Real Wedding – Hayley & James, Leopold VIC
When Hayley and James found themselves fantasising about the romance and opulence of a European wedding without the risk of distance preventing their loved ones from attending, Campbell Point House emerged as the perfect solution.
Victoria’s own French château was the ideal backdrop for this elegant, black-tie affair 13 years in the making.
A masterclass in attention to detail and elevating the experience of guests through personal touches, Hayley and James are quick to credit the role of planners and stylists in bringing the vision to life.
From the sounds of the string quartet to the scent of the abundant florals and the sight of not one but two outfit changes, this soiree is a treat for the senses.
Every luxurious detail is captured by the exquisite eye of photographer Katie Harmsworth to be enjoyed for decades to come.
The meeting.
Thirteen years ago I was out with a friend when I spotted this guy from across the room and knew I had to introduce myself. We went on our first date the following week at the Supper Club and the rest is history.
The ‘one’.
For both of us it was early on. It’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment, but after saying those three words, ‘I love you,’ just six weeks into dating, it was a done deal.
The proposal.
We had been in Mykonos celebrating my 30th with a group of friends before heading to Santorini, just the two of us, to relax and unwind. James proposed during a private rooftop dinner overlooking the Santorini cliffs. It was meant to be my birthday dinner so I was beyond surprised when he pulled out a ring. The spectators from the top of the cliff started cheering.
Planning process.
Despite being together for 13 years, and engaged for four years, we planned our big day on just 10 months’ notice due to unforeseen circumstances that made us eager to move forward. We were incredibly fortunate to have a wedding planner (Laura from Wanderlust), and we honestly could not have managed without her. I, like many brides, thoroughly enjoyed the creative styling process and spent considerable time researching real weddings. I found myself obsessing over the small details which, after speaking with guests, didn’t go unnoticed. With a guest list of 64 people, we knew we wouldn’t have time to connect with everyone individually, so, instead of a standard seating chart, we chose to create handwritten escort cards for each guest. This way, they could enjoy a personal touch while finding their way to their table.
Style inspiration.
We had always envisioned a destination wedding, ideally in a castle in the south of France. However, with many of our friends having young families, we were concerned about the potential for some of our closest loved ones not being able to attend. As a result, Campbell Point House emerged as the perfect choice for us—Victoria’s own French château. The venue exemplified timeless elegance, capturing our vision flawlessly.
The ceremony.
Our ceremony took place overlooking the lake at Campbell Point House, surrounded by stunning gardens. The bridesmaids and I descended the gorgeous stairs leading from the house to a live string quartet.
The outfit.
Hayley: From the beginning, I knew exactly what I wanted. However, planning a wedding with only 10 months’ notice made finding a custom gown challenging. I was immensely grateful to Vincenzo Pintuadi Couture for agreeing to take me on as a client. The dress was everything I had imagined and more. Vincenzo’s corsetry skills are unparalleled, and I truly felt like a real-life princess. My second dress was also custom-made and was a lot of fun. It was perfect for dancing the night away!
James: I wanted to make a statement and clearly show that I was the groom so I had two custom suits made by Trunk (after all, who says an outfit change is just for the bride?). I wore a black velvet tuxedo for the ceremony and then switched to a cream dinner jacket for the reception.
Favourite moments.
The entire day was truly a dream, but there are two moments that stand out for me. First, standing at the door ready to take that first step down the aisle, feeling the butterflies and emotions as it finally sunk in that it was really happening. Then, seeing James at the end of the aisle—it was incredibly special. We also wanted to make sure we had a moment alone, so we decided to have our first dance just the two of us, to the string quartet. It was a special time where we could focus solely on each other, without worrying about anyone else in the room.
Meaning of marriage.
It’s a promise to support, love, and grow together through all of life’s moments, both the joyful and the challenging.
Wedding soundtrack.
Aisle – Kissing You from Romeo and Juliet performed by the string quartet.
First Dance – Come What May from Moulin Rouge performed by the string quartet.
Funny stories or near disasters.
My veil blew off just as I stepped out the door! I thought everyone saw it fly away but since they couldn’t see me yet I should have stopped and put it back on.
Words of wisdom.
Enjoy the process as much as you can—it all goes by so quickly. Take time to savor the little moments, stay flexible, and remember that the day is about celebrating your love.
Check out this styled shoot for more contemporary European elegance.
HAYLEY & JAMES’ SUPPLIERS:
Ceremony & reception venue: Campbell Point House
Celebrant: Alana with Love Celebrant
Photography: Katie Harmsworth
Content Creation: Olivia + Living
Videography: Bow and Ribbons Studio
Planning + Styling: Wanderlust Creative
Florist: Torquay Florist
Hair: Tonic Agency (Shannon Brache)
Make-up: Tonic Agency (Jess Strazds)
The dress: Vincenzo Pintaudi Couture
Bridesmaid dresses: Mossman
Grooms suits: Trunk Tailors
Stationery/Signage: Larte Di + Letter Me Calligraphy
Entertainment: Vivid Strings, Melbourne Event Company (Sax)
Décor: Table Art Hire + Event Merchant Co
Honeymoon: Maldives
