Lucy & Anton’s W Hotel Melbourne Wedding

A newly married couple is walking along a city sidewalk, holding hands and smiling. The bride is dressed in a white wedding gown and pink heels, while the groom is in a black tuxedo. The background features tall city buildings and a river.

A Morning of Laughter, Tea, and Tradition

A man is holding a woman in a red dress in his arms on a neighborhood street, both are smiling and laughing, surrounded by greenery.
Group of people celebrating, dressed in traditional Chinese attire, smiling and laughing outdoors.

Some wedding days start with quiet anticipation. Others? They kick off with energy, laughter, and a full house. Lucy and Anton’s wedding began with a traditional Chinese tea ceremony, complete with cheeky bridal games, heartfelt tea offerings to elders, and red envelopes flying.. Anton and his groomsmen had to earn their way through Lucy’s door — a mix of laughter, dares, and declarations of love that set the tone for the day ahead.

Getting Ready in the City

After the tea ceremony, we headed into Melbourne’s CBD. Lucy checked into the W Hotel bridal suite while Anton and the boys set up across the road in a city Airbnb.

The mood in both rooms was light and playful. Lucy’s gown hung by the window, surrounded by makeup brushes, florals, and a room full of energy. Her hair was styled in soft, side-swept waves — a little nod to Marilyn Monroe — classic and effortlessly cool.

A person wearing a white shirt and a gold chain with a gold pendant shaped like a barbell and a hammer.
A smiling blonde woman in a white dress is sitting on a bed, putting on pink high heels in a modern hotel room.
Group of people at a celebration, smiling and surprised, her back to the camera, focusing on a woman in bridal attire.
A bride in a white wedding gown holding a bouquet walks down the aisle with an escort at an outdoor wedding ceremony. Guests are seated nearby on either side of the aisle, with some standing in the background, under trees and a bright blue sky.
Wedding ceremony outdoors in a park with a city skyline in the background, guests standing on either side of an aisle, with a bride and groom at the altar.

Ceremony at Fitzroy Gardens

The ceremony took place under the Old Bandstand at Fitzroy Gardens on a sunny afternoon. The bandstand’s timber frame and the surrounding greenery made it feel like something out of a movie.

There were happy tears, warm vows, and so much joy. Guests gathered under the trees as Lucy walked down the lawn, and Anton couldn’t stop smiling.

A bride and groom kissing during their outdoor wedding ceremony under a floral arch with city skyline in the background.

Portraits Among the Trees

After the ceremony, we stayed in garden wedding portraits at Fitzroy Gardens. The plane-tree path gave us that golden light every photographer dreams of. We walked, laughed, and let the moments unfold — no stiff posing, just real connection between two people buzzing with post-ceremony joy.

A wedding party of ten, consisting of bridesmaids in matching blush dresses, groomsmen in black tuxedos, and a bride and groom in formal attire, standing outdoors on a grassy lawn with lush greenery and palm trees in the background.
A bride and groom in wedding attire outdoors on grass with lush green trees and plants in the background, holding hands and smiling.
Bride in white dress surrounded by five men in black tuxedos, all smiling and joking outdoors with palm trees in the background.
Group of smiling wedding party outdoors, with women in dresses and men in suits, surrounding a bride in a white gown, all appearing joyful.
A couple in wedding attire sharing an intimate moment outdoors in a park, with city skyline in the background.
A black-and-white photo of a couple dancing closely at their wedding reception, surrounded by other guests dancing under a large chandelier.

Reception at the W Hotel Great Room

Elegant event venue decorated with pink and red flowers, set for a celebration with round tables, black chairs, and a large chandelier hanging from the ceiling.
A woman with blonde hair wearing an off-the-shoulder dress, smiling and walking at a formal event with guests seated at tables in the background.

Back at W Melbourne’s Great Room, the vibe shifted to full celebration mode. Think floor-to-ceiling windows, moody lighting, and 150 guests from all over the world ready to party.

There were emotional speeches, a romantic first dance, and a packed dance floor. Every corner of the room buzzed with warmth and joy — the kind of reception that makes you forget what time it is.

A black and white photo of a wedding celebration with a large group of people surrounding a couple, with the groom lifting the bride in the air. The crowd is holding sparklers and smiling, and there is a large illuminated 'W' in the background.

Final Thoughts

Lucy and Anton’s wedding was big, bold, and full of feeling — blending cultural tradition with modern celebration. From bridal games in the morning to portraits in the gardens and a dance floor that didn’t quit, it was one of those weddings that reminds me why I love this job.

As a Melbourne wedding photographer, these are the days I live for — fast-moving, full-hearted, and completely unforgettable.

A group of people celebrating at a party with a large, elaborate chandelier overhead. Two men are lifting a woman in a white dress, and everyone appears joyful.