S A R A & S I L V I O
Sara and Silvio’s dream of an intimate wedding amongst superb natural surrounds came true at Villa Botanica Whitsundays.
F R O M T H E B R I D E . . .
We first met…
I was maid of honour and Silvio was the best man at my sister Jessica’s wedding. Although we had known each other for some time prior to my sister’s engagement, we never really had an opportunity to get to know one another as we did when helping with the wedding plans.
We knew it was love…
We had only been dating a few weeks when our friendship quickly grew into romance. When spent a lot of time together and truly enjoyed each other’s company, so it didn’t take long to realise we had completely fallen for each other.
The proposal…
We were cruising the Caribbean on board the Oasis of the Seas in March 2013. It was a long awaited trip and our first overseas holiday together. On the second night of our cruise, after an amazing dinner, we were having a quiet drink in a bar on the top deck where we had an incredible view of the stars. I noticed the pianist playing our song (Somewhere Over The Rainbow) and that is when Silvio dropped to his knee and proposed. He had organised everything with the help of the cruise director. It was such a wonderful surprise! We then got to enjoy an amazing week in the Caribbean as a newly engaged couple!
T H E W E D D I N G . . .
Our dream wedding…
We always wanted a small, intimate wedding to share with those closest to us. We both love nature and the ocean and wanted something extraordinary in an outdoor setting. Although we had looked at many beautiful venues across Melbourne, we never felt that ‘this is it’ moment. While we were entertaining the idea of a destination wedding we discovered Villa Botanica and found that it had everything we were looking for and more. It just so happened to be located in the beautiful Whitsundays.
We couldn’t say that there is just one thing that sets a destination wedding apart. It’s the opportunity to spend time creating memories with friends and family, it’s the feeling of being on a holiday, it’s the experience that your wedding is not just one day but all the days before and after the actual day.
We loved the natural beauty of Villa Botanica and wanted to keep with the tropical romantic setting with an elegant, organic style. We chose neutral tones that echoed the natural colour palette of the stunning surroundings.
Pre-wedding parties…
In the lead up to the wedding we enjoyed the easy going Airlie Beach lifestyle and explored many walks, fantastic eateries and the local market. It was great to unwind and relax with family and friends. There is such a variety of things to see and do to satisfy everyone. We took the opportunity to take a private Ocean Rafting tour to Whitehaven with family and friends. By Friday most guests had arrived so we organised a group dinner at a seaside restaurant. We also organised a recovery lunch for all our guests the day after the wedding at Sorrento Restaurant and Bar overlooking the marina.
Wedding photography…
We wanted our wedding photos to creatively capture the emotions and details throughout the whole day. When we saw Playback Studios’ portfolio, every wedding was very unique and captured a lot about the couple’s personality. When we met Luke at the beginning, we all got along really well. His sincerity and passion gave us the confidence to trust in him and we are so grateful that we did. We love how Playback Studios captured the big and small moments and we feel that our album truly tells the story of our special day.
The bridal party…
My maid of honour was my younger sister Christina and my bridesmaids were my best friends Sharon and Renee. Silvio’s groomsmen were three of his best and long time friends Lino ( the best man), Emiliano and Rob.
My bridesmaids wore strapless full-length chiffon gowns with a sweetheart neckline and asymmetrical waistline from Made-of-Honour in Melbourne. They were gathered to one side, tapered in at the bottom and had a small train. Accessories were Swarovski rose gold and crystal drop earrings and nude shoes.
The groomsmen wore two-piece navy suits from Gibson with navy silk ties from Rodd & Gunn, Rhodes & Beckett white shirts, tan shoes and belts from Aquila.
The groom wore…
Silvio wore a navy three piece suit from Gibson and a navy floral print silk tie from Dom Bagnato, a Rhodes & Beckett white shirt, tan shoes and belt from Aquila. He also wore gold cufflinks with his initials engraved on them.
The dress…
My wedding gown was designed and created by Nektaria Georges from World of Nektaria. I wanted something unique and timeless and when we first sat down together to discuss ideas, I really felt we were on the same page with everything. So we agreed on a silhouette and a neckline but the rest was up to Nektaria. I left it with her to do what she does best.
The final product was beyond anything I could have imagined. My gown was full-length, strapless with a dropped waistline. It was hand beaded front and back over ornate lace with French netting. I had a layered organza skirt with a train. I never thought a wedding gown could be so comfortable! It was so easy to move and dance in. My shoes were ‘Fayme’ by Jimmy Choo.
The wedding bouquet…
A combination of white phalaenopsis orchids, green cymbidium orchids, white roses, stephanotis and hydrangeas with green foliage.
