Chic Cocktail Wedding in Alexandria

If you’ve ever needed proof that a registry wedding can have just as much style as a larger celebration, Ada and Jarrod have it in spades! Their intimate Pyrmont ceremony for just seven guests flowed into a cocktail reception filled with rich colour, thoughtful details and a party that refused to end, all beautifully captured by photographer Alex Carlyle. From Ada’s re-wearable tea-length dress to the burnt orange draping and produce-inspired styling, every choice was as intentional as the last.

When Jarrod spotted Ada from across the bar, he instantly wanted to know more about her. “Having spent much of his life between Australia and Africa, Jarrod thought Ada might also be from Africa and asked her where she was from. Because not many people are familiar with Mozambique, Ada told a little white lie. She said she was from South Africa instead because it was easier than explaining where Mozambique was, and the two countries are relatively close. Jarrod, however, having lived in Africa himself, immediately noticed that Ada did not have a South African accent. Rather than questioning her, he simply smiled, and they exchanged numbers,” they shared.

“The next day, Ada made the first move. By 7 pm, Jarrod still hadn’t texted her, so she decided to message him first to say hello. From that moment on, they never stopped talking. On their second date, Jarrod finally asked Ada why she didn’t have a South African accent, and she confessed that she always says South Africa because it saves her from having to explain where Mozambique is.”

Every year, Ada and Jarrod travel to Mozambique to visit friends and family, and while they’re there, they visit a new African country. It’s usually Ada who plans everything, so, to avoid raising suspicions, Jarrod had a secondary plan in the background. “A month before their Botswana trip, Jarrod secretly contacted the safari lodge and arranged to propose during their sunrise drive on 19 March 2024. The lodge organised a private breakfast set up in the middle of the jungle. Jarrod had also spent the past year designing Ada’s engagement ring and had previously asked her father for his blessing while visiting Maputo,” they explained.

“On the morning of the proposal, Ada believed they were simply heading out on a normal drive organised by the lodge. At around 5:30 am, they arrived at a secluded spot overlooking the river, with buffalo in the distance and birds chirping as the sun rose. It was there, in the middle of the Botswana wilderness, that Jarrod got down on one knee and proposed to Ada.”

Their ceremony at Pyrmont Registry was a beautifully intimate affair, attended only by their seven closest friends and family. “It felt serene, calm and deeply personal, exactly what we had envisioned for such a special moment. The atmosphere was so warm and filled with love, making the entire experience feel relaxed and meaningful,” Ada explained.

Ada wore a chic structured CHATS by C.DAM dress for their intimate celebration, opting for a simpler tea-length dress that she could re-wear for their anniversaries. “I wanted a dress that worked perfectly for the registry as well as the cocktail hour,” she shared.

“Jarrod wanted to wear a coloured suit so he opted for a deep green suit with a burgundy buttonhole to match my bouquet.”

If there was one piece of advice Ada and Jarrod would want to leave for other couples, it would be this: don’t stress about the small things. “If you can’t get something the way you originally planned, then please pivot to option B. Do not waste time dwelling; the day will still be perfect. Don’t let the small details stress you out. Focus on the food and the music!!! People will remember good food always.”

Alex Carlyle was the photographer for this chic cocktail wedding, and captured everything from their registry ceremony to the reception and the party that just kept going! “Alex was incredibly easy to work with; we shared a simple brief with her, and she completely understood the assignment from the very beginning. She gave us so much direction throughout the day, which made the entire experience feel effortless and ensured the photos turned out perfectly,” Ada shared.

“Not only was Alex amazing to work with, but she also delivered our gallery incredibly quickly, within just a week, which made it so special to relive all of those moments so soon after the wedding. We honestly could not recommend her enough.”

Some of their other favourite vendors included their planner, Kim from The Kurated Co., and their florist, Yasaman from Moon Magic Floret! “They truly made our wedding possible. We would have never been able to bring our dream wedding to life without them. They handled everything seamlessly behind the scenes, troubleshooting every detail without ever making us feel stressed. They captured our vision perfectly and made the entire process feel effortless.”

