Real Wedding – Edina & William, Werribee VIC
When you’re a wedding planner by trade (and passion), your own celebration becomes a masterclass in bringing vision to life. For Edina of ES Events Planning, creating the perfect day wasn’t just professional—it was perfectly personal.
The couple’s love affair with all things European and old-world elegant led them to The Refectory at Werribee Mansion—a venue that offered that coveted “destination wedding feel” without requiring elderly relatives to dust off their passports. Smart thinking, if you ask us. (And let’s be honest, saving on those international flights probably funded a few extra bottles of champagne, which we fully support.)
We love that their venue choice completes a perfect romantic circle. Their relationship officially began at Werribee Mansion years earlier—where, under the summer sky, Will first said those three little words. Returning to this meaningful spot to exchange a different set of momentous words added a layer of sentiment that money simply can’t buy.
From the jazz quartet serenading guests to Edina’s leg-slit gown that managed to be both timeless and thoroughly modern, every element struck that elusive balance between sophistication and genuine warmth. Even Will’s ultra-dapper jacket (because who doesn’t love a little velvet moment?) added character without compromising on contemporary chic feel.
Scroll on to experience their old-world-meets-new-love celebration, captured with Katie Harmsworth’s signature luminous style.
The meeting.
We first crossed paths at an athletics carnival in Year 12. Though we were at different schools, mutual friends thought it would be fun to introduce us. While I don’t exactly remember the moment – we’ve since joked about that – Will definitely took notice (especially during a very memorable shotput moment). Apparently, I caught his eye during the shotput competition, where I had a very enthusiastic group of friends cheering me on… despite coming second (out of two people!).
We properly reconnected at a graduation event later that year and ended up chatting about school, life, and everything in between.
Over the years, our friendship turned into something more, and on New Year’s Eve – under a sky full of fireworks – he asked me to be his girlfriend. The very next day, we went to Let Them Eat Cake at Werribee Mansion. It was there that he told me he loved me for the first time, which made it all the more special when we later chose that very location as our wedding venue.
The one.
I actually spoke about this in my vows:
“Most people look back at their love stories and confidently say, “This was the moment I fell in love,” or, “This is when I knew they were the one.” But for me, there wasn’t one single moment.
Instead, it was a collection of moments that happened over time, and before I knew it, I couldn’t think or remember a time where I felt he wasn’t the one.
It was in the way he supported me through difficult days, celebrated my wins, and remembered even the tiniest details about what I liked. It was how he carved out time for me even with a packed schedule, how he showed up nervous but trying to impress me, and how he always made space for me to just be myself.
He makes my world lighter, brighter, and more joyful – like a safe place to land. He’s also the most incredible uncle and godfather to the little ones in our lives, and seeing him with them gives me so much excitement for our future family.
He provides me a safe place for my inner child to come out and be silly; to play with his inner child – I think this is what people mean when they say they are searching for the elixir of youth. It’s that special someone who allows your soul to stay young while your physical body succumbs to the effects of time.
The proposal.
Let’s just say it was a beautifully orchestrated surprise – with a few comedic detours along the way.
We were gifted a stay and dine voucher for Stones of the Yarra Valley and decided to finally use it for a quiet Sunday escape.
Looking back, there were so many clues: a timely nail appointment, oddly thoughtful messages from my mum, and Will insisting on dressing up for our drive. Still, I didn’t suspect a thing – I just thought everyone was being unusually sweet.
After a wine stop at Zonzo Estate, we arrived at the accommodation. The staff were so lovely that I even commented on how wonderful they were – having no idea they were in on the surprise.
When I opened the door to our room, I was greeted with candles, rose petals, and champagne. For a second, I genuinely panicked, thinking I’d forgotten an important date (was it our anniversary?!)! But then Will walked me inside, knocked over a glass (which made us both laugh), and said, “Edina, this is going to be the easiest question I’ll ever ask. Will you marry me?”
It was perfect – messy, funny, romantic, and so us.
Planning process.
I’m someone who really enjoys planning things, scouting for variety, analysing cost vs value, and curating experiences, so for me the wedding planning process was great – hence why I started a wedding planning and coordination business!
There are a lot of moving parts involved in planning your wedding, and especially the few weeks leading up to the big day. Make sure that you are very organised, or have a planner/coordinator to help take the load off so that you can enjoy the lead-up to your big day.
Style inspiration.
