As I mentioned this morning, we were devastated to hear of the loss of Sydney event planner & stylist Anthony Del Col over the weekend.
I have never had the pleasure of meeting Anthony but he was solidified as part of the Polka Dot family through words he had written, weddings we had featured and events we had attended.
From the styling and planning the weddings of much loved Australians like Ada Nicodemou, Rove Mcmanus and Guy Sebastian to his large involvement in Sydney events like The Ultimate Wedding Planning Party, Anthony’s talents and knowledge of beautiful wedding styling and events was incredible. His own brand- Anthony Del Col Weddings was set to launch in October.
The Australian wedding industry is a small one and I know this loss will be felt greatly- Anthony had a special talent and was so obviously adored within the industry. Our love and prayers go out to Anthony’s partner, his family and his friends who will be forever in our thoughts.
I wasn’t sure how to recognise Anthony De Col’s life and contribution to Australian weddings, I have Graham Monro and the gm photographics team- colleagues and close friends of Anthony’s to thank for this tribute. The images- each a memory, a moment in time are all captured by the gm photographics team. The words that follow, come courtesy of Graham Monro.
Anthony with Sydney wedding suppliers
Wedding stylist Anthony Del Col has unfortunately passed away.
He died in Mykonos whilst holidaying there with his lifetime partner Noel and friends.
He was on an extended European holiday with his mother and Noel visiting relatives from his parents homeland of Italy.
Anthony with Steven Khalil and Graham Monro
Anthony Del Col was hugely popular in the wedding industry and there has been a massive outpouring of grief and love for him on Facebook.
For the past ten years Anthony was working for Staging Connections as their head wedding stylist and planner and was just about to launch his own company Anthony Del Col Events on his birthday, the second of October this year.
Anthony’s niece Marissa & Anthony Laria Doltone House Jones Bay Wharf Flowers by Maria Lush Dress by Steven Khalil
Anthony had established himself as the Wedding Stylist to the stars working on high profile couples like;
Rove Mc Manus and Belinda Emmett
Ada Nicodemou and Chrys Xipolitas
Ada Nicodemou & Chrys Xipolitas at the Shangri – La Hotel
Guy Sebastian and Jules Egan
Guy Sebastian & Jules Egan at Crystal Palace Luna Park Cake By Planet Cake Flowers By Maria Lush
Titans Rugby League Mark Minichiello and Milena Angelucci
Mark Minichiello & Milena at Opera Point Events
TV star Tessa James and Cowboys Rugby League player Nate Myles
Tessa James & Nate Myles home wedding Melbourne
And hundreds of weddings for many many Sydney couples and interstate couples and overseas as far away as China.
Anthony Del Col was a beautiful person with a big heart and full of energy and positivity.
He was a consummate professional and extremely focused, dedicated and hard working.
To all of his brides he formed great friendships and went beyond the brief and call of duty to deliver weddings far exceeding their expectations.
Over the past ten years we had worked on a lot of weddings with Anthony and he always pushed you to do your best.
Anthony and his niece Marissa with Steven Khalil
Anthony and his niece Marissa with Maria Lush
Anthony and his niece Marissa with Paris Cutler of Planet Cake
He would say “Come on gm I want this to be the best wedding that you have ever shot ! ”
He became a very dear friend and I am heartbroken with his passing.
It is like a bad dream.
Anthony and his niece Marissa with Steven Khalil
Everyone who ever met or worked with Anthony loved him, he was that engaging and infectious.
A true Libran.
From all of us at gm photographics and everyone in the wedding industry we will miss Anthony terribly and our heartfelt condolences go out to his lifetime partner Noel and his family.
Photos courtesy of gm photographics
Am so sad to hear this… With such a heavy heart.. Anthony will be so missed..
Just speechless!
So sad to hear this. It is a tragic loss and he will be missed by us all.
What a lovely tribute.
Although I never met Anthony I have been a long time fan of his and his amazing work. A great loss for the Events industry and I hope that his work will always be remembered as a true inspiration.
Anthony was amazing, so sad to hear of his loss. Fantastic tribute to him.
Such a beautiful tribute for such a talented and wonderful man. Our heart felt condolences go to his partner and family.
Such a lovely tribute to a truly talented stylist!!!
such a lovely tribute to as incredibly talented man, so sad, such a loss to the industry. RIP X
I’m sure Anthony will continue to create beautiful memories in heaven Xx
Very sad news, great tribute to Anthony
Such a beautiful Tribute Ms Polka! I was honoured to have worked with Anthony, he is very lovely and it’s so terribly sad that he is no longer with us.. our deepest condolences.. x
‘m shocked and stunned to hear this sad sad news, a true talent in this small industry. Attention to detail was perfection personified.. True talent and will be sadly missed.
