Real Wedding – Madeleine & Ryan, Melbourne CBD VIC
There’s something so special about an intimate wedding and when Madeleine and Ryan came to the decision to only have a small number of their nearest and dearest attend their big day, they stuck to their guns, and what resulted was a soiree they will never forget.
Wed at the Old Treasury Building in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, it was an emotional ceremony filled with tears and smiles as they formally sealed the deal.
Despite the rain, they headed for a fun photoshoot with their photographer, Szilvi of You Naturally Photography, and there was plenty of laughter and joy as they celebrated the commitment they had just made.
Their reception had a romantic dinner party feel. The simple styling – complete with an abundance of candles and vibrant pops of pink, complemented the beautiful space perfectly.
Every aspect of the day was completely about Madeleine and Ryan and their favourite people, and it doesn’t get much more perfect than that.
The meeting.
We met close to nine years ago at Cheers night club through mutual friends, I was 19, and Ryan was 21 years old. We have been together ever since.
The one.
When I was 21, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and Ryan was there through all of the shock, anger, and sadness. I knew if we could get through that and learn how to adjust to that, then we could go through anything life throws at us.
The proposal.
Ryan and I love wineries and wine regions, his family background is in wine. Ryan had organized a weekend away to the Yarra Valley in January 2019. He had organized to go hot air ballooning (through Balgownie Estate, where we stayed as well) on the 3rd of January. Once we were above the clouds watching the most beautiful sunrise Ryan tapped me on the shoulder and I turned around and he was on one knee with the most stunning ring and asked me to marry him. Once we finished the balloon ride, we had a champagne breakfast to celebrate.
Planning process.
Our wedding day was set in motion quite quickly. After approximately 6 months of just enjoying being engaged, over a coffee date, we decided on a date for the wedding. We decided that we wanted something early in 2020 and landed on either February 1st or February 8th.
Style inspiration.
Both Ryan and I really strived for an intimate, romantic dinner party feel. We created this by having an abundance of candles, and pops of pinks throughout the entire venue.
Every decision that was made, was made around the fact that we wanted all our guests to feel the love and laughter in the room and to have our nearest and dearest present.
The outfit.
Because we were having an intimate wedding, only 43 guests, I wanted my style to be understated elegance. I went to a couple of bridal boutiques with my mum and bridesmaids to try on dresses, but I didn’t find the one.
However, one morning with mum I went to an Australian designer Hexie. Harmony creates beautiful silhouette slip gowns made from a Japanese silk satin. Her style was gorgeous and timeless, she showed me some new designs including the Lennox gown which I feel in love with. My mum cried and I felt like a million dollars and I knew this would complement the overall styling and feel of our wedding day!
Favourite moment.
Our wedding speeches. We had 5 speeches at our wedding and each one was so heartfelt it was so beautiful to hear people recount old stories and well wishes.
Meaning of marriage.
Marriage means you have a teammate and partner to go through life with, having the same goals together and striving for them together. Someone who loves you unconditionally.
Wedding soundtrack.
Aisle: Acoustic piano version of For an Angel by Paul Van Dye
Reception entry (Ryan and I surprised all the guests with a grand entry that turned into our first dance): Only One by Yellow Card
Funny stories or near disasters.
Approximately 15 minutes before I had to leave our suite at the Windsor Hotel, I was changing my tragus studs to a small diamond huggie However, my right tragus stud wouldn’t come loose. It was all hands-on deck, I had my mum, aunty, bridesmaids, and a couple of close friends trying to get this stud out and we had to call the reception desk and ask for a pair of pliers so we could essentially cut the stud out. Within the nick of time, we got the stud loose and I could put in the diamond huggie hoop and hop off to the registry office.
Planning surprises.
Seating charts, they’re tricky business!
Words of wisdom.
It sounds cliché but do what you and your fiancé want to do! We wanted a very small intimate celebration and we are so glad we stuck to our guns. Everyone will give you advice, but you will know how you want to spend your day so don’t worry about what everyone else says as long as you have your love there on the day all be fine.
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MADELEINE AND RYAN’S VENDORS
Ceremony venue: The Margaret Craig room, at The Old Treasury Building
Reception venue: The Wallis & Ed room, at the Hotel Windsor in Melbourne
Photography: The amazing Szilvi, You Naturally Photography
Styling: Bride
Florist: Flawless Flowers
Hair: Amy Bysouth
Make Up: Amy Bysouth
The Dress(es): Hexie
Shoes: One-Day Bridal x Alias Mae
Rings: Elemental Charm based in the US
Bridal Jewellery: Pearl drop earrings by Grace Loves Lace
Bridesmaid’s dresses: Hexie
Groom’s attire: Hugo Boss
Catering: Hotel Windsor
Bar: Hotel Windsor, However, we had a special toast with Ryan’s family wine, Gracedale, during the speeches which was incredibly special.
Cake / Cake topper: Natasha, The Cake I Make.
Stationery / Signage: Wedding invitations were created by laadedar designs and they were so beautiful it was where the pink theme started. Name tags were created to sit on the edge of the wine glasses and were created by Logie Paperie based in the US.
We also had a bright pink neon sign “The Gutchs” by Little Pineapple which was so much fun
Décor: extreme amount of candles at the reception and then pops of pinks throughout
Honeymoon: Yarra Valley for a mini-moon.
