Real Wedding – Amani & Bradley, Eltham VIC
Amani and Bradley’s ‘I dos’ looked – and felt – every bit the modern fairytale.
The pair wed under a charming garden gazebo in Eltham as ducks swam in the nearby lake like sweet side characters in a Disney film.
Amani stunned in a princess-style gown with structured corset and flowing train. Her classically bridal look was complete with a cascading veil featuring a delicate diamond perimeter that glistened in every light.
The inner-city reception that followed was just as intentionally elegant and deeply romantic. The magical mood is enhanced by dim lighting, white roses, candles and fairy lights.
Photographer Chidem Gungor – whose work is skillfully timeless and yet distinctly contemporary – was the ideal talent to document a celebration that could be described the same way, complimented in moving mastery by the brilliant videography team at Hey Jack.
The meeting.
We met at the gym about four years ago. Bradley was working part-time at reception, and I was a very dedicated and regular gym-goer. I have always been someone who walks into the gym with a mission—headphones in, head down, and no time for chit-chat. Bradley, on the other hand, is naturally friendly and welcoming. Every day, he would say hello, and every day, I would give him a polite nod, a tiny smile (if he was lucky), and carry on with my workout.
Then, one day, things took an unexpected turn. I needed to pause my gym membership for an upcoming holiday, so I approached reception and asked Bradley how to freeze my account. Little did I know, he had no idea how to process the request. In a flustered attempt to maintain professionalism (and not embarrass himself), he asked for my phone number to enter into the system. When it didn’t work, he asked again. And again. And again—no less than five times! Eventually, I jokingly said, “Well, you might as well add it to your phone then.” Cue the most awkward silence and the brightest shade of red I’ve ever seen on his face.
After that, I didn’t see Bradley around the gym as much, but fate had other plans. A few months later, we both happened to be at the Australian Open on the same day. We ran into each other, started chatting, and before we knew it, hours had passed and we had barely paid attention to the tennis match. From that day forward, we were inseparable. Looking back, I never expected it to happen, but Bradley turned out to be more than I could have ever dreamed of.
‘The one’.
Within three months of knowing each other, we just knew. Everything aligned so perfectly—our values, our dreams, our personalities. Bradley was persistent in pursuing me, and after some deep and honest conversations, I realised just how special he was. He told me he could be everything I was looking for in a partner, and he was right.
Our journey together has been nothing short of magical. We bring out the best in each other—my passion and determination are balanced by his calm and kindness. We laugh, we learn, we support one another in every way. It became clear very early on that this was and is love built to last a lifetime.
The proposal.
Bradley planned an entire day filled with surprises. It started with a hot air balloon ride over the Melbourne CBD. But once he realised just how many people were on the balloon (and the terrifying risk of dropping the ring!), he decided to hold off. Instead, we had a beautiful lunch in the city with a stunning view of the Yarra River.
To finish the day, we drove up to the Mornington Peninsula, where we watched the sun set over the back beach. As the golden light reflected on the waves, Bradley got down on one knee and proposed. It was the most perfect moment, and of course, I said yes!
Planning process.
The wedding planning was all done by me (Amani). I would narrow things down to two options and present them to Bradley, but let’s be honest—he knew I was going to go with what I wanted anyway! I had everything organised down to the minute. There was an Excel spreadsheet for absolutely everything, and a perfectly timed run sheet that left no room for error. Despite the detailed planning, we both made sure to enjoy every moment leading up to the big day. There was no stress, no drama—just excitement and love as we prepared to celebrate with our closest friends and family.
Style inspiration.
We wanted a wedding that felt romantic, elegant, and timeless. The mood was set with dim lighting, white roses, candles and fairy lights. Our goal was to create an atmosphere that was both modern and deeply romantic—a night to remember. Reading/hearing other brides share their experiences and review suppliers gave us so much insight. We relied on real weddings and supplier reviews to ensure we were choosing the best vendors.
The ceremony.
