Cassandra + Charlie by Dean Snushall Photography

The mood was all about soft, romantic lighting and understated sophistication.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

We’re Cassandra and Charlie! I’m a fine jewellery designer, and Charlie is a youth worker/mentor. Together, we’re really passionate about health and wellness—it’s something that connects us and flows into our daily lives. We love spending time outdoors, whether that’s going on weekend bike rides, walks, or just being surrounded by nature. At the same time, we’re just as happy having a cozy night in, cooking together, and enjoying each other’s company. Balance is so important to us, and we find joy in both the little everyday moments and the bigger adventures.

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

One day, I was driving into work and stopped to grab a coffee at a new little coffee shop that had opened, called Brown Charlie, here in Adelaide. I was greeted by a gorgeous, smiling barista who was also the owner – it was Charlie! We were friends for 3.5 years, and then we grew closer at the end of 2022 when he declared his love for me.

Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes etc.).

For our wedding, I wanted something elegant and timeless with a very minimal, refined aesthetic. We decided early on that we didn’t want any florals on the table—just one long table lined with lots of candles to create a warm, intimate glow throughout the reception. The mood was all about soft, romantic lighting and understated sophistication, letting the simplicity of the design and, of course, the Tuscan venue speak for itself. The focus was on creating an atmosphere that felt cozy and inviting, yet elegant, where our guests could really connect and enjoy the evening. Everything else—from the colour palette to the styling—was kept neutral and classic, so the candles and the natural beauty of the space could really shine.

What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).

The venue, Valle Di Badia, was absolutely stunning and really set the tone with its true Tuscan charm. It had so much natural beauty that we didn’t need to add much to it. The highlight for us was how the candles lit up the long table so beautifully, plus we were under the avenue of stars, lined with trees of fairy lights, so dreamy and romantic, a truly intimate atmosphere that perfectly complemented the surroundings. The simplicity of the styling allowed the venue itself to shine, and the combination of the Tuscan backdrop with the candlelight made the whole evening feel magical.

What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

I loved seeing all the pieces come together—the florals, tablescapes, and lighting. My tip for couples is to focus on the elements that matter most to you and don’t stress over the small details; your love and celebration are what people remember.

Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?

Our MC, Mr Wedding, was amazing to work with, and he was so much more than an MC. He coordinated the day beautifully; he put so much energy into making key moments run smoothly, and the night was truly memorable.

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?

I saw an image of a beautiful wedding dress that instantly captured my heart, and I knew it was exactly the style I wanted for my day. Rather than searching endlessly for something similar, I decided to have it recreated and enlisted a talented local Adelaide dressmaker to bring the vision to life. Working closely with the dressmaker made the process so personal and special—we were able to add little touches that made the gown uniquely mine while still staying true to the original inspiration. The result was a dress that felt timeless, elegant, and perfectly suited to me.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

I designed my engagement ring and our wedding rings. I’ve actually known for a while that I wanted a marquise diamond. It’s always been a unique shape with length and elegance. It’s classic, but there’s a quiet confidence to it. So I started there. From that point, everything else fell into place. I decided on a three-stone setting—clean, timeless, balanced—and paired the marquise with matching epaulettes. The geometry of the epaulettes adds structure and a little edge without taking away from the romance of the marquise. All diamonds are set in platinum. My first wedding ring is the platinum 3mm Memory Ring with C + C engraving for Cassandra + Charlie. It’s simple, strong, meaningful—and it’s one of our most loved designs for a reason. I knew I wanted to include it when we finalised the engagement ring. For my second wedding band, I added a personal touch – I created the ring with Charlie’s last name, ‘Chau’, and crafted it with Ceylon blue sapphires set in platinum. Charlie opted for a two-tone engraved wedding band.

What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).

For us, the venue was the number one priority. We dreamed of being under the Tuscan sun, surrounded by that warm, rustic beauty, and Valle Di Badia gave us exactly that. The avenue of stars at the venue was something we had our hearts set on from the very beginning. It created the most magical atmosphere for the evening. Having a space that could host all our loved ones comfortably while still feeling intimate and enchanting was so important to us, and it truly set the tone for the whole celebration.

Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?

Having all our family and closest friends with us in Tuscany was honestly the most special part; it made the whole experience feel so full of love and joy. One of the moments we’ll never forget was a dinner sing-along of Dean Martin’s ‘That’s Amore’, everyone was waving their napkins in the air or had a glass in hand, singing under the Tuscan stars. The whole wedding felt like a little vacation with our nearest and dearest, and those memories are ones we’ll treasure forever.