Indeed a lucky man

Story MICHELLE TESORIERO  Images PAUL GRIGGS

Having spent four years living and working overseas, Alex and Antony Shaw wanted an Australian feel to their special day. So they celebrated in a beautiful marquee outside the Opera House on Sydney Harbour.

“The venue choice was easy,” says Alex who has been living with Antony in Hong Kong where they both work as investment bankers.

"We knew it had to be on the harbour and we decided a marquee out the front of the Opera House would be just perfect,” she says.

Living abroad, Alex and Antony had to rely on others to help organise their wedding. They engaged Ronni Kahn from Ronni Kahn Events who assisted with everything from invitations to decorations and flowers. “She was fantastic and didn’t overlook a thing,” Alex says.

The couple exchanged vows at the Garrison Church in Sydney's the Rocks area  in front of 120 guests.

“It is a beautiful old church and was close to the Opera House. This meant our guests could walk after the ceremony straight to the reception,” Alex says.

Wanting an intimate and relaxed wedding, the formalities were finished in 20 minutes and included a reading from one of the couple’s closest friends.

Alex walked down the aisle to O Mio Bambino Caro by Puccini looking perfect in a gown by Petal. It was long with a small train and a very low cut back. She also wore a veil made of antique French lace, shoes she had custom-made in Hong Kong and big low drop crystal earrings also from Petal. She had her hair and make-up done by Joh Bailey.

Antony wore a classic two-button slim-fit Armani suit, Oliver Sweeney shoes, a white shirt and a champagne-coloured tie from Zegna. “He looked very handsome,” Alex says.

They chose their two best friends to be bridesmaid and groomsman. Alex’s bridesmaid wore a coffee colour dress with a chiffon overlay and Antony’s groomsman wore a black suit and Zegna tie matching his tie.

After the formalities, the couple and their closest friends were whisked away by speedboat to a small beach at the Rocks for champagne and photos. From there, they were dropped at the wharf at the Opera House for their reception, which was held in a beautiful marquee on the forecourt between the Opera House and the water.

On arrival, guests were served peach bellinis and starters. During the evening guests munched on a range of cocktail food including fresh prawns and oysters. Continuing their relaxed approach to the day, the marquee was set up as a cocktail lounge rather than the traditional sit down affair.

Having decided on chocolate and hot pink as their colours, Alex and Antony hired huge chocolate suede chaise lounges and square ottomans with hot pink silk cushions. Large arrangements of stephanotis and lilies were positioned throughout the marquee on bar tables covered in coffee coloured silk. And best of all, the marquee had a large cocktail bar serving all sorts of drinks.

DJ Brett Martin from Sydney DJ’s started with relaxed Cafe del mar style music. As the evening progressed, he got everyone on the dance floor with some up beat classics.

Any guests that overdid the dancing could relax on one of the Bali-style day beds, which the couple had arranged outside the marquee.

Opting for something a little less traditional, Alex and Antony shared their first dance to Lucky Man by the Verve.

Having their memories preserved in an album was important to Alex and Antony. “We searched for a while for a good photographer as it was one of things that really meant a lot to us. We wanted our photos to reflect the true spirit of the day,” Antony says.

A friend suggested Paul Griggs and Alex and Antony knew his style was perfect the minute they set eyes on it.

“Paul went a long way to capture the mood of the day rather than taking classical staged photos. His style complemented the relaxed style of our wedding,” Antony says.

Having lived abroad for four years, the couple wanted to honeymoon close to home. They chose to spend 10 glorious days at the Netanya in Noosa.

Images: Paul Griggs