The vintage veil and vibe of my outfit, tablecloths, etc., gave off a vintage feel, as did the architecture.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
We are both very creative people. We moved back to Melbourne from Sydney to be with our family. We love each other so very much; we are very family-oriented people. Max works for the port in Port Melbourne, and Charmaine works as a freelance fashion/textile designer. In our spare time, Max loves to write stories about his love of film, and Charm loves to crochet and is currently starting her brand. We are big foodies and movie lovers. We love travelling/ exploring/culture, and trying new things all the time. Nothing is ever the same here.. well, for a while, as we are constantly challenging ourselves. We are always following our hearts.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
We met at a 16th birthday party in high school. I was sitting in the dance room with a friend when Max, bow tie on, dancing like he owns the joint, sees me and asks for my hand to dance. Max thought, “She was just too beautiful not to go up to”. So I looked at my friend and thought, Is this guy serious (thinking, who says things like that at this age? Haha)? I thought, why not? He’s cute and also has the confidence to ask. So we danced all night together. It was the best night, and he lit up my world from then on.
When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?
We both realised it when Charm had to move to Sydney, as Charm had gotten a really good fashion job there. So Max followed her along, and it was our first time living together, which felt real and new for us. Honestly, it felt like our relationship was just getting started. I think while living together, we really just enjoyed each other’s company way more than usual. During this time, Max proposed to Charm at our favourite rock pool hideout in Coogee Bay, and of course, Charm said yes. We have become inseparable by then. We had the longest engagement as we wanted to be back home with everyone, so we could plan it with everyone by our side.
Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes etc.).
14 years together: Max and I wanted to elope as we already felt married and so committed to each other that having a wedding was just sealing it for good; we also wanted to have the party, so we just gave in and planned our wedding. I wanted to create it so it felt like we were still eloping, but with the most important people in our lives. As we had it at my grandparents’ home, it felt even closer and more special, as we always celebrated occasions there. Then, heading to one of Max and my top favourite wine bars- we love going to Old Palm Liquor for its amazing food and wine and didn’t realise they do weddings, so it ended up being the perfect match for us to keep it so very special to us. Also, having the best food & drinks at our wedding was the biggest thing for us. We chose these specific venues because they meant something to our relationship. We didn’t really have a theme for our wedding. It came together with the things we love and enjoy, and went with the style of my grandparents’ home and Old Palm. The vintage veil and vibe of my outfit, tablecloths, etc., gave off a vintage feel, as did the architecture. I’ve always loved finding vintage or second-hand things- it’s a huge part of my creative side- finding the most unique pieces that no one will have, that is what I wanted our wedding to feel like. I love sunflowers and yellow, and I thought having them for a wedding was strange, but then I thought I wanted happy, smiley flowers on our day, so why not? My bouquet differed from the reception flowers, which some people would think is why there were two different arrangements. I just loved the idea of having two different flowers/colour palettes. It also felt more romantic in the garden to have red and soft pink flowers, as they already had roses in their garden. At my hens, I got my lovely group of ladies to paint me some abstract sunflowers, and I didn’t know what I wanted to do with them then. Still, the day before the wedding, I realised my Jido (grandpa) loves hanging vintage paintings on his fence, so I wanted to add to that, celebrating my ladies’ creations, which felt like they had been there forever.
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).
I may have answered this in question 4, but I can add to it.
My vintage interior at home gave me the inspiration to keep the vibe of Max and me. We didn’t want to drift too far from us. I created a mood board for Old Palm and my grandparents’ backyard and then branched out from there, adding all my favourite Pinterest images to match the vibe of the location, which helped start the process.
What did you enjoy most about the planning process and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?
I loved collaborating with so many creatives. As a creative myself, it’s so nice to surround yourself with artists. Also, celebrating them and their creations and being able to support small businesses and show their work off feels so special.
I would say pick your favourite creatives you would love to have at your wedding, and try to support small businesses who would love the opportunity to show their work off at an event. They also put so much more love into it, I feel, anyway, because they chose to do it for you.
