picture in it!
Entertainment: DJ Petra
Honeymoon: Nothing directly after but we have some holidays in the works!
