It was a love story nearly a decade in the making, full of missed connections, serendipitous timing, and one particularly cheeky Grindr message. Ryan and Jeremy’s modern Melbourne wedding was a celebration of art, intimacy, and impeccable taste: beautifully captured by the ever-talented Leo Farrell, whose thoughtful eye turned every moment into a work of art.

They were orbiting the same circle of friends for years without ever truly meeting. It wasn’t until a slow summer’s afternoon in 2013 that fate (and a certain dating app) intervened. Ryan spotted Jeremy’s face on Grindr and enlisted a friend to confirm it was him… only for that very same friend to start sending Jeremy very cheeky messages… Thankfully, Ryan didn’t mind. They kept chatting, shared a homemade dinner, and rang in the New Year with what Jeremy insists wasn’t a strategically under-fuelled car ride that ended with Ryan choosing to stay in Jeremy’s room… with Jeremy in it!

Years later, Ryan planned to propose during a dreamy visit to the Judd Foundation in New York. He’d mapped out the moment and rehearsed the words. But between chatty security guards and Jeremy’s rising hanger, things didn’t go to plan. Laughing over a wardrobe malfunction in front of a mural, Ryan finally asked: “Would you maybe want to marry me?” The answer was yes. (Of course it was!!)

Both grooms wore black tuxedos – the perfect choice for their modern Melbourne wedding. The difference between the looks came down to their bow ties: Ryan wore a sleek black YSL one, and Jeremy chose a velvety red Tom Ford option.

One of Ryan’s favourite shots Leo captured from their modern wedding was of the two of them walking towards the camera at the back of the Melbourne Club!

One of the most meaningful parts of the day for Ryan and Jeremy was knowing it was being captured with such care. From the very beginning, Leo Farrell made them feel comfortable, seen, and celebrated: something that clearly comes through in every single frame. “Leo was so fantastic and immediately put us at ease. We loved his use of light and shadow and how he captures candid moments. He has a way of conveying the atmosphere of the event,” Ryan shared.

Their venue of choice for the day was the stunning Glasshaus Brücke nestled in Richmond, Victoria. “It’s a stunning converted warehouse that’s been remodelled with textured plaster, soft drapery and a striking abundance of plants. The space featured brass accents and tasteful lighting. We also included a signature scent that we made together in NY (we live in New York).”

For Ryan, the most memorable moment of the day was the reaction of their guests as he and Jeremy began their walk down the stairs into the ceremony. “We walked in together to the season 2 white lotus opening score.”

The ceremony was joyful and poignant, with a beautiful mention of Ryan’s father’s cancer remission from their celebrant, Charis White. “We had a secular wedding ceremony with two readings by friends, the first was a description of a Felix Gonzalez-Torres piece titled, “Untitled, Perfect Lovers”, and an accompanying letter by the artist to his lover, Ross Laycock. The second reading was a poem called Neither Wanting More by May Swenson.”

With the support of their incredible vendor dream team – including Leo Farrell, Andrew McConnell from Handmade Events, and the Glasshaus Brücke team – planning their modern wedding all the way from New York was as easy as pie!

Looking back, one moment stands out for Ryan and Jeremy – not the details or the schedule, but the feeling of being surrounded by love. Their advice? “Take a moment to enjoy the day, it’s a rare moment to have all your loved ones from your worlds in the one place.”

To make the day just the extra bit special, Ryan and Jeremy went the extra mile and created a custom wedding scent for the day, called “Met Gala”. “We also had a dessert station that was full of sweets and cheese – reflecting our respective preferences (I prefer savoury),” Ryan explained.

When asked what made their wedding day truly special, Ryan and Jeremy spoke not of trends or timelines, but of the deeply personal moments that defined it.

“1. Having all our friends and family together,

2. Crafting a bespoke ceremony,

3. Hearing heartfelt speeches from friends and family

4. Having an event that reflected our tastes.

5. Walking away with great memories immortalised with beautiful photos.”

For the food and speeches part of the night, Ryan and Jeremy wanted to serve dinner family-style to open up opportunities for conversation. All of their delicious food was provided by the incredible team from Handmade Parties & Events by Andrew McConnell.

Finishing out their night, Jeremy and Ryan swayed to “Falling In Love” by Cigarettes After Sex, followed by a dance with their mothers.

Congratulations, Ryan and Jeremy, on such a joy-filled, meaningful celebration. And a special thank you to Leo Farrell for capturing it all with such beauty and heart.