COVER STORY
Why This Bride Designed Her Own Marquee for a One-of-a-Kind Wedding Reception
With
The Bridal Journey
It began with flour-dusted fingers, Greek Easter diples, and a surprise proposal in the heart of the couple’s home. From that intimate moment in their kitchen to a sprawling celebration under a custom-built marquee at Rosemont Stud, Michael and his bride crafted a wedding full of intention, personality, and effortless style.
Photographer Jack Henry / Planner & Stylist Weddings of Desire
A Meeting of Worlds
They met at a local pub through a mutual friend, instantly connecting over shared values and their vision for the future. “From the moment we locked eyes, it felt like something incredibly special had begun,” the bride recalls.
Their engagement mirrored that same sense of quiet magic: a proposal during a baking session, followed by a surprise visit from the bride’s extended family and a weekend of Greek Easter celebrations.
Setting the Scene
Blending the bride’s country roots with Michael’s city sensibility, Rosemont Stud proved the perfect location. “It was the first and only venue we viewed,” she says. “We fell in love with the peaceful surroundings and the idea of a marquee in the gardens. Plus, Michael is known for his cowboy hat, so a horse stud just felt right.”
MICHAEL & GRACE (3)
Photographer Jack Henry
Working with planner Laura from Weddings of Desire, the couple designed a bespoke experience from the ground up. The bride herself conceptualised the entire marquee layout, furniture, cabinetry, and even the glassware. โSome may call me mad,โ she laughs, โbut it was such a fun, creative process.โ The marquee itself was a significant design project.
โWe committed early to engineering a completely custom marquee structure,โ she explains. โWe wanted it to feel permanent, architectural, and unlike anything youโd typically see at a wedding.โ
The overall aesthetic? Bold, floral-rich, and deeply personal. โI didnโt look at other weddings for inspiration,โ she explains. โI pulled from interior designers, restaurants, fashion, things I love in my everyday life.โ
Nat from Wildflos brought the brideโs floral vision to life with an explosion of roses. โI told her I wanted roses en masse, everywhere, and she delivered.โ The marquee was transformed into an elegant, textural space: custom silver urns, a 10-metre bar with a six-metre bookshelf backdrop, and florals that softened every edge.
BESPOKE FROM THE GROUND UP (2)
Photographer Jack Henry
BOLD, FLORAL-RICH & DEEPLY PERSONAL (2)
Photographer Jack Henry
Personal Touches
True to their values, the couple imbued the day with heartfelt moments. Every guest received a handwritten letter, a project that took eight months to complete, and a bottle of olive oil from Michaelโs family groves in Greece. A bouzouki player, plate smashing, and Greek dancing added festive flair. Their family priest, Father Patrick Mugavin, who also married the brideโs parents and siblings, officiated the ceremony.
The Fashion
Fashion-forward yet deeply personal, Elly Sofocli and Lillian Khallouf designed the brideโs three custom gowns. Her main gown, a layered tulle creation in soft beige, subtly broke from tradition. A halter overlay transformed it into a second silhouette, while a structured couture number by Lillian Khallouf closed the evening.
Accessories included her late grandmotherโs sapphire ring, her motherโs pearls, and a dramatic veil. For shoes: Magda Butrym and Jimmy Choo. A pair of custom-made gloves completed the final look. Michael wore a trio of custom pieces by Tomba: a classic tuxedo, a statement party jacket, and relaxed linen for recovery.
The Ceremony & Reception
Held at the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels, the ceremony celebrated family through involvement from parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews. Music included “Feels Like Home” for the aisle, “Lover” by Taylor Swift for the signing, and “I Canโt Help Myself” for the recessional.
At the reception, guests were treated to an abundant menu by Smith and Co, theatrics by Shaker on Wheels, and a memorable marching band that led guests from canapรฉs to the marquee. “We were supposed to be off doing photos,” the bride says, “but we skipped it to join the band. It was one of the best decisions we made.”
The first dance ended with confetti cannons, and speeches from their loved ones brought the room to tears.
MICHAEL & GRACE (4)
Photographer Jack Henry
The Mood
Despite a last-minute marquee relocation, the couple stayed grounded. โWe didnโt stress. We just trusted the experts around us and soaked in every moment,โ she shares. “We kept looking around thinking, ‘How lucky are we?”
Words of Wisdom
โDonโt lose sight of what the day is really about,โ she advises. โYou’re marrying your person. Thatโs the whole point. Plan early, delegate tasks, and let go of the minor details. No one remembers the napkin colour. They remember the joy.โ
โDonโt lose sight of what the day is really about,โ she advises. โYou’re marrying your person. Thatโs the whole point. Plan early, delegate tasks, and let go of the minor details. No one remembers the napkin colour. They remember the joy.โ
