Melbourne VIP: Weddings, announcements and events
A Harry Potter party was the catalyst for love between Allie Clarke and Angus McAvaney, who tied the knot in a magical garden ceremony after a 10-year romance.
Fiona Byrne
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A HARRY Potter-themed costume party was the catalyst for love for Allie Clarke and Angus McAvaney who tied the knot in a garden ceremony after a 10-year romance.
Allie, a marketing specialist, and Angus, an account director, wed in the sprawling, lush gardens of the Willow & Stone Estate in Ballarat in January.
Allie wore a stunning gown by Kyha Studios with Angus selecting a tuxedo from Oscar Hunt Tailors.
“I had admired the beautiful piece of Kyha Studios for years,” Allie said.
“I chose a custom gown — romantic and feminine with a fun twist on tradition.”
The couple worked closely with Tori Allen Events to design their wedding and reception to take in special moments from their decade together.
“Angus and I always knew we wanted to get married out of Melbourne as little weekends away are such a huge part of our relationship, and we wanted to create the same experience for our guests,” Allie said.
“The property allowed us to create three distinct areas throughout the property: ceremony, pre-dinner drinks and reception.
“It allowed our guests to go on a journey throughout the day and added to the excitement of never quite knowing what came next.
“We worked to bring in a lot of personal touches, from a signature spicy pineapple mezcal cocktail from our time in Mexico City, to an art installation of gold picture frames sourced by Angus’s lovely mum.
“We were keen to buck traditional trends, looking to apple green booth seating over traditional chairs, vintage-inspired rattan furniture, nostalgic blue and white mismatched plates inspired by my childhood china, as well as huge citrus trees dotted around the reception.
“Angus’s mum baked our incredible wedding cake — a carrot cake, Angus’s favourite.”
The couple met at a Harry Potter-themed 18th birthday party in 2010.
“Allie was dressed as the Hogwarts Express,” Angus recalled.
“Angus was charming. We spent the entire party talking, only for Angus to reveal he was leaving the next day to spend three months on exchange in Japan,” Allie said.
“Three months of many Facebook messages and texting ensued, before finally starting to date in early 2011. We have been inseparable ever since.”
Allie said the wedding was everything they had dreamt of.
“We can honestly say without a shadow of a doubt, our wedding day was the best day of our lives,” she said.
“After a year-long engagement throughout Covid, we spent months worrying if the day would ever be able to take place.
“To stand side-by-side on a warm January afternoon, looking out at the faces of our closest friends and family and know that the day was truly ours, was the most special feeling.”
Angus said the wedding was more than a celebration.
“It was 10 years together, our accomplishments and failures, moments of huge triumph and incredible struggle, but ultimately, for me it was telling the world about my best mate, why she is my closest friend and how lucky I am to spend the rest of life together,” he said.
The wedding was planned and designed by Tori Allen Events, furniture was by Dann Event Hire, the celebrant was Jess Hills and catering was by Blakes Feast. Photography was by Bianca Virtue with videography by Moon and Back Co.
THE TORCH EXHIBITION OPENING - GLEN EIRA
The most inspiring event of the week was the opening of Confined 12, the latest exhibition presented by The Torch featuring artworks by Indigenous artists currently in or recently released from prisons in Victoria. More than 350 artworks from 320 artists are on show at the Glen Eira City Council Gallery in Caulfield until June 6. The Torch chairman Jeff Kennett and CEO Kent Morris welcomed guests including board members Catherine Andrews, Mark Dingle and Christopher Miller, Carol Schwartz, Aunty Pam Pederson, Felicity Kennett and exhibiting artists Thomas Marks and Thelma Beeton. The Torch is an organisation of tremendous merit. Since 2011 it has assisted artists in the program to reconnect with their culture, create connections and support networks, rebuild self-esteem and earn money from the sale of their work.
HILTON HOTEL OPENING
The Hilton has returned as a hotel brand to Melbourne with the opening of the 244-room Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street in the CBD. A stylish opening was held at the property housed in the historic Equity Chambers building on Thursday evening, MC-ed by Melissa Hetherington. The hotel’s restaurant, Luci, is set in the building’s former grand banking hall and its bar is the Art Deco-inspired The Douglas Club. Guests included Neil Maxwell, Heidi Kunkel, Sally Capp, Joel Creasey, Chrissie Swan, Kate Stevenson, Jacques Reymond, Effie Kats, Kyla Kirkpatrick, Crystal Kimber and Rebecca Maddern.
STYLE ME OVER LUNCH - CREMORNE
Melbourne personal stylist Melina Bagnato hosted a gathering celebrating mums and fashion at Ms Frankie in Cremorne. Melina’s father, noted fashion designer and men’s style guru Dom Bagnato, belted out a couple of tunes before performing a duet with singer Sarah C.
Melina, who owns the Style Me Over business, showcased her winter collection with her mother, Pia, as one of the models in the parade.
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