In the name of tradition

Merging Vietnamese and Greek tradition made for a beautiful wedding for Vy and Cris Ivanidis. Story CHRISTINE ANTONIOU Images DEZINE BY MAURO

How it all began
Vy and Cris met at a St Kilda Rd bar and even though he had just quit his job and was unemployed, Vy still gave him her number. Vy must have known she was on to a good thing, with the couple tying the knot five years later.

The proposal
New Year’s eve fireworks in Central Park, New York provided a romantic backdrop when Cris proposed to Vy at midnight.

Preparations
Vy loved organising the wedding and they were married about three months after Cris proposed. Coming from Vietnamese and Greek backgrounds, Vy says it was a challenge to keep the guest list small but they managed to keep it to 99.

Wedding gown
Vy wore a Collette Dinnigan lace gown with Swarovski crystals. She made a fascinator and wore it under her veil. Swarovski crystal stilettos from Xiomara completed her look.

Groom’s outfit
Cris wore a Dolce & Gabbana black satin suit, and black snakeskin boots that he bought in New York. He wore a gold tie from Harrolds to match Vy’s gown.

Bridesmaids
The matron of honour wore a gold satin Collette Dinnigan dress. Her shoes were from Midas.

Two ceremonies
To reflect their backgrounds, the couple had two ceremonies. A Vietnamese tea ceremony, Le Cuoi, was held at Vy’s parents’ house. Cris and Vy dressed in traditional bridal Vietnamese Au Dai. Vy’s gown was red and Cris wore blue. “The ceremony involved us paying our respects by toasting each of our family members and Cris’ parents to present gifts to their new daughter-in-law,” Vy said.

The Greek ceremony was held at St Catherine’s in Malvern the next day. Vy arrived in a black Rolls-Royce. “The best man crowned us with the stefana in Greek tradition,” she says.

Let the party begin!
Vy and Cris made a grand entrance on Cris’ motocross dirt bike at their reception that was held on cruise boat, “Sea Melbourne”. Vy says the staff did a “wonderful job” organising table and boat decorations to reflect the couple’s taste.
The bride left everyone a little teary when she surprised Cris with a rendition of Ella Fitzgerald’s At Last. A friend was DJ and played a medley of Greek and dance music.

Cake and flowers
The wedding cake was stacked individual cupcakes with white icing and black trimming from Ab Fab Cakes.
Kitsa’s Flowers made the floral arrangement of red roses for the tables on the boat. Vy carried a rose teardrop bouquet, and the matron of honour and flower girl carried rose posies.

On camera
The couple were so impressed with photographers Dezine by Mauro that they took Mauro on their honeymoon. “A little extravagant but definitely worth it, the photos he took were amazing and very artistic,” Vy says.
On their wedding day, the couple were photographed at different locations by photographer Chris including, a leafy street in Malvern and at Docklands for a modern look.

Honeymoon
Vy and Cris went to Vietnam. “It was very special to take Cris back to my home country … we had a ball with Mauro and being able to wear our wedding outfits for a second time,” Vy says.

All images: Dezine by Mauro www.dezinebymauro.com