Real Wedding – Ivy & Crab, Darling Point NSW
Ivy and Crab’s wedding is a vision of soft romance and breathtaking elegance, all against a stunning Sydney Harbour backdrop.
Their chosen theme, “Back where it all began”, perfectly encapsulates the sense of escape, timelessness and otherworldly celebration, where scrolling their gallery feels like escaping through a portal to a sophisticated soiree of effortless celebration.
Planning the wedding from Shanghai, then gathering friends and family from across the globe was, in Ivy’s words, “a beautiful folding of time and space.”
From style inspiration to a beautiful dopamine hit, enjoy this exquisite day through the ever-arful lens of Kinship by Kristy, captured in both film and digital.
The one.
Our story is actually quite ordinary, yet it feels destined. We met during our university years. Crab contacted me through a friend and asked me out for a meal at the library during a study week night. The real connection between us began later, after we graduated and unexpectedly ran into each other again in Shanghai. Our companies were very close, so we often ended up having dinner after work and going on weekend dates, exploring life together after graduation. For Crab, it was love at first sight. But for me, it took much more time spent together to truly understand him and see the changes in myself through our relationship before I could be sure he was my Mr. Right. It was through truly knowing him that I became certain he was the one to spend my life with.
The proposal.
Our proposal story is truly romantic—a surprise meticulously planned by Crab. Last year, we chose the Dolomites as our holiday destination. Before it all unfolded, I thought it was just an ordinary vacation. But Crab had secretly booked a room at a renowned hotel there, knowing how much I love snow-capped mountains, with a direct view of them from the balcony.
That day, he told me he was taking me to a spot with breathtaking scenery. It wasn’t until we arrived at the hotel and opened the door that I saw the carefully arranged roses and the absolutely stunning view. Right there, in front of the snow-capped mountains, he proposed. I was completely taken by surprise—it was utterly unexpected, and it was the first time I saw this deeply romantic side of him. He had put so much thought and effort into the proposal, and I was deeply moved. It’s worth mentioning that he proposed on October 1st, and around that time, we had just finalised our wedding date – what a delightful coincidence.
Planning process.
I took the lead in most of the wedding preparations, organising everything online. While we are based in Shanghai, I contacted all the vendors through social media. I stumbled upon Lindesay House on Instagram, and it was love at first sight—I immediately knew this beautiful, vintage house was the perfect venue for our wedding.
Holding our wedding in Sydney came as a surprise to everyone around us. Most people expected it to be at a seaside location in China or perhaps in Bali. But I believed that since we were putting so much effort into planning and hosting, the location had to be extraordinarily meaningful for both Crab and me, as well as for our guests. So, early on, I boldly proposed the idea of getting married in Sydney. I started by doing extensive research—looking into budgets, feasibility, and seeking opinions from friends. I felt incredibly fortunate to receive support from everyone.
I officially started preparing a year in advance and secured most of the vendors early on. I also came up with a meaningful theme for our wedding: “Back where it all begins,” and even designed a logo and selected the main colour palette. This theme represents how we’ve stayed true to our beginnings despite everything we’ve been through. Moreover, Sydney is where we met and built beautiful memories with many of our closest friends. We hoped that through our wedding, everyone could relive those precious moments together.
Style inspiration.
My dream wedding has always been held in an intimate, relaxed, and warm venue—something simple yet heartfelt. When it comes to flowers, I’ve always preferred understated tones. I never wanted an overwhelming display, just simple, natural arrangements that blend harmoniously into the surroundings. The moment I saw the lawn at Lindesay, I knew it was exactly the style I had always envisioned. The well-tended garden paired with a partial view of Sydney Harbour, the sunlight and sea breeze sweeping across the grass… it all created a soothing, holiday-like atmosphere for everyone.
