Together since their teens, Beth and Matt wanted a city wedding that reflected their love of music, food and dancing. A ceremony at their local church was followed by a cocktail-style reception at The Prince Deck in St Kilda, personalised with DIY touches from their own backyard.

With the dance floor in mind, Beth chose a slimline lace dress by Australian designer Colette Dinnigan. “I wanted to be comfortable and have the ease of movement,” says the fashion savvy bride, who had the gown’s original lining replaced with a boned corset. As a buyer for Melbourne menswear label Calibre, she may have also had some sway in dressing hubby, with Matt suiting-up in their midnight navy tux with black satin lapels.

He’d proposed while the pair sat in their favourite park, watching their Boston Terrier Orbi (Aubergine) run around on a sunny afternoon. “It was relaxed, sweet, and reflected us as a couple,” says Beth, and they fancied a similarly breezy reception. “Once the church ceremony was finished we wanted to relax with our friends and family, and really just throw a big party,” she says.

Photographer Kristen Ashton from Paper Fox Studio caught the sunset in a pre-reception detour to the Carlton Gardens, before following the pair to The Deck.  “The venue was perfect for our cocktail-style wedding,” says Beth, with their 116 guests enjoying delicacies from the Circa kitchen on its expansive outdoor timber terrace.

Their venue’s suave aesthetic was peppered with personal touches, including Orbi the dog (in cardboard cut-out form for the photo booth) and potted cacti and succulent favours, made with cuttings from the couple’s own garden. Succulents also featured in Beth’s bouquet and the boys’ buttonholes, incorporated by Emily from North Street Botanical. “I planted these the day after the wedding,” says Beth “and they are still growing in our garden today.”

Her advice is to try and enjoy the planning as much as the day. “Matt and I planned most of the day together,” she says. “I think discussing flowers, cake and cars together is what makes the process fun and gets you so excited for the day.”

Photography: Paper Fox Studio | Bride’s dress: Colette Dinnigan | Bride’s shoes: Giuseppe Zanotti | Bridesmaids dresses: Kirrily Johnston | Groom’s suit: Calibre | Groom’s shoes: Doucal’s | Rings: Keshett | Hair: Qorraj | Makeup: Eve Gunson | Ceremony venue: Saint John the Baptist Church | Celebrant: Father Paul | Reception venue: The Prince Deck | Flowers: North Street Botanical | Catering: Circa | Cake: Special treats by Carolyn | Music: Top Dog Entertainment