We leaned into earthy hues, organic shapes, and the natural vibe of the island.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
We’re best friends and soul mates. We get just as excited about a spontaneous impromptu midnight snack as we do a big overseas trip. We’re Melbourne born with Greek and Greek-Ukrainian roots, so food and culture was always front and centre growing up: lemons straight from the backyard tree, olive oil poured generously, and garlic in everything. That early connection to food and culture shapes how we live and travel now. We’re drawn to places where food tells a story… Long, lazy lunches in tucked away tavernas, restaurants that feel like someone’s home… It’s intimate and full of meaning.
Outside of our corporate jobs, we’re all about slowing down, spending time together, and making the most of every moment. We like to stay active, prioritise our health and wellness, experience new things together, and travel as often as we can. We always knew we’d elope, and after getting engaged in Greece in 2023, heading back there to make it official felt like the only choice. I guess you could say that our elopement was shaped by everything we love, and a true reflection of who we are and how we live our lives.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
We met over a decade ago, but it wasn’t quite the right time. Fast forward a few years, and we found ourselves back in each other’s lives. Our first date was in 2017, and from that date onwards we’ve been inseparable. During our early days of dating, Chris was worried that we were too similar… But it turns out, that’s the best kind of problem to have.
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).
Once we decided to elope on Milos, everything fell into place. The island set the tone and inspired the details. Milos isn’t your typical Greek island, it’s not the typical blue and white. It has natural beauty, with sculptured rocks, warm tones and soft curves everywhere. Those Sarakiniko cliffs? Unreal. We wanted our styling to feel like an extension of that, not like it was competing with it. We leaned into earthy hues, organic shapes, and the natural vibe of the island, letting the location lead the vision.
Our hotel, White Pebble Suites, carried that same effortless beauty: warm and inviting, soft beige tones, every detail thoughtfully considered. Staying there before and after the elopement felt like a retreat: slow mornings, delicious breakfasts, the beach just steps away. Everything was calm, intentional, and so in tune with the island. Even how the day unfolded felt guided by the island. It made everything feel connected and completely us.
What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?
It’s easy to feel the pressure of trends and expectations. Social media is full of picture-perfect weddings and trends. But your day is yours. Do what feels true to you as a couple. Focus on what matters most and let the rest fall into place.
If you’re considering eloping… Do it! There’s something so intimate and special about it being just the two of you, fully present with one another.
We planned everything side by side; from suit fittings to picking our wedding fragrance (we chose the same scent!). It turned planning from stressful into something we genuinely enjoyed, and made the day feel even more intentional.
Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?
Because it was just the two of us, capturing the day felt so important. We were intentional about choosing the right person… And from the very first chat we had with Pearce, we knew he was the the perfect fit.
Having Pearce travel to Milos for our elopement was honestly one of the best decisions we have made.
Throughout planning, he was quick to respond and always happy to answer our questions. On the day, it felt like we were running around the island with close friends (Pearce had a second photographer Sam, who also went above and beyond), chatting, laughing, exploring, and just living in the moment. Pearce and Sam brought a calm, easy energy that made everything feel natural. When we received our gallery, we were moved. Pearce captured not just how things looked, but how they felt. When we look at the photos, it takes us right back to the moment.
My makeup artist, Stacey Banfield, was an absolute lifesaver. Not only is she incredibly talented, but when she found out I was doing my own hair, she very generously offered to stay and help. Getting that slick bun and veil placement right was a whole mission… There was plenty of laughter and a bit of chaos, but in the end, my bun was slick and my veil didn’t move an inch.
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?
I always knew I wanted something different (and something short) given we were eloping in peak Euro summer. I reached out to Melbourne-based couture designer Talia Rubinstein with a vision: minimal, timeless, classic, and European. Talia turned that vision into a draped Mikado mini.
The dress was all about craftsmanship: structured Mikado, hand-sewn draping, and a hidden corset moulded to perfection over multiple fittings. Even the lapped zipper was hand stitched. Watching it all come together was so special. To balance the mini, Talia created a three-metre cathedral veil with a waist-length blusher. It felt like the final piece that pulled everything together.
Talia cared about every stitch. She’s so talented and knows her craft inside out, and her calm energy made the whole process feel easy. What I loved most was how she knew exactly what I wanted without me even having to explain, and that made me feel so reassured.
Accessories were minimal. A pair of pear earrings I already owned and simple white pointed heels chosen just days before we left.
My mum didn’t miss a single fitting, and that meant so much to me. It was such a special experience to share with her.
Chris opted for a bespoke suit from P. Johnson Tailors in a rich, earthy green with a subtle brown undertone. Every detail was considered, from the buttons to the lapels. The fit was relaxed but sharp. Instead of a traditional dress shirt, he chose an off-white cotton knit crewneck for that modern, laidback feel. Accessories were understated but intentional: a custom ostrich leather belt with gold hardware, black Vinny loafers, and a silver watch.
Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.
Chris worked with a Melbourne jeweller to create my engagement ring; the same jeweller crafted our wedding bands too. My engagement ring has an elongated oval diamond, set with silver prongs on a gold band. Our wedding bands are classic gold. On our elopement day, we chose to wear only our wedding bands. They are engraved with our elopement date inside, a quiet detail.
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?).
Being an elopement, we didn’t set a strict budget, but we chose to invest in elements that felt most important to us. From the start, we wanted our elopement to roll into an extended honeymoon, and before we knew it, it turned into a 10-week trip. We picked places that felt special to us, spots where we could slow down and really enjoy the moment. Travel was such a big part of who we are, what we like and what we wanted, so investing a little more into the experience felt worth it. For the elopement day itself, photography was nonnegotiable. We wanted someone who could capture the feeling, not just the details. Our hotel was another priority because it set the tone for the lead up and the come down, giving us space to slow down, prepare, and soak it all in. And of course, our outfits. We wanted pieces that felt timeless yet personal, so we didn’t mind spending a little more to get them just right.
Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?
Even though we were eloping, we wanted the day to feel like a wedding, just in a way that felt right for us. So we mixed traditional moments with personal touches: starting the day together, exchanging private vows, having a first look, and yes… there was cake!
Picking just a few moments feels impossible. From planning to crashing into bed that night, there were so many little things that made it unforgettable.
The night before I spent what felt like five hours steaming my veil. It was so long and delicate that I needed Chris to hold one end while I worked on the other (he didn’t get to see my dress of course). It was a bit stressful, but Chris was so patient and helpful the whole time. It’s one of those small moments that reminded me how much I appreciate him. He always has this way of making the tricky things feel lighter!
On the morning of our elopement, we walked down to the white cliffs in front of our hotel and exchanged vows and rings, just the two of us. It was exactly how we wanted to start the day. Afterwards we shared breakfast on the balcony, and sipped Freddo Espressos while talking about the morning and the day ahead.
Our first look was so much more emotional than we imagined. I walked outside to meet Chris and completely fell apart – crying before he even turned around. And when he did? Game over. There were lots of happy tears for both of us.
The rest of the day felt like we were exploring the island with friends (Pearce and Sam). After hours wandering through Milos finding the best spots, Pearce and Sam passed around some icy cold cans of Coke Zero. They were just what we needed after hours in the sun – they hit the spot. It’s one of those little moments that we’ll never forget!
That night, we had dinner on the beach. We’d planned to end the night with something sweet (as we always do), so past us came prepared with our favourite Greek cake that we bought earlier that day from the local bakery.
Every month before our elopement, I wrote Chris a note. By the time the day arrived, there were seven notes, and seven has always been his lucky number. We got engaged on the 7th and married in the 7th month… So it felt like such a beautiful coincidence that the number seven kept finding its way into our story. On the day of the elopement, I gave the note to our photographers so they could pass them to Chris while I was getting into my dress, just before our first look. He read them by the pool as he waited for me, and he says that moment is something he’ll never forget, the perfect build-up to our first look.
What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?
For us, being married means showing up for each other every day in the little ways that matter. One ritual we love is coffee in bed together every weekend. Even if it means waking up at 5:30 a.m., it’s non-negotiable in our home! It’s our calm in the chaos of life, a little ritual that grounds us.
Marriage, to us, is also about sharing life’s simple joys. Another ritual we love is when we try new food together; we always ‘cheers’ our bite before eating and give each other our review. It’s such a small and silly thing, but it makes every bite feel like a little celebration and reminds us to slow down and enjoy those moments together.
Other Comments
We spent months testing fragrances, thinking we’d each find our own. But then we both fell for the same one (Maison Francis Kurkdjian OUD Satin Mood) and it just felt right to share it. We wore it on our elopement day and throughout our 10-week honeymoon. Now, every time we smell it, it brings everything rushing back the day, the places, the feeling. It’s become “our scent”.
LOCATION White Pebble Suites,@whitepebblesuites, Milos Island, Greece PHOTOGRAPHER Pearce Brennan, @pearcebrennanweddings WEDDING & ENGAGEMENT RINGS Custom BySols Diamonds BRIDE’S MAIN OUTFIT & VEIL Custom by Talia Rubinstein, @dressedbytalia BRIDE’S SHOES Billini, @billinishoes BRIDE’S EARRINGS Brides own pearl earrings BRIDE’S HAIR AND MAKEUP ARTIST Stacey Banfield, @staceybanfieldmakeup COUPLE’S FRAGRANCE Maison Francis Kurkdjian, @maisonfranciskurkdjian OUD Satin Mood Eau De Parfum from Mecca, @meccabeauty GROOM’S MAIN OUTFIT Bespoke by P. Johnson Tailors, @pjohnsontailors GROOM’S SHOES VINNY, @vinnysthevibe GROOM’S ACCESSORIES SEIKO, @seikoaustralia
