Samantha and Steven’s elegant Macedonian wedding was steeped in tradition. The day began with all the traditional rituals and games – shaving the groom, dancing with the flag, kicking the glass with water when leaving the house, leading to a traditional ceremony where the couple wore golden crowns, and then to the reception, where the party began in earnest.

And despite a sweltering 40-degree day, it was a day filled with plenty of joy and much celebration, as evidenced through every beautiful photos captured by Collections Photography. Settle in for the story!

After meeting at work in 2014, and year passing, Steven popped the question, in keeping with all the glam style, on the top of Melbourne’s Observation Wheel. Samantha remembering “It was a Saturday afternoon on 21st April 2019 and Steve had planned for us to go on the Observation Wheel in Docklands.

Once we got to the ticket box for the Observation Wheel Steve spoke to the employee and she advised we had to wait for our cabin. We decided to walk around Harbour Town until they were ready. As we were window shopping Steve seemed nervous and he wouldn’t let me walk on his left side.

As we returned to the Observation Wheel we had the manager escort us to our cabin.  Steve had organised champagne and a cheese platter. Once the wheel started moving Steve started playing music – once we got close to the highest point of the Observation Wheel, I was looking out at the view, Steve then played John Legend’s ‘All of Me’ and as I turned around he was holding the ring and asked me to marry him.”

Steve had a suit custom made by Prinzi Collections and wore black shoes from Christian Louboutin.  “He looked so handsome!” remembers Samantha.

 

Samantha had her heart set on wearing a Berta gown. She found the dress of her dreams at Raffaele Ciuca, telling “I have always loved the brand Berta – her designs are impeccable and I had always known that I wanted to wear one of her dresses for my big day.

I remember showing my sister the dress on social media and telling her I was in love with the style. I organised an appointment at Raffaele Ciuca in Armadale as they stock Berta and I knew they had this particular dress available. As soon as I put my dress on I cried and my dad got teary – I knew that this was meant to be mine!

I love that it is not my usual style (normally a tight dress kinda girl), the fabric and detail were incredible and it wasn’t your typical traditional wedding dress.”

Even cars, family cars, played an important role on the day, says the bride. “I arrived at the church in my dad’s Ferrari and Steve and I had a Rolls Royce Dawn for once we left the church – both cars tied in with the theme perfectly.”

One of Samantha’s favourite parts of the day? It occurred at the beginning of the couple’s traditional Macedonian ceremony, held at St Ilija Macedonian Orthodox Church.  She tells “The emotional moment for myself was when I saw Steve standing at the end of the aisle – I was trying very hard to hold back to my tears and not ruin my makeup!”

“The most challenging moment of the day was trying to take photos at Carlton Gardens in 40 degrees – our poor families were cooking however the photos came out amazing.”

The wedding party kept in with the classic styling of the day, in suits from Joe Black and Dollhouse Bridesmaids dresses. “Our groomsmen had suits from Joe Black and we kept the colours very classic (black suit with a white shirt and black tie) and the bridesmaid’s dresses were from Dollhouse, the style was flattering to all the girls and the lilac colour was perfect for summer.”

Samantha’s advice to you? “Take in the day as it goes by so quick! And don’t sweat the small stuff – everything will fall into place.”

Modern rooftop venue Luminare was just what these two wanted for their reception, says Samantha  “Luminare was one of the three venues we looked at. When we went to the site inspection, Steve and I both had an instant connection with the venue and knew it was the one we wanted to celebrate our wedding.”

Samantha and Steve chose Levian Events to style the flowers for the wedding. “Steve and I wanted a modern elegance theme for the day” remembers the bride. “The overall colour scheme was white and gold and the flowers were a mix of whites, greens and pops of gold which tied in perfectly with our stationery, cake and finer details for the day.

We appreciated all the help from family, friends and suppliers on the day as it turned out perfectly!”

 

A big congratulations to the newlyweds! Thank you for sharing your magical day with us. Thank you also to Collections Photography for sharing today’s beautiful celebration!