Real Wedding – Steph & Charlie, Sorrento VIC
Picture this: you’re under the stars on Victoria’s Sorrento beach performing your first dance as family and friends surround you, sparklers in hand, singing along enthusiastically to Harry Style’s Golden.
This moment of wedding day bliss belonged to newlyweds Charlie and Steph, whose vision for a timeless, elegant, coastal chic celebration was beautifully realised.
The indoor ceremony at The Continental Hotel looked anything but a weather-proof ‘plan B’ with the masterful White Shutter Photography on hand to capture both the aesthetic and emotion.
The couple made considered styling decisions to compliment the coastal surrounds in a contemporary way, with blue florals and bridesmaid dresses an on-trend nod to the hues of the ocean.
The chic sophistication oozing from their nuptials is perhaps best represented by the epic poolside portraits of the wedding party, reminiscent of a Slim Aarons masterpiece.
From the engagement to outfit hunting, to wedding-eve and the big day itself, Charlie and Steph found every element of their journey down the aisle could be made more enjoyable when shared with the ones they love most.
Dive in to discover how their spectacular seaside soiree came to life.
The meeting.
We were both living overseas in London enjoying the freedom of travelling Europe and working in the UK, I was at work one day when I let my friend play on my Tinder. She was like “oooh I just matched you with a really cute Aussie boy from Melbourne”, I quickly grabbed the phone off her and was pleasantly surprised to see Charlie looking very handsome and all suited up at Wimbledon in his profile pic. We hit it off immediately and ended up going on lots of fabulous dates around London. The rest, as they say, is history.
The ‘one’.
We knew we’d found our person pretty early on. We just clicked from the moment we met, we had so much fun together in London, and then when we both returned home and met each other’s families and friends it all just felt so right.
The proposal.
Charlie proposed on a staycation in the city, I did not see it coming and was so excited and happy. After the question had been popped, he lead me up to the QT rooftop where our families were waiting with champagne. We spent the night partying and when the sun went down Charlie surprised me with our closest friends who also arrived to join us on the rooftop – it was like an instant engagement party and the best night.
Planning process.
It was fun. We both did most of it together, although Charlie wasn’t too fussed about flowers so I took the lead on that one. We tried to use as many local suppliers as we could and took lots of recommendations from our reception venue The Baths. They were absolutely incredible to deal with. They made the process so smooth and easy. We also loved our hens and bucks parties, the anticipation leading up to the wedding is such fun in itself. Even the night before the wedding was fabulous. Charlie had an Airbnb with his family and closest mates and I had one with my bridesmaids and family. Such an exciting lead up to one of life’s great milestones.
Style inspiration.
The goal was coastal chic, timeless and elegant. We wanted to give a nod to the beauty of the coast in our styling decisions, like the blue and white florals to pay homage to the gorgeous colour of the ocean in Sorrento. The blue bridesmaid dresses also acted as my “something blue” and tied in perfectly with the flowers. The bridesmaids and I wore pearl earrings, another nod to the wonders of the ocean. We wanted to the day to feel bright and happy!
The ceremony.
Our ceremony was so beautiful, we originally wanted to have it on the sunset terrace at The Continental Hotel but it was quite windy and had been raining on and off the week of the wedding so we decided to pivot and have it indoors and it was absolutely beautiful. It felt so intimate and special – and no one had to worry about their hair being messed up in the wind. I loved walking down the aisle with my dad seeing Charlie beaming at the other end. And all our friends and family filling the room with love. Our celebrant Emma made the ceremony so fun and engaging, she told our story beautifully and the room was filled with such laughter. To me as the bride, it felt surreal – Charlie and I were holding hands and giggling the whole time, so excited to start this next chapter together. Afterwards we all spilled out onto the sunset terrace for the canape and cocktail hour and the sun came out which was absolutely perfect.
The look.
My wedding dress was the third one I tried on. I remember gasping as I put it on and I immediately loved it. Every dress I tried on after that didn’t compare so I went back and snapped it up. I still remember how special it was going with my mum to find my dress. We had such a wonderful day together, a memory I will cherish forever. Charlie got his suit and his groomsmen’s suits custom made at YSG Tailors in Richmond. He described it as such a fun process, they were well looked after watching the footy and drinking beers, playing pool all whilst being measured. It was a really fun experience.
Favourite moments.
Definitely seeing each other for the first time walking down the aisle, it’s such a surreal moment in your life, we both felt so happy and so in love in that moment. And then our first dance was epic. We’d rehearsed a small dance to Harry Style’s Golden and we performed it on the beach under the stars surrounded by all our beautiful friends and family who had sparklers. When everyone joined in after our “lift” moment where Charlie picked me up and spun me around, it just felt like the greatest, happiest, moment of our lives. Everyone we love here with us, celebrating our love and singing at the top of their lungs to the iconic Harry Styles (who we both love).
Meaning of marriage.
Having a best friend by your side no matter what. Someone to enjoy this life with, someone you can always trust and love, someone to create a beautiful home and family with – a true partnership and team to take on the world.
Wedding soundtrack.
Aisle: Have I Told You Lately by Van Morrison for the bridesmaids and Your Song by Elton John for the bride entrance. Both played by a string quartet.
Reception entry: Levels by Avicii
First dance: Golden by Harry Styles
Words of wisdom.
Try not to sweat the small stuff! The day ends up being perfect and so full of love that you hardly notice all the details. You will remember it as the greatest, most incredible day regardless.
For more blue-hued beauty, read on here Something Blue: Adding a Touch of Tradition to Your Wedding Day – Ivory Tribe
STEPH AND CHARLIE’S SUPPLIERS:
Ceremony venue: The Continental Hotel Sorrento
Reception venue: The Baths Sorrento
Celebrant: Emma Tomlinson
Photography: White Shutter Photography – Anne is not only an amazing photographer but an amazing human to have with you on your wedding day! She is such a bubbly, fun and enthusiastic person who truly wants you to have the best day! This translates through her images, she captures the most raw, candid emotions and all the special moments that happen. My husband and I instantly felt like Anne was a friend of ours and we loved having her photograph our wedding. We will cherish the pictures forever.
Videography: Zephyr Productions
Florist: Poppy Culture
Hair: Hayley Mac (Tonic Agency)
Make-up: Eleanna Hingston (Tonic Agency)
The dress: Raffaele Ciuca
Veil / headwear : Bride’s mum’s
Earrings: Christie Nicolaides
Shoes: Bared Footwear
Rings: Jewels of Hawthorn
Bridesmaid’s dresses: Shona Joy
Suits and ties: YSG Tailors
Cake: Lamanna
Stationery: Little Print
Entertainment: Four Seasons String Quartet (ceremony and cocktail hour) and Angus and Joey (via Unplugged Entertainment)
Honeymoon: The Maldives