We are lovers of all things European and old world. We wanted something where we could feel that we were at a destination wedding in Europe, whilst not having to leave the state (we had some older family members we wanted at the wedding, and they would not be able to travel that far).
From the venue to the jazz quartet to the decor and outfits, we pulled it all together to make that inspiration come to life.
The most useful was definitely inspiration from real weddings, it allowed me to really imagine myself in the bride’s shoes/at the wedding.
The ceremony.
Will walked down the aisle with his parents, which was so special.
The outfits.
We are pretty minimalistic, and I wanted a wedding dress that I would wear and not a wedding dress that would wear me. I didn’t think I would go for a strapless dress, but when I put it on and found one with a leg slit it just felt like me. We also wanted to give Will a bit of a stand-out suit, and we are both obsessed with a little velvet moment, so when we got his suit tailored, we could not pass the opportunity to create a velvet jacket paired with a patent shoe.
We both love yellow as it is such a happy colour, and that’s why we chose that for our bridesmaids – and put the groomsmen/women in black suits to complement.
Favourite moments.
Doing a “first touch”. You would’ve read in my vows how he is my calming presence, how my hand in his makes all my worries melt away and like they are tiny. Being able to have 5-10 mins with each other where I could just hold his hand and talk to him in the morning was so, so special. It felt like we actually got to spend time together throughout the day, which is something that couples don’t always get to do, as ceremonies can be as late as 5 pm.
Meaning of marriage.
Marriage to me is a promise – the most sacred and important promise that two individuals can make to each other. A promise that you will be there for them, through thick and thin, through sickness and health, in this life and in the next. A promise that even if the world turns its back on you, there is always someone in your corner who supports you and helps you be the best version of yourself. A promise that even when it might be hard to love, you choose to love every single day.
Wedding soundtrack.
Aisle: At Last by Etta James
Signing: LOVE by Nat King Cole
Recessional: Signed Sealed Delivered
Reception entry: Gimme Gimme Gimme by Abba
First dance: Fly Me to the Moon by Frank Sinatra
Funny stories.
Our best man (Luka) lost our wedding rings! As they were all standing at the ceremony, greeting the guests, he turned to another groomsman and asked if he had the rings, to which the groomsman said “…. YOU had them!”
Luka started freaking out and realised he left them in the hotel room, which luckily was in the hotel at Werribee Mansion. He sprinted back and made it in time before the ceremony started.
Planning surprises.
The decision fatigue! I’m generally someone who is super meticulous and enjoys having lots of options, but I didn’t know decision fatigue was a thing until a few months before the wedding and I just found myself thinking “Oh man, I don’t care anymore and I don’t want to make anymore choices” when people asked me to make decisions. I didn’t know that was a thing at all.
Words of wisdom.
Have a bridal bestie! Whether it’s a planner, coordinator, bridesmaid, sister, maid of honour, friend, whoever it may be, have someone who is your go-to person to soundboard ideas off, who you know will be unbiased and will be there to support you.
Planning a wedding is a big task, and sometimes you just need someone that you can vent to, that you can unload or bounce ideas off, or even just have sense checks with. A lot of the time, it’s easier to do that with someone who isn’t a family member or friend, but if you have someone that you can just unload and vent to without feeling like a burden, then that is great! It’s easier to have a single point of contact for this rather than going to many different people about different things.
For more old-world elegance, we love Shannon and Louis‘ chic Melbourne celebration.
EDINA & WILL’S VENDORS
Ceremony & reception venue: The Refectory – Werribee Mansion
Celebrant/Officiant: Sarah Davoli
Photography: Katie Harmsworth
Videography: ENA Wedding Films
Styling & planning: ES Events Planning
Florist: Florals by Miss Men
Hair: Hair by Neveen
Make-up: Laura di Franceso
The dress & veil: Raffaele Ciuca
Shoes: Bella Belle – via The White Collection
Rings: Engagement ring is by The Diamond Guys, wedding rings by Stylianou Jewellery
Bridesmaid’s dresses: Love Affair (Sydney Road, Brunswick)
Suits: YSG Tailor, and Calvin Klein for groomsmen
Favours: handmade
Cake / Cake topper: Sweet Dakita
Stationery / Signage: Invitations – Paper Lust, Signage – Ghost Booth Events
Entertainment: Like This Entertainment
Transport: Always Classic Vintage Cars
Décor: ES Events Planning (aka me)
Hire: Mine and Your Event
Honeymoon: ES Events Planning (aka me) – Europe 2025 summer trip.
