Maddie + Ante by Sweet Summer Bali

Our vision was timeless elegance with a touch of modern minimalism.

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

We’re both hard-working and passionate about what we do — Ante is a Creative Director at ARN, and Maddie is a freelance Marketing Strategist and founder of the small fashion label, Audrey Atelier. We live in Sydney with our toy Cavoodle, Otis, and are big on family, travel, and making meaningful memories. Bali felt like the perfect destination for our wedding — a beautiful celebration not too far from home.

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

We actually met at work — full transparency, we worked really well together from the get-go, but didn’t quite connect fully until Maddie was about to leave for another job. The very first time we met, we hugged, which was totally out of character for me (Maddie), since I’m not much of a hugger. But there was something about Ante — he was so warm and inviting, it just felt natural.

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 was timeless elegance with a touch of modern minimalism. We wanted the overall mood to feel intimate, refined, and grounded in simplicity, letting the natural beauty of Bali do most of the work.

The styling centred around soft, romantic textures and a neutral palette of whites, ivory, and fresh greens, with delicate accents of pale yellow to bring warmth and depth. We chose flowing draped fabrics to create a sense of softness and movement, paired with layered florals that felt wild but intentional — nothing too over-styled. Everything was designed to feel cohesive, calming and completely us.

My dress and veil were second-hand finds (which made them feel even more special), and I wanted everything to tie into that quiet, considered beauty. It was important that the styling never overwhelmed the setting or the moment, just enhanced it.

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 simplicity of the draped fabric backdrop was one of our favourite elements — it created such an elegant focal point without taking away from the natural beauty around us. It framed the ceremony perfectly and gave everything a soft, romantic feel as the light changed throughout the evening.

The florals were another standout. We went with a mix of white blooms, soft yellows, and lots of layered texture — they felt organic and full, without being too structured. The arrangements at the base of the welcome sign and around the ceremony space tied everything together and brought such a softness to the whole setting.

We also really leaned into the natural beauty of the venue. The tropical greenery, the warm dusk light, and the lush surroundings did so much of the work for us — we didn’t want to over-style it. It was all about enhancing what was already there with thoughtful, minimal touches that felt intentional and personal.

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

Honestly, I loved how simple the whole process felt. I had a clear vision from the beginning, and the incredible people I worked with in Bali truly brought it to life with ease. I never felt overwhelmed or caught up in unnecessary details — everything just flowed because I trusted the team around me.

My biggest tip? Know the feeling you want to create, not just the look. Once you’re clear on that, it becomes so much easier to make decisions and communicate with your vendors. Find people whose work you genuinely love and trust them — the process becomes so much more enjoyable when you’re not micromanaging every step. And don’t forget, it’s meant to be fun!

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

We were so lucky to work with an incredible team that made everything feel seamless and beautiful. Silver Dust absolutely nailed the styling and decor — they brought the vision to life with so much attention to detail. Padma Resort Legian was phenomenal; not only is the venue stunning, but the team truly pulled everything together behind the scenes. A huge shoutout to Shirley from Padma, who was an absolute powerhouse in making sure the day ran smoothly from start to finish.

Sweet Summer Bali captured our day so beautifully — the photography was warm, candid and felt so “us.” I booked Eira just one week out to do my hair, and she honestly did the most incredible job — relaxed, elegant, and exactly what I had envisioned. And UR BTS Wed absolutely delivered on content creation — their behind-the-scenes work is something we’ll treasure forever.

Lastly, the food and drinks from Padma were incredible. Our guests are still talking about it! Every single element felt thoughtful and elevated, and we’re so grateful to everyone who helped bring the day to life.

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

My wedding dress was second-hand — a beautiful Danielle Frankel gown I found on Still White. It originally belonged to a bride in New York who sent it with the most heartfelt letter, which I’ve kept and will cherish. I always knew I wanted to wear something pre-loved — why should such a beautiful dress only be worn once? There’s something really special about continuing its journey. I’m planning to resell it and include a letter of my own — a little Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants energy for future brides.

Later in the night, I changed into a custom Clem Bridal dress — it was sleek, minimal, and made just for me. It gave me total “cool bride energy” and was so fun to dance in. I’m so glad I had a second look that let me fully enjoy the party while still feeling like myself.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

Both my engagement ring and wedding band are family heirlooms, which makes them incredibly meaningful to me. It was really important to us to keep things within the family, not only for sentimental reasons, but also because I personally didn’t see the need to spend $20k on a ring. I love that my rings carry history and love from generations before us. There’s something really grounding and beautiful about wearing pieces that already hold so much story.

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 drinks were a big one for us — we knew from the start that a well-fed (and well-watered!) crowd makes for a happy celebration. We wanted our guests to feel looked after, relaxed, and able to fully enjoy the night, so we didn’t hold back there.

Photography was also something we were happy to invest in. The day goes by so quickly, and having beautiful, candid moments captured forever was really important to us. It’s one of the few things you get to keep after the wedding, and Sweet Summer Bali did the most amazing job.

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

Definitely, one of the most special things for us was having 65 of our closest family and friends fly overseas to celebrate together. The entire week felt like a dream, filled with endless laughter, relaxing swims, delicious dinners, and plenty of drinks shared under the sun and stars. Everyone was in full holiday mode, truly present and soaking up the joy of being together in such a beautiful place. It wasn’t just a wedding celebration; it was one huge, unforgettable party that brought so much love and happiness. Those memories of connection, fun, and togetherness will stay with us forever.