Chrisa & Pary

Today’s wedding has been a long time coming – 24 years if we’re counting – and for Chrisa and Pary, it couldn’t have been more perfect. The brightest winter blue sky, the dazzling beach setting, endless Champagne and two brides who have such an amazing story to tell; one that kicked off just ten days after marriage equality laws in Australia passed. “We have a small boat which we took out in Jervis Bay on the stunning morning of November 25th 2017,” tells Chrisa. “Pary beached the boat at one of my favourite secluded beaches, Long Beach, only for me to be surprised with a beautiful picnic set up with French Champagne, a cheese platter and a big light-box sign saying ‘Will you marry me?'”

And so now there’s a wedding story to tell via beautiful images by Red Berry Photography. Fill your glass with bubbles Dotties, because this one is a stunner!

Let’s go back in time 24 years, to the very day these two met as told by Chrisa. “We met while travelling through Europe, introduced by mutual friends on the Greek Island of Love, Kythera on August 1st 1994. We are both descendants of Kythera and 24 years later on the same day we got married!”

Chrisa chose a glittering gold Rachel Gilbert gown to wear called “Luciana”. She tells, “I had seen the dress hanging on the rack in (Sydney) city in February 2018, but didn’t try it on. Throughout the months of March and April I made appointments with bridal shops and tried on many many dresses, but nothing that I felt comfortable in. I went back to the city and tried on the Rachel Gilbert dress and loved it! It fit perfectly with no alterations needed except the length. And so I bought it immediately.”

Pary found her suit at Shane Ave. Chrisa tells, “Pary did not want to wear a dress and got a custom-made suit by Shane Ave. They were fantastic, Pary was able to express her own identity in navy tuxedo pants and a white tuxedo jacket, made from 100% lightweight wool.”

The beautiful Hyams Beach in Jervis Bay set the scene for this white-sand-filled day to kick off. Chrisa explained, “We made the sea change to Jervis Bay three years ago after living together in Newtown for 15 years. It was important for us to have our wedding in Jervis Bay as we have fallen in love with everything about it, and wanted our guests to experience its beauty as well. And we both have a deep connection with the ocean.”

Chris and Pary chose Hoorah Events to help them plan and style their vision for the day. “We could not have been any happier with all our vendors but the stand out would have to be Monica and her team from Hoorah Events.”

The brides entered the ceremony together, Chrisa explaining, “I walked down the beach to the aisle with my fabulous father to Helen Reddy’s, ‘I am Woman’. And then Pary came by boat to Katie Perry’s ‘I Kissed a Girl’ and met me at the beginning of the aisle. We then walked down the aisle together to our goddaughter and her sister singing ‘A Thousand Years’ by Christina Perry.

“I will always remember that incredibly special moment I walked alongside my dad to the cheers and overwhelming love of our family and friends,” tells Chrisa.

The brides chose Married By Todd to officiate their day. Chrisa tells, “Our wedding celebrant Todd Mayhew, provided a fun, chilled-out atmosphere. It was exactly what we wanted, a ceremony filled with love and humour. For readings, Pary’s mum read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient…in Greek and Pary’s brother’s twin children read it in English.”

One of Chrisa’s favourite parts of the day? “When we were announced for the first time as wife and wife, we skipped down the aisle as the handmade confetti was thrown lovingly by our family and friends.” And that confetti was handmade by Pary! “As the ceremony was on the beach we could not have the usual confetti, so Pary painstakingly hole-punched hundreds of dried leaves in various shapes and sizes like hearts, circles and stars.”

The newlyweds celebrated with their guests at one of the local area’s stunning private homes Horizons At Hyams Beach. Chrisa shares, “Horizons is arguably one of the most beautiful houses in Hyams Beach – architecturally designed, master built with fantastic views. Owned by an acquaintance of Pary’s, who was gracious enough to allow us to host our wedding celebrations there.”

The wedding had its own special handmade touches – signs made by Pary, and honey favours as a nod to their Greek heritage. “As we are both descendants of Kythera and it’s where we met, we decided to import the world-famous Kytherian thyme honey.” tells Chrisa. “We bottled the honey in 70 small jars and ordered stickers to put on the jars that said ‘Chrisa & Pary, Meant to Bee’.”

“It was the most perfect winter’s day – calm, warm and sunny, with crystal clear water.
But our favourite detail was that we were able to provide Dom Perignon as the champagne for all our guests.”

The first dance was to music performed by the godchildren of the newlyweds! Chrisa explains, “We chose ‘Perfect’ by Ed Sheeran, performed by both our godchildren. My goddaughter sang and Pary’s godson played the guitar. We slow danced with a couple of twirls and turns.”

The newlyweds escaped the party for photos, telling, “Chris Jallard from Red Berry Photography was fantastic and was exactly what he told us to expect – for most of the wedding we didn’t even notice him running around in the background. We were so comfortable with Chris and loved how he captured every special moment.”

Chrisa carried a bouquet of white peonies from Aunty Poppy’s. She tells, “Our wonderful friend Peter Lynch from Aunty Poppy’s supplied the flowers and our wedding planner extraordinaire styled them. I loved a wedding bouquet I had seen on Pinterest of peonies.”

Dancing (including, of course, Greek dancing) continued well into the night. The brides were surprised with a mock bridesmaid performance by friends clad in rainbow dresses.

A big congratulations to you both Chrisa and Pary! Thank you for sharing your beautiful wedding and its stories with us. Thank you also to Red Berry Photography for sharing today’s celebration.