Yianna + Matthew by Callan Robison - Together Journal

Overall, our vision for the day was a moody, elevated vineyard-style wedding.

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

We were born in different cities—Matt in Newcastle and Yianna in Sydney—and both come from proud European backgrounds. Matt is a blend of Greek and Italian heritage, while Yianna is Greek on both sides of her family. Right now, we’re both in a season of growth, pushing our professional boundaries and investing in our careers. Matt works as an Engineer for a builder, and Yianna is an HR Manager.

Outside of work, we prioritise wellness and slow living as a way to balance out the demands of a busy work week. You’ll often find us winding down with a sauna, ice bath, or sound healing session—our idea of the perfect date night.

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

We met spontaneously in September 2020. At the time, we were both happily independent, but Matt quickly saw the potential for something more. With a little persistence on his part, we decided to “take this seriously” — and we’ve been partners-in-crime since January 2021.

From the start, there was a natural balance between us. Yianna was spontaneous, adventurous, and open-minded in a way that felt instantly comforting. Matt was calm, steady, and thoughtful — the kind of presence that brought a sense of ease to Yianna’s energy.

Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes etc.).

Overall, our vision for the day was a moody, elevated vineyard-style wedding. We worked closely with our florist to carefully curate floral arrangements that reflected the atmosphere we wanted to create—romantic, textured, and immersive. We had a lot of fun playing with statement florals like anthuriums, calla lilies and wisteria to incorporate texture and colour. The tables were also styled with tonal fruits and soft lampshades, adding depth and a tactile warmth to the tablescapes.

We anchored the colour palette in soft ivories, deep burgundy, and rich greenery, aiming for floral installations that felt as though they had grown naturally onto the property. It was important to us that our styling complemented—not competed with—the inherent beauty of the Bendooley Estate Stables, so we focused on adding thoughtful accents that enhanced the space without overwhelming it.

Our wedding day gave us all four seasons in one. We were lucky to have golden sunlight during the ceremony and photos, before a true Southern Highlands thunderstorm rolled in just as our guests arrived for cocktail hour. The rain added a dramatic, unforgettable energy to the evening and made the Stables feel all the more warm, intimate, and inviting.

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).

We chose a few unique spots around the venue for our photos, focusing mainly on the stunning Stables ring, where our main floral installation was set. We were intentional about working with the existing beauty of the Stables, aiming to enhance rather than overwhelm the space. That thoughtful approach, we feel, helped create a wedding that felt timeless, refined, and effortlessly elegant.

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

We genuinely enjoyed carving out time each week to go through our planning spreadsheet and tick off tasks — very satisfying for two goal-oriented people!

One of our biggest tips is to stay connected with loved ones during the planning process, but also to savour the smaller, quieter moments as a couple. A favourite memory was our trip to the Highlands for the menu tasting. Instead of rushing there and back in a day, we made a weekend of it and allowed ourselves to fully immerse ourselves in the experience. It ended up being a highlight — and just as well, since we were both too nervous to eat much on the actual wedding day!

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

All of our vendors were a pleasure to work with, and considering we didn’t have a wedding planner, their support made executing the day feel surprisingly seamless.

We especially loved working with our photographer, Callan Robinson — his calm approach and ability to make us feel completely at ease meant it often felt like the camera wasn’t even there.

Our florist, Clayton from The Flower Pursuit, also deserves a special mention. The floral installations at the Stables and the bouquets were nothing short of breathtaking, far beyond anything we could have imagined.

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

Yianna – Like many brides, I found the process of choosing a wedding dress a little daunting. But eventually, I came across a gown that became the benchmark for every other gown I tried on. My Tom Sébastien dress felt like a true work of art. I paired it with a satin scarf, beaded Christian Dior heels, and double-drop pearls by Natasha Schweitzer to add layers of texture and depth. I believe I was the first bride in Australia to wear the gown, which made it feel even more special.

The incredible team at The Ivory Room in Paddington helped bring the vision to life. The gown featured a beautifully dramatic basque waist, a romantic strapless neckline with delicate eyelash lace, and exposed corset boning that gave a modern edge to a classic silhouette.

One of my favourite parts of the day was changing into my mother’s original wedding dress, which I had transformed into a bubble-skirt mini for the dance floor. It was a heartfelt surprise — there were definitely a few teary eyes when I walked out in it, especially from my grandparents. I collaborated with Dianne Khallouf on the redesign, and she altered the piece to absolute perfection. I couldn’t have been happier with how it turned out.

Matt – I worked with Institchu for my suit, as well as the suits for my groomsmen, best man and father-in-law. I’d had a suit made there previously and found the process straightforward and enjoyable. Naturally, Yianna joined me this time around, which was lucky, because I had no idea how many variations there were to a classic black tuxedo! In the end, the suits were tailored to perfection, and the whole bridal party felt sharp, confident, and well put together.

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?).

The venue was by far the most important element for us—it essentially set the tone and location for the entire wedding. Given that it was a 90-minute to 3.5-hour drive for most of our guests, we knew the wedding would also serve as a weekend getaway for many.
Before choosing, we had a clear vision for the venue: it needed to feel predominantly indoor while still being deeply connected to nature. The ceiling-high window installation at the Stables perfectly captured the atmosphere we imagined for our day.

The other crucial element for us was food and drink—coming from European backgrounds, good food has always been a top priority. Bendooley offered a variety of delicious menu options, and narrowing down our final choices was no easy task! For cocktail hour, we served Aperol Spritz (with Sicilian olives as a non-negotiable, of course) and Mojitos, accompanied by canapés that circulated throughout the hour.
Our entrees and mains were served as shared plates, which we felt helped guests relax and encouraged easy conversation across the tables.

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

One of the most memorable parts of our day was the cocktail hour. Unlike many weddings we’ve attended, we were fully present for the entire hour, which we both treasure. While it meant giving up some additional time for photos and formalities, it allowed us to have a drink in hand, mingle freely, and genuinely connect with our guests. It also saved us from the flurry of “hellos” and “congratulations” later in the evening when all we wanted to do was dance and unwind.

Another cherished moment was late-night snacking on slider burgers back at our cottage — barefoot, running on pure adrenaline, laughing, and replaying the magic of the day as it wound down.