Alessandro + Monique met on a cruise holiday in 2017. They became friends, although Monique admits Alessandro drew her in quickly. She was devastated when the holiday came to an end as they lived on other sides of Sydney and she doubted they would see each other again. However to her surprise, they continued talking daily post-cruise, all the way through to their first date.

Years later, they planned another cruise holiday to celebrate the New Year of 2023. Little did Monique know, but Alessandro had secured a diamond, patiently waiting 6 months for their holiday for the perfect time to propose! Monique says, “In true Alessandro style, he had no plan and went into it knowing he would just pick a time it made sense, and he sure did. It was a beautiful, balmy night as we were sailing out of Vanuatu. We were all dressed in white and went up to the top deck to take some photos at sunset. It was a chaotic rush to get dressed and ready before the sunset, and Alessandro and I were last up the top. We were taking photos together when he suddenly grabbed my hand and said “I have something for you”.. and at that moment I knew!”

Monique + Alessandro’s wedding day was a dream come true, surpassing all expectations. “It was a day filled with overwhelming love, joy, and laughter, and we couldn’t stop smiling from start to finish.” One of the highlights was their ceremony at Mater Dei Chapel in Camden. “One of the most memorable moments for us was locking eyes for the first time as we met at the aisle. It was an emotional and exhilarating experience, and seeing the sheer happiness on our families’ faces made it even more special.”

Following the ceremony, we headed into the city for photos. It had started to rain so we opted for a sophisticated bar setting to stay out of the elements.

Alessandro + Monique celebrated their reception at Deckhouse in Woolwich. They opted for a modern and timeless aesthetic with a black and white theme complemented by touches of white and green florals. “As a couple, we cherish simplicity, and we wanted our wedding to reflect our personalities. The whimsical ambience of our reception, adorned with fairy lights against a black dance floor with white accents, perfectly captured the magic we envisioned”. Even though they planned every detail themselves, seeing the reception for the first time took them by surprise. “Seeing it all come together was a delightful shock. We savoured a private dance and soaked in the atmosphere before our guests arrived, cherishing the moment of anticipation.”

The night was filled with fun on the dance floor and ended with a full-circle moment as they made their exit by boat. “Watching our loved ones wave goodbye as we sailed into the cityscape was surreal and deeply meaningful”.

When it came to their wedding photography, Monique kindly says:

“Choosing Mark as our photographer was a no-brainer. We wanted someone who could capture candid moments authentically and make us feel at ease in front of the camera. Mark’s ability to encapsulate our unique love story naturally surpassed our expectations, and Leanne’s support throughout the process was invaluable. Reflecting on our wedding day through Mark’s lens felt incredibly natural and effortless. From the intimate moments of the morning preparations to the grandeur of the ceremony and reception, Mark seamlessly captured every emotion and detail. His calming presence and genuine enthusiasm made the experience truly enjoyable, resulting in timeless photos that we’ll treasure forever. Alessandro and I are forever grateful for it all.”

Congratulations to Alessandro + Monique and thank you to the following Sydney wedding vendors:

Sydney Ceremony Venue: Mater Dei Chapel, Camden | Sydney Reception Venue: Deckhouse Woolwich | Sydney Wedding Videographer: Bloom Films | Sydney Wedding Content: Candid Content by Bells | Sydney Wedding Dress: Couture by Francesca | Bridal Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Groom Suit: MJ Bale | Bridesmaid Dresses: Shona Joy | Sydney Wedding Rings: Michael Arthur | Sydney Wedding Flowers: White House Flowers | Sydney Bridal Makeup: VM Makeup | Sydney Bridal Hair: Guiselle Mariel | Sydney Wedding Invites: Bee Creatives | Sydney Wedding Cake: Cake Central | Sydney Wedding Cars: Roll up in a Rolls | Sydney Wedding MC: Frank MC | Sydney Wedding DJ: Beatz Entertainment