Victoria — James and I come from different worlds. I’m Venezuelan and he was born in Australia and has Greek and Dutch heritage. I’m loud, passionate and creative and work in marketing, while he’s an engineer – quiet, rational, logical and methodical. We complement each other so well.
We met at an Irish pub in Perth. I’d only been in Australia for four months and was celebrating getting a job, and James was working in his company’s Perth office after breaking his wrist. His dance moves were hilarious, so I started the conversation by asking why he was wearing a cast. Neither of us expected to meet someone that night, but I felt like I knew him from another life. Everything was so smooth – like the universe had set us up ages ago. James’s proposal was just like our relationship – fun, with no clichés.
He’d wanted to pop the question during a European holiday we had planned, but then I decided to invite my parents, so I ruined his plans! In the end, he proposed on Rottnest Island on New Year’s Eve. We biked to our favourite spot, Parker Point, where it was just us and a few boats. After a swim, when I went to get our drinks and food, he took the little red box out of his backpack and asked if I’d like to grow old with him. I’d always told him I’d like to pick my own engagement ring, so he proposed with the cutest handmade voucher inside the box.
We got married in Greece and all the credit goes to our wedding planners, Evita and Julia. When we decided we wanted to get married in Santorini, I did my research to find a wedding planner who suited my style, and when I saw them I had no doubt they were the ones. We created a private Pinterest board where I pinned all my ideas – then they did it all. I’d always had Nevenka in mind for my dress but knew that would involve the added expense of flying to Melbourne, so I started to look in Perth. But I just didn’t fall in love with anything, so I convinced James to head to Melbourne for New Year’s Eve.
My dress ended up being a combination of two Nevenka gowns. I did a fashion illustration workshop and drew how I wanted my gown to look before heading to Melbourne, then went to my appointment while James did a bit of shopping. Venezuelans have a tradition called the ‘hora loca’ or ‘crazy hour’, which is an hour of a party to dress up with props, so we ordered some masks from London and it was a real highlight of our day.
Actually, though, every second was memorable and unique to us. It was surreal to see our family and friends together in that breathtaking place. We’ll never forget it.
Photography: Janneke Storm | Bride’s gown: Nevenka Groom’s and groomsmens’ suits: George & King | Flora—Red Box | Bride’s fragrance: Diptyque | Special song—‘La Vie en Rose’ by Laura & Anton | Ceremony venue—Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral | Reception venue: Rocabella Hotel | Videography: Monika Frias | Rings: Rohan Jewellers | Bride and grooms shoes: Carolina Herrera | Planning & styling: Santorini Glam Weddings | Bridesmaids’ dresses—Aje | Hair & makeup: Penny and Peach | Earrings—Tarbay tarbay.com | Welcome map—Chiborello
