Amelia + Will by Evelina Katarzynski

Our vision was traditional, timeless, and elegant.

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

Amelia: Amelia is the Founder and Director of My Mind Matters Therapy, an assistive technology company and speech pathology practice dedicated to helping people communicate, connect, and participate more fully in everyday life. Amelia has always loved fashion and design and enjoys combining creativity with innovation through technology.

Will: Will works as a Project Officer in the electrical industry, and loves to be at the beach, or outdoors in any capacity!

Together, Amelia and Will enjoy spending time with family and friends, travelling, exploring South Australia’s food and wine regions, and enjoying slow Sunday mornings with coffee and gardening.

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

Amelia and Will met through mutual work colleagues. Amelia’s senior at the time was married to Will’s senior, and after deciding the pair would make a great match, they organised a double-date bowling and pasta night.

From the very beginning, everything felt easy and natural for Amelia and Will. There was no awkwardness or pressure, just easy conversation, laughter and an immediate sense of comfort. Looking back, that first date perfectly reflected the relationship that followed: easy, fun and built on friendship and connection.

What styling and visual elements worked best for you?

Our vision was traditional, timeless, and elegant. We wanted the day to feel classic and sophisticated while still reflecting our personalities and the people who matter most to us.

The beautiful grounds and vineyard setting at Beresford Estate provided the perfect backdrop, while Louise Woodhouse’s stunning florals added softness, romance, and warmth throughout the day. The combination of the natural beauty of McLaren Vale, elegant styling, and beautiful floral arrangements created exactly the atmosphere we had imagined.

One of the most meaningful visual elements was the connection between generations reflected throughout the bridal attire. Family friend and designer Liza Emanuele designed and created Amelia’s wedding gown, Amelia’s mother’s dress, and the flower girls’ dresses, while also incorporating special details into the bridesmaids’ dresses. Having someone who has been part of Amelia’s life for so many years create these pieces made them even more meaningful and helped weave a beautiful sense of family and history throughout the celebration.

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

Without question, the most special part of the planning process was Amelia’s wedding dress journey.

Liza Emanuele has been a close family friend for many years, and Amelia had dreamed of having Liza create her wedding dress since she was eight years old. Every fitting felt special as the gown evolved from an idea into something she would wear on one of the most important days of her life. Watching the dress come together and sharing that experience with someone who had been part of her life for so long made the journey unforgettable.

The couple also loved incorporating meaningful family touches throughout the wedding. William proposed with his mother’s engagement ring, a treasured family heirloom. Amelia wore her grandmother’s wedding gloves from 1961, and the couple included limoncello shots in honour of Amelia’s grandfather, who brought the liqueur to Australia. These details helped make the day feel like a celebration not only of their future together, but also of the generations that came before them.

Their biggest piece of advice for newly engaged couples is to focus on what matters most to you as a couple. It’s easy to become caught up in trends and expectations, but the most meaningful decisions are often the ones that reflect your own story, values, and the people you love. On the day itself, no one remembers whether every detail was perfect; they remember how it felt.

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

Amelia and Will feel incredibly fortunate to have worked with such talented vendors. Their photographer, Evelina Katarzynski, and videographer, Kelly from KMS Visions, were standouts. Both Amelia and Will were nervous about being photographed and filmed, worrying they might feel awkward or uncomfortable in front of the camera. Instead, Evelina and Kelly made the entire experience relaxed, enjoyable, and so fun. What they expected to be one of the most nerve-racking parts of the day became one of their favourite memories.

Louise Woodhouse Flowers created breathtaking floral arrangements that perfectly captured the timeless and romantic atmosphere they envisioned.

The team at Beresford Estate also played a huge role in bringing the day together, creating a beautiful and seamless experience for both the couple and their guests.

A very special mention goes to Liza Emanuele, whose creativity, care, and personal connection made the dress journey incredibly meaningful. Having someone who had been part of Amelia’s life for so many years create such an important piece of the day was something she will always treasure.

Another special vendor was hairstylist Tina Masone, who has been Amelia’s hairdresser since she was six years old. Having a trusted and familiar face help prepare her on the morning of the wedding made the experience even more special and personal.

