Inside a jewellery designer’s colourful city wedding
“Stephen proposed on a yacht just off Hamilton Island,” says jewellery designer Christie Nicolaides, of the namesake label. “It was the last day of our holiday and we spent it swimming and lazing in the sun.” Although they’d had an island proposal, the couple knew they were destined for a city wedding, after falling in love with the Queensland Art Gallery in Brisbane.
The bride chose to match her colourful surrounds by shunning white on her big day. “I always imagined I would walk into a store and buy my dress off the rack. I knew that it wouldn’t be a traditional wedding gown. I just wanted to wear something elegant that I felt beautiful in.” She also wore jewellery from her own label, which included a crown for her Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony set inside a church. “These pieces were inspired by the daisy motif that featured on my wedding gown,” Christie adds.
The themes of art and jewellery ran through the entire day. “I designed a unique piece of jewellery for each person within our bridal party,” Christie reflects. “Family and guests also received a custom piece of jewellery as a little gift from Stephen and I to wear on the day and to keep as a memento.”
Scroll through to see more from this unique wedding.
“Stephen and I were in Milan and I found the perfect dress at Dolce & Gabbana,” shares the bride. “I had an appointment to view the Dolce & Gabbana Alta Moda collection, which was possibly one of the most wonderful experiences I have ever had. I spent the day in an exquisite palazzo on Via Monte Napoleone playing dress-ups in the most extraordinary dresses and jewels. However, in the end, I fell in love with a runway piece. It was a very fine black tulle, embroidered with red poppies, carnations and dainty little daisies. My shoes were also Dolce & Gabbana, with tiny gold charms and handpainted heels.”
The bride’s hair was by Valerie Papas at Papas Hair and her make-up was by Steven Mena. The groom wore a suit by Patrick Johnson.
Instead of a bouquet, the bride filled a Dolce & Gabbana bag with flowers and carried that down the aisle. The bride wore bespoke Christie Nicolaides Jewellery she designed herself. “I was very fortunate to be able to create my own,” Christie says. “I wanted to create jewellery that spoke to the delicate daisies on my dress. In the lead-up to the wedding, I had designed 12 pieces, but on the day I settled on just three: a large pair of earrings, which were made of baroque pearls and black sapphires; a hairpiece of baroque pearls; and also matching stefana crowns that are used during the Orthodox ceremony.”
The wedding service took place at Brisbane’s Greek Orthodox Church of St George, where both of the bride and groom’s grandparents and parents were married.
The custom-designed stefana wedding headpieces. The couple exchanged rings by Cartier and Angelo Andronis.
A floral setting at the Greek Orthodox church, by Brian Sweeney of Perrotts Florists.
The reception was set inside the Queensland Art Gallery. Here, the bridal party before (1984–85) by Arthur Boyd. “My three bridesmaids and flower girls all wore Dolce & Gabbana. I wanted my friends to choose their own dresses.”
Yayoi Kusama’s (1966/2002), as seen from an upper floor of the gallery.
The menu was created by chef Josh Lopez and the QAGOMA team.
“The eight-piece band Rush had no problems getting everyone up on the dance floor.” The couple took their first dance to by Sade.Click Here: watford fc shirt