A vintage European garden party in chartreuse
Madi and Charlie’s wedding is one that truly has to be seen to be believed. While the day marked the beginning of their forever, it was equally a celebration of their guests – an experience thoughtfully designed to be shared, savoured and remembered.
Set against the sweeping backdrop of Barunah Plains, the festivities began with a poolside welcome dinner, immediately immersing guests in the couple’s “Vintage European Garden Party” vision.
Their ceremony, led by stellar celebrant Elizabeth Graham, brought that vision to life in the most romantic way – with sculptural Roman urns and elegant French-style seating setting the tone for what was to come. Charlie looked sharp in a black-tie tux by InStitchu (even sneaking in a jacket change later), while Madi kept guests on their toes with three outfit changes, each perfectly suited to the moment.
As a wedding stylist herself (The Event Quarter), Madi brought a clear and confident creative direction, balancing elevated details with a relaxed, inviting feel. A palette of bright greens and chartreuse added freshness and vibrancy, carried seamlessly throughout every touchpoint of the celebration.
From styling to experience, every element felt intentional, layered and effortlessly refined, without ever losing its sense of personality. Think a 1940s Jaguar arrival into their reception, live pasta stations, and a dance floor kept alive by our friends at Melbourne Entertainment Co.
Behind the lens, Ash Haase captured it all with a timeless, editorial eye – preserving every moment of a celebration that unfolded with both style and soul.
The meeting.
We met in December 2020, a time that felt quite unexpected yet perfectly timed for both of us. What started as a simple connection quickly grew into something so much deeper, and from the very beginning, there was an ease and comfort between us that just felt right. Looking back, it feels like everything aligned exactly as it was meant to, and that moment marked the beginning of everything we now share.
The one.
We knew we’d found the one when everything between us felt genuinely effortless. There was no pressure to be anything other than ourselves, and being together just felt easy, natural, and calm. Even in the early stages, there was a sense of comfort and certainty that I hadn’t experienced before. We balance each other in a way that makes everything work, like yin and yang. Where one of us is strong, determined and hardworking, the other is softer, relaxed and takes it as it comes, and it works just perfectly for us.
The proposal.
Charlie proposed in September 2024 in the most magical setting imaginable in Cappadocia, Turkey. We were on a rooftop at sunrise, overlooking the incredible landscape filled with hot air balloons. It felt completely surreal, like something out of a movie. The breathtaking view made it feel so intimate and it was the kind of moment you feel like you’re in a movie! He just couldn’t have picked a more perfect moment. He hired a professional photographer, and we now have the most beautiful memories to look back on with him down on one knee.
Planning process.
Our wedding planning process was a long one, but it was something I truly loved being immersed in. As a wedding stylist myself, I naturally leaned into creating a day that was incredibly thoughtful and detail-driven, with a strong focus on the overall guest experience. There were so many DIY elements involved, which made the process both challenging and rewarding, but it allowed us to bring our vision to life in such a personal way.
We started by securing our beautiful venue, which became the foundation for every decision that followed, and carefully selected vendors who aligned with the aesthetic and atmosphere we wanted to create.
Every element was considered with intention, ensuring the day felt cohesive, immersive, and truly unforgettable for everyone involved.
Style inspiration.
Our style inspiration was centred around a “Vintage European Garden Party” aesthetic, which guided every creative decision throughout the planning process. We have been to Europe every year since we met. This style and aesthetic made us think of the beautiful European vacations we experienced together, some of our best memories yet. We wanted this wedding to feel just like that to our guests both through aesthetic and vibe!
We were also drawn to timeless elegance while incorporating bright greens and chartreuse tones to bring a fresh and vibrant feel to the day.
The vision was to create something that felt both elevated and relaxed like stepping into a beautifully curated European garden celebration. From the florals to the styling details, everything was designed to feel cohesive, layered, and effortlessly refined while still being full of personality.
The ceremony.
Our ceremony was truly breathtaking, set outdoors at Barunah Plains in a unique angled layout that no other couple had used before. We intentionally designed the space to highlight the stunning homestead and its vine-covered walls. One of the key reasons we fell in love with the venue in the first place!
To complement the setting, we incorporated a live cello player, which created a beautifully romantic atmosphere, alongside French-style chairs and Roman urns to seamlessly tie in our European-inspired aesthetic.
Surrounded by our closest family and friends, the ceremony felt incredibly special from start to finish. One of the most meaningful moments was having our nieces and nephews lead the way down the aisle as our flower girls and ring bearers. It added such a personal and heartfelt touch.
We exited the ceremony to one of our favourite artists, which made the moment feel even more “us,” and set the tone for what was an unforgettable celebration.
The outfits.
I tried on close to 100 dresses over a span of 3 months before finding the one, keeping an open mind to a variety of styles, fabrics, and silhouettes while still having a clear vision of what I was drawn to. Each appointment helped refine that vision, but I always knew the feeling I was searching for.
