Simple, deliberate, and completely in conversation with the building.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
I’m an urban planner with a deep passion for design and architecture, and Daniel is a chef, which means food has always been our shared language. Between my love for beautiful spaces and his talent in the kitchen, we’re basically always either planning something or eating. I’ve always had a love for fashion too, and when it came to the wedding, I knew I wanted that same energy to carry through — timeless but with a cool-girl edge. Beautiful without being overdone. A celebration where everyone could be present and joyful without feeling like we’ve spent our life savings getting there.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
We were both born and raised in Sydney and met through my sister — classic. Our first proper meeting was at my house, which led to our first official date at an Italian restaurant in Newtown. My first impression? Tall, handsome, and a very good hairline. He’s never let me forget that I said that. His first impression of me? Cute and sporty. I think we both did okay.
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 did the talking for us. I’d always loved the historic architecture of Sydney University, and when I discovered the Holmes Science Building terrace — those white arches, that Mediterranean softness — I knew instantly. I didn’t want to overpower it with styling, so our florist created a single sculptural arrangement that we stood beside. Simple, deliberate, and completely in conversation with the building. My veil was the statement; my bouquet followed its lead — modern, minimal, nothing competing for attention. The grounds of Sydney Uni are extraordinary. We just let them be.
What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?
Give yourself time to research properly and find vendors who genuinely align with your aesthetic — not just names with big followings. We had a budget, and it was completely fine. Some of the most talented creatives are earlier in their careers and absolutely deserve to be discovered. Start a vision board early, and don’t panic when it evolves — it’s supposed to. Draw from Pinterest and Instagram, but always ask: what makes this feel like us? Aim for timeless over trendy, and for elements that feel personal rather than borrowed. There’s so much pressure these days to outdo one another, but really, the most memorable weddings are the ones that feel genuinely like the couple. Be yourself, don’t overstretch, and the rest falls into place. I also studied at Sydney Uni, which would later become one of the most meaningful chapters of our wedding story.
Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?
Our photographer, Morgan, was incredible — he understood the mood completely. And Monique from Fiore brought exactly the right energy to our flowers. With the venues we chose, the goal was never to dress the space into something it wasn’t. It was about drawing out what was already there. Both of them understood that balance perfectly: present enough to feel considered, restrained enough to let the spaces breathe.
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?
I never tried my dress on in person — I had a virtual appointment with the London store, and I just knew. The silk was everything for a warm February day. My atelier here in Sydney worked its magic to give it the perfect contoured fit. But my veil was my real labour of love. I spent months designing something I hadn’t seen before — beaded, intricate, with pearls, modern but delicate. I found a designer in Ukraine on Etsy who completely understood the vision and executed it beautifully. My shoes were Charles & Keith (comfortable and easy on the budget), earrings were natural pearls from Completed Works in the UK, and my earcuff and treasured 90s vintage purse were both Etsy finds. The hints of pearl throughout my look tied back to the subtle sheen of the ivory silk — and Daniel wore a vintage pearl brooch that mirrored it perfectly.
Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.
We chose our rings from Leil & Lindelli in Sydney — modern and timeless, exactly what we wanted. What makes Daniel’s ring especially meaningful is that the diamonds came from his mum’s aunt’s ring. There’s something so beautiful about carrying that history forward into something new.
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?).
My outfit and the food — without question. And the venues. Finding spaces that could hold all our nearest and dearest while feeling genuinely right for us was worth every bit of investment. The beauty of choosing venues with their own character — the historic arches of Sydney Uni and the warmth of Palazzo Salato — meant we didn’t need to bring anything in that didn’t belong there. No overdoing it, no forcing a look. The spaces did the talking, and that perfect blend of Croatian music filling an Italian restaurant felt like exactly us. Food has always been central to who we are as a couple, so it only made sense to celebrate somewhere we already loved. Having the reception feel like a long, joyful family dinner rather than a formal event was everything we’d hoped for. And my dress and veil were deeply personal — it felt right to invest in pieces I’d put so much of myself into. And honestly, even with all of that, we still came in within budget.
Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?
Walking into our reception hand-in-hand and being met with so much warmth, laughter, and — of course — shots of Rakija. And then the kolo. We had a Croatian band playing traditional music, and we danced and danced until I genuinely couldn’t feel my calves anymore. Watching everyone — family, friends, different generations — all moving together in that circle was one of those rare moments that felt completely alive. We also gave disposable cameras to guests, and seeing the night through their eyes afterwards was such a special, candid keepsake.
What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?
For me, marriage is about devotion — being someone’s ride or die, their calm in a storm, their voice of reason when everything feels loud. We don’t have grand rituals, but we walk together. Always have. It’s our way of being fully present with each other, away from screens and noise. We always end up getting ice cream. That feels like enough.
CEREMONY LOCATION Sydney Uni Holmes Building RECEPTION LOCATION Palazzo Salato, Sydney, @palazzosalato BRIDE Jasmin, @jasminblaz GROOM Daniel, @dmilly_official PHOTOGRAPHER Morgan Luca, @morganlucaphoto CONTENT CREATOR Galleri, @galleri.au STYLIST & PLANNER By the bride DAY OF COORDINATOR Aimee Barton, @aimeebarton_ FLORIST Monique – Fiore x Studio, @fiorexstudio CELEBRANT Nicole Webster, @nicolethecelebrant ENTERTAINMENT Croatian Band – PAJDAŠI, @pajdasi_sydney CAKE World of Crema, @worldofcrema STATIONERY Bride’s friend, Charlotte Rankin BRIDE’S DRESS The Own Studio, @theownstudio BRIDE’S SHOES Charles & Keith, @charleskeithofficial BRIDE’S ACCESSORIES Veil – Designed by the bride; Vision brought to life by KRASNOPOLSKA, @__krasnopolska__; Earrings – Completedworks, @completedworks; Pearl clutch – Vintage depop find MAKEUP By Rachel Beauty, @byrachelbeauty_ HAIR Guiselle Mariel Hair & Makeup, @guisellemarielhairandmakeup BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Bal d’Afrique – Byredo, @officialbyredo; Diptyque, @diptyque DRESS ALTERATION Neli Bridal, @nelione_bridal GROOM’S SUIT UMI NORI, @uminori.atelier GROOM’S SHOES Solovair, @solovairuk GROOM’S ACCESSORIES Broach – Vintage GROOM’S FRAGRANCE Tsu Lange Yor, @tsulangeyor
