We envisioned an intimate celebration centered around each other.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
We share a love of travel and live music, and spend as much time as possible outdoors with our three children hiking, at the beach, or exploring somewhere new. Our happiest moments are always the simplest: together, surrounded by nature, music, and lots of laughs.
Alexey is a surgeon who somehow still finds time to play ice hockey and tinker with cars and woodwork. I love the gym, pilates, and spending time with the people I love, family and friends are everything to me. My work is my passion too; through Contenta, I connect brands with audiences in a way that feels genuine and meaningful.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
We first met at a rooftop bar. Alexey is from a small European country called Moldova, where rooftop bars are almost non-existent, so they’ve always been a favourite of his. When we saw each other in person, it was instant there was a spark neither of us could ignore. We both knew, almost immediately, that this was it. Alexey says he fell in love with my kind heart, adventurous spirit, and my passion for helping the people around me. I was drawn to his quiet confidence, this calm strength that made me feel both safe and seen. There was something deeply grounding about him, even as everything around us felt charged with energy.
On our first date, we talked for hours about everything and nothing, jumping between wildly unrelated topics until Alexey left worried he’d blown it by rambling too much. But I just remember laughing and feeling completely at ease, like I’d known him forever. There was an intensity between us from the very beginning, electric but steady. Everything about that night felt certain, familiar, and meant to be.
Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes etc.).
We envisioned an intimate celebration centred around each other, our children and closest family. With just sixteen guests, all staying together at Jimbour, the weekend felt deeply personal, like a grand gathering at home 100 years ago. Jimbour’s history and timeless beauty set the tone: old-world charm, warmth, and connection. Our styling reflected that, soft elegant florals with rambling greenery, candlelight, vintage tableware and textures that felt lived-in yet refined. Every detail honoured Jimbour’s heritage while weaving in personal touches that reflected Alexey and I. Our hope was for everyone to leave feeling calm, happy, grounded, and connected. With our families travelling such long distances to be with us, we wanted to make sure they felt cherished and had the best time. Alexey’s parents came all the way from San Antonio to join us in rural Australia, something we’ll always be so grateful for.
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 itself carried so much presence, the sandstone, the gardens, the light. We chose to complement it rather than compete. The florals were loose and organic , indoors – candlelight lit up the space. Vintage-style bows appeared throughout the wedding, on my gown, the cake, the custom embroidered napkins and place settings, even our handwritten invitations. Everything came together to feel effortless and enduring, as though Jimbour had hosted our family for generations.
What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?
The best part was how much fun we had doing it together. Everything came together in what most people would consider a short timeframe, but somehow it all just fell into place. From spontaneously popping into The Cloakroom one afternoon in the city where the owner, Andrew, happened to be free to fit Alexey for his custom suit, to laughing over the countless details we forgot or miscounted (including beds!), every part of the process was memorable.
Our advice? Don’t take it too seriously. For us the magic lived in the imperfect moments. Logistically – we found the best place to find vendors was on social media. Oh, and trust your gut, especially with small weddings like ours, you’ll likely have as many vendors as guests so it’s important they feel like your kind of people.
Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?
Every single vendor was extraordinary, we planned the wedding in under six months, and it was all possible because of the incredible people around us.
Jimbour House was the heart of it all. Beyond the breathtaking beauty of the venue, gardens, and endless scenery, what made it so special were the people. The staff felt like an extension of our family; they cared so deeply about our weekend and our guests. Having all of us stay together under one roof made it feel like home. On our final day, we discovered that one of our hosts had been my kindergarten teacher from the tiny community of Durong; it felt like everything had come full circle. The homestead is full to the brim with fascinating works of art. If you spend enough time chatting with the staff, you quickly learn that each piece has its own story and history. The groundsman, who also runs Jimbour’s history tours, told us tales of attempted art heists of works dating back to the 1800s, and of murals hidden beneath layers of paint and wallpaper.
Monique from Studio Mon Fleur is pure sunshine, she felt like family and created the most beautiful, natural styling. We were in awe of her hard work and dedication, that girl doesn’t stop. Janice from Jdolls and Elise from Elise Ann Hair made the morning so calm and made us all feel incredible. Our chef Rob catered the entire weekend, every meal felt like an experience. And of course Keryn Sweeney, and Joel and Courtney, our photographer and videographer, their work speaks for itself, and we’ll treasure what they captured forever.
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?
