We aimed for a minimalist approach.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
Jess – Fashion has always been a part of my life, and now I work in Global Sales, representing some iconic Australian RTW brands. I have a Lebanese background, and Matias’ family is from Argentina, so between us, we have two big, loving extended families who are always involved—life never feels lonely. Family is such an important part of who we are and a core pillar of our relationship. And of course, we can’t forget our little sausage dog, Tito, who keeps us constantly entertained & busy.
Matias – I am an electrician and run an electrical business with my older brother Tom, which just recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary. We love food, travel and all things fashion/design.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
Jess – Matias and I met 15 years ago through a mutual friend- I was 13 and he was 15. He has always had a cheeky personality and the most gorgeous green eyes. He was definitely my first crush. Over the years, we stayed connected, though our relationship had its ebbs and flows. One of my favourite things about us is that we’ve seen every stage of each other’s lives and have been part of so many of each other’s most important memories. I love knowing that we have seen every version of each other so far and we will be together for all the iterations to come.
Matias – When I first met Jess, I thought she was gorgeous and really smart. We were just kids, but we clicked right away. We’ve always been close, but I always had a feeling there was something more between us—even though we didn’t actually act on it until we were older.
When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?
Jess – We have always had an effortless connection and our communication was always easy. From the start, we turned to each other for advice, and there was never any pressure or expectations. At one point, Matias went on a three-month boys’ trip to South America while I travelled through Europe with friends. When we both got back, we had this undeniable feeling that it was time to settle down, and our relationship just naturally evolved. It all felt so seamless that we can’t even pinpoint the exact moment we became ‘official’!
Matias – We had both come out of long-term relationships and set off on our own travels, but we stayed in touch the whole time, and once we got back, I felt more settled and sure that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with Jess. At first, it was because of the person I was becoming with her by my side—she’s made me better in so many ways. But over time, I realised that I just couldn’t imagine my life without her.
Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes etc.).
Jess – Matias proposed at the Muse Hotel in St. Tropez during one of our favourite trips together. Although we dreamed of having a destination wedding, the logistics for our families proved too challenging. Instead, we chose a venue in Sydney that echoed the beauty and atmosphere of the proposal location. Dunes at Palm Beach perfectly captures the essence of that special moment, combining the beauty of its natural surroundings with modern elegance. The venue has a calm, serene vibe, which felt like the ideal setting for us. For the styling, we aimed for a minimalist approach- keeping the look refined while ensuring impact from the little details. We quickly decided on a green and pearl colour palette because we wanted to keep things simple and cohesive. For the flowers, we chose calla lilies and baby’s breath—green and ivory blooms that felt light, airy, and romantic, almost like clouds. The softness of the flowers perfectly added to the overall vibe without overwhelming the space.
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).
Jess – We worked so hard on the little details to create an overall visual impact for us and our guests. All of our choices worked together to embrace softness and an organic feel. We were so happy to be getting married outside and by the ocean. One of the highlights was the undulating baby’s breath backdrop at the ceremony, which created a dreamy, cloud-like effect. Another one of our favourite elements was the long family-style tables at the reception. We really didn’t want to be separated from our guests and loved how this setup created a sense of togetherness. It felt so much more relaxed and inclusive, allowing everyone to share in the celebration as one big group. The long tables also allowed for a stunning longline tablescape that was one of our favourite details. We incorporated single bud vases, tapered candles, and vibrant limes, visually striking while still leaving enough room on the tables for the food!
What did you enjoy most about the planning process and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?
Jess – I love planning! I’m such a spreadsheet/Canva girly that we had our budget breakdown and mood boards done within an hour of confirming the venue. Luckily, our tastes are usually in sync, so the planning process was surprisingly smooth. It was exciting to make decisions together and really focus on what would best represent us as a couple. With just 6 months to plan, the tight timeline actually worked to our advantage—it eliminated decision fatigue because we had to be quick and intentional with every choice. The whole experience felt efficient yet personal, and we were able to create something truly reflective of who we are. Our best advice would be to remember that this is your day, and every choice you make should be for you as a couple—not for anyone else.
Matias – The planning process made me realise just how much Jess and I are on the same wavelength when it comes to our decisions and vision for the day. We were always completely in sync—either we both loved something, or we both hated it!
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?
Jess – I actually never tried on a single wedding dress! I did some online research, but I had such a clear vision in my mind that I couldn’t bring myself to settle for anything less than perfect. My aunty recommended an amazing bridal designer, and I arranged a meeting with her. As I described my vision, Suzanna started sketching, and it looked exactly as I had imagined. The custom-made process involved fittings every few weeks, and it was incredibly special to have my mum, aunts, and cousin/maid of honour with me at each appointment. Having the most important women in my life by my side throughout the journey was so empowering, and watching my vision come to life with their support made it all the more meaningful. One of my beautiful friends, Jasmine, recently started a custom bridal business and generously agreed to make my reception outfit at the last minute. I completely trust her taste, so we worked together to design a second look that had beautiful flow and movement—absolutely perfect for the dance floor. I knew I wanted both looks to be unique to me and something that no one else would have.
