Sarah and Emile dreamed of an effortless, fun wedding bursting with love and a whole lot of dancing. Their dream became a reality when they discovered the perfect venue fit for their desired wedding vibe and aesthetic. The restaurant’s mid-20th-century design and Amalfi coast theme provided the ideal backdrop. With the addition of meaningful personal touches and stunning florals, their Pepe’s Italian and Liquor wedding transformed into the ultimate celebration, making their big day truly unforgettable.

The New York-inspired restaurant was crucial in bringing the pair’s vision to life. The pink color palette inspired by the bride’s shoes and crawling florals framing the windows created a stunning ceremony altar for their vow exchange. For the reception, colorful arrangements adorned every corner of the space, adding an extra pop of personality. The romantic atmosphere was palpable as the couple and their guests enjoyed a night of joyous celebration and merriment.

If you love modern style with a touch of sophistication, you’ll be mesmerized by these beautiful photos by Junebug vendor Na Lia Weddings. Check out these unique restaurant wedding ideas and see how couples make their big day special in their own way.

The Couple:

Sarah and Emile

The Wedding:

Pepe’s Italian and Liquor, Melbourne, Australia

The Story Behind Their Pepe’s Italian and Liquor Wedding

The styling was mainly done DIY through Canva on late nights after work, but it was all inspired once we found our fantastic venue. The venue was inspired by mid-20th-century New York and had an Amalfi coast theme at the time. All our extra styling and decisions about flowers came after seeing the venue. We wanted to celebrate our love with an amazing, love-filled night of dancing. Pepe’s spirits shelves behind the bar and the Amalfi styling were so perfectly styled that all we added were some small touches and beautiful florals.

How the Bride’s Shoes Inspired Their Wedding Color Palette

Our key colors were pink which started when I found my pink shoes. The venue then also had pink so that helped. Our florist was incredibly helpful in bringing much of our vision to life with the florals. Her signature style does not include foliage, which meant the florals had so much color. We chose to have our bridesmaids in emerald green to complement the flowers.

Honoring Loved Ones with DIY Signage and Meaningful Wedding Favors

We made all of the signage ourselves on Canva, and my mum organized the wedding favors. Both of my grandmothers passed away within six months before my wedding. We thought of a beautiful way to honor them both by gifting small parcels of parsley seeds that one of my grandmothers had been cultivating her whole life. We presented them in a small vintage suitcase owned by my other grandmother.

A Culinary Journey Through Italian-Inspired Wedding Menu

Our menu was an Italian-themed cocktail with samples of meats, cheeses, and pizza on the menu—as well as some crowd favorites of small cocktail bites. We had wine, beer, cider, and spirits. We also had two cocktails on the menu all night: Aperol Spritz and Tommy Margaritas.

Dancing Through Decades: A Playlist Spanning Generations

We had a real mix of tunes that everyone of all ages could dance to, from David Bowie to Top Loader to The Beatles to Beyonce. We also had the Tarantella, an Italian wedding song.

Honoring Loved Ones: Finding Meaningful Ways to Include Them in Their Special Day

We lost my father-in-law a few years before our wedding, and that was super difficult. However, finding different ways to honor him throughout the day felt special—an Essendon scarf on a chair dedicated to him, choosing his favorite songs and pictures of him, and talking about him in our vows and speech was hard. Still, it was lovely to honor such a beautiful man. 

Congratulations to Sarah and Emile on their stunning Pepe’s Italian and Liquor wedding. Thanks to Junebug vendor Na Lia Weddings for beautifully capturing every moment of this unique celebration. It’s a fantastic source of inspiration for couples looking to break away from tradition for their own special day. For more of Na Lia’s amazing work, visit their profile in our directory of the world’s top wedding photographers.

Take a cue from this celebration: opting for a distinctive venue adds a touch of uniqueness and sets the tone for a joyful start to your marriage. With a team of experienced wedding professionals by your side, you can turn your vision into reality and create a day that will be remembered forever.