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?
Max loved the old-style collars with the tip wing instead of a normal collar. I thought that was pretty unique, and I haven’t seen one in a while.
My Veil is one of a kind—it was the only thing I really cared about instead of the dress, haha… My dress was still very unique for a wedding, also. Mirror Palais does amazing vintage feel pieces that aren’t too wedding norm, which I also loved. I didn’t want what everyone was wearing or the typical wedding gown, and I had a budget I wanted to stick to. But all I ever wanted to wear was a vintage embroidered veil with little flowers, swirls, and a scalloped edge. That would make my outfit.
I can’t forget my little 5-minute bag I made the morning of the wedding- my little doily crochet drawstring bag- my little favourite piece I will cherish and pass down. I love crochet and little vintage drawstring bags, and thought what better to source a little doily at a vintage shop and turn it into one. I needed to style it with my outfit, it was a must, and I was so happy with the end result.
My second outfit, which I bought a year ago, I wore once overseas. It was supposed to be for our engagement, but I had bought something else for it and knew I would wear it for another special occasion. I remembered thinking that for my second outfit, I wanted something I could wear again after the wedding. I checked my closet, as I have so many dresses, I wear a few times and forget. This dress was made for this day- I needed people to see this dress, it’s incredible, so I sparkled it up by adding beads to it and made matching beaded earrings.
What was 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?).
There are a few! How can we pick haha! I would say music because it brings everyone together and just adds to the day- people remember music and food. And photos, because they will be with us forever and ever! And Emmylou captured the day so amazingly- it was almost like a documentary.
Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?
During the whole planning process, the one thing that my parents organised was the car to OLP, and so because my stepdad is obsessed with vintage cars and he has one himself (beige colour), we thought it would be nice to drive around the city in it. After the ceremony as we walked out to the car, we didn’t notice it at first but my parents had changed the car plans without telling me and organised one of those old fashioned cars for us and had a little red carpet too- it was the best surprise and hilarious as they were being weird about it all the time and this is what they were hiding! You can see it on our faces in the photos, too!
Also, after our first dance song, the DJ transitioned it to Meet Me Halfway by The Black Eyed Peas to bring in the crowd, and everyone’s faces were so shocked, then turned into excitement; they really didn’t expect it; it was the best memory ever. (I think that’s when you can see in the photos everyone screaming and singing haha)
BRIDE Charmaine, @charmainedelima GROOM Max, @maxxgundy LOCATION Ceremony – Grandparents home; Reception – Old Palm Liquor, @oldpalmliquor PHOTOGRAPHER Emmylou Kelly, @emmylou.kelly VIDEOGRAPHER Rebeca Valls, @rebeca__valls STYLIST & PLANNER By the Bride FLORIST Kayla Moon – XFLOS, @xflos__ CELEBRANT Sonia Thomas, @celebrantsoniathomas ENTERTAINMENT Zaffet Royale, @zaffetroyale CATERING Ceremony – Food was gathered from the garden of my grandparents; Cheese, dips, and etc. – South Melbourne Market; Reception – Wine Bar – Old Palm Liquor, @oldpalmliquor CAKE Holy Sugar, @holysugar__ STATIONERY & SIGNAGE By the Bride RING Antique & vintage rings BRIDE’S DRESS Mirror Palais, @mirrorpalais BRIDE’S SHOES Aeyde, @aeyde BRIDE’S ACCESSORIES Vintage Veil – Etsy, @etsy; Earrings – Temple of the Sun, @templeofthesunjewellery BRIDE’S PARTY DRESS Crochet Dress – Akoia Swim, @akoiaswim BRIDE’S PARTY ACCESSORIES Vintage Earrings – Bride reworked with beads HAIR & MAKEUP By the Bride BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Florence – Tocca, @tocca SUIT Joe Black, @joeblackofficial GROOM’S SHOES Aquila, @aquila_est1958 MOMS’ DRESSES Zimmermann, @zimmermann
