Real Wedding – Stephanie & Ashton, Melbourne VIC

April 28, 2024 In Black and White, Church, Classic, Luxe, Real Weddings, Victoria By Ivory Tribe

Real Wedding – Stephanie & Ashton, Melbourne VIC

Stephanie and Ashton’s epic Melbourne soirée was a symphony of sophistication and style, an inspired vision that left guests enchanted. Drawing on Steph’s love for luxury fashion, the wedding was a Dior dream, including multiple outfit changes, a selection of Dior accessories, and that breathtaking custom gown by Mariam Seddiq.

Stylist Michael Davey’s artistry transformed the reception into a tableau of timeless elegance awash in hues of shimmering grey, silver, and ivory. Wild Flos’ floral arrangements, punctuated with sweetly sentimental yellow roses, whispered romance throughout the space.
Stationery by Little Duck Calligraphy was a poetic addition, each piece a canvas of custom sketches and monograms, weaving a narrative as personal as it was picturesque.

We love the inspired dessert pop-up shop by Lux Styling Co, a confectionery cabaret featuring monogrammed fairy floss, doughnuts and custom artwork. A surprise Indian performance by Platinum Dholis and Unapologetic Dance Crew, then a dance floor led by no other than Guy Sebastian, infused the soirée with vibrant energy.

Every detail was a testament to Stephanie and Ashton’s discerning taste, creating a wedding that was not just an event but an
experience, a tapestry of style and sentiment woven with finesse, all captured with elevated artistry by Bek Smith Photography.

The meeting.

If you’ve heard of the op shop tagline “Found it at Vinnies” well this story is quite the unique find. Ashton and Stephanie both met volunteering for Vinnies Victoria in their first year of university in 2012.

Taking underprivileged children on kid’s days out – the pair got to know each other while being big kids themselves. They refer to one another as twin flames. By definition, ‘a twin flame is your own soul, shared across what appears to be two physical beings.’ Mirroring each other through life events, interests and values. They just get one another; no words are needed. Steph fell for Ashton’s gentle giant appearance and deep compassion. Ashton was head over heels for Steph’s genuine nature and unconditional love.

From their first date, which Ashton organised at the same location that Steph’s parents got married through surviving lockdown – they have been inseparable for the past four years. Steph has successfully learnt to handle Ash’s sneaker addiction and Ash has come to terms with the fact that he’ll never have closet space.

They officially started dating in 2019 and have been instrumental in each other’s development and healing. Both of them losing their Fathers meant they needed to find ways to honour their presence at every stage of the wedding planning process—with many special tributes to them across the day.

Style inspiration.

From beginning to end, this wedding focused on the love the couple had not only for each other but also for all of their 238 guests.

In a nod to Steph’s passion for luxury fashion, she had a selection of four pairs of bridal Dior shoes, a vintage Dior clutch, custom jewellery by Faith jewels and three epic outfit changes. The reception styling was a Dior-inspired fairy tale.

The details.

The wedding was brought to life by Michael Davey (former Creative Director of Evoke/ Microhire) as the stylist. Wild Flos provided beautiful floristry with special yellow roses, Amika event hire furnished the ballroom, Dann Event hire designed the Bridal and Kings table, Nikos created a sculpturally elegant cake.

Additional features included a “Love that came before us” table, an audio guestbook, and a mirror booth for personalised glamour.

New trend alert—a concept by both Michael and Steph, they created a dessert pop-up shop with Lux Stying Co. Featuring monogrammed fairy floss, popcorn by Floss’d, and Krispy Kreme towers, the custom signage was designed by Lux Stying Co. to keep in the Dior theme of the night.

The decal sketch of the bride and groom in their reception outfits was by fashion illustrator Sarah Darby.

The stationery.

Both lovers of stationery, while this is often a place couples tend to cut back on, these two did not.

Working with Tess Cox, owner of Little Duck Calligraphy, she brought all of their visions to life. Consistency was key to Steph and Ash. Tess created custom sketches of St Patrick’s Cathedral, The Park Hyatt Melbourne and three sketches of their dog, Benji.

Little Duck Calligraphy created a suite of invitations and on-day signage that featured all the personal touches they wanted, from Benji to a yellow rose and their monogram designed by Ash’s brother, a graphic designer.

The invitation suite was all tied together with a hand-dyed silk ribbon and monochromatic wax seal.

The colour palette with hues of grey, silver and ivory was centred around the reception styling – Dior inspired. Simplistic and elegant was the brief.

The outfits.

The wedding dress was a custom Mariam Seddiq bridal gown made from silk mikado. Steph flew up four times across the design process to Sydney, where Mariam crafted a gown of dreams with a 5.5m train and a veil that had a 17m circumference. Mariam made Steph feel incredible.

To honour Steph’s father, the gown included a piece of her Dad’s blue polka dot tie sewn above her heart. The words “With your spirit, I walk” and a yellow rose (her Dad’s favourite) were written into the veil by their bespoke calligrapher, Little Duck Calligraphy.

Steph’s mother also wore custom Mariam Seddiq in periwinkle blue.

In Steph’s words, Mariam is a modern visionary.