I enjoyed browsing real wedding cases for inspiration. First, I identified the style I want, then I explored numerous examples of weddings in the same style. Most case studies include tags or mentions of the vendors involved. I then visited these vendors’ social media accounts or websites to determine whether their overall portfolio aligns with the aesthetic I was aiming for.
The ceremony.
Our ceremony felt like a beautiful folding of time and space. After graduating from Sydney, everyone returned to their hometowns and became immersed in their own lives, making it difficult to reunite. But through this warm and intimate wedding, we brought everyone back together in Sydney. The most special part was that even though many friends hadn’t seen each other for years, the moment they reunited, it felt just like being back in our university days—letting go of the present and reliving those joyful memories all over again.
The outfits.
I selected a bridal boutique in Shanghai whose aesthetic I truly appreciated. That day, I tried on five dresses but wasn’t entirely satisfied with any of them. Just as I was about to wrap up, the staff brought out this new 2025 collection piece from Vivienne Westwood, mentioning it had just arrived the previous day and thought it might suit my taste. The moment I put it on, it was love at first sight (laughs—I’ve always been very decisive when I truly love something). The staff mentioned I was the first person in the store to try on this dress.
The gown features a Grecian-inspired design with an elegant long cape, and the bodice is adorned with delicate lace, perfectly combining every element I love. What’s more, the silk fabric by Vivienne Westwood gives the dress a beautifully lightweight drape, while the boning in the bodice accentuates the waistline flawlessly. It was absolutely perfect, and I knew right then and there that this was the wedding dress I had been dreaming of.
Favourite moments.
There were many memorable moments on our wedding day, but if I had to choose a favourite, it would undoubtedly be the First Look. I had kept my wedding dress a complete secret from Crab—I wanted to save the biggest surprise for that day. As I stood behind him and tapped him on the shoulder, my heart was racing, and I could truly feel the emotion flowing between us. When he turned around, hugged me, and I saw tears glistening in his eyes, I knew in that moment we were both feeling the same overwhelming emotion. It’s a memory I will carry with me forever.
Meaning of Marriage.
To us, marriage is a promise and a heartfelt wish to spend the rest of our lives together.
Wedding soundtrack.
Aisle: Enrich Your Life – MAYDAY
Recessional: Angel Baby– Troye Sivan
Ceremony: First Love – 宇多田光 Utada Hikaru
Planning surprises.
There are some unexpected moments. For example, we realised that planning a wedding by ourselves is actually a project that requires attention to every detail. Besides, we had no experience in wedding planning before, so we had to rely on imagination for most things—we weren’t even sure what to say during the ceremony. However, I’m grateful to have a professional vendor team, especially the florist Carrie. She really gave me a lot of valuable advice on the planning, and I sincerely thank her.
Words of wisdom.
My advice is to start preparing for your wedding as early as possible if conditions allow. I began selecting key vendors—like florist, photographer, and makeup and stylist—a full year in advance. At this point, you’ll find you have plenty of options, and won’t miss out on your first choice due to scheduling conflicts. A wedding is one of the most important events in life, so it’s best to minimise regrets as much as possible.
Over this one-year period, you can also handle unexpected deadlines and unforeseen issues with ease. This includes inviting friends properly, preparing your wedding makeup and styling thoroughly, and getting yourself mentally fully ready for the day. When all preparations meet your idea of perfection, all you need to do next is enjoy the day to the fullest!
IVY & CRAB’S VENDORS
Ceremony & reception: Lindesay House, Sydney
Celebrant: Jimmy – a friend.
Photography: Kinship by Kristy
Videography: Landis Liang
Styling & florist: Chopsticks Studio
Hair & make up: Hiya Makeup-Moon
The dress: Vivienne Westwood 25SS Ada
Shoes: Jimmy Choo – Saeda
Rings: Harry Winston
Suits Lancer Bespoke Tailoring
Catering: Ommis Catering
Bar: Creativity Project
Stationery / signage & decor: Ivy
Hire: Optimum Event Hire
