Michelle and Jonathan planned a summer party infused with 70s vibes, faux flowers, and zero interest in tradition. The bride opted for a custom-made yellow floral ensemble, and the groom wore a floral patch, pearl and gem-covered suit by Reigner Clothing.

“I’ve always been inspired by Cher’s fashion in the 70s and Joni has loved Jimi Hendrix forever, so loves anything flared and funky,” Michelle said. “We love colour and love dressing to express how we feel. We wanted the day to feel unapologetically us. We had a cocktail stand-up wedding with an oyster bar. I arrived in a VW van, and we danced, sang and smiled all night long!”

Their ceremony, held at the Golden Fleece Hotel in Melbourne, was set to music that mattered. Michelle walked in to Kiss Me by Sixpence None the Richer, a song they used to sing and play together. They left to Dancing in the Moonlight, the same song they used to blast from Jonathan’s truck in a field near their house until 3am. Their celebrant told the full story of their relationship, including how they met, which some guests were hearing for the first time.

Décor-wise, they didn’t hire a stylist. Instead, they built it themselves using faux flowers. “We spent a couple of days hanging flowers on a rope in our backyard,” Michelle explained. “Joni took the rope and hung it on the ceiling of the venue, covering the whole place with colourful flowers. He hung up festoon lights outside the venue and we hired a picket fence to give it that Mediterranean alleyway courtyard feel. Having faux flowers saved us money and now we have that tangible memory that’ll never die.”

There was no stress or traditions included just because they thought they should. They didn’t serve a three-course sit-down dinner, and there were no long speeches. “Nothing about the planning was challenging,” Michelle said. “It was smooth and exciting and easy. Maybe because we had a laid-back wedding. I was most excited to marry Joni and celebrate with my friends and family. All the stressful traditions and rules didn’t matter.”

They don’t regret skipping any of it, though if they could go back and spend a bit more, they would’ve made sure their content creator captured every small detail. Their advice to other couples? “Plan a wedding that you want and you know will make you and your guests have so much fun. Everyone said how it was the best wedding they’ve ever been to!”