Cross-country love affair: Jacinta and Michael’s modern classic wedding

Hailing from opposite sides of the country, Jacinta Speering and Michael Mariani brought everyone who mattered most to Melbourne for their modern classic wedding.

Jacinita, from Perth, met Michael, from Melbourne, on a wine tour in the Swan Valley.

They began dating and later Michael, 38, popped the question on a surprise weekend away to a luxury resort (which he had told Jacinta, 30, was a camel farm to ensure it was a big surprise!)

The bride says planning for the big day was challenging but hugely rewarding – with two of her bridesmaids welcoming babies in the weeks before the wedding and her father learning to walk again following a stroke in time escort her down the ailse.

“The determination, patience and grace he displayed throughout his rehabilitation, while working towards our wedding day, was overwhelming. The feeling of walking beside him into the church will stay with me forever,” Jacinta says.

She and Michael were married at the groom’s childhood church – Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church, Brunswick East – in front of 180 guests on April 22, 2016.

The reception followed at Leonda by the Yarra, exquisitely styled by Bridie Bride Weddings.

“It was a true celebration of love, family and friendship bringing together our relatives and friends from opposite sides of the country,” Jacinta says.

“It was a massive effort to get everyone over to Melbourne safely, but it made the celebration all the sweeter. It truly was a party to remember.”

Photos courtesy of Iain and Jo – We Tell Love Stories.

Classic bride Jacinta teamed her lace fit-and-flare gown with simple pearl drop jewellery.

The groom and his groomsmen wore classic grey suits from Bonanno’s Menswear, paired with navy accessories to match the bridesmaids.

“Michael and I share a love of family, friendship and food! We make each other laugh constantly and we work hard every day to understand each other. He is my best friend,” Jacinta says.

The couple took dancing lessons so they were ready to rip up the dancefloor for their choreographed first dance. “We began with a traditional wedding dance to John Legend’s All of Me and then cut to an upbeat and more modern dance to Bruno Mars’ Uptown Funk,” Jacinta says.

Lala Design took care of the couple’s unique invitations and stationery.