Mimi + Josh by Keryn Sweeney

Our venue, Teja in Uluwatu, is completely sunset-centric.

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

We love good food, travel, long dinners with friends, and any excuse to be near the ocean. We’re both incredibly family-oriented and very social; our ideal weekend usually revolves around hosting or catching up with people we love. Josh loves almost every sport (truly), and winter for us means attending as many AFL games as possible. Sport even became a theme of our honeymoon; we went to both the NFL and NBA while in America, which was very on brand for us.

We share a love of travel, and choosing to have our wedding in Bali meant we visited three times in our wedding year, which we were absolutely not mad about. Food is also very important to us. Living in Melbourne, we’re spoiled with some of the best restaurants in the world, and we probably eat out a little too often. That’s why incredible food was always going to be a key focus of our wedding, and that’s why we chose a restaurant as our venue instead of a traditional wedding venue.

I (Mimi) work in a corporate environment but have a strong creative side, which is why I adored planning the wedding. Josh works in property and just loves making me happy.

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

We met at a mutual friend’s going-away drinks, a Sunday afternoon at a local Melbourne pub, where we were both only planning to “pop in.” Instead, we stayed all night talking. Three days later, we went on our first date. That was seven years ago, and we’ve been inseparable ever since. I actually bought Josh a drink the night we met, which was very unusual for me. I remember thinking he was handsome and very funny, and I think he thought I was cute, too. It all felt very easy from the beginning.

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 venue, Teja in Uluwatu, is completely sunset-centric. Its orientation toward the ocean, floor-to-ceiling openings, and expansive views mean golden hour becomes part of the design. The warm glow of the light weaves the natural environment directly into the restaurant’s look and feel.

Teja leans into natural, earthy materials, so the venue itself became the foundation of all our styling decisions. We didn’t want to fight the space; we wanted to enhance it.

Our stylist, Emma from Long Table Events, created custom terracotta-toned puffy chairs that blended seamlessly into the surroundings. We added mirrored tables to reflect the sunset during golden hour, creating this beautiful layered light effect. The florals added contrast, sculptural and textural, against the raw materials of the venue and the lush greenery surrounding us. Everything felt cohesive, immersive, and true to the location.

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

I absolutely loved the planning process. My favourite part was choosing my bridesmaids’ dresses. I knew I wanted them in one colour to create cohesion, but with different textures and silhouettes so each girl felt like herself. Before every major decision, I created a mood board on Canva. I gathered photos of the venue and tested around eight different colour options before landing on the final choice. There was a lot of trial and error and countless hours of online shopping scrolling, but it was so worth it.

My biggest advice is to start with your aesthetic. I didn’t want a traditional wedding look, so I built a Pinterest mood board of textures, hotels, interiors, stationery — not just other weddings. After a trip to Spain, I fell in love with the feeling of Hotel Corazón and knew I wanted our wedding to tap into that same warmth and romance. Once you know the feeling you’re chasing, every other decision becomes easier.

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

Da Da Island, our florist, was genuinely the reason we chose Bali. I had followed their work for a while and was obsessed with their sculptural, architectural approach to florals. They create arrangements that feel immersive and artistic rather than traditional. Think sweeping grasses, textured foliage, deep burgundy accents, and delicate white florals layered low and wide. It was intentional and incredibly unique.

Long Table Events were essential. Planning a destination wedding means you need someone on the ground, and Emma and her team were exceptional. In the lead-up, they put me completely at ease despite the distance. On the day, there was a team of around 15 people ensuring everything ran seamlessly. It was incredible.

Teja absolutely exceeded our expectations with the food. Being from Melbourne, we have high standards when it comes to dining, and they delivered on every level. The menu felt refined yet generous, beautifully executed without ever feeling overly formal. We began with vodka and caviar bumps, followed by incredible canapés — school prawns, wagyu beef skewers and delicate zucchini flowers. Guests then shared starters and mains, including yellowfin tuna crudo, charcoal chicken, snapper, and an abundance of vibrant sides layered down the tables. We finished with a dark chocolate tart and hazelnut namelaka, which was the perfect balance of rich and light. Food was such an important part of the experience for us, and they truly nailed it. The cocktails were flowing all night, which our guests definitely appreciated; it created that celebratory atmosphere we were hoping for.

