Real Wedding – Kelly & Jackson, Fitzroy VIC
Kelly and Jackson’s Fri-yay fiesta packed unrivaled personality and a pop of ‘I do’ inspired disco.
The dazzling duo took over Gertrude Street, Fitzroy, and decided to stick to their local pit stops – an espresso at Marios and a game of pool at Punters Club – for their fun-filled first look and wedding party snaps.
Bucking tradition in favour of formalities that felt more ‘them’, the pair entered their ceremony hand in hand to the kind of unbridled applause usually reserved for the reception.
Kelly wore a figure-hugging strapless gown with a lightweight, free-flowing scarf as a fashion-forward alternative to a veil. Both were lovingly handmade by the supremely talented team at D’Italia Couture who finished the frock at ankle length to allow Kelly’s eye-catching gold platforms to punctuate the look.
When it came to guest experience, the couple prioritised the foundations like good food and drink first, before adding unique sprinklings of heart and humour through items such as personalised polaroids used as place cards.
The epic celebrations were captured by larger-than-life lens legend Jackson Grant whose artistic eye and unmatched energy oozes from every frame.
The meeting.
We met many, many years ago in the line to the Nevermind (a dive bar in Hawthorn) through mutual friends. It definitely wasn’t love at first sight, but quite quickly, we became an inseparable pair. Growing up 500m from each other, attending the same university and our parents now swearing we did baby swimming lessons together, it seems our paths crossed long before the line at Nevermind.
The ‘one’.
When you’ve found a best friend in your partner, there’s really nothing else to say. We were best friends long before actually dating, but that builds the foundations for someone you want to spend all of life’s ups and downs with.
The proposal.
Very casually, a beautiful bespoke Lucy Folk ring was used on a very special beach called Sunnymeade – down in Fairhaven, Victoria – where we have a family beach house. A place that was already filled with amazing memories but now holds the most special of them all.
Planning process.
We really wanted something that represented US. We didn’t want to follow tradition if it wasn’t connected to how we felt. We had lots of discussions about how it made us feel as a partnership, more so than the wedding itself, and from that came such a special and unique day. We tried to have a personal touch at every avenue (down to each guest having a personalised polaroid photo/magnet as their name tag). However, we also didn’t want to be overloaded with tasks, so we wanted to keep it minimal too. Good food and good drink were so important to us, so Cutler and Co was always a dream as it has both – as well as a spectacular service and a beautiful venue within walking distance of our home in Fitzroy.
We also love the area of Fitzroy – it really has become home, and it has so much to offer, so finding Jackson Grant, our photographer who understood that dream, was just the perfect fit! He understood we wanted to look like we were getting married but also having fun whilst doing it. He made the venue and the area of Fitzroy shine, but he also made us look great – what more could you want?!
Style inspiration.
Personal, minimal, sleek and also a pop of fun/disco. There’s so much great real-life inspiration online these days, but word of mouth was also huge for us. We wanted to work with people who came highly recommended by our nearest and dearest, who had worked with them before.
The ceremony.
Our ceremony was special because a friend of a friend was the celebrant. Morgan was incredible and really put so much effort in to personalise every word. She had the crowd cheering and laughing – we wanted the vibe to be high, and she nailed it. Writing our own vows (more like a speech to each other) also really personalised the moment, and we’ve been told there was barely a dry eye in the house.
The outfits.
Kelly – I wore a figure-hugging strapless dress with ruching across the front and dropping straight down to finish just at the ankles, leaving gold platform shoes to pop. Finished with a light weight flowing scarf to act as a somewhat veil for the ceremony. Finding the right dress is really an impossible task. I was finding lots that were close, but not quite perfect. So, being recommended D’Italia Couture was great because they help you make exactly what you have in mind, and for a very reasonable cost. I was paired with an incredible dress maker Dragana and she worked wonders, even down to helping me shorten the length so my gold shoes would pop at the bottom, two days before the wedding. A change I am so glad I did, as it felt far more me! Which I think is a really important feeling to remember.
Jackson – I got my first real tailored suit from P Johnson four years ago, so it made sense to go to them for this one. Tom from their city store has been doing this for a long time and is an absolute pro. I wanted a cream tuxedo jacket with black pants to which he knew exactly what to do and stepped me through it with ease and always a few good stories.
Favourite moments.
Walking into our ceremony together. Walking in to all our favourite people, the vibe was so high, we couldn’t wipe the smiles off our faces. Our motto all along was ‘this is something we are choosing to do together’, and from that very first moment, we felt connected on our day. We also sat on a table just us two, and that was super special, a detail we are so glad we chose.
Meaning of marriage.
Even after dating for 14 years, we can make commitments and promises to continue to support, love, thrive and grow from here. There is so much more love to give and life to live, and showing all your loved ones that is so very special. Also, it was a chance to have one hell of a party! (We love a party)
Wedding soundtrack.
Aisle entry: Lovely Day by Bill Withers
Aisle exit: Best Of My Love by The Emotions
Reception entry: Love At First Sight by Kylie Minogue
Words of wisdom.
Don’t ever forget WHY you are getting married. It can be so easy to get caught up in the ‘event’, but really it is about you and your partner and your forever together. If you lead with that, an amazing, beautiful day will be created, and your guests will feel it. There’s nothing more special than that. Also, remember you don’t have to do anything; do what feels right and meaningful to you both.
KELLY & JACKSON’S SUPPLIERS:
Ceremony venue: North Gallery
Reception venue, bar & catering: Cutler & Co
Celebrant: Morgan Kiely
Photography: Jackson Grant
Florist: Pomp & Splendour
Hair: Tonic Agency
Make-up: Georgia Glenn
The dress: D’Italia
Shoes: Husk
Rings: Lucy Folk
Suit & tie: P Johnson
Entertainment: Joey Lightbulb
Honeymoon: Noosa
