I V A & S T E V E N

{ Centrepiece by Design + Xsight}

There is never a shortage of splendour when you work in weddings, and when someone in the industry has their very own big day it is just that extra bit special. The gorgeous Iva is part of the talented Centrepiece By Design team and was the star of the show two weeks ago when she got married. Basil and Marcus, Directors of Centrepiece By Design pulled out all the stops and created a magical reception that blew Iva away. And when you work in weddings that is a feat indeed! See her beautiful day below.

F R O M T H E B R I D E . . .

We first met. . .

At a nightclub - he was working security at the time and I came to see my friend DJ.

When did you know that it was love?

Funnily enough, straight away! We just bonded. We spent our first night after meeting talking until and our first date was the following day! Someone actually mistook us as being a couple because we looked so in love!

The proposal. . .

We were engaged after four years of dating. We purchased the ring and after it was resized he proposed right then and there! He got down on one knee and proposed to 'All Of Me' by John Legend.

The Wedding Dream. . .

I loved the idea of an enchanted garden, something untouched for hundreds of years. I wanted colour and lots of it so we played with stunning hues of bright pink, red and purple with lots of greenery.

Where was your ceremony and reception held?

Our ceremony was at The Atlantic Group's, Sumac, and the reception was at their Sketch venue.

Pre-wedding celebrations. . .

We had the traditional hens and bucks party and also a dinner with all my international guests.

The bridal party. . .

We had three bridesmaids and two groomsmen, all friends we have known for years.

What did your bridesmaids wear?

An elegant long black dress with lace cap sleeves to complement my dress.

What did your groomsmen wear?

Raffaele Ciuca dinner suits.

The dress. . .
I had an idea in my head as to what I wanted but couldn't describe it. I went to Rose from Annette of Melbourne and after showing her all of my inspiration she said, Iva you have no idea what you want. We spoke about all the different elements of each dress and what I loved. Then she drew a design and it was the dress I had in mind all along! She's just amazing!!

Wedding flowers. . .

I loved Peonies but didn't want just that, I wanted it to have a flight edge so we added sweet pea, carnations and lisianthis. Classic white!

How did you decorate the reception venue?

This was actually a total surprise! I told Basil (Director of Centrepiece by Design) two things, the colour palette and the over all idea. The rest he created for us. It was absolutely magical. Every table had its own individual centrepiece, covered in floristry, we had a stunning wisteria ceiling installation covering the entire dance floor! And the bridal table had a magnificent full floral backdrop - not one detail was missed.

The cake. . .

Cakes of Distinction did our suspended cake.

On the menu. . .

We had a sit down reception and the food was to die for!!!

Our Wedding Photographer. . .

We loved that Nick from Xsight photography was artistic. He could find any spot and turn it into perfection.

Wedding favours. . .

We designed custom made candles in a gorgeous black box with the guests name on them.

Memorable moments. . .

We loved the Serbian Folklore group performing a stunning rendition of a three part series story based on the love of a young boy and girl which leads to their wedding. Our first dance was special. We were so in the moment that we did not realise they the curtains opened to the gorgeous Melbourne sunset in the background - no dry eyes in the room! Also our amazing band getting everyone on the dance floor for the Tetrantela, all 100 guests were dancing around the entire room!

Wedding Soundtrack

I walking down the aisle to one of my favourite classical songs, 'Canon' by Pachelbel. Our first dance was to John Legend's 'All of Me' and the cutting of the cake was to our all time favourite, Unchained Melody!

The honeymoon. . .

We are currently in amazing Fiji!

The Future. . .

We hope to travel and raise little rug-rats together!

In 40 years you hope to. . .

Be as completely and madly in love as we are now.

Wedding Wisdom Advice to newly engaged couples. . .

It's such a special time in your life. Don't force it. When you are both ready it will happen and for all the right reasons.

Wedding planning advice. . .

Take your time, allow 18 months at least to ensure that you enjoy it, allow time to research your ideas and to see it all come together. Involve your groom as he may surprise you and be a lot more creative with his ideas than you think! Planning your big day is a special bonding experience!

Advice for the big day. . .

Enjoy every moment. It goes by so quick!! If anything goes wrong, chin up! No one else knows it was meant to be any other way! Invest in a videographer, those special moments that a photographer can capture in only a split second, the videographer can capture the entire moment.

MW x

Photography Nick from Xsight Melbourne Planning and Styling Centrepiece By Design Ceremony Venue Sumac - The Atlantic Group Reception Venue Sketch - The Atlantic Group Wedding Dress Rose from Annette of Melbourne Suits Raffaele Ciuca Cake Cakes of Distinction