Shanade + Kristian by Nikita Pere - Together Journal

We wanted to ensure that every detail reflected our tastes and personalities, making the day uniquely ours.

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

Kristian works in change management, while I manage accounts for a technology company. We both share a deep love for staying active, especially with our training routines that keep us motivated. One of our favourite ways to unwind is taking long drives with no set destination, just enjoying the journey and the open road. Being by the beach brings us a sense of calm, and we love going for walks with our dog, soaking in the fresh air. After a great meal, we usually relax in front of the TV, watching our favourite shows before calling it a night. It’s a simple routine, but it’s our perfect way of blending adventure and relaxation.

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

We met about 12 years ago while working at a call centre. At the time, we were both so young that neither of us really thought it would turn into something as lasting as marriage. But I found Kristian to be incredibly charming—handsome, warm, and always making me laugh. He, on the other hand, said he was drawn to my fiery spirit and my infectious smile. What made our journey even more special was that we had a solid friendship before we started dating, which I always thought was great. It gave us time to really get to know each other and build a foundation before taking the next step. Looking back, it feels like everything aligned perfectly in its own time. That friendship made all the difference, and here we are today, stronger than ever.

Elopement Ceremony – Uluru Family Lands

When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?

I can’t pinpoint the exact moment, but somewhere in the middle of our relationship, things began to shift. It felt sudden, yet the build-up had been happening for a while. I started feeling more comfortable with Kristian taking the lead in certain parts of our life together—a big step for me, given how independent I’d always been. Gradually, I realised I could trust him completely, knowing he had both our best interests at heart. Meanwhile, Kristian knew just a few months after we moved in together that he wanted to spend his life with me. He loved how naturally we fit together, how everything felt effortless and right as if it was meant to be. When I knew I wanted to be his wife, I saw him differently. There was a deeper respect, a confidence that we could build a strong, trusted life together—something real, something lasting.

Was there a proposal? Tell us a little about it…

Yes, there was a proposal, and it happened on our anniversary. Kristian had planned to ask me at the restaurant, but I’m so glad he didn’t. Not because it wasn’t romantic—it absolutely was—but because I just can’t handle that kind of attention. So, he decided to wait. After dinner, we went for a walk in the botanical gardens. It was late, past 10 p.m., and I was getting tired, ready to head back to the hotel. But he insisted we keep going, and we walked until we found a park bench. I sat down, and Kristian, still standing, asked me to close my eyes because he had something to give me. I could hear him rummaging in his bag, and I honestly thought he was about to pull out the Yeezys I’d been looking for. When I opened my eyes, there he was, on one knee with a ring. I was completely smitten and over the moon!

Tell us about the vision you had for the mood or style of your wedding.

We had a few ideas for our wedding—one was in Finland, where Kristian’s family is from—but it never felt quite right. After talking to friends, many shared that if they could do it again, they’d elope or have something smaller. That got us thinking, and we decided to explore that path. At first, we weren’t sure where, but Uluru kept coming to mind. It felt like the perfect place—a nod to my journey in Australia as an Indigenous person from another country and, of course, one of the most sacred places in the world.

While we had a vision, it was really Nikkita who brought everything together. She listened to what we liked, picked up on our style, and created something that far exceeded what we imagined. It was more than just a wedding—it felt deeply spiritual and special as if she’d tapped into something higher. The whole experience was relaxed, personal, and magical. I can still picture every smile, hear every laugh, and feel the connection we shared throughout that time with everyone we met along our journey to get married. From Nikkita to the people we encountered, it all felt like a shared, meaningful experience.

What was one element you were happy to splurge on?

When we decided to elope, we agreed that we wouldn’t spare any expense on what truly mattered to us. We felt that given the significance of this investment—whether we were celebrating with everyone or just the two of us—it was essential to focus on the things we genuinely loved. We wanted to ensure that every detail reflected our tastes and personalities, making the day uniquely ours. By prioritising what we valued most, we created a meaningful celebration that felt authentic and special, allowing us to cherish the experience fully.

Exploring Uluru & Kata Tjuta

Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?

We were incredibly fortunate that nothing on our wedding day felt stressful. We started the day with a beautiful walk around Uluru with an elder named Valrie, where we did some dot painting. Afterwards, we returned to our room to relax and enjoy some snacks while Nikkita worked her magic on my hair and makeup. Once we were dressed, we made our way to the ceremony site.

One of the things I still laugh about is that I had to wear crocs because heels weren’t allowed on the sacred land to protect the ground. But as soon as I jumped out of the car, I stepped barefoot onto the earth and ended up with a foot full of prickles that stung! We also had to climb some rocks, and we decided to take a different path from the rest of the group, which meant Kristian and I had to double back. It was all good fun and plenty of laughs.

What made the day even more special was when Nikkita and I exchanged glances on our way back. We both felt a profound sense of blessing surrounding us. During our journey, two elders guided Kristian and me on our wedding day—one gifted me flowers from Uluru, and the other was part of our wedding certificate, which felt like a true homage to Uluru itself.

Private Guided Kuniya Walk & Dot Painting Workshop

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

I left choosing my wedding dress until about six weeks before the big day, which might seem a bit silly in hindsight. This timing limited my options, but luckily, I found a place in South Melbourne that offered off-the-rack dresses. I went in with five dresses in mind, expecting to choose the first one I tried on, but I didn’t feel a connection to it at all. Instead, the last dress I picked—out of necessity—turned out to be the one I bought. I loved its simplicity; I didn’t want to make a fuss, which is just my style. To my delight, the dress was incredibly elegant and perfectly captured the vibe I wanted for the day. Looking back, I’m so glad with my choice and how it reflected who I am.

Like Shanade, I left organising my wedding outfit until just weeks before the big day. I had a clear idea of what I wanted: a darker olive green suit paired with tan shoes. I thought this combination would suit the natural aesthetic of our wedding destination and keep things looking polished without being too formal. When I walked into MJ Bale, I explained my vision to the man working there. He listened and then picked out a suit from the rack that matched what I had in mind. As soon as I tried it on, I felt like it was the right choice. It was a relief to find something that worked so well, and it brought me one step closer to the big day.