Real Wedding – Emily & Josh, Melbourne VIC
Emily and Josh defied tradition with a registry-style wedding, exchanging vows privately with their families before hosting a long, leisurely lunch that celebrated love, laughter, and their Italian heritage. The day was effortlessly elegant yet vibrant, inspired by the bright, sun-soaked colours of Sicily – from playful florals to stunning stationery that felt both joyful and refined.
Emily was a vision in an untraditional Retrofête gown, paired with show-stopping Louboutin heels, striking the perfect balance between modern glamour and personal style.
Even with the most laid-back vibe, Emily and Josh learned that creating your dream day still takes plenty of planning, and every thoughtful detail is worth it.
Captured through the lens of Luke William, this celebration is one to see.
The meeting.
We were introduced to each other by Emily’s brother at a mutual friend’s birthday party.
The one.
Within the first 2 months of dating we knew! The connection was there, and we started having those important conversations – marriage, kids etc We quickly realised our outlook on life aligned.
The proposal.
Josh perfectly executed a surprise proposal on a long weekend on the Mornington Peninsula. We went for a walk through the vineyards of a winery with my two-year-old niece and her favourite unicorn backpack. He caught me completely by surprise when she pulled out a very special card for me to read which had the proposal written! Josh had organised my family to be waiting for us back at the house to celebrate.
Planning process.
I was very lucky to have Lauren from Grove St. on my side. Lauren took care of all the design and planning which made it a very stress-free process. We completely trusted her with our vision.
Style inspiration.
We wanted to create something that was very understated and relaxed but celebrated our Italian backgrounds. We decided on a beautiful long lunch at Pepe’s Italian, and drew inspiration from the bright colours of Sicily. We chose the venue as it provided the perfect back drop and added fun florals and stationery to build on what was already there.
The ceremony.
We decided on a very intimate ceremony at the Registry Office, with only parents, grandparents and siblings in attendance. We wanted to celebrate this moment with our nearest and keep the feeling really relaxed. We loved the moments straight after the ceremony where our family were there to celebrate.
The outfits.
I knew I wanted something modern and fun. I went to lots of different traditional bridal stores but ended up finding the perfect dress online from a NYC boutique Retrofete. It was untraditional, light and playful, and really suited the style of the day. I opted for no veil and matched the chiffon of the dress to a neck scarf. The shoes on the other hand were much easier. I walked straight into Christian Louboutin on Collins Street, saw them and bought them – they were perfect!
Josh instantly fell in love with Oscar Hunt from the first meeting. He wanted something that had an old-world feel and they created exactly what he imagined.
Favourite moment.
It was the best day; we had so much fun and truly felt like we enjoyed all the moments. Formalities were minimal so we had lots of time to mingle and enjoy the day with our guests. I loved the surprise gelati cart we organised for after lunch. It was a perfect spring day, so guests were able to enjoy a gelati and Aperol in the courtyard.
Meaning of marriage.
Sharing life with my best friend. Celebrating the joyful moments, creating our own traditions, and standing by each other through the hard times.
Wedding soundtrack.
A mix of soul, Motown, jazz and Italian classics. Our playlist included artists like Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Al Green, MJ and more! We wanted the music to feel romantic and relaxed, like something you’d put on if you were hosting a lunch at home.
Funny stories (or near disasters).
The night before I realised completely forgot to pick up my earrings. Luckily the wedding was in the city, so the Uber did a quick stop on the way to the registry office!
Planning surprises.
One thing that took us by surprise was how much planning it takes to create something effortless and relaxed. We quickly learned that even the most laid-back celebration has an incredible amount of detail behind it.
Words of wisdom.
If planning an event isn’t the norm for you, I 1000 out of 10 recommend getting an event planner and or stylist who can manage the finer details, and you can enjoy the lead up and day.
We also organised an after-party at QT rooftop. We had the most amazing sunset and guests celebrated into the night!
EMILY & JOSH’S VENDORS
Ceremony venue: Victorian Registry Office
Reception venue: Pepe’s Italian & Liquor
Celebrant: Victorian Registry Officer
Photography: Luke William
Planning/styling/stationery: Grove St.
Florist: Sour Sunflower
Hair & Make-up: Megan Harrison Bridal
The dress: Retrofête
Shoes: Christian Louboutin
Rings: Rhea Nikolaou Jewellery
Suits & Accessories: Oscar Hunt
Catering: Pepe’s Italian & Liquor
Cake: Baked By Belinda
Gelati Cart: Cono Gelateria
Printing: Smada Design
Honeymoon: Sheraton Grand Mirage, Port Douglas
