Rome has a charm that can’t be explained — intangible, magical, and timeless — and we wanted our wedding to reflect that.
The beautiful print wedding of Ashley + Jordan as featured in Issue 38 of Together Journal, in print.
ASHLEY —— I’m the visual merchandising & store planning executive for Van Cleef & Arpels Oceania, and Jordan is a property developer. We love spending time with our families, cooking and travelling, and dream of retiring to a boutique hotel with a golf course and a field of rescued dogs. Our Lebanese heritage deeply influences our values, shaping our connection to family and tradition.
Pre-Wedding Portraits
We met online — an Instagram DM, to be exact. We had mutual friends but had never crossed paths. When we finally met, the spark was undeniable, but the timing wasn’t right. Jordan had just come out of a long relationship, and I had just graduated high school. We didn’t want to rush into anything serious, so we became friends first. A year later, we started a study group at uni and on a trip to Europe with friends, we officially became a couple.
Wedding Day
Rome has a charm that can’t be explained — intangible, magical, and timeless — and we wanted our wedding to reflect that. We let our venue’s beauty guide the styling. Florals mirrored the cascading vine leaves, and the hotel’s plates and umbrellas were repurposed for dinner.
One side of our custom menus featured a hand-painted drawing of the Hotel De La Ville’s courtyard, while the other side read, “An Evening in Roma”, alongside the menu. Guests took them home as keepsakes. I came across a poem titled ‘When in Rome’ and had fans gold-embossed with, “When in love, do as the lovers do”. Our custom pasta bowls from Allegra Calligrafia were framed with delicate vine leaves, to complement the reception courtyard. These became our wedding china.
We got to be the creative directors of the best day of our lives, and having an incredible planner made all the difference. Chiara Raine made the process seamless.
We started planning in Sydney with After the Rock Weddings, who introduced us to Alice Mahran, the photographer we knew we had to have. I had known Alice’s work since an internship at Harper’s Bazaar 10 years earlier, and when Georgie at After the Rock urged us to book her quickly, we knew she was the one. Alice then introduced us to Plus Two Films, whose style blended effortlessly with hers. It was one of the best decisions we made.
Jordan’s wedding wardrobe was custom-made by Tailor & Co., inspired by French actor Alain Delon in his golden era of cinema. Every look was sharp, timeless, and effortlessly cool. My dress was a dream brought to life by J. Andreatta, inspired by Grace Kelly’s wedding gown: long lace sleeves, silk dupion fabric, with vintage Alexander McQueen, featuring draped chiffon silk that matched my veil. Designing my dress was something I will cherish forever.
Welcome Dinner
PHOTOGRAPHER Alice Mahran, @alicemahran VIDEOGRAPHER Plus Two Films, @plustwofilms BRIDE Ashley @ashleyelcham GROOM Jordan @mahcle CEREMONY LOCATION Saint Ignatius of Loyola BRIDE’S GOWN J.Andreatta, @j.andreatta_ BRIDE’S SHOES Neous, @neous GROOM’S TUXEDO Tailor & Co, @tailorandco GROOM’S SHOES Tom Ford, @tomford BRIDE’S BAG Tendresse Studio, @tendressestudio WEDDING RINGS Cartier, @cartier ENGAGEMENT RING Canturi, @canturi GROOM’S JEWELLERY Van Cleef & Arpels Zodiaque pendant, @vancleefarpels; Patek Philippe Nautilus watch, @patekphilippe BRIDE’S JEWELLERY Tiffany & Co, @tiffanyandco BRIDE’S MAKEUP & HAIR Serena Wyllie, @serenawylliemakeup BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Baccarat Rouge 540, @maisonfranciskurkdjian GROOM’S HAIR Tessier Hairdressers, @tessierhairdressers GROOM’S FRAGRANCE Amouage Reflection, @amouageofficial BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES Redrew Clothing, @redrewclothing BRIDESMAIDS’ BAGS Tendresse Studio, @tendressestudio BRIDESMAIDS’ JEWELLERY Tiffany & Co, @tiffanyandco BRIDESMAIDS’ SHOES Neous, @neous GROOMSMEN’S TUXEDOS Tailor & Co, @tailorandco GROOMSMEN’S CUFFLINKS Ferragamo, @ferragamo BRIDE’S PARTY DRESS Victoria Beckham, @victoriabeckham BRIDE’S PARTY SHOES Valentino, @maisonvalentino RECEPTION LOCATION & CATERING Hotel De La Ville, @hoteldelavillerome STYLIST & PLANNER Chiara Raine at Avenue Cipresso, @avenuecipresso FLORIST Sebastian Flowers, @sebastian_flowers_italy STATIONERY Eau De Papier, @eaudepapier_illustration SIGNAGE Allegra Calligrafia, @allegracalligrafia STRING QUARTET Qart, @qart.events EVENT MANAGER Simona Tagliabue @simotagliab LIGHTS & AUDIO Mama Event Solution, @mamaevent ENTERTAINMENT Joy Entertainment @joyentertainment.it
