A Wedding On Top Of The World

The best thing to hold onto in life is each other ~ Audrey Hepburn

A month ago, I tied the knot with my partner and best friend of ten years – the marvellous Mark.

Both Mark and I are from Italian descent which generally equates to a wedding of huge proportions. However, being a simple duo, we decided that we wanted something intimate and elegant along with a venue that offered the ultimate dining experience for our guests.

The main event found us on the breathtaking 55th floor of the Rialto Towers at Vue de monde surrounded by our immediate family and closest friends.

In keeping with the design aesthetic themes on this site, I believe our evening is worthy of a review and hope you are just as captivated by the space and decor as we were on the evening.

Vue de monde private dining room. Enjoy Lighting and Katie Marx Flowers © Angela Fedele

 

Not Quite a White Wedding

There was no white veiled dress or a bright bouquet. Instead I reached out to my local fashion haunt, Stella & Myrrh for a touch of Italian couture choosing a black Anna Rita N dress and Gibellieri shoes.

Did you know that dark and black wedding dresses were common practice for brides in the 1800’s? They were also heavily popular in Scandinavia. I chose black because I couldn’t see myself getting married in any other colour – it’s my signature.

Mark opted for a complementary monochromatic ensemble and wore a black three-piece suit from Melbourne’s Jack London.

 

Dining That Charms 

When seeking a venue, we wanted something that echoed Melbourne. The first time we entered Vue de monde, Mark and I knew it was where we would exchange vows and share an unforgettable dining experience with our guests.

As an architectural admirer, I loved the idea of having our event within one of Melbourne’s most striking commercial skyscrapers. Designed by Gerard de Preu and Partner and Perrott Lyon Mathieson, the Rialto Towers were built in 1986 and consist of two adjoining towers rising 525 metres and 185 metres from their Collins Street location.

The iconic building is instantly recognisable thanks to its dark blue glass facade but it’s inside where the magic happens.

Firstly, expect to be captivated by the view on the 55th floor of the tallest tower – Melbourne’s skyline never looked so good. Here’s the proof.

Vue de monde relocated in June 2011 from its’ historic location at Normanby Chambers to the Rialto. Today it remains the flagship restaurant of acclaimed chef Shannon Bennet delivering culinary delights and flawless service to guests dining sky high.

Inside, Vue de monde’s interiors reflect the modern urban landscape. A pared back, minimalistic and elegant space that reflects on Australia’s history.

Within The Lady Nelson Room, dark timbers align with large scale windows and eccentric light fittings. Leather couches line the windows to encourage you to take a seat and enjoy the view.

Within the main restaurant is the striking Joseph Kosuth’s neon sculptures of Charles Darwin’s sketchbooks that line the walls and a host of other Australian-inspired textures and furniture.

A drink with hand-cut ice and a palatable champagne and wine list met a precise seven course degustation menu for the evening. Our guests marvelled at the flawless event, drink and wait staff who perfected the evening and offered that experience that you will talk about for years to come.

 

Divine Decor

While Vue de monde’s private dining room is perfect stand-alone, I called upon my two favourite things to complete the look: flameless candles and fresh flowers.

Two years ago, I met the lovely Lisa Carrick from Enjoy Lighting. It wasn’t the first time I’d heard of flameless candles but one flick of the Enjoy Lighting candle switch and I was instantly coveting my very own.

They look real, they feel real and they bring a safe and enlightening glow to any room without the hassle of a real flame.

When I told Lisa that Mark and I were getting married, she so kindly offered to decorate Vue de monde’s room and bring along a videographer for the night – the gorgeous Paris to capture the evening.

Upon entering the room that would house our wedding ceremony and dinner, Mark and I were overwhelmed – it looked magical.

I know that low lighting is generally pretty but there is something about the glow of an Enjoy Lighting Candle that is so captivating, so beautiful and so warm.

Complemented by Vue de monde’s neutral space and Melbourne’s evening backdrop, the candles brought the room to illuminative life.

Enjoy Lighting’s candles are handmade from virgin paraffin wax and utilise an LED light with an optional timer system so you can Set it & Forget it! They also have a flicker so real they they can easily be mistaken for a real candle.

Along with the table decor, I purchased candle sets for bombinere so our guests could create their own flameless candle ambience at home.

In my home, I decorate with 20 of my own Enjoy Lighting candles and counting. I’m a night owl and do love the opportunity to do many things by candlelight be it dinner, a movie or writing my next article – they’re the perfect night light.

 

Floral Artistry

Flowers from freelance florist Katie Marx brought the most incredible scent and aesthetic to the sophisticated space.

The lovely Katie and Phil organised a series of floral settings to decorate the table with a simple brief from me: I love carnations!

So inside, eight glass cylinder vases featuring a free form arrangement of white lisianthus, carnations, geranium foliage and a touch of David Austin garden roses decorated the tables and accent furniture.

Each setting was slightly different in its own creative way and demonstrated a timeless and natural aesthetic.

It was an evening Mark and I will never forget.

This is also thanks to my beautiful photographer friend and colleague, Patrik Nemes from PNP Media who captured the evening so perfectly.

So I hope you enjoyed a virtual look into our wedding dinner and perhaps I’ve helped ignite some design or event inspiration of your very own. A huge thank you to Vue de monde, Enjoy Lighting, Katie Marx and everyone that participated in our spectacular evening.