When I finally found the right dress, I made it uniquely mine by completely transforming the fabric to an ivory Mikado. I fell in love with its subtle sheen, structured finish, and the softness of the off-white tone. it elevated the entire design and made the dress feel both timeless and distinctly personal. They were all designed to take me through different moments of the day, each with its own feel while still tying together seamlessly.
My first dress was the timeless ivory mikado strapless corset gown with a full, voluminous skirt, paired with a delicate lace-covered veil and a mikado silk scarf for a modern touch. For the next look, I changed into a more relaxed and sleek A-line skirt with a lace corset, which felt romantic and effortless. To finish the night, I embraced a party energy with a mini sequin dress perfect for dancing.
Charlie complemented this beautifully, starting in a classic black-tie tuxedo before later changing into a white dinner jacket, adding a fresh change to the evening celebrations.
Favourite moment.
One of the most memorable moments of the entire day was walking down the aisle and seeing each other, surrounded by all our loved ones who had come together to celebrate with us. It was such an overwhelming and emotional moment, in the best possible way, and something we will never forget.
Another highlight was making our reception entrance in an incredible old-school, rare 1940s ivory Jaguar. Being able to drive it into the reception space created such a unique and unforgettable experience, and it really set the tone for the celebration that followed.
Meaning of marriage.
Marriage is waking up every day beside the person you love and trust. The person who brings out the very best version of you. It’s having someone who offers unwavering support, who finds the light in every situation, and who constantly lifts you up, making you feel valued and seen. It’s the person who makes you laugh day in and day out, and who stands beside you through everything, both physically and emotionally, through all of life’s highs and lows. At its heart, marriage is your partnership, your safe place, and your person – the one you choose to build a future with, every single day.
Wedding soundtrack.
Guests taking their seats before ceremony: Canon in D
Aisle (flower girls & ring bearers): Until I Found You by Stephen Sanchez
Aisle: Wildest Dreams the Bridgerton Version
Signing (string quartet): Somewhere Only We Knew by Keane
Recessional: Still by Luke Combs (starting at 37 seconds)
Reception entry (wedding party): Che La Luna by Louis Prima
Reception entry (Bride/Groom): Jubel by Klingande (on sax)
Cheese wheel: Stompin’ at the Savoy by Benny Goodman
Cake: Come Prima by Tony Dallara
Father/Daughter dance: I Loved Her First (wedding version) by Dawson
First dance: In Case You Didn’t Know by Brett Young
Opening the dancefloor: Prada by Casso, RAYE & D-Block Europe
Third outfit intro song/ tequila & burger entrance: Bella Ciao by El Profesor & Hugel
Funny stories (or near disasters).
No disasters, thankfully!
We did have to consider whether we needed to hire a marquee last minute (the week of), which was quite stressful as we knew it would be a 6k mistake if we didn’t end up needing it. This was our last resort; we very strongly wanted the outdoor wedding and were only going to set the marquee if it was 100% raining. We crossed our fingers and toes and didn’t hire the marquee… meaning we could have made a 100k mistake! But all turned out absolutely amazing. We are so glad we stuck to our guns and kept our plan for the outdoor wedding, ceremony, reception, and all.
Planning surprises.
Probably the sheer number of decisions that need to be made and tasks that need to be done in the final month. It really does feel endless, while the major decisions may be locked in early, there’s always that final month filled with countless small details to finalise. The key is to trust your instincts, avoid overthinking, and focus on what feels right. At that point, you’ve already done the hard work so it’s about backing your choices and letting everything come together.
Words of wisdom.
Probably much the same as above. Trying not to get too overwhelmed in that final month and reminding yourself that it will all come together as it’s meant to. There are always things outside of your control, especially when it comes to other people, so the focus should be on what you can control. Creating a day that feels true to you.
Most importantly, centre it around marrying the love of your life. Be intentional about spending as much time as possible with your partner, staying present, and truly soaking in each moment. The day goes so quickly, so taking the time to pause and appreciate it all makes it even more special.
Madi and Charlie’s Vendors
Ceremony and reception venue: Barunah Plains
Celebrant: Elizabeth Graham
Photography: Ashleigh Haase Photography
Styling, decor & florals: The Event Quarter
Hair: Studio 2 Makeup & Hair
Make-up: Sara Russell
The dresses:: Raffaele Ciuca Designer: Jessica Couture
Veil / headwear: Made With Love Bridal
Shoes: Billini
Bridesmaid’s dresses: Sheike, Rat and Boa, Revolve
Suits: Institchu
Catering: Italian Chef
Bar: Havana Caravan Bar
Cake: Italian Chef
Stationery / Signage: The Event Quarter
Entertainment: Cellist – Anita Quayle DJ – Melb Entertainment Co
Chairs & umbrellas: Elderberry Events
Chairs & dancefloor: Friday Hire
Table Cloths: Table Art
Content: I Do Socials
Bouquets: Blooms By Till
Honeymoon: Jawakara Maldives Resort
