Nadia and Davide embraced every bit of their Italian heritage when they tied the knot “We wanted the day to reflect all the things we love. Good food, great friends and family, lots of love and laughter. The style was relaxed and we wanted to incorporate our Italian background”.

Dancing in streamers, serving up traditional sugared almond favours, and rosemary paying homage to lost loved ones and a wedding dress inspired by old Hollywood glamour by D’Italia is just the beginning of the details and the moments you’ll fall in love with (right along with us!). Photographer Belle Martin Photography brings the waterside day to life through her beautifully captured images.

Nadia and Davide’s story begins online the pair meeting when the timing was perfect “We were both divorced around four years by then and were both really looking for someone to share life with.” explains Nadia ” From the first time we met was like we had known each other for years prior. And when our kids met it was perfect. With five kids we are almost the Brady bunch and we love it. We wouldn’t have it any other way.”

The proposal, of course, centred on family “Davide proposed on Christmas morning. He told the kids beforehand and they were super excited. After everyone opened their gifts Davide hands me a box with a ring. A stunning emerald-cut Topaz. Davide being a man of few words says “Well you know what that’s for”. Luckily one of the kids shouts out “IT’S AN ENGAGEMENT RING!!!!!!!!!!!”

Nadia worked with D’Italia to create her dream gown, inspired by times gone by She shared “The inspiration for my dress came from the beautiful Sofia Loren. I wanted a simple, classic look, I didn’t want white and was looking for a particular shade of blue. I wanted it to go with my engagement ring and the beautiful view of the ocean at the venue.

When I went to D’Italia and explained what I was looking for they knew right away and pulled out the most spectacular satin material. D’Italia then recommended a dressmaker Vicky from Vassi Bridal Couture. She was so knowledgeable and knew exactly what I wanted. She was so professional and always made me feel so special.” Her look finished with a very special peice “As something borrowed, my step mum, gave me a brooch that was given to her mother by her father in 1965 on their 10th wedding anniversary.”

Nadia and Davide, who wanted to walk into their wedding together, chose a first tlook at home to kick off their day.

Arriving in a vintage car was one of Nadia’s favourite moments “Davide is into vintage cars so the classic Mustang was the only choice for the day. It was so exciting when I heard the car roaring down the street the morning of the wedding.”

Opting for fresh greenery with white flowers, Nadia and Davide enlisted Peony & Weasel Flower Co to create the floral arrangements for the day.  “I always have so much trouble choosing what I want so I was so lucky that I found a wonderful florist who helped me though. The brief I gave was I want lots of greenery including olive leaf, rosemary and some off-white flowers for pops of colour and not the usual thing.

The lovely Kristen from Peony and Weasel Flower Co. just said she would just put something together with all the things I like and not the usual thing. They definitely delivered. I was so incredibly happy with the results. The rosemary for remembrance of all of those who are no longer with us, especially Davide’s Dad.”

The couple walked down the aisle hand in hand to “Davide and I had a first look and decided to get to the ceremony together and walk in together. It felt so right as we have been through so much together that it was fitting we walked each other down the aisle. We walked into the ceremony to “Simply the best”  Noah Reid version.”

Davide and Nadia were married by the water by Jermaine Clarke. “We wanted our ceremony to be relaxed but meaningful. Our celebrant Jermaine Clarke was perfect. We decided not to say vows and Jermaine was able to still capture our love and family. We also didn’t have a best man and maid of honour, we chose to have Davide’s 92-year-old mum and my step mum sign the registry for us. It was a special way to include them in our day”

There were of course every special VIPs on the day “We had all our children at our wedding party. Our four daughters wore navy dresses and our son wore a navy suit. We also had our beautiful friend’s daughter be the flower girl on the day.”

Nadia and Davide credit the fact their day was so relaxed to their wedding planner De Silva Lining Events, a vendor to which Nadia has all the rave reviews “Sam not only made the day run smoothly but made lead up more organised (I am extremely unorganised) she was able to put my mind at ease through all the postponements (Covid related). Helped organise and reorganise my wonderful day.”

Spending their time with their photographer as newlyweds was a dream for these two “Belle was so amazing and got so many wonderful shots. To be honest, the photos are what I was most nervous about as I hate having photos taken, I always end up looking nervous and stiff. But Belle made it fun and relaxing and it shows in our photos. She was also able to capture the mood of the day with some stunning candid photos of all the guests.”

The couple’s wedding “Cake” was a beauty by Cornelius Cheesemongers. “Our cake was made entirely of cheese!!!!!!!!! And the middle wheel of cheese has been preserved in honey for us to cut and eat on our first wedding anniversary.” and even the favours gave a nod to their Italian heritage “For favours, we made sure to give each guest 5 confetti (sugar almonds) for good luck. We also gave them each bottle of olive oil for luck and health and wealth for all”

Nadia and Davide held both their ceremony and reception at The Pier.  “We chose this venue as it is on the sea and reminds Davide of his home in Italy (he came to Australia when he was 18) as he comes from a place called Pescara, Abruzzo in Italy.”

The newlyweds even embraced Italian tradition for their first dance, with added streamers!  Nadia told us “We chose to dance to “Pledging my love” by Elvis Presley. We had the streamers tied around us as we had our first dance. This an Italian tradition for the couple to be wrapped in colourful streamers attached to their hands as they have their first dance, so they are ‘entangled’ forever.”

A big congratulations to you both Nadia and Davide! Thank you for taking the time to share the stories of your day with us and thank you to D’Italia and Belle Martin Photography for sharing this one with us!