Real Wedding - Esra & Damien, Yarra Valley VIC

August 3, 2023 In Black and White, Real Weddings, Winery By Jo Betz

Real Wedding – Esra & Damien, Yarra Valley VIC

Fresh contemporary styling, simple glamour and endless fun coalesce to perfection in Esra and Damien’s wedding celebrations. Making the decision early on to engage Philoxi Styling meant that their day was an aesthetic bliss bomb, but also that the new Mr and Mrs were ultra relaxed and stress-free – and boy does it show.

Glowing from head to toe in a modern goddess gown by our friends Kyha Studios, Esra looks every bit a beautiful bride. We love the gossamer-wrapped sleeves, counterbalanced with a sleek updo and simple but chic accessories. Dapper Damien was all smiles as his Mrs-to-be stepped up the aisle towards him.

A white-on-white colour palette is a perfect juxtaposition against the striking noir accents of Zonzo Estate. We especially love the rough-cut plinths and dynamically arranged florals, creating an artfully artistic framing of the ceremony space.

Through the inspired lens of Merve Togan, every shot reveals the underpinning emotions of sweet celebration, forever romance and a sense of an epic party unfolding.

Scroll on for every fresh modern moment.

The meeting.

Dame and I met at my sister’s house. A friend and I went over for a BBQ, she had mentioned that she and her partner had invited another friend over, who happened to be Dame.

The one.

It all happened quite quickly. Within a couple of months, we knew we were right for each other.

The proposal.

Dame organised for us to go glamping in Mornington. Throughout the day, I thought it was a perfect opportunity for him to propose. Dame obviously predicted I would feel this way and wanted to catch me by surprise, so proposed the following day when he organised a lunch at Pt Leo. By that stage, I was sure he would propose on our trip to New Zealand in a few months. When we got to the estate, he asked to take a photo of me. When I turned around to have him take a photo, he was down on his knee.

Planning process.

The planning process wasn’t too stressful. Luckily our wedding date hadn’t been impacted by COVID. My sister and best friend got married a few months before I did, so they were a great help. I also had a stylist (Philoxi Styling) who did most of the work.

Style inspiration.

Simple yet modern.

The ceremony.

Having my dad walk me down the aisle. As a little girl, most of us dream of this day, and to have it play out was a special moment.

The look.

Choosing a dress was an easy process for me. I went to two dressmakers and ended up buying the first dress I tried on at the first store I went into. I wanted to feel like myself in what I was wearing, and the dress I chose made me feel exactly that.

Favourite moment.

Dame comes from a Maori background, and seeing his family do the haka was a special moment, followed by our best friends’ speeches.

Meaning of marriage.

Commitment and a united partnership. In sickness and in health.

Wedding soundtrack.

Aisle: I Get To Love You by Ruelle

Reception entry: Saxophone and Lebanese drummers

First dance: A Good Night by John Legend

Funny stories (or near disasters).

Not funny at the time, but Dame was very sick on the day of the wedding. I was on the phone to him as I was getting my make-up done and he said he was in bed working up a sweat. Unfortunately, it wasn’t nervous sweats either, he had a fever. He thought he wasn’t going to be able to stand for our first look photos. With his best man providing him with some strong legal drugs, he was able to make it. When I walked down the aisle for our first look photos, the first thing he said to me was, ‘I really needed you to look after me today’.

Words of wisdom.

Try to avoid overthinking things or stressing yourself out. On the day, everything will fall into place. Enjoy the process and moment, and take it all in. And get a stylist!

Esra and Dame offered some sweet words of wisdom to keep the stress levels low in the lead-up to their dream day (hint: a planner or stylist can help!). We’ve got some tips to add to this, meaning whatever your budget, stage of planning or wedding scope, we can help keep you on track to enjoy the process. Check it out, here on the blog.

ESRA AND DAMIEN’S SUPPLIERS

Ceremony and reception venue: Zonzo, Yarra Valley

Celebrant/Officiant: Sarah Davoli Celebrant

Photography: Merve Togan

Videography: Nowforever films

Styling: Philoxi Styling

Florist: Georgie Boy

Hair: Sshair

Make-up: Stephanie Piazza Artistry

The dress: Kyha Studios

Veil: The Bridal Curator

Shoes: Aquazzura and V & J Menswear