As we soak up the warmth and lightness of summer, our Joy Issue feels especially fitting. Today on Polka Dot Wisdom, we’re welcoming a beautifully thoughtful piece from Steph of Nunu Designs, exploring what joy really looks and feels like on a wedding day. Less about perfection and more about presence, laughter, connection and ease, this reflection is a reminder that the most joyful celebrations always begin with the couple’s story at the centre of it all.

Photography by Siempre

When I think about a joyful wedding day, the first things that come to mind aren’t the flowers or the styling. It’s the sound of it. Constant laughter, hands clapping, champagne glasses clinking, music playing and people singing along without even realising they are.

I picture smiles everywhere and not the posed kind, but the ones that sneak up on you when you’re genuinely happy. The couple catching each other’s eye, laughing mid-moment, completely present. They’re not thinking about what comes next or whether everything is perfect. They’re simply enjoying themselves.

They’re surrounded by their favourite people who are all in one place, celebrating something that truly matters. It’s relaxed, it’s full, and it already feels like one of those days you’ll talk about for years. One of those days that becomes a favourite the moment you’re in it.

That feeling doesn’t happen by accident. A joyful wedding day is rarely about how much is done, how closely a trend is followed or how tightly everything is controlled. It comes from intention, trust and creating a day that feels deeply personal to the couple at the centre of it all.

Photography by Salt Atelier 

When I begin working on a wedding the first thing I want to know is all about the couple themselves. What they do. What they love. How they spend their weekends. Their personalities, their energy, and the way they move through the world together. Those details matter far more than a colour palette or a Pinterest board ever could.

All those little details play a part in not only how I create for them on the day but also in how I work with them throughout the journey. Every couple is different and the way they communicate, make decisions, and experience the planning process is different too. Understanding who they are helps everything else fall into place.

Those personal details quietly shape the design. They influence how bold or understated things feel, how relaxed or refined the atmosphere becomes and how the day flows from one moment to the next. It’s never just about choosing flowers or creating something beautiful. It’s about creating something that feels right for that couple.

Photography by Salt Atelier 

A wedding day should feel like an elevated extension of who you already are. Not a performance. Not a version of someone else’s day. Just you, turned up a little and celebrating in a way that feels natural, comfortable and true.

Joy also comes from how the experience feels long before the wedding day arrives. The planning process itself should be joyful too. The world is busy and stressful enough without adding wedding planning to the list. This season should feel exciting, supported and even enjoyable!

Photography by John Benavente 

A calm thoughtful process makes such a difference. Clear communication, realistic expectations and feeling genuinely looked after allows decisions to feel lighter. When couples aren’t overwhelmed by every choice, they’re able to enjoy the lead-up and trust that everything is unfolding as it should.

When the process feels good it shows on the day. There’s more ease, more presence and more room for those unplanned, in-between moments that often become the most memorable parts of the celebration. Joy has space to exist when stress is taken out of the equation.

Choosing the right vendors also plays a huge role in creating that experience. Of course, the quality of someone’s work is important. But just as important is how you feel with them. You want to genuinely gel with the people you choose because they are the ones walking alongside you throughout the journey and supporting you on the day itself.

Photography by House Of Lucie 

These are the people making decisions in real time often behind the scenes. They’re holding the bigger picture, responding to changes and acting with your best interests at heart. When a team truly understands you, they can make confident and thoughtful choices knowing exactly what you would want.

And sometimes, they can even make it better than you imagined. That’s the beauty of trusting experienced creatives who know how to read a space, adapt when needed and elevate moments without adding pressure.

Photography by First And Lasts Photography 

That level of trust allows couples to relax and let go. To be present instead of worrying about timelines or details, they can focus on what really matters, being with each other and the people they love. Knowing that everything has been considered and taken care of creates a sense of ease that naturally feeds into joy.

At the heart of it all joyful wedding design isn’t about doing more or chasing trends. It’s about telling your story, feeling supported and creating a day that reflects who you are as a couple. When a wedding begins with the couple’s story everything else flows more naturally.

Photography by Salt Atelier 

Joy doesn’t need to be forced. It simply needs space to exist, and when a wedding is designed with intention, care and trust joy tends to find its way in, exactly where it belongs.

About the Author: Steph Jordan is the creative heart behind Nunu Designs, a Sydney-based floral and event studio known for intentional, artful wedding florals and styling that feel personal and unforgettable. With a background in visual merchandising and a passion for creating atmosphere through flowers, Steph brings calm, creativity and thoughtful design to every celebration.