Their story began in a court room, luckily they were observing law students! Their ‘study date’ quickly turned into romance as they sat down to a fancy Italian dinner and discussed their next rendezvous, and their next and next…
Their proposal story is definitely one they will tell their grandchildren about. Dressed as Cleopatra, Dina celebrated turning 30 with an Arabian Nights birthday party. Philip was dressed as Marc Antony and in front of 120 family and friends, he put on a play entitled ‘Dinapatra’. He showered Dinapatra with rose petals, gold coins and compliments. “The cresendo left me almost speechless when Philip knelt down on one knee and said “Who will provide you with the diamonds… My Dinapatra, will you marry me?” I said yes!!!”
Their wedding was just as spectacular as their proposal and was inspired by that fateful night – old Hollywood mixed with the colours of a peacock feather. Their vision of this theme was one of warmth, character and wonderful memories.
In traditional 1920’s style Philip and his groomsmen donned their suspenders, bow-ties, hats and cigars and walked the streets of Newtown stopping in at a local eatery on King Street for breaky. The morning was topped off with a hair cut and face shave (in a traditional way of course) at Hawleywood’s Barber Shop and Shaving Parlour.
Dina describes her morning before walking across Sydney’s Hyde Park to St Mary’s Cathedral to marry Philip as a buzzing excitement, “I am a singer! So I woke up that morning singing at the top of my lungs – ‘I’M GETTING MARRIED TODAY!’ I think everyone at the Sheraton on the Park heard me getting up out of bed that morning.”
Father Brendan, who married Dina and Philip, provided the guests with an insight to what the peacock symbolised. There is an ancient legend that states that the flesh of a peacock never decays and that their love would be eternal.
Philip and Dina presented themselves to their guests with microphones in hand singing their favourite song ‘always on my mind, always in my heart.’ They were then picked up by their groomsmen in true Assyrian style and waved above the dance floor to the sound of applause from all their friends and family. Dina later serenaded Philip with ‘Ava Maria’.
The couple included music from both their cultures and guests enjoyed ripping up the dance floor to Samoan, Assyrian, Persian and Greek music, just to mention a few!
“We wanted to do something special as a display on the day so we commissioned artist, Tanya Loviz to paint a portrait of us in the essence of the Arabian Nights party, where Philip proposed. The painting is titled “Hit the Jackpot!” The artwork was also featured in the wedding invitations, menu stands and message book.
Our wishing well was a gold treasure chest that was much like the treasure chests featured in our painting,” Dina says.
Dina: “The magic of our day lived on as we hired a photographer in Santorini and Paris for another photoshoot with our wedding gear. My wedding dress has travelled to Europe and back”.
To see their wedding video – go to http://vimeo.com/30832477
Videography by Playtime Video – Frank Manno.
Wedding details:
Photography: Nadine Saacks Photography
Ceremony Venue – St Mary’s Cathedral
Reception Venue: Dockside, Darling Harbour
Gown: Maggie Sottero from Abbey Bridal
Bridal Shoes: Cinderella Bella
Bridesmaid gowns: Jean Fox Couture – Spurling
Men’s Suits: Spurling
Hair: Jean Haddad
Florist: Uptown Florist
Cake: Thea Cubis Something Special Cakes
Transport: Silver Cloud
Many thanks to Dina and Philip for sharing their amazing wedding with us and a big congratulations on your marriage!
Hope this inspired your inner-wedding planner!
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Kate x