Modern Australian coastal meets European summer
Wanting an Australian coastal aesthetic infused with the effortless allure of a European summer and the laid-back spirit of a long, lazy Sunday session, The Dunes in Ocean Grove was the perfect setting for Claire and George’s celebration.
Perched on the coast with sweeping views across the ocean, The Dunes provided a spectacular natural backdrop while offering the couple the contemporary, elevated space they had been searching for. The result was a wedding that felt polished yet wonderfully relaxed – where cocktails flowed in the sunshine, oysters were served alongside caviar, cigars made an appearance and a live tiramisu station brought a little taste of Italy to the evening.
Bold red florals took centre stage for the ceremony, with Florette absolutely nailing the brief. Rich, romantic blooms were paired with crisp white plinths and classic urns, creating a striking contrast against the blue sky and ocean beyond. The ceremony florals were then thoughtfully repurposed throughout the reception, bringing warmth and colour to The Dunes while complementing the venue’s natural coastal palette.
Later, ocean-side portraits with Meg Read offered Claire and George a quiet moment to pause and take in the significance of the day before returning to the celebrations. With a packed dance floor and plenty more of the evening ahead, the couple settled into the party and danced the night away.
Wedding style and vibe.
The style of our wedding was modern Australian coastal meets European summer. We were drawn to a clean, contemporary aesthetic that complemented the stunning beachfront setting while still feeling romantic and vibrant.
For the ceremony, we paired modern white plinths with classic urns overflowing with rich red florals, creating a striking contrast against the blue sky and ocean backdrop. Although the ceremony was held outdoors, we wanted it to feel intimate and romantic. White seating, umbrellas, a bar setup and linen signage kept the overall look light and refined, allowing the florals to take centre stage.
For the reception, we embraced a less-is-more approach. The venue’s sweeping ocean views spoke for itself, so we styled the space with candlelight, scattered red roses and minimal signage. We also repurposed our ceremony florals throughout the reception, adding warmth and colour while complementing the venue’s natural tones and coastal setting. To create memorable moments for our guests, we included a few fun surprises throughout the evening, including an oyster bar, cigar bar, photo magnets printed on the spot by a roaming photographer, and a live tiramisu station.
The overall vibe was relaxed, celebratory and full of energy. From drinks before the ceremony to dancing late into the night, the atmosphere was warm, social and effortless.
Our DJ and MC played a huge role in bringing that vision to life, keeping the evening flowing smoothly and the dance floor packed for most of the night. To kick off the celebrations, we invited all of our guests onto the dance floor for our bridal entrance, creating an incredible sense of excitement and setting the tone for the rest of the evening.
Planning process.
It was a bit overwhelming to begin with – there are so many beautiful weddings to take inspiration from and so many different trends constantly coming out. What we kept coming back to though was adding personal touches that truly reflected who we are as a couple.
We drew inspiration from a combination of Pinterest, Instagram and real weddings, saving images that reflected the look and feel we wanted to create. As our vision evolved, we built mood boards to keep everything cohesive and ensure every styling decision aligned with the overall aesthetic.
When it came to building our dream team, we relied heavily on our venue’s recommended vendors. Choosing suppliers who were familiar with the venue gave us a great deal of confidence throughout the planning process, and many of them had worked together numerous times before. That existing relationship and experience created a seamless experience both in the lead-up to the wedding and on the day itself. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions we made.
The ceremony.
Before the ceremony started, two of our close friends acted as our ‘beer bearers’, handing out drinks from a customised “Mr & Mrs Andreou” esky. We wanted the celebrations to begin as soon as guests arrived, with good music, a drink in hand and a relaxed atmosphere. Our vision for the day was never overly formal, we wanted it to feel like the ultimate beachside Sunday session, where everyone could settle in, connect and enjoy themselves from the very beginning.
Our celebrant did an incredible job of telling our story in a way that perfectly captured who we are as individuals and as a couple. There were plenty of laughs, a few tears, and so many special moments that felt uniquely us. She also worked closely with us to ensure our vows were beautifully aligned, allowing each of us to share our feelings while maintaining an element of surprise.
We were also lucky to have our three nieces as flower girls, and they completely stole the show. Watching them walk down the aisle was one of the sweetest moments of the day and had everyone smiling.
More than anything, our ceremony was a celebration of two families coming together. It was filled with so much love, warmth and connection, and looking out at the people who had supported us throughout our lives made the moment feel incredibly meaningful.
The outfits.
Claire – Marquise Bridal. I chose a full lace A-line gown from Marquise Bridal. When I first started wedding planning, I was convinced I wanted something more form-fitting. However, after speaking with a bridal stylist and trying on different silhouettes, I realised I wanted a dress that truly felt like a once-in-a-lifetime gown. I fell in love with the balance of modern and classic styling, the intricate lace detailing, and the timeless silhouette. It felt elegant, romantic, and completely suited the vision I had for our day.
George – YSG Tailors. George wore a custom all-black three-piece tuxedo by YSG Tailors. He wanted his look to have an Italian influence as a nod to his heritage, so he carefully selected the Italian fabric himself. The tailoring was impeccable, and he added a personal touch by having our new surname embroidered on the inside of the jacket. It was a meaningful detail that made the suit feel even more special and uniquely his.
Favourite styling detail.
The ceremony florals were the standout detail for us. We loved how the bold red blooms contrasted against the ocean backdrop, creating a look that felt both romantic and striking. They brought our entire vision to life and became the defining styling feature of the day.
Favourite moment.
The ceremony was undoubtedly our favourite moment of the day. Despite standing in front of more than 76 of our closest family and friends, it felt as though we were the only two people there. Everything else seemed to fade away as we focused on each other.
Sharing our vows was incredibly special and emotional. After months of planning, decision-making, and anticipation, it was the moment when everything became real. Being able to express our love and commitment to one another, surrounded by the people who mean the most to us, was something we’ll never forget.
Wedding soundtrack.
Processional: Work Song – Hozier
Recessional: Holiday – Dizzee Rascal
Entrance song: Where is My Husband? – Raye
First dance: Iris – Goo Goo Dolls
Funny story (or near disasters).
Just after we had our first kiss as husband and wife and were about to commence or recessional, the bride’s dad stood up in front of us to hand us a crying flowergirl. Luckily, we had had our first kiss so he didn’t spoil any photo or video moments!
Regrets.
We regret not having a content creator to help us capture some less formal content throughout the day and night. It’s definitely worth it to have someone else making sure there’s some polished, social media content ready for you.
Top tips.
Be authentic to who you are as a couple and try not to get swept up in doing something simply because it’s currently trending on social media. You want to look around on your wedding day and see the elements that speak to who you both are as a couple.
Claire and George’s Vendors
Ceremony and reeception venue: The Dunes, Ocean Grove
Celebrant: Lisa Brown
Photography: Meg Read Photography
Videography: TW Films
Florist: Florette
Hair: Pearly Hairstylist
Make-up: Adele Rossi
The dress: Marquise Bridal
Veil: Custom-made veil which included my Nanna’s veil cap (it’s over 65 years old!)
Shoes: Steve Madden
Rings: The Jewel Box of Healesville
Bridesmaid’s dresses: Meshki
Suits: YSG Tailors
Favours: Magnet Me
Cake: Cannoli Bar
Entertainment: Prime Entertainment
Transport: Always Classic Cars
Hire: Dress My Wedding
