COVER STORY
Bistro Del Moro: Maxine Wylde and Phill’s Fashion-Infused Melbourne Wedding
With
The Bridal Journey
A Proposal Woven in Light
Christmas has always been Maxine’s season, with fairy lights, Mariah on repeat, and celebrations brimming with warmth. On Christmas Eve 2023, between parties and running late for her family gathering, Phill suggested they open gifts at home first. With the apartment twinkling in lights, Maxine unwrapped what looked like the diary she had asked for. Inside, on a bookmarked page titled “My Extraordinary Moments this Year,” Phill had handwritten: “Get Engaged” with a neat little box ticked beside it. When she looked up, he was on one knee. Within moments, family, flowers, and champagne appeared, just as he had planned. “It was pure magic,” recalls Maxine.
The Vision: A Date Night for 200 Guests
For their wedding, the couple wanted the grandeur of a city venue but with the intimacy of a date night. “We wanted it to feel like our version of romance,” Maxine explains. The Trust in Melbourne, a heritage landmark with soaring ceilings and historic charm, became the perfect canvas. With styling by Philoxi, the day unfolded as Bistro Del Moro: an ode to Manhattan in the 1920s infused with the warmth of a favourite neighbourhood Italian bistro.
MAXINE & PHIL (1)
Photography Jack Henry
A Cathedral Ceremony
The couple wed at St Patrick’s Cathedral, a moment Maxine still describes as suspended in time. “Seeing Phill at the top of the aisle… everything stopped. It was this rush of calm and joy all at once.”
Styling the Bistro Dream
Vanessa from Philoxi Styling translated Maxine’s architectural eye and fashion sensibility into a layered, cinematic reception. Think moody lighting, sculptural plinths inspired by Schiaparelli couture, and tablescapes that encouraged lingering conversation. “It wasn’t about decorating,” says Maxine. “It was about creating an atmosphere you could actually feel.” Guests were welcomed through revolving doors bearing The Del Moro insignia, then immersed in a world where design, food, and music told a seamless story.
Highlights included, a grazing table and seating chart styled as part-installation, part-hospitality, live portraits by Maegan Brown Moments, framed on sculptural plinths, a fashion-week-meets-old-world gesture, and moody layers of linen, lighting, and florals by Blonde Florals, adding depth and romance.
Fashion and Heirlooms
For the ceremony, Maxine wore a custom Mariana Hardwick gown that was dramatic yet refined, with architectural lines nodding to her love of design. She paired it with Jimmy Choo heels, later swapping into a party-ready second look. Phill wore a sharp Boss suit, the perfect balance of contemporary tailoring and timeless polish.
Accessories carried sentiment: rings by Rhea Nikolaou, heirlooms layered with new commissions, and understated accents that allowed the gown to remain centre stage. Bridesmaids wore Manning Cartell in warm, re-wearable hues, complementing the timeless palette of the day.
Music and Emotion
The first dance unfolded to Japanese Denim by Daniel Caesar, a track that had soundtracked the early years of their relationship. “It felt like the past five years playing out in three minutes,” says Maxine.
Memories to Last
From the grandeur of St Patrick’s to the intimate, moody atmosphere of Bistro Del Moro, the day felt both cinematic and deeply personal. “Vanessa didn’t just style our wedding,” Maxine reflects. “She created a whole universe for us and our guests to be immersed in.”
MAXINE & PHIL (1)
Photography Jack Henry
The Bride’s Advice
“Be clear about how you want the day to feel, not just how you want it to look. Memories of details may fade, but you will never forget the atmosphere. And if you can, work with people who understand the emotional side of your vision, that’s what makes it unforgettable.”