Our DJ, Nico Bloom, alongside Arie Kurniawan on saxophone, kept the dance floor full all night, which was exactly what we wanted.

And of course, photography. See question 8 below. Keryn was truly amazing.

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

I wasn’t a bride who knew what she wanted; I actually had no idea. I do, however, love fashion and knew that I wanted a fashion-forward dress. I tried on Vivienne Westwood gowns in Melbourne, which I adored, but they didn’t feel completely “me.” I then travelled to Bloom in Brisbane to try on a Danielle Frankel dress, but unexpectedly fell in love with my Varca Studio dress. While it photographs simply, the fabric was extraordinary, Japanese tissue taffeta, light and airy, perfect for Bali’s climate. Varca is based in Chicago, and the dress was made in the NYC garment district, which felt incredibly special. Instead of a traditional veil, I paired the dress with a soft tulle neck scarf and pearl earrings, which felt modern and editorial while still romantic. I wore white Christian Louboutins, my first red bottoms, which I will treasure forever.

For the party, I wanted something easy to dance in and suited to the tropical climate. I changed into an ivory lace Rabanne dress with silver Aquazzura party heels. It felt fun, effortless, and completely different from my ceremony look.

I started the day in a gorgeous white Rat & Boa flowy dress, barefoot and relaxed, perfect for running around the grass at The Ungasan, where we got ready.

For Josh, choosing P. Johnson for his tuxedo was a no-brainer; he loves their suits. Dante at the Melbourne City store made the entire process seamless. Josh’s groomsmen wore Oscar Hunt, also classic.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

Josh chose my engagement ring entirely on his own, which made it even more special. It was a complete surprise, and I was so proud of him — he nailed it. For our wedding bands, we kept things classic and timeless. I opted for nine natural round diamonds to complement my round solitaire engagement ring. It adds just the right amount of sparkle while still feeling elegant and refined.

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?).

Photography was completely non-negotiable for us. I discovered Keryn’s work early in the planning process and instantly connected with her style, the candid emotion, her use of film, and the richness of her colours.

We wanted photos that felt editorial but still full of life. The golden hour portraits overlooking the ocean feel timeless and romantic, while the black-and-white dance floor shots capture the wild, electric energy of the night. We wanted beautiful images that documented the atmosphere.

Photos are what remain long after the day ends. I revisit them constantly, and they immediately take me back to how it all felt, the calm before walking down the aisle with my bridesmaids, the joy of being surrounded by our friends, and the chaos of the dance floor after the espresso martini tower and fireworks. Investing in photography was one of the best decisions we made.

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

Midway through the night, Josh and I sat together on a couch, slightly overheated, fanning ourselves and taking it all in. We looked at each other and thought, “120 of our closest friends and family travelled here to celebrate with us, how lucky are we?” There truly is no feeling like being surrounded by everyone you love, dancing under the stars.

Another unforgettable moment was the espresso martini tower and fireworks display. As the fireworks went off and the martinis were poured, the entire energy of the evening shifted; everyone rushed to the dance floor, and it felt electric. It was completely surreal. That moment really marked the transition from beautiful dinner party to full celebration mode.

Walking down the aisle was also unforgettable. The nerves disappeared the second I saw Josh standing at the end, waiting for me.

What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?

Your husband or wife is the one family member you truly choose. They’re with you while you’re still becoming who you are, as you build your own family, and as you grow older together. Marriage feels like standing up in front of everyone you love and saying, “This is my person.” Being married is the continuation of that choice, not just in the big milestones, but in the ordinary moments. Sharing life with someone is incredibly special. We will never take it for granted.