Real Wedding – Mon & Rob, Mornington VIC

Mon and Rob ooze effortless chic style, ultra cool vibes and a smouldering sense of sassy playfulness that we cannot get enough of.

Keeping their wedding a surprise under the guise of an engagement party made for minimal stress but absolute maximum excitement. The theme leant into the dramatic in the best way, too, with a bold colour palette of rich vermillion and magenta accented with black typography and ivory detailing. Inspired by Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet, Memoirs of a Geisha and Dark Mofo, this is one vibrant affair that isn’t afraid to go bold, blissed-up and stunningly spectacular.

For us, the reactions on the guest’s faces as they realised what they were really there to celebrate had the tears welling up. Every sweet emotion is captured to perfection by visual artist Love Bomb Photos, who then took the newlyweds on a late-night portrait session to remember – champagne, dark sunglasses and electric energy gave absolute movie star vibes – and we’re here for every stunning frame.

Scroll on to see all the dramatically stunning moments unfold.

The meeting.

We were set up! One of my best friends was dating Rob’s brother at the time (they’re now married, which is just the best), and they played Cupid. We were very well suited to each other in that early phase because neither one of us was looking for commitment. But I now recognise that the glacial pace we moved at in the beginning was the very thing that built the solid foundations we’re on now.

The ‘one’.

Oh, there are lots of moments, and mostly it’s a combo of all the things together that makes me know Rob is the one. I guess a lightbulb one for me was when he would come by my office on his day off to collect my keys so he could take my dog for a walk and hang out with him.

The proposal.

He had planned to propose when we were away camping in Bright in Victoria’s Alpine region. But there had been a miscommunication on the dates, and the ring wasn’t ready for that weekend. Looking back on it now, I’m really glad it worked out that way because, after that, I had mentally kicked the can down the road for at least another six months, so when he proposed two weeks later when we were in Red Hill for his birthday I was completely shocked.

Planning process.

We decided from the get-go we would have an engagement party turn into a surprise wedding. While I adore big white weddings, I never really wanted that for me, and fortunately, Rob felt the same.

We got engaged in June, and we were married by November, and the planning process and lead-up were completely cruisey because no one was clued into what was going on.

With it being a surprise, we only told three people in advance – my mum and her twin sister and my cousin, who’s like a sister to me. We would have told Rob’s mum too, but she herself confesses that she wouldn’t be able to keep a secret to save herself, and loose lips sink ships!

Style inspiration. 

Gothic romance with flare. Think Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet meets Dark Mofo meets Memoirs of a Geisha.

I couldn’t do too much web sleuthing because then I’d get served a bunch of Google ads for weddings which almost blew my cover on numerous occasions! I loved browsing Instagram and saving things to different folders for reference.

The ceremony.

There’s a different current in the air when everyone’s buzzing off a surprise. It’s like you’re riding a wave of everyone’s excitement and overwhelming love at that moment, and I really remember feeling that around us. The room was completely embracing the moment and embracing us too.

The outfit. 

My engagement party outfit was a nod to my Asian heritage. It had these dramatic sleeves that almost looked like a kimono shrugged off my shoulders.

My wedding dress was made for me in Vietnam after I figured out what styles looked right on my body. I wore a pair of Manolo Blahniks that I’d bought with my mum when we’d gone on a shopping trip to New York.

Rob’s jacket had a black, navy and bronze floral jacquard patterning – it was moody and fit into that gothic romance vibe while being so him at the same time. He was always too unique to do a simple tux, and I love that about him.

Favourite moments.

There were 30mins before everyone arrived when we’d finished all of our couple photography, and I’d changed back into my engagement party outfit and Rob and I both sat down and had a margarita before it all started.

Meaning of marriage.

Before I met Rob, I actually never wanted to get married; it wasn’t something I ever really saw for me. But being married to Rob – who means the absolute world to me – makes marriage a complete and utter joy. It’s the joy of realising that someone who you would move mountains for would equally move them for you too.

Wedding soundtrack.

Aisle: Blood, Gang of Youths cover

Announced husband and wife: I believe in a thing called love by The Darkness

Recessional: A girl like you by Edwyn Collins

Funny stories or near disasters.

We got paranoid and thought a few people had sussed out that it was a wedding – so we made some hugely elaborate cover story that we were eloping in June and showed people places in Italy and France to throw them off the scent.

Planning surprises.

I thought it was going to be more stressful than what it was. You hear so many brides-to-be saying how stressed they are, but that really never came.

Words of wisdom.

You can get hung up on the small things if you let it. Planning a wedding is meant to be fun. My only advice is to bring yourself back to the centre from time to time and remember the bigger picture. It’s less about the wedding and more about the marriage to your person.

It’s one of the big decision when planning a wedding – who to have in your wedding party, or whether to have one at all? We’re here with the answers so you can make the call on doing it solo style, or bringing along your besties.

MON & ROB’S VENDORS

Ceremony & reception venue: Casa De Playa, Mornington

Celebrant:  A Stand Up Celebrant. We googled “Melbourne celebrants that aren’t stuffy or too mushy”, and we found Paul. He was INCREDIBLE. Everyone commented on how great he was, and so many people thought he was actually a friend of ours because of how comfortable he was.

Photography: Love Bomb Photos. Hailey, I cannot even begin to tell you how much of an impact Hailey had on our day. She put us both in this state of ease and just captured us, the moments and allllllll the emotions of the day. I’m so thankful for everything she did for us.

Florist: Full Bloom Co. Erin created the blooms of my dreams!

Hair: Amy Monty at Hair By Jess Lewis

Make-up: Lauren McGill MUA

The dress: Made bespoke in Vietnam

Shoes: Manolo Blahnik & some glitter clogs for dancing

Rings: Engagement ring made by our family jeweller. Weddings bands by Grew & Co

Suit: ASOS

Catering & bar: Casa De Playa

Entertainment: Leon Duncan Music

Nail artist: She Does Nails