The reception took place at the Genovese Coffee House in Alexandria, picked for its rustic interior that served as the perfect backdrop. “It was a blank canvas with lots of character; the venue did not need much decor, and it spoke for itself. Our planners did a fabulous job of bringing our vision to life. We had some custom draping made at the entrance to set the mood as the guests arrived! The burnt orange drapes and the produce used as decor were gorgeous, and it set the tone as you walked in,” she shared.

“Our planner DIY’d our wishing well with some orange fabric and lace that tied in with the draping at the entrance and the florals. However, we did not personally DIY anything; our planners took care of absolutely everything!”

To match the rustic vibe of the coffee house, Ada and Jarrod utilised produce instead of flowers for their decor. “Cauliflower, grapes, capsicums, corn, etc were the main heroes for our decoration. As the venue had a bit of an industrial feel, we decided to lean into that and use produce as decor with a few flowers to tie everything together.”

Of all the beautiful shots captured by Alex Carlyle, Ada’s favourite has to be this mirror shot. “That vintage mirror was part of the venue, and I just love how that picture turned out. I also really love the one of my rings on Jarrod’s head; I love the details of that image.”

Given that the couple are big foodies, it was no surprise to their 30+ guests that a luxurious charcuterie table was set up at the reception! “We really wanted a beautiful charcuterie table for our guests to nibble on throughout the evening, and our planners executed it perfectly. The table was styled exceptionally, with lace details, layered heights, and a carefully curated presentation that made it feel both elegant and inviting. It became such a special feature of the night, with guests constantly gathering around it and enjoying bites throughout the evening,” Ada explained.

Their first dance was to “Man I Need” by Olivia Dean, improvised as a joint first dance and entrance song. “I have to confess that Jarrod and I have very different music tastes and we had not picked our first dance song, so our photographer Alex actually picked our entrance song for us, and it was absolutely perfect! We improvised our first dance and just had fun with it. Since our wedding day, it has become one of our favourite songs because it now holds such a special meaning and instantly brings us back to that moment,” she shared.

“Our musicians from River Road were another highlight of the day. Investing in a live band was one of the best decisions we made and something we would do all over again. They completely transformed the atmosphere and made the celebration feel so special.”

The top six things that made Jarrod and Ada’s chic cocktail wedding so unique to them included:

“1. Our musicians, the live music was honestly unbelievable.

2. Getting ready together and arriving at the registry together.

3. Saying our vows to each other in an intimate setting at the registry.

4. Our nicknames to each other on our serviettes at the venue.

5. Having Ada’s dad present all the way from Mozambique, his first time in Australia.

6. The food and the presentation of the food.”

Their reception simply wouldn’t have been as special without their MC, With Love MC Jess! “She was absolutely amazing. There was never an awkward silence; she understood us as a couple perfectly and knew exactly how to engage with our guests and set the tone for the evening,” they explained.

“We are honestly so grateful to all of our vendors and the venue owners, who were there throughout the entire evening and made both us and our guests feel like part of their family. Their energy was so warm and welcoming, and their kindness made the night feel even more special. Every single person involved contributed to creating an atmosphere that felt intimate and filled with love. We will forever be thankful for the care they put into making our wedding so memorable.”

Another incredible vendor from their dream team was the talented cake designer, Therese Lum. “Because we had a very small guest list, she created a beautiful fake cake so we could still have the grand wedding cake of our dreams without the waste. The cake remained on display all night for photos and special moments, with only a small section made for cutting during our toast while the rest was cleverly created from styrofoam and finished with cream. She also made our edible cake and served it in individual silver coupes, which perfectly matched the wedding’s overall vision and aesthetic!”

The best part of it all? Dancing the night away with their guests! “We truly had the best time. One thing we loved most about our wedding was that the entire evening was canapé style with no formal sit-down dinner. It allowed Jarrod and me to fully enjoy the celebration and spend quality time mingling with all of our guests rather than being stuck at a table for most of the night,” recounted Ada.

“We were constantly moving around the venue, chatting, dancing and soaking up every moment while the food roamed, the drinks flowed, and the music kept everyone on the dance floor all night, exactly how we had envisioned it.”