Claudia + Jacob by Stacey McLean

Our vision wedding was inspired by a romantic Mediterranean aesthetic, warm, relaxed, and effortlessly elegant.

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

Claudia is a Pilates instructor, and Jacob is a Project Manager. We absolutely love travelling, cooking together, eating great food and of course the beach! When we’re not working, you’ll usually find us planning our next trip, trying a new restaurant or spending time outdoors soaking up the sunshine. We both share a love for staying active and living a balanced lifestyle, which is a big part of how we connect and unwind together.

Family and friends also mean everything to us, and we really value quality time with them. As we’re big food lovers, we enjoy experimenting in the kitchen, often turning simple nights into something special.

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

We first met at a nightclub called Loverboy on Claudia’s 22nd Birthday. Jacob had heard through friends that Claudia was newly single and made his way there that night. We were introduced by mutual friends, but it wasn’t until later in the evening that Claudia made the first move, going over to speak to Jacob. What started as a quick hello turned into an hour-long conversation, getting to know each other.

At the end of the night, Claudia headed off but made sure Jacob wouldn’t forget her, liking a few of his Instagram photos on the way out. The next day, Jacob reached out, and that led to us organising our first date.

Claudia’s first impression of Jacob was that he was extremely handsome, with great eyes, intriguing and someone who could hold a conversation.

Jacob’s first impression of Claudia was that she was beautiful, energetic and bubbly.

Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes etc.).

Our vision for the wedding was inspired by a romantic Mediterranean aesthetic, warm, relaxed, and effortlessly elegant. We were drawn to a rich, earthy colour palette featuring deep burgundy, chocolate tones, lush greens, and soft creams, creating a beautiful balance between warmth and sophistication.

We wanted the styling to feel organic and timeless, with natural textures and layered details that added depth without feeling overdone. Florals played a big role in bringing this vision to life, with arrangements designed to feel abundant yet unstructured.

Overall, our goal was to create an atmosphere that felt intimate and inviting, like a long, leisurely European dinner with loved ones.

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 played a huge role in creating the overall aesthetic we were after; it provided the perfect backdrop and really set the tone for the day. From there, our stylist and florist brought everything to life in the most beautiful way. Every detail felt so thoughtfully curated, from the rich chocolate draping at the entrance to the plinths that truly looked like works of art.

One of our favourite elements was the serpentine tables, which added such a unique touch to the space. They created a beautiful sense of movement and made the reception feel both intimate and visually striking.

All of the styling and floral elements tied together so seamlessly, perfectly reflecting our vision. It felt cohesive, elevated, and completely us; nothing felt out of place, and every detail contributed to the overall atmosphere.

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

One of the things we enjoyed most about the planning process was discovering just how aligned we were in our vision. It was really special to realise we both loved the same style and wanted the same overall feel for the day. We also loved the food tasting; it made everything feel very real and was such a fun experience to share together.

Receiving our mood board from our stylist was another highlight, as it brought everything to life and reassured us that we were on exactly the right track.

Our biggest tip for couples starting their planning journey would be to invest in a stylist and planner. We genuinely couldn’t have pulled everything together in such a short timeframe without them.

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

We were so lucky to have an incredible team of vendors who truly brought our day to life. Our stylist was amazing and played such a huge role in creating the overall look and feel; it was everything we had envisioned and more. Our photographer and videographer were also standout suppliers; every photo and video is just incredible and perfectly captures the emotion and energy of the day.

Our florist absolutely nailed it, bringing our vision to life so beautifully with the most stunning arrangements. Our content creator was another highlight, capturing so many special, candid moments that we’ll treasure forever.

The food was unreal; we genuinely couldn’t fault it, and it was something our guests are still talking about. And of course, the music! We could not have picked a better DJ and saxophonist; the dance floor was packed all night and created such a fun, electric atmosphere.

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

I was so lucky to have my dress custom-made by Greta Kate. From the moment I met her, she made the entire process feel so easy, enjoyable, and truly special. Her calm energy and kindness made every appointment something I looked forward to, and she went above and beyond to bring my vision to life.

It felt incredibly personal and meaningful to be part of that journey, watching it all come to life piece by piece. Greta made me feel so comfortable and supported throughout, and I couldn’t have imagined a better person to create my wedding dress.

I feel so grateful to have shared that experience with her.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

We had our wedding bands made by Louise Jean, which felt extra special as it’s also where Jacob chose my engagement ring.

We personalised our bands with small engraved words and carefully chosen gemstones, making them completely unique to us. We included stones to represent February, the month we got married, and August, as it’s the month we were both born.

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 elements that were most important to us were definitely the food, music, and photography. We’re both big food lovers, so creating an incredible dining experience for ourselves and our guests was a top priority. It was important to us that the food not only tasted amazing but was something people would remember long after the day.

Music was another big one, as it really sets the tone and atmosphere. We wanted an energetic, fun vibe where everyone felt excited to celebrate, and having the right music made all the difference.

And of course, photography was something we were more than happy to invest in. Having those moments captured so beautifully means we can relive the day for years to come, which is truly priceless.

Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?

Honestly, the entire night felt so special and is something we’ll treasure forever. From making our entrance together to the energy of the celebration, every moment just felt so full of love and happiness. One of the highlights was ending the night by jumping into the pool; it was such a fun, spontaneous moment and the perfect way to celebrate.

Dancing with our parents was also incredibly meaningful and something we’ll always remember.

What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?

Being married to us means a lifetime of commitment, love, and having fun together through every stage of life. It’s about having your best friend by your side to share all of life’s highs, lows, and everything in between, while continuing to grow together along the way.

We don’t have any formal rituals just yet, but we’re excited to create our own as we go. For now, something as simple as cooking together feels really special to us.