Julia & Alexey

Today’s romantic Brisbane wedding is spectacular. I say that not because the details are beautiful, the photographs captured by Jonas Peterson stunning, the setting romantic, the bride and groom glowing with happiness, but of the love story that is told. Today’s wedding is grounding- it’s back to basics, the soul of what a wedding is about. This is a beautiful wedding with a raw, authentic story beneath the glitter.

Julia tells the story of how she met her husband Alexey. “Alexey and I met in Medical School. We were friends for some time before we became a couple (although Alexey admits he had a little crush on me from the very beginning)!”

Before we get into the story of the day, I want to share the background and the reason today’s wedding got right into my soul. Julia, thank you for letting us into this part of your life. Julia tells, “This wedding had been two years in the planning. Unfortunately, three months before the wedding I was diagnosed with cancer (advanced Hodgkins lymphoma). I had to start treatment immediately, and lost the last of my hair in March. Everyone attending knew that I was unwell, and I was worried that all they would think of when they saw me on the day was “that’s the bride with cancer”. However, thanks to my FANTASTIC wig, and my very talented make-up artist, I looked and felt beautiful. It’s quite remarkable to think that – even just for the day – I could forget that I even had cancer.

Nyree Leather styled the bride’s hair and makeup while Invitation Station created the stationery for the day.

Julia chose a gown by Aire Barcelona.

Julia and Alexey met before the ceremony for photographs. Julia says of the day,  “It was everything a wedding should be: a celebration of the love two people share for one another. Due to the circumstances around my health, the focus was on us as a couple, and all we had been through and everything that was yet to come. All of the unimportant detail fell away – in the end it was about Alexey and I. It sounds cliche’, but it honestly was the best day of my life.

We didn’t sweat the small things: we had so much else going on to be worried over – we honestly didn’t care if the flowers were the wrong colour or if the napkins were folded incorrectly. It’s often the detail you spend the most time stressing over that you don’t even notice on the day.”

Julia and Alexey held their wedding ceremony on the Camelia Lawn at the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens. Julia remarks, “We loved the idea of an outdoor ceremony near the water – so the gardens were just perfect. It had rained the whole week before, so we were worried that we would be rained out on the day. However, it was perfect sunshine – not a cloud in the sky.”

white+white event planners pulled the day together Remarking “The garden ceremony was very elegantly styled with a petal lined the aisle and chandelier hanging from the rose arbour with florals flanking the bride and groom. White American chairs housed the guests with pretty pew ends to complete the overall garden party feel.”

Stirling Strings provided the ceremony music, playing Pachelbel’s Canon as the bride walked down the aisle.

Julia recalls, “Our bridal party were very special to us: my maid-of-honour was my cousin, who is actually more like a sister to me; and my “bridesman” was one of my dearest friends. Alexey’s best man was his father, and his other groomsman was my brother. It was wonderful to have them play such a big part in the day.”

Julia and Alexey made the decision to keep their wedding guest list considered, inviting only their nearest and dearest. Julia explaining, “We kept it small: we only invited people who we are very close to. It was a very personal day (given the circumstances), and we wanted to make sure we had the time to go around and see everyone and thank them for coming. It was far more intimate that way – everyone thought so. We even had friends fly in from overseas. To know that they would make such an effort to be there with us was so touching.”

“Our focus was on making sure we had a great photographer and videographer. We wanted to be able to look back on the day and remember it exactly how it was.”

Of their photographer, Julia says “Jonas is amazing. His work speaks for itself. Alexey and I hate having photos taken at the best of times. Jonas’s style was exactly what we were after – very natural and comfortable. Not forced or contrived at all. He knows how to let moments happen, and capture them perfectly.”

Julia and Alexey held their reception at Stamford Plaza Brisbane. Julia tells. “We chose the Stamford Plaza because we wanted an exclusive venue. We love the refined elegance of the plaza, and the River Room had views of the city and the river which were just to die for. The reception carried that very understated but elegant feel. Timber tiffany chairs with pink satin table linens, mirror bases with lovely fish bowl florals and glass charger plates with top plates to complimented the look.”

“In lieu of a gift for our guests, we made a donation to the Leukaemia Foundation. They are a not-for-profit organisation who provide care and assistance for patients and families affected by blood cancer (leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma). It was a cause very close to our hearts.”

The couple infused their reception with details that paid homage to their heritage and their own loves and quirks. Julia explains, “Gorgeous matroyshka dolls from the our own collection featured in the reception styling. The dolls were a tribute to Alexey’s heritage.”

Photographs of Julia and Alexey from their engagement shoot with famous quotes doubled as the table numbers.

Little touches harked back to the couple’s time in medical school. “We customised our guest book by creating an own doctor’s catalogue. Each guest wrote a message and filed it away.”

One of Julia’s favourite parts of the day was the speeches. She tells, “The speeches from both of the fathers had the whole room awash with simultaneous tears and laughter. Alexey’s parents had flown in all the way from San Antonio to be there.”

For their first dance, Julia remembers, “Our first dance was to “The Book of Love” by Peter Gabriel. We had taken lessons, but were in a panic at the last minute, as my dress was quite full in the skirt and Alexey kept stepping on it with his shoes. He ended up dancing without any shoes on – luckily nobody noticed!”

Congratulations Julia and Alexey! Thank you for sharing your marriage and your story with us! Thank you to Jonas Peterson for today’s images and Danielle from white+white for sharing today’s wedding with us!