“My dress is more important than the styling.”

It might sound like an unusual mantra for a wedding, but for Alana and Paul, it became an iconic inside joke—so much so that they displayed it proudly on a fluted partition wall at their reception. This playful, cheeky attitude perfectly encapsulates who they are as a couple: fun, down-to-earth, and unapologetically themselves. Their unique Melbourne wedding wasn’t just a celebration of their love—it was a creative expression of their personalities, with pops of color, heartfelt traditions, and unforgettable memories.

Alana’s journey to finding the dress started on a trip to Sydney with her Maid of Honor, Emma. “We went to see the other love of my life, Harry Styles, perform, and while we were there, I tried on some dresses. Of course, the minute I tried on this very dress, I knew it was the one,” Alana recalls. Unbeknownst to her, however, the dress was almost double the cost Paul had forecasted in his budget. “When I realized this, I knew I’d have to do my best negotiation work to lock it in.” Fast forward a couple of months, and Alana pulled it off. “While I would say I did some of my best negotiating at that time, Paul would say I just turned on the waterworks to my advantage,” she laughs.

Curating their wedding vibe was a creative journey led by Alana’s vision. “I told Paul to trust me, and I’m so glad he did!” But while Alana was dreaming up bold ideas, Paul was making sure everything stayed on track with his infamous budget spreadsheet. “Every dollar was accounted for,” Alana laughs. “If there was a cent to be saved, Paul knew exactly where it was!” Paul also played a big part in ensuring they stayed on budget, even giving Alana a pep talk before one of their styling meetings, reminding her that they absolutely can’t exceed their wedding budget. “I may have gotten carried away with some of the ideas, but Paul kept us grounded in the best possible way.”

The moment they stepped into The Trust, the ornate Art Deco details had them hooked. Its timeless beauty meant the venue needed minimal styling, making it the perfect canvas for their bold yet elegant aesthetic. The venue’s rich history allowed them to focus on their creative touches, like the striking color palette they’d chosen—a vibrant mix of ultramarine blue, bright pink, and chrome. This palette, inspired by a set of coasters at Alana’s in-laws’ home, was a bold yet harmonious choice that came to life with the help of The Goodsmiths expertise.

Ahead, discover how Alana and Paul pulled off their one-of-a-kind wedding and relive their day through the lens of Art of Grace.

One of Alana’s standout moments was the pre-party before the first look and ceremony—a heartfelt nod to Croatian wedding traditions she had been looking forward to her whole life. Nearly 80 friends and family gathered at her family home to kick off the celebrations with food, dancing, live music, and rakija (a traditional Croatian spirit). For Alana, this wasn’t just a party; it was a cherished family tradition that brought generations together in pure joy and excitement.

“The energy was unmatched,” Alana shares. “Michael Pinjuh’s piano accordion performance and my big entrance were moments I’ll cherish forever. I reckon I could have cried, but I just had so much joy and happiness rushing through my body that I could only smile and laugh.” With everyone singing, dancing, and toasting to the couple, it set the tone for the rest of the day—a warm, love-filled celebration that perfectly reflected Alana’s vibrant personality and deep-rooted connection to her heritage. “It was the best kind of warm-up for the day ahead,” she adds.

The first look was an emotional highlight for the couple, giving them a chance to connect before the ceremony. “We’re so glad we did it,” Alana reflects. “Paul wasn’t thrilled about being the center of attention, so it helped calm our nerves and made the ceremony even more special.”

Their ceremony, officiated by Natalie Drum, was heartfelt and sprinkled with humor. Instead of writing personal vows, they entrusted Natalie to tell their story—and she nailed it. “She captured our relationship so perfectly that nothing else was needed,” Alana says. Two special people served as witnesses during the registry signing, adding a personal and meaningful touch.

The reception at The Trust was a treat for both the eyes and the heart. Long tables adorned with taper candles and thoughtfully placed centerpieces created a warm, inviting atmosphere. DJ Josh from Married to the Groove set the perfect tone, transitioning from funky disco beats during cocktail hour to big band classics during dinner.

Their reception featured the iconic statement “My dress is more important than the styling,” proudly displayed on a fluted partition wall. This lighthearted touch perfectly captured Alana and Paul’s playful, no-fuss attitude toward their unique Melbourne wedding, where the focus was on their wedding day priorities and laughing along the way.

And when it came to the details, Paul’s budget spreadsheet played a starring role. “It was everything,” Alana recalls. “Paul had a spreadsheet for the spreadsheet. He tracked every cent, which made my wild ideas feel like they had a solid foundation!” While Alana’s creative vision took center stage, Paul’s meticulous budget planning ensured that they could pull off a dream wedding without overspending. It was this combination of creativity and precision that made their wedding day feel like a seamless, unforgettable experience.

This vintage wedding cake is a fun and cheeky nod to their personalities, perfectly showing off their down-to-earth vibe and unapologetically unique style as a couple at their unique Melbourne wedding.

In a fun twist, Alana and Paul ditched the traditional first dance and opened the floor with Justin Bieber’s “Beauty and a Beat.” “We just wanted everyone to have fun, be well-fed, and enjoy every detail,” Alana shares. And they did—guests are still raving about the seamless planning and unforgettable atmosphere, thanks to their incredible team of vendors.

For Alana and Paul, their unique Melbourne wedding wasn’t just a party—it was an authentic reflection of their love, their quirks, and the life they’ve built together. “Plan a wedding that speaks to you as a couple,” Alana advises. “Forget trends and outside opinions. This is your day. Don’t sweat the small stuff; nobody cares about cutlery! Focus on what you’ll remember: great food, good music, and moments that feel like you. And negotiate hard for the things that matter—like your dream dress!”