By Elora Indian Bridalwear created a showstopper of an outfit for the bride, and a nod to the couple’s heritage – both being Indian. The handmade bridal Lehenga, created by talented artisans in India, featured a modern silk organza skirt with western influences. The outfit, complete with yellow rose and butterfly embroidery, was worn by Steph after a special Father-Daughter dance. Indian brides are embracing more experimental colours and textiles, moving away from the traditional red and gold.

Holly Butler Atelier created a romantic, sparkly statement midi dress out of glitter tulle that picked up the light with every move for the reception dress. With a corset so intricately designed, this look was a perfect way to end the night. Hand-placed crystals in different colours completed the bodice and straps in the colour tones of the Dior silver hells that were worn with it.
An S&A was also created out of crystals and placed at the back of the dress to finish the corset.

Ashton wore a bespoke three-piece suit by Master Tailor Adriano Carbone made from Loro Piana fabric, complemented by Dior Timeless Derby shoes and tie. He proudly wore his newest accessory from his bride – an Omega Moonwatch. He also had an Indian outfit tailored by Studio Bassam in India with a Nehru jacket in the undertones of Steph’s lehenga. For the end of the night, he wore a black shirt and vest with chinos and Nike Air Jordan 1s.

All bridesmaids wore custom gowns made by Lyn Wilson, a dressmaker in Mornington, Victoria. The main feature of the satin dress was the exaggerated tie at the back, which draped down their backs. Lynn also made the groomsman’s ties out of the same fabric as the dresses, and she made the gorgeous custom flower girls’ dresses. The groomsmen’s suits were from Politix and each wore a yellow buttonhole rose as well as a pair of Happy Socks which were gifted by the groom and made a statement.

The entire bridal party also changed into Indian attire.

The jewellery.

Steph, a girl who loves jewellery, collaborated with renowned Faith Jewels in Melbourne to create the perfect bridal look. They re-designed a pair of earrings from her “Whispers of Love” collection, featuring a wing-shaped design to represent angel wings and a cross necklace to symbolise Steph’s faith. Both pieces featured yellow diamonds, honouring Steph’s father’s favourite colour.

Steph and Ashton’s wedding bands were from Tiffany & Co., and they even had their Sales Associate attend the wedding after becoming very close during the engagement ring selection process. Steph also received a Tiffany & Co. necklace from her bridesmaids the morning of the wedding.

In addition, Steph adored her wrists with a Van Cleef & Arpels vintage Alhambra Bracelet with five motifs in white gold and mother of pearl.

Favourite moments.

Chris and Guy Sebastian, both cousins of Steph, were truly the cherry on top of what was an epic wedding reception. Chris with eldest brother Ollie on keys and the Father-Daughter dance tribute to Steph’s Dad, who she called Papa Bear. There was not a dry eye in the room.

A video montage created by Martin Dinh Creative with digitally remastered 90s home movie footage of Steph and her Dad was the perfect accessory to this intimate moment.

Guy performed his hit Believer for the couple’s first dance, which transported guests into the Bridgerton books, choreographed by Ash’s groomsman. A welcome addition was Guy’s entire band, who graced the stage to create a true vibe.

A nod to their Indian heritage saw the entire bridal party change into Indian attire and re-enter the Ballroom with Platinum Dholi’s six most talented drummers and five incredible dancers from Unapologetic Dance Crew. This was a complete surprise to the guests, who were happily caught off guard when the room faded to black, only to be reset in a world of colour.

For the ultimate in luxe additions attainable to many budgets, consider a champagne tower. Aesthetically impactful, stylish and indisputably joyful, a champagne tower brings the fun and style to every soiree. Read our tips as to what to consider when planning your blissed-up bubbly moment.

STEPH & ASH’S VENDORS

Photographer Bek Smith, alongside videographers Clique Films and social media content creators By Jumeirah, were chosen by the couple for their creativity and nature. To the couple, these were the most important roles on the day, and they can confidently say they’ve now all formed friendships for life.

Ceremony venue: St Patricks Cathedral, Melbourne.

Reception venue: The Park Hyatt, Melbourne

Photography: Bek Smith. Bek’s work as a global editorial wedding photographer is both unique and alluring – making you want to know more behind the image’s moment in time. It was how she made the couple feel from their first interaction that meant they knew she was their photographer.

Cinematography: Clique Films. Clique Films produce not your typical videography, they are visual storytellers and capture the true essence of their couples. Together with Bek, they really focs on the moveing parts of what is a jam-packed day. The didn’t miss a beat.

Social media content creator: By Jumeirah. By Jumeirah only launched her business last year but Steph and Ash believed in her and she’s caught all those little interactions that are priceless.

Stylist: Michael Davey

Florals: Wild Flos

Ceremony dress: Mariam Seddiq

Suit: Adriano Carbone Master Tailor

Indian Leghenga: By Elora

Reception dress: Holly Butler

Jewellery: Faith Jewels, Tiffany & Co

Make-up: Isabella Quinn Make Up, Jenifer In

Hair: Ella’s Bridal Hair

Bride’s robe & slip: Sant Elia Sydney

Pyjamas: Le Rose

Stationery & signage: Little Duck Calligraphy