I’ve always loved design. As a teenager, I would sketch dresses inspired by Grace Kelly and Oscar de la Renta, so having a custom gown felt like a natural choice. George Wu, my dress designer, is a true genius. His attention to detail and creativity went far beyond anything I could have imagined. I envisioned a corset bodice with a Basque waist, George engineered a hidden elastic undergarment, gently tethered around my legs, to hold it perfectly in place. Crafted from raw silk, the gown was a labour of love from George and his team, structured yet soft, with natural fibres that moved organically with my body. For my second look, George crafted a fitted skirt with matching gloves in Italian lace, designed to layer beneath my ceremony bodice and completely transform the silhouette. The veil was five metres long, finished with a hand-stitched lace trim. It will soon have a second life in our nursery, hung from the ceiling over our baby’s bed. As we approached the wedding date, I told George we were expecting a baby. He didn’t pause for a second, well maybe for a second, ‘IS IT APRIL FOOLS’ he exclaimed, before letting out a laugh (along with a few seams), and somehow made the gown even more beautiful. Alexey knew he wanted a classic tuxedo with a shawl lapel, but the cream jacket was a last-minute decision and it was perfect. Hand-stitched with our initials inside, it was timeless and elegant, yet deeply personal.
Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.
Alexey proposed with a classic round solitaire diamond, timeless, and beautiful. He took me to Italy, where my family originates, and proposed outside a small rural chapel in Tuscany, the Madonna di Vitaleta. The setting couldn’t have been more perfect, golden light, rolling hills, and the stillness of the countryside. It felt deeply personal and spiritual, surrounded by nature and history. Just perfect for us.
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?).
The venue. We both believe in the energy of our environment, it shapes how people feel. There’s something about Jimbour that’s impossible to describe; it holds a quiet magic. The moment we arrived, we knew it was the place.
We also tried to be thoughtful about sustainability, not in a showy way, but simply because it felt right. We sourced local products wherever possible, chose handmade pieces, and avoided single-use items throughout the weekend. Even the embroidered fabric bow place settings were designed to live on, they now double as keepsake clips that will one day go back to the earth. Those little choices made the celebration feel more intentional and connected to what matters most.
Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?
Meeting each other at the start of the aisle, we chose to walk down together, we had an acoustic version of Blink-182 First Date playing. Seeing our children waiting at the top, carrying our fourth precious baby, was overwhelming in the best way. We both cried. It was the gravity of everything all at once: love, family, and the future we were walking toward together. That moment will stay with us forever. The speeches were really special, hearing from our loved ones meant the world to us. And there was a quiet moment in the bathroom after it was all said and done, with just us – grateful, in love and a little bit silly.
LOCATION Jimbour House, @jimbourhouse PHOTOGRAPHER Keryn Sweeney, @kerynsweeneyphotographer VIDEOGRAPHER Joel and Courtney, @joelandcourtneyfilms STYLIST & FLORIST Studio Mon Fleur, @studiomonfleur PLANNER Ourselves although we could not have done it without the help of Jimbour House staff – as part of the package they coordinate all on the day logistics including several planning meetings in the lead up ENTERTAINMENT Elizabeth Rae, @elizabethraemusic HIRE Simply seated, @simply.seated CATERING Deluxe Event catering, @deluxe.eventcatering CAKE  Cake House by Katrina Allan, @cakehouse.by.katrinaallan STATIONERY  Juliana Chow – INKSY, @inksyau SIGNAGE Embroidered bows and napkins- Threaded together, @threadedtogether WEDDING & ENGAGEMENT RINGS Diamonds International, @diamondsinternationalbris OTHER SIGNIFICANT JEWELLERY  A birthday gift from Alexey early on in our relationship that I adore: Earrings – Salera, @saleras1953; Family heirloom – rosary beads on brides bouquet BRIDE’S MAIN OUTFIT Custom gown look 1 and 2 by George Wu, @georgewucouture BRIDE’S SHOES Repetto Paris, @repettoparis BRIDE’S ACCESSORIES  Necklace – the same little A on a gold chain I’ve worn forever. I lost my original one 3 years ago after a massage, I was devastated. Alexey gifted me a replacement which I treasure BRIDE’S MAKEUP Janise Chan, @jdolls BRIDE’S HAIR STYLIST Elise Ann Hair, @eliseannhair BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Miss Dior by Dior, @dior GROOM’S MAIN OUTFIT Custom suit by The Cloakroom, @thecloakroom GROOM’S SHOES  Hugo Boss, @boss ; Hush puppies, @hushpuppiesau GROOM’S ACCESSORIES Hugo Boss, @boss GROOM’S FRAGRANCE  Burberry, @burberry – HERO BRIDESMAID DRESSES Balkanica @balkanicaofficial
