We wanted our wedding to be classic and timeless black-tie — for everyone to feel as though they were in Europe at a romantic Lake Como wedding
Alexandra —— I launched Adition Parfums with my sister in 2022 and Nik is the founder and director of Hismile, a flavoured toothpaste brand. We met on the Gold Coast in 2016 through a friend and were friends before we started dating. Nik proposed at Raes on Wategos with a backdrop of roses and champagne. When we were last in London, before Covid and before Nik proposed, we walked past Sotheby’s and I fell in love with a ring in the window. Nik based the design of my engagement ring on that Sotheby’s ring. It amazed me that he’d remembered how much I loved it.
We wanted our wedding to be classic and timeless black-tie — for everyone to feel as though they were in Europe at a romantic Lake Como wedding. Our inspiration for the reception was Great Gatsby meets the amFAR gala at Hotel Du Cap. We went all out with the venue, Swifts Mansion, an iconic grand building in Darling Point with amazing views of the Sydney Opera House.
We also wanted world-class food, drinks, florals and candles. We selected outfits for everyone involved, from the celebrant and musicians to the wait staff. Releasing doves was special for us because doves are a symbol of peace and love. It certainly surprised our guests and made for an amazing moment.
From my very first appointment with Steven Khalil, I knew I wanted a 4m long train for my gown and had a very clear vision of the design. We looked at intricate beading and hand embroidery on haute couture gowns to create the bespoke embroidery. I sent Steven and his team my concepts and the unique design they came up with was so intricate and special. It was exactly what I had dreamed of.
Finding someone to hand-make a couture lace-edged extra-long 7m veil at the back and 1m at the front was near impossible. When I spoke with Antoinette Fusillo, she had just received the most beautiful French lace and knew what it meant to me to have an extravagant veil. Her amazing team worked on the veil for four days and it really completed the look.
I already own some of Neil Grigg’s millinery and think he’s so talented. Neil made the base of the headpiece and covered it with the same fabric as my gown and veil, and custom beading to match my gown. However, we decided it was too much and removed the beading two days before the wedding. Nik’s suit was made-to-measure Tom Ford from Harrold’s. We wanted our wedding bands to be unique so we designed matching emerald-cut diamond eternity bands. The most memorable moment of our day was the two of us standing on the stage at the ceremony with our closest family and friends in attendance.
PHOTOGRAPHER Alice Mahran, @alicemahran VIDEOGRAPHER Dear Vincent, @dear.vincent CEREMONY LOCATION Swifts Mansion GROOM’S SUIT, SHOES, BOW TIE & SHIRT Tom Ford, @tomford; Harrolds, @harroldsaus CUFFLINKS Cartier, @cartier BRIDE’S GOWN Steven Khalil, @steven_khalil BRIDE’S SHOES Rene Caovilla, @renecaovilla; Jimmy Choo, @jimmychoo HEADPIECE Neil Grigg, @neilgriggmillinery VEIL Antoinette Fusillo, @antoinettefusillo STYLIST & PLANNER DK Events, @dianekhouryweddingsandevents FLORA John Emmanuel, @johnemmanuelfloralevents CELEBRANT Elle – Konnubials by Kiki, @konnubialsxkiki MAKEUP Alex Polverino, @alexpolverinomua HAIR Sarah Laidlaw, @sarahlaidlaw GROOM’S FRAGRANCE L’Immensite by Louis Vuitton, @louisvuitton BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Les Sables Roses by Louis Vuitton, @louisvuitton GROOMSMEN’S ATTIRE Harrolds, @harroldsaus BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES Alexis, @shopalexis BRIDESMAIDS’ SHOES Stuart Weitzman, @stuartweitzman BRIDESMAIDS’ EARRINGS Net-A-Porter, @netaporter STATIONERY & SIGNAGE Xela Studio, @xelastudio RECEPTION LOCATION Bennelong Sydney Opera House, @bennelong_sydney ENTERTAINMENT Luxe Strings, @luxestrings; Van-Anh Nguyen, @vananhofficial; Reigan, @reigan; Cadell Bradnock, @thecollectivesoundsystem; Toni Trubac, @toni_trubac CANDLES Lucy, @lovedbylucyxo CHAIRS Harbourside, @harboursidedecorators PROP HIRE The Treasure Room, @thetreasureroom_ CATERING Bennelong, @bennelong_sydney; Stedmans Hospitality, @stedmanshospitality CAKE Faye Cahill Cake Design, @fayecahillcakedesign LIGHTING Jay Productions, @jayproductionsevents STAGING & HIRE White Label Hire, @whitelabelhire FLOORING Elite Dance Floors, @elite.dancefloors