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

Amelia’s wedding dress was undoubtedly one of the most meaningful aspects of the day. Designed by family friend Liza Emanuele, the gown was years in the making emotionally, having been a childhood dream since Amelia first saw Liza’s work as a young girl. The dress combined timeless elegance with personal details that made it uniquely hers.

One of Amelia’s favourite aspects was the ability to transform the look throughout the day with different accessories, including a lace bolero, lace scarf, a lace hair clip, gloves, and a red lipstick change for the reception.

Family history was woven throughout the outfit. Amelia wore her grandmother’s wedding gloves from 1961, while Liza also redesigned her mother’s wedding dress and incorporated elements of it into the bridal party attire, creating a beautiful connection between generations.
Will wore a tailored Institchu suit, completing the classic and timeless style the couple envisioned.

What were some of your favourite moments from the wedding day?

There were many special moments throughout the day, but one that stands out was the sunset photoshoot.

Both Amelia and William had been nervous about being photographed, but thanks to Evelina and Kelly, the experience became one of the highlights of the entire wedding. Instead of feeling staged, it felt like spending time with friends, laughing together and enjoying a quiet moment away from the celebrations.

Walking down the aisle, sharing personal vows, and seeing all of their favourite people gathered together in one place are memories they will treasure forever.

Another unforgettable moment was when Amelia’s Maid of Honour and best friend caught the bridal bouquet. It was such a special moment that made the celebration even more memorable.

Were there any meaningful traditions or family elements incorporated into the day?

Family played a central role in many aspects of the wedding.

Will proposed with his mother’s engagement ring, a family heirloom. He also incorporated his Scottish heritage with a Scottish patterned inner lining of his suit, paired with an engraving of the wedding date.

Amelia honoured her grandmother by wearing the gloves she wore on her own wedding day in 1961. The couple also incorporated limoncello shots made by Amelia’s grandfather, adding another special family connection to the celebration.

What was the overall vibe or feeling you wanted your wedding to have?

The couple wanted their wedding to feel timeless, elegant and relaxed.

While they loved the idea of a classic and sophisticated celebration, what mattered most was that everyone felt comfortable and enjoyed themselves. They didn’t want the day to feel overly formal or pressured; they wanted it to feel warm, welcoming, and full of laughter. More than anything, Amelia and William wanted the day to reflect who they are as a couple. They focused on creating a celebration centred around family, friendship, and meaningful moments rather than perfection. The vineyard setting and the personal family touches woven throughout the day, every detail was chosen to feel authentic to them and to create lasting memories with the people they love most.

What mattered most to you on the day?

More than anything, Amelia and Will wanted to have fun!

They didn’t want to spend the day worrying about perfection or getting caught up in small details. Their goal was simply to be present, enjoy every moment, and celebrate their marriage surrounded by family and friends. Looking back, that’s exactly what happened. The day was filled with laughter, tears, love, meaningful moments, and memories they will cherish forever.

LOCATION Beresford Estate, McLaren Vale, South Australia, @beresfordestate BRIDE Amelia, @amelia___griffin GROOM Will PHOTOGRAPHER Evelina Katarzynski, @evelinakatarzynski VIDEOGRAPHER KMS Visions, @kmsvisions FLORIST Louise Woodhouse Flowers, @louisewoodhouseflowers ENTERTAINMENT Behind the Veil, @behindtheveilmusic CATERING Beresford Estate, @beresfordestate CAKE Rebecca’s Cakes, @rebeccas.cakes STATIONERY & SIGNAGE Memory Lane, @memorylaneadelaide RINGS James Thredgold, @james_thredgold BRIDE’S DRESS Liza Emanuele, @lizaemanuele BRIDE’S ACCESSORIES Layered pearls and pearl earrings, lace bolero, lace clip, lace scarf
BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE COCO – Chanel, @chanelofficial GROOM’S SUIT Institchu, @institchu GROOM’S SHOES Julius Marlow, @juliusmarlow GROOM’S FRAGRANCE Guilty – Gucci, @gucci