Weddings of Bianca Malietzis and Christian Acquaro, Olivia Kaleta and Jamie-Lee McGregor, Alicia Baker and Josh Boyd
When Christian Acquaro’s car — containing a ring for Bianca Malietzis — was towed in Melbourne on the day he planned to propose, he feared it had put the brakes on his romantic plans.
Fiona Byrne
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A “perfectly imperfect” proposal which saw a car towed with the engagement ring still in it led to a magical wedding filled with love and traditions for Bianca Malietzis and Christian Acquaro.
It was love at first swipe for the couple who met online in 2017.
Christian proposed on December 30, 2021.
“I’d organised a staycation in the Melbourne CBD,” Bianca said.
“We decided to get a little shopping done before we checked in, leaving all luggage in our car, and returned to find the car had been towed.
“Christian had left the ring in the car and was absolutely fretting.
“We finally find where our car is, pay the enormous fee to have it released, check in to our hotel and I’m greeted with our room filled with flowers and champagne. I turned around and Christian was on one knee, ring upside down. It was perfectly imperfect.”
The couple wed at Gather & Tailor in West Melbourne on March 12, 2023 with Michelle Cedro officiating and their Pembroke corgi Tilly in attendance.
Bianca wore a mikado sheath dress and overskirt created by The Bridal Curator in Prahran while Christian chose a double breasted black suit from Dyonsu in South Yarra.
After their first dance to Say A Little Prayer, Bianca and Christian invited guests to join them on the dance floor for an Italian wedding tradition where ribbons are wrapped around the newlyweds.
“Christian and I were entangled in metres and metres of paper streamers,” Bianca said.
“It was so wonderful to be part of. It symbolises the difficulties of life and when you remove yourself from the streamers, that signifies that you can overcome life’s difficulties.
“I wish I could relive the day over and over. It was the best start to a happy marriage.”
Photography was by Art of Grace, event management by Nudo, flowers were by Tweed Twigs and Anatomy of Flowers, and catering was by Refresh Hospitality.
‘We’re a part of the rainbow family’: Olivia Kaleta and Jamie-Lee McGregor
“As all good modern romances go, we met on Tinder in early 2019. Four years, one pandemic and two proposals later and here we are,” Olivia Kaleta said of her romantic and joy filled wedding to Jamie-Lee McGregor.
Olivia and Jamie-Lee created special proposal moments two years ago.
Jamie was the first to pop the question, proposing to Olivia during a picnic at Teddy’s Lookout near Lorne in February 2021.
“I went to unpack the picnic and found a handwritten note reading ‘Will you marry me?’. I turned to see Jamie down on one knee with a ring in her hand. It was the easiest question I’ve ever had to answer,” Olivia said.
Olivia proposed to Jamie-Lee later that year in July during a surprise weekend city stay.
“I fashioned rose petals on the bed to read ‘Marry me?’,” Olivia said.
The couple exchanged vows in a surprise wedding at The Timber Yard in Port Melbourne on March 25, 2023, having invited 140 guests to an engagement party.
“We’re a part of the rainbow family and we don’t have one traditional bone between us,” Olivia said.
“The most important thing for us was that our wedding day be filled with love and for our guests to have the best night. We had lots of bright colour everywhere – rainbow flags for people to wave when we walked down the aisle after the ceremony, a rainbow-themed candy cart so our guests could make their own lolly bag bonbonnière; our cake was bright Pink and orange and sat in front of a Pink neon sign that read ‘The McGregors’, and we had the fabulous drag queen, Abril LaTrene, as our MC and she did a Lizzo lip sync to reveal the wedding ceremony to guests.”
The couple started the evening in engagement party dresses and then changed into bespoke outfits for their wedding with Jamie-Lee wearing a black jumpsuit with a tailor made turquoise and purple jacket from Gentleman’s Guru and Olivia wearing a glamorous black A-line gown with a boned bodice and lace and tulle overlay by Leah S Designs.
Real Housewives of Melbourne star Gina Liano was the celebrant, flowers were by Heavenly Creations, the wedding cake was by Tigga Mac and photography by Clique Films.
“Jamie and I had always said that Gina being our celebrant was a non-negotiable,” Olivia said.
“We planned this day out so meticulously for over a year.
“We made the arbours we were married in front of, we bought, tried and tested all 300 battery operated candles, we handpainted the rainbow lawn games, made the gowns our bridal party wore while getting ready; every little detail was considered.
“It was the most magical day of our lives.”
‘Modern take on vows’: Alicia Baker and Josh Boyd
Alicia Baker and Josh Boyd wed at the informal, yet sophisticated, modern and intimate Grow Event Space in Cheltenham on February 4, 2023 where the garden nursery theme ensured lots of green, natural light and a calm, relaxing environment.
The couple met through their work in 2017.
Josh proposed at home “after a long romantic dinner, a walk along the Yarra, and a stop at our favourite ice-creamery.”
Their wedding, which was officiated by celebrant Elizabeth Shaw, was “modern, a little bit different and a celebration of our lives already built together.”
Alicia wore a beautiful Goldie dress from Grace Loves Lace paired with Jimmy Choo heels with Josh wearing a Off-White linen jacket over blue slacks.
“The ceremony was anything but traditional, with a shared bottle of champagne to celebrate, a modern take on vows and commitments with lots of laughs and tears,” Josh said.
“It was incredible to celebrate what a wonderful life we have built and the future in front of us with our closest friends and family. It was intimate and personalised and ended in a massive party.”
Josh and Alicia’s first dance as newlyweds was to You Are The Reason which then shifted into the Queen classic Crazy Little Thing Called Love.
Flowers on the day were done by Liv Geddes, catering was by Mint and Mingle and photography was by Baker Boys.
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