Real Wedding – Grace & Ross, Richmond VIC
Grace and Ross’s united approach to planning their dreamy, plant-infused, urban chic celebration was to agree on “design principles” to refer back to when making decisions.
Low-waste, low-stress, fun and relaxed was the vibe, and choosing vendors who reflected this led them to create a day that felt truly them. Friends danced down the aisle, ninja vows, a witness raffle, and a heartfelt, upbeat ceremony by Nat Sproal made for a perfect start to the celebrations.
Prioritising sustainability in their planning surprised them by both saving money and reducing stress – and the aesthetic result is a lush greenhouse effect that feels stunningly intentional and timeless.
Captured with beautiful artistry by Sarah Godenzi, this is one gorgeously grounded and elegantly emotion-filled experience.
The meeting.
We met through mutual friends a couple of times, but it was Sunday afternoon trivia at our local pub about five years ago that officially kicked things off.
The ‘one’.
It wasn’t a single moment but a collection of everyday things: small acts of kindness, shared laughter, and feeling like best friends.
The proposal.
Ross suggested a hike at Hanging Rock – and his slightly odd behaviour turned out to be proposal nerves! He found a stunning spot with views, popped the question, and we celebrated with champagne. We spent the afternoon calling our families, and then went out for a lovely steak dinner.
Planning process.
We wanted the wedding to be fun, easy, relaxed, and sustainable. We started by agreeing on those “design principles,” which helped us make decisions. Once we locked in the venue, celebrant, photographer, and DJ, things flowed pretty smoothly. We tried to keep it low-waste and low-stress, focusing on good food, good music, and good vibes. We planned it together, as a team.
Style inspiration.
We wanted it to feel like “us.” Fun, relaxed, and reflecting what we love – nothing too fussy or traditional. Vendor recommendations were key; finding people with similar vibes made everything easier.
The ceremony.
It was really personal and fun. Our friends danced down the aisle, we did ninja vows (surprise vows we wrote for each other that were total stitch-ups) and a witness raffle, and our friend did a beautiful reading. Our celebrant, Nat, told our story in such a heartwarming way. It was the highlight of the day.
The outfits.
Ross went with a classic tux, and Grace chose a simple backless gown with a train, topped with a playful floral veil. It was a surprisingly smooth experience, and we both felt like ourselves, just a bit more dressed up.
Favourite moment.
Seeing each other at the ceremony! We’d been getting ready separately, and the anticipation had built up. It was so exciting to see each other and have all our loved ones around us.
Meaning of marriage.
For us, marriage means building a life together, having each other’s backs, and being a constant source of love and support.
Wedding soundtrack.
Aisle (flower men): King of the Mountain by Midnight Oil
Aisle (bride): Next to Me by Rufus Du Sol
Recessional: 100% Pure Love by Crystal Waters
Reception entry: Crazy in Love by Beyoncé
First dance: When You Say Nothing At All by Ronan Keating
Funny stories (or near disasters).
Just one! Ross got a flat tyre in the city the night before the wedding, after a family dinner. Grace, with freshly done nails, could only offer moral support. Otherwise, everything, including the wedding itself, went smoothly.
Planning surprises.
We were surprised by how much going low-waste actually saved us money and reduced stress. We learned to really focus on what was important to us and save time and energy on the things that weren’t.
Words of wisdom.
Figure out what you both genuinely value and stick to it. Don’t get caught up in the little things or feel pressured to follow every tradition or buy every ‘wedding must-have.’
GRACE & ROSS’S VENDORS
Our wedding day team was incredible, and we highly recommend them all! We primarily relied on trusted recommendations from vendors we loved. Once we found someone whose vibe clicked, we asked for their suggestions – and that led us to a fantastic team.
Ceremony & reception venue: Glasshaus Brucke
Celebrant: Nat Sproal
Photography: Sarah Godenzi
Florist: Petal Pop Flowers
Hair & make-up: Kate McCleary
The dress & veil: Made with Love Bridal
Shoes: Bared Footwear
Rings: The Gentleman’s Smith and Sarah & Sebastian
Suit & bow tie: Oscar Hunt
Catering: Fourside Events and Cannoleria
Entertainment: Aleks from One More Song DJs
