We wanted a vintage feel
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
My name is Jasmine, and I’m half Lebanese and half Filipino. I love being active, and by the water, if there’s a beach nearby to swim in, I’m one very happy lady. Jack grew up in a small coastal town and has always loved the outdoors: surfing, hiking, biking… anything that gets him outside.
We got engaged in 2023 on Cottesloe Beach in WA at sunset, during our 10month road trip around Australia. It was the perfect moment for us.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
We met 10 years ago on a night out at a bar in the city. We were 19, doing what teenagers do, dancing, having fun with friends and enjoying life. I bumped into Jack on the dance floor and was instantly taken by his long, “surfy” hair. That moment sparked a conversation, followed by a classic first date at the movies and dinner. The rest is history!
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).
Our ceremony and reception venues were the heart of our styling. We wanted a vintage feel, so choosing the chapel felt perfect, and having our reception at Julie Restaurant just around the corner was really important to us. We didn’t want our guests to feel stressed about travelling between locations.
Our wedding was held at the Abbotsford Convent. The heritage buildings, colours, and architecture complemented our photos beautifully. The whole place just naturally fit the look we were going for.
What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?
We loved spending time together visiting venues and exploring locations for our couple photos.
We also really enjoyed designing our wedding invitations; it was honestly one of the most exciting parts of planning. It feels like you’re setting the tone for the whole day, and once we sent them out to our families, everything suddenly felt real.
Our biggest tip is to try to do as much as you can together, even if it is just the little things. We didn’t have a wedding planner as we had about 60 guests, so we didn’t feel the need to have one, and we enjoyed doing it ourselves. But even simple things like sending emails or choosing flowers felt easier and more meaningful when we did them as a team. Weddings can be stressful, so supporting each other makes a huge difference.
Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?
Our photographer, Rebeca Valls, was incredible. We first met her at my sister’s wedding last year, where she did the videography. She was so warm, genuine and talented that we instantly knew we wanted her to photograph our day. She captured everything so beautifully; she honestly feels like family to us now.
Julie Restaurant hosted our reception, and the food was amazing. We made it our mission to try absolutely everything, as you know, brides and grooms often miss out because there’s so much happening on the day, but we were determined not to! The grazing table and canapés were everything we wanted. They also made our beautiful wedding cake: a lemon sponge with a lemon curd mascarpone filling. We could tell our guests loved it… Everyone went back for seconds.
The flowers and bouquet were designed and brought to life by xflos; the content creator was Dizzy Cupid.
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?
I always knew I wanted a preloved vintage wedding dress. I searched Facebook Marketplace every morning, and one day I found a woman selling several vintage silk gowns, all completely unique. It was my first time trying on wedding dresses, and I fell in love with mine instantly.
She told me it was made by a Melbourne designer in the early 2000s, around 30 years old, crafted from 100% pure Italian silk. They were one-off archival pieces that had been stored away, and she felt they deserved to be worn. The designer preferred to stay private, so I am unsure of who designed the dress, but I feel so lucky to have one of their creations.
My sister, who is also a fashion designer, handmade my veil and secretly stitched “JJ” at the end of my veil. It was such a beautiful, personal touch.
I also wore pearl earrings that have been passed down through three generations. My Taita (grandma) wore them on her wedding day, then my mum, and now me. It was incredibly special to wear them on the day.
Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.
We wanted our wedding morning to feel intimate and grounded, so we started the day with private vows. We woke up at 6:30 am (we’re early birds), Jack picked me up from my hotel, and we drove to Carlton Gardens. We sat by the fountain, watched the sunrise and the hot air balloons and read our vows. It was one of the most meaningful moments of our lives.
We wanted our wedding to be small, with mainly just family invited and a couple of old close friends. We loved the idea of having a cocktail-style wedding, canapés and a grazing table. We loved the idea of our guests being able to wander around, mingle and enjoy the night at their own pace.
We designed our rings ourselves. Jack’s ring was inspired by my Jido’s wedding band. He loved the small raised diamond in my grandfather’s ring. My ring features three blue sapphires, Jack’s favourite colour. We wanted our bands to hold personal meaning. I also hand-made a small ring pillow to carry the rings to the altar.
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?).
Food and the venue. My Lebanese family are big eaters; we love our food! Making sure there was plenty of delicious food was essential. We loved that Julie Restaurant offered both a grazing table and canapés throughout the night. The food was incredible and such a highlight.
Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?
Our private vows in the morning will stay with us forever. Just the two of us in comfy clothes, our vow books, the beautiful garden, the fountain, the sunrise, and the hot air balloons drifting across the sky. It was peaceful, emotional and the perfect way to begin our wedding day.
What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?
Being married means celebrating our cultures, our families, and the life we’re building
together.
My family is Lebanese, and it was important for us to honour our tradition as we entered our reception. Traditionally, we are welcomed by a Lebanese band, and we dance, laugh and dance with other family members to welcome us. Our Lebanese band played acoustically throughout the evening. Using a clarinet, derbake (Lebanese drum), and saxophone, creating such a joyful and meaningful atmosphere.
LOCATION Abbotsford Convent, @abbotsfordconvent; Julie Restaurant, @julierestaurant BRIDE Jaz, @jasminedelima GROOM Jack, @jackhaintz_PHOTOGRAPHER Rebeca Valls, @rebecavalls.studio CONTENT CREATOR Dizzy Cupid, @dizzycupidco FLORIST XFLOS, @xflos__ CELEBRANT Priest ENTERTAINMENT Zaffet Royale, @zaffetroyale CATERING & CAKE Julie Restaurant, @julierestaurant STATIONERY Made by the couple; Julie Restaurant, @julierestaurant SIGNAGE Julie Restaurant, @julierestaurant RINGS Custom made by the couple; Crafted by local jeweller BRIDE’S CEREMONY DRESS Archival silk dress, sourced online, 100% Italian silk from early 2000s BRIDE’S PARTY DRESS Vintage sourced from Gossamer, @shopgossamer BRIDE’S ACCESSORIES Earrings – Bride’s grandmother’s; Veil – Handmade by the bride’s sisters HAIR & MAKEUP By the bride TRANSPORTATION Family car