Dear Polka Dot Bride,
Thank you for writing such a special piece on my uncle Anthony. You have captured just how talented he was and how much he strived to make every thing he touched ‘perfect’.
It is beautiful so see all those photos of my wedding or as my uncle use to say it was ‘our wedding’ (just as much his and it was mine and my husbands) taken by the very talented Graham from GM. The 2 years of planning was well worth it and he put his heart and soul into it as he did with everything. I am overwhelmed with all the messages from his friends on his Facebook page and so happy to see how many people’s lives he touched. Thank you again x
Hi Marisa,
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment on this post. You were one of the first i thought when i heard the news of as your wedding story and plans were so wonderful to read.
I wish you and your family the very best- you are in our thoughts
x Ms Polka
Marisa your uncle Anthony was Amazing!! I was to be the first official bride under his new company and exciting new venture! You know, he was meant to have been on a well deserved break but at every point, he sent an emails flooding my inbox with enchanting ideas. I am sure every bride knows Anthony as family, infact he made it clear that in order for him to successfully out work our vision we had to be!
Planning my wedding has been a journey that Anthony made magical,and exciting, I flew home from a mine site to fall into my partners arms and just cried. That feeling of losing your family, my chief bridesmaid! God help me get through that day when I am married at the mint and walk into the opera house, and realize he is not there. God give me strength to do that.
I am overwhelmed in sadness for Noel, for he was Anthony’s Husband and Soulmate! I will never forget how his face lit up when he spoke of planning your wedding Marisa, he was so proud of you! I pray strength for the family at this time.
Anthony you will never be forgotten!
While I never had the honour of meeting Anthony in person, it was only last week I was talking about him and his amazing style and respect in the Australian Wedding Industry. Thank you for raising the bar to wedding styling in this country Anthony. You always had high standards and insisted upon attention to detail at all your incredible weddings. It is our (the wedding industry) job to continue what you have begun. Rest in peace.
It makes you stop and think ‘why’ ? and there is no answer; it doesn’t make sense. There is no logic. Just an emptiness that says ‘I wonder … if only’ thanks GM for a magnificent tribute. You did good my friend. ADC would’ve been proud.
I woke up to his Anthony’s smiling face on my Facebook page and had a huge smile….until I read the comment. Devastation. Why. Can’t be true.
I have worked in the events industry for 25 years and Anthony was one of the chosen few who made you feel special, alive and important.
The last time I saw him, he spotted me walking into an event…we were both late. We said stuff it…we are not going in the back door but will walk straight in with our heads held high (even though the whole room looked at us as the speeches were on!) he said to me…A lady should never walk alone….he was right. So I put my arm through his and in we want. We had photo taken and acted like the celebrities that we were!
I must get that photo and cherish it.
May the angels have their wings wrapped firmly around you my darling.
xxxRosemarie
A beautiful tribute to a very talented man. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones at this sad time.
Shocked and very sad to hear of Anthony’s death.
We have had the privilege to work with Anthony on numerous occasions and were looking forward to seeing him shine in his new venture!
Our deepest condolences go out to all of his loved ones.
He will be missed!
Deni on behalf of everyone at Brown Sugar.
What an devastating news, I have never met him personally but has worked with his team once for a fashion shoot for mira mandic… he’s a genius and will be horribly missed. Rest in Peace Anthony… life is so short and unpredictable ;.(
I feel like I’m dreaming and when I wake up I will see my neighbor Anthony rushing to work in the morning or afternoon. He was so dedicated to his job which he loved doing with a passion, and wasn’t he a humble man never bragged about his big celebrity fans. I watched him for seven years rushing off to work and occasionally had chit chats. I saw Anthony and Noel drive off in a taxi 2 am in the morning, but never thought it would be for the last time. He had a heart of gold. Rest in Peace Anthony, and my condolence to his family and Noel. We love you.
hi my name is Tuba I am 9 years old, we live in the same block with Anthony I am devastated that he past away I’ve been praying, wishing and crying because he was like my favorite neighbor all though i don’t now him very well i loved him. he was such a sweet heart.
R.I.P WE ALL LOVE YOU ANTHONY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anthony, a friend and neighbour. You are missed by so many. My wife, my son and myself feel honoured to have met you. You were truly a positive, friendly and all-round great guy. Always ready to lend a hand, always greeted us with a smile and a friendly hello.
You are always in our thoughts and prayers.
RIP
I worked with Anthony a few times over the years and was always impressed by his passion for his work.
It was a shock to hear the news – Anthony was a beautiful soul that has left this life too soon.
My thoughts & condolences go out to his partner, family & friends.
So sad to hear the negative news.A great loving warm person has been taken but his smile and love will stay on this earth forever his name with echo into eternity.
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I have bookmarked it for later!