Matias – Jess and I love any excuse to dress up, so deciding on a black-tie (optional) dress code was a no-brainer. I also knew from the start that I wanted to wear a tux, and it had to be high quality with the perfect fit—so I opted for a custom-made one. Belancē in Paddington was the perfect choice because their suits have a unique touch that sets them apart.
I ended up going with a double-breasted ivory jacket, but finding the right shade was a challenge. Since I wasn’t allowed to see Jess’s dress, I had to match my jacket to a tiny fabric swatch she gave me, which took a few consultations to get just right. Thankfully, the whole process was seamless, and Belancē made sure everything turned out perfectly. Though to be honest, I’m not sure I’ll ever have another occasion to wear a white tux jacket again!
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?).
Jess – Food, photography & fashion! Our venue is also one of the best restaurants in Sydney, so we visited a few times before the wedding to eat and decide on the wedding menu. We had a feasting-style dinner, and we knew it was a hit when there was nothing left on the plates. My dresses were so important to me- I wanted them to be special and unique but also my bridesmaids. I didn’t want a uniform look; instead, I wanted each bridesmaid dress to reflect their individuality through different silhouettes and shades of green while still coming together beautifully as a group.
Matias – The photography and videography were also incredibly important to us, as they would be the only tangible memories of our special day. We often talked about how, one day, we would sit down and show our future kids the photos and videos, reliving those moments together and telling them all the funny stories about their family.
Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?
Jess – The rain! In the week leading up to what we had envisioned as a perfect seaside summer wedding, a severe storm and torrential rain hit. We were scrambling just days before to secure a last minute marquee for the outdoor ceremony. Thankfully, our amazing coordinator, Tara, managed to find a beautiful marquee. But the morning before the wedding, the marquee company called to say that while it could withstand wind and rain, it would be too dangerous to even assemble. With no other options available, we spent the next 24 hours just hoping everything would fall into place. I ended up breaking out in a stress rash on my face, which everyone tried to convince me was unnoticeable… On the day itself, I woke up to a completely clear face—and, miraculously, clear skies as well! The entire day went off without a hitch, and there was no need for all the panic. I’m so grateful for how calm Matias remains, always focusing on solutions when I’m spiralling.
Matias – My dad’s best friend clearly didn’t read the invite properly and showed up in a Hawaiian shirt and shorts, standing out like a sore thumb with everyone else in suits. It was pretty funny at the time, but even funnier now looking back on it. We definitely won’t let him forget it!
Jess – One of the highlights of the reception was my younger cousin Noah. He has Autism and recently started taking music lessons, so he asked if he could perform a song with the band. Of course, we said yes—it is so special to see him thriving and confident when he sings. I had requested a love song, maybe something by Taylor Swift, but Noah decided on two songs by Rick Astley instead… He absolutely lit up the dance floor, lifted the mood, and brought so much joy to everyone. It’s a moment I’ll never forget, and now I guess Together Forever by Rick Astley is officially our song.
BRIDE Jessica Hanna, @jesshanna GROOM Matias Claps, @dontatmarv VENUE Dunes Palm Beach, Sydney, Australia, @dunespalmbeach PHOTOGRAPHER Dylan Heckenberg – Calla Lily Collective, @callalilycollective VIDEOGRAPHER Elijah Meredith – Calla Lily Collective, @callalilycollective STYLIST By the couple PLANNER Tara Cole – Vow And Vision Weddings, @vowandvisionweddings FLORIST Carla Pavincich – The Ivy League, @theivyleague_au OFFICIANT Stepfather of the Groom, Paul Harvey ENTERTAINMENT Lead Singer – Mike K – Red Soda Band, @redsodaband; Lebanese Drums – The A Team Entertainment, @theateam_entertainment HIRE Abbey Ward – Lovesick Weddings, @lovesickweddings MARQUE Ceremony – Katalane, @katalanetents; Reception – Exotic Soirees, @exoticsoirees CATERING Dunes Palm Beach, Sydney, Australia, @dunespalmbeach CAKE By Gigi, @by.gigi STATIONERY & SIGNAGE By the couple WEDDING BANDS Sarah & Sebastian, @sarahandsebastian BRIDE’S SHOE Magda Butrym, @magdabutrym BRIDE’S CEREMONY DRESS Custom Made & Designed – Suzanna Blazevic, @suzannablazevic BRIDE’S RECEPTION DRESS Custom Made & Designed – Jasmine Fernandez, @jasmyn BRIDE’S ACCESSORIES Ceremony – Neck Scarf – Suzanna Blazevic, @suzannablazevic; Vintage Pearl Drop Earrings – Bride’s Aunt MAKEUP Veronika Moreira, @veronikamoreira_bridal HAIR Dermot O’Donnell, @dermaat BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Santal 33 – Le Labo, @lelabofragrances TUXEDO Belancē, @belanceworld GROOM’S SHOE Common Projects Loafers GROOM’S ACCESSORIES Watch – Cartier, @cartier; Baroque Pearl Cufflinks – Monica Vinader, @monicavinader GROOM’S FRAGRANCE 1996 – Byredo, @officialbyredo BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES Designed by the bride; Custom made by the family BRIDESMAIDS SHOE Alias Mae, @aliasmae