Our ceremony took place at Ballara Receptions in Eltham, in the beautiful garden gazebo. The weather was perfect, with the sun shining down and a light breeze rustling through the trees. The lake was surrounded by lush greenery, and ducks swam in the background, making the setting look like something out of a fairytale.
What made the ceremony extra special was having my cousins officiate it. My youngest sister was our ring bearer, adding a deeply personal touch. Sharing our vows in front of our loved ones was an incredibly emotional and beautiful moment. One of the most treasured memories of the day was my father walking me down the aisle and passing me off to Bradley—the first time we saw each other that day. The moment our eyes met, you couldn’t wipe the smiles off our faces. It is a memory embedded in our hearts forever. We had never been more in love.
The outfits.
Bradley knew exactly what he wanted—a timeless three-piece suit that fit like a glove. We went shopping together, and after a few fittings and alterations, we found the perfect one.
I originally thought I wanted a fitted white dress, but I walked out with a princess-style gown instead! My mum and sister Layelle came with me, and after visiting countless stores, I finally tried on the dress. It was a stunning white gown with a structured corset and a flowing train. My veil had delicate diamonds and beads that shimmered beautifully in the light.
Favourite moment.
It’s impossible to pick just one. Every moment was magical—from walking down the aisle and seeing each other for the first time, to reading our vows, to dancing and celebrating with our favourite people. The whole day was the best day of our lives.
Meaning of marriage.
Marriage is a lifelong commitment—through thick and thin. It means having a best friend, a partner in crime and a soulmate all in one. It’s about building a life, going on adventures, and creating a home and family together. Marriage is the greatest gift and the best thing that has ever happened to either of us.
Wedding soundtrack.
Aisle – Truly Madly Deeply – Sidney
Entrance – Hallelujah – Fernando Bussetti (saxaphone version) followed by Lebanese Drums
First Dance – Dandelions – Ruth B (slowed + reverb version)
Father and Daughter – This Dance – Scott Thomas Laughridge
Funny stories or near disasters.
Two days before the wedding, the bridesmaids’ make0up artist cancelled. Thankfully, we found an amazing replacement at the last minute. Originally, the weather was forecast to be 41C, and all the groomsmen were panicking. But by some miracle, it ended up being a perfect 25°C. And, in a random moment of chaos, I somehow dislocated my thumb right before the reception room reveal. The event manager wanted me to wear a bandage, but I refused—it would have looked terrible in photos!
Planning surprises.
The day just went so quickly. It was the perfect day, and we wish that we could go back to it and relive it. There was nothing we would ever change, and we were just so surprised how perfect and special the day was. It was a dream.
Words of wisdom.
Enjoy every moment—it’s the most magical day of your life. Stick together throughout the day, don’t stress about the little things, and trust that everything will turn out better than you ever imagined. It truly goes by in the blink of an eye, so soak it all in and cherish every second!
For more fairytale-like real wedding inspiration, check out Ellie & Evan’s city soiree.
AMANI & BRADLEY’S SUPPLIERS:
Ceremony venue: Ballara Receptions
Reception venue: Showtime Events Centre
Officiant: Lauren Fatileh (Amani’s cousin)
Photography: Cigdem Gungor
Videography: Hey Jack
Styling: Abra Events
Florist: Bayside Weddings and Events
Hair: Hair by Hatty
Make-up: Tahlia Liapis – Makeup and Carmen Haddad of Ente Beauty
The dress & veil: Maggie Sottero from Eternal Bridal
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Rings: Arman Jewellery
Suit & ties: Joe Black
Cake: The Cake Artistry
Decore, stationery & signage: Abra Events
Entertainment: Zaffet Royale (DJ Danny Farah / John Dabley)
Transport: Star Chauffeured Cars Melbourne Star Chauffeured Cars – Luxury Chauffeurs Melbourne
Ice cream cart: Biancolatte Melbourne
Honeymoon: Maldives, Singapore, Bintan Island
