For these Melbourne foodies, leaving the city to get married was out of the question. Kathy and Derrick sought out an urban venue that meant their guests wouldn’t have to leave town. Their colourful Botanic Garden wedding captured by Lover of Mine was all about keeping things local.

Derrick’s plan to propose to Kathy at the top of Machu Picchu went slightly awry. Kathy recalls “On the morning of our climb, we started lining up, then he suddenly told me that he lost a very import piece jewellery!” After informing Kathy that he had misplaced the necklace he was going to propose with, followed by some laughter, disbelief and searching, a call to the hotel revealed it had been left at breakfast that morning. “It turned out to be a very funny surprise, but it was definitely a surprise!”

They said their forevers within the lush grounds of Melbourne’s Botanic Gardens with plenty of vivid blooms by Botanics of Melbourne. Adorable honorary bridesmaid and groomsman pups Bailey and Bailey came along. “I loved the fact we could bring my dog to the ceremony location. My bridesmaid also has the same breed dog with same name and they look super cute together!”

The party was held just a stroll away in the garden’s restaurant Jardin Tan. Keen to offer their guests something different to the normal wedding spread, Kathy and Derrick were won over by the contemporary Vietnamese menu and modern meets rustic decor. Styled was focused around the botanicals, with plenty of greenery and colourful florals.