Reception decor…
Villa Botanica is such an exquisite venue that we felt we didn’t need to add much. We chose a long, banquet style table that really captured an intimate and relaxed vibe. We chose a combination of romantic and exotic styles for our table settings, which included a single burlap runner and five low centrepieces. The centrepieces were white roses surrounded by lush foliage and young green cymbidium orchids. We chose hanging glass balls, some with white roses and the rest with tea light candles to surround the outdoor verandah where the reception took place. We had white tiffany chairs with only the bride and groom’s chairs decorated with ruffled waterfall fabric.
On the menu…
We indulged in a three-course alternate drop sit down dinner.
For entrée we had a choice of house made scallop ravioli on green pea puree with smoked prosciutto crumbs, preserved lemon sabayon and atlantic salmon roe and duck leg confit with wild mushroom risotto encased in pancetta with duck and muntrie berry jus.
Main Course was a choice of medallion of grass fed m.s.a grade beef fillet on herbed potato gnocchi with chicken parfait, madeira, mushroom and pancetta sauce and pan seared wild caught barramundi fillet on garlic scented mash with tomato and coriander salsa and fried potato net.
We had one dessert which was French vanilla bean crème brulee with almond and lavender tuille, native hibiscus flower and straw, followed by our wedding cake sliced and served with raspberry coulis and fresh whipped cream berry compote.
Bonbonniere…
Each guest received a bamboo fan with their name and a thank you note attached. We chose fans as they symbolise union and good luck, and to help with the heat if needed.
Memorable moments…
Some of the many significant moments that warm our hearts at the thought include:
1. Before the ceremony we each had time to ourselves to absorb everything around us. It allowed us to reflect upon all that had led us up to this point and everything that was to come. It was a quiet, peaceful moment filled with many emotions.
2. As we were signing the registry a beautiful bright rainbow appeared behind us. It was particularly special as ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ is our song and I walked down the aisle to an instrumental guitar version.
3. Taking photos after the ceremony was a chance to enjoy our time together, it was romantic and fun all the while being surrounded by beautiful gardens and amazing scenery.
4. Our lantern ceremony was a perfect ending to our magical day. It represented our new beginning together with the light illuminating the path ahead of us.
Wedding Soundtrack…
I walked down the aisle to an instrumental guitar version of ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’. As we signed the registry, “What a Wonderful World” followed by “White Sandy Beach”, both songs by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole played. The ceremony concluded with “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole.
Silvio and I have been dancing together for over four years so our first dance meant a lot to us. We chose a Spanish and English edited version of “You Are My Home” by Chayanne and Vanessa Williams. Our dance was choreographed and rehearsed with the help of Emilio from Ela Rose.
We ended the night with “Hoppipolla” by Sigur Ros at our lantern ceremony.
M A R R I E D L I F E . . .
The honeymoon…
We enjoyed a romantic week relaxing at the amazing Tokoriki Island Resort within the Mamanuca Islands of Fiji. We indulged in fine dining and explored the local culture and natural beauty of the islands.
The future…
We plan to eat our way through Europe, dance our way through South America, road trip across America, safari in Africa, experience the world together!
In 40 years you hope to…
be happily retired, maybe living in Airlie Beach, enjoying time with family, friends, our children and grandchildren. And still travelling 🙂
W E D D I N G W I S D O M . . .
Tips for enjoying the engagement…
Time goes so quickly and it is easy to get caught up in wedding plans. Be sure you take time out to indulge once in a while to do the things you love. Enjoy your time being engaged!
Planning tips…
You’re celebrating yourselves and your relationship, do things together – it’s more fun and you support each other along the way. Also, if you can, get a wedding coordinator!! Gemma from Villa Botanica was so wonderful and really took a lot of stress off our shoulders.
How to enjoy your wedding day…
Go with the flow. You have taken so much time planning your special day so let the professionals take over – you cannot control everything! Focus on yourselves and each other and be present in every moment. It’s the emotions of the day that will come flooding back, so take the time to enjoy your memorable day.
Venue Villa Botanica Whitsundays Photography Playback Studios Celebrant Annie Lloyd-Lewis Wedding Coordinator Gemma Garner in the lead up to and helped on our Wedding day, Sharon coordinated on the day – both from Villa Botanica Whitsundays Hair Amanda Fearn Hair Design Make-up Linzi Patterson Gown Nektaria Georges, World of Nektaria Bridal Shoes Jimmy Choo Grooms Suit Gibson Grooms Shoes Aquila Bridesmaid Dresses Made-of-Honour Flowers The Flower Hut Cake Designer Sweet Ideas Decorator The Event Co Invitations Belle Loves Paper Dance Choreographer Ela Rose