Alana and Nathan’s backyard wedding: The ultimate festival of love

From gardens vows in the iconic grounds of Abbotsford Convent to an all-night party on the dancefloor, Alana and Nathan’s wedding wasn’t just a celebration; it was a full-blown experience.

Picture this: live music at every turn, roving performers, a party bus to take the guests between locations, and a home reception that was nothing short of an entertainment playground. If Coachella were in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, it would be Alana and Nathan’s wedding.

Their aim when wedding planning was clean and classic meets high-energy festival vibes. Unapologetic. Fun. Personal. And most importantly, wildly unforgettable.

A ceremony with joy in abundance

On a sunny September afternoon in the Heritage Gardens of Abbotsford Convent, Lani and Nathan exchanged vows.

Surrounded by lush greenery with the historic architecture acting as the backdrop, they were surrounded by people they love the most. Officiated by Leah of Love Leah, the couples focused on a ceremony that was light, personal, and full of laughter. It included stories, real moments, and genuine connection that brought the guests in to be part of it.

Live jazz music echoed through the gardens, giving the ceremony an effortlessly celebratory feel from the very beginning.

A moving cocktail hour

Traditional cocktail hours are typically held just after the ceremony and serve as a kickoff to the festivities. For Lani and Nathan, they put a twist on the tradition, and the guests boarded a party bus straight after the ceremony. On board, music pumped and drinks flowed, the energy picking up more steam. It was the perfect transition between ceremony and reception. Playful and unexpected, yet on brand for the newlyweds.

A home reception

The reception took place at Lani and Nathan’s home in Kew East. It was completely transformed into a multi-zone entertainment space, designed to encourage guests to flow through and discover more hidden moments. Dinner, drinks, and roving performances all unfolded through the house and garden before everyone gravitated to the dancefloor, where the all-night party showed no signs of slowing.

Hosting at home gave the couple total creative freedom. And, well, they used it well. From DJs and saxophone sets to gospel singers and multiple roving acts, entertainment wasn’t just an add-on: it was everything the newlyweds envisioned (and brought to life!).

Food and drinks

Catering was handled by Italian Chef, with a focus on delicious, high-quality food designed to keep guests fuelled for the party ahead. The wedding cake was a show-stopping millefoglie, also by Italian Chef, while drinks were supplied by Dan Murphy’s and Mitchelton Winery: a relaxed, crowd-pleasing combination that suited the vibe perfectly.

The style

Lani wore the iconic Grace gown by Grace Loves Lace — sleek, backless and perfectly fitted. She paired it with a borrowed veil from Mariana Hardwick, adding a sentimental family touch to her look.

Bridesmaids wore Shona Joy dresses in soft champagne and light gold satin, complementing both the natural ceremony setting and the warm, neutral palette of the day.

Nathan opted for a cream jacket with black pants, classic with a twist, while his groomsmen wore black suits.

The planner (and fairy godmother)

With a home reception and a packed entertainment schedule, having a planner was non-negotiable. Kate from Hey Lovers was, in the couple’s words, their fairy godmother. She handled countless behind-the-scenes details, solved problems before anyone noticed them and allowed Nathan and Lani to enjoy the day they’d dreamed up fully.

No regrets, nothing to change

If they could do it all again, Nathan and Lani wouldn’t change a thing. The chaos, laughter and energy were exactly what they wanted — a wedding that felt like them.For couples dreaming of something different, their advice is simple: prioritise entertainment, build an experience and don’t be afraid to break tradition. When guests feel part of the story, the celebration becomes unforgettable.

Melbourne Entertainment Company

For Lani and Nathan, their wedding was based on “maximum vibes”. Nathan himself an entertainer from Melbourne Entertainment Company. His years of experience meant that he had seen all sorts of parties and rollouts, and was able to choose what it was that suited him and his wife. And what suited them was a party. And, of course, the groom got involved and showed of his sax chops. What’s a party without the vibe maker himself!?

Ceremony: Sunset Blue Jazz Quartet
Singers: Gospel Duo
DJ: Tom
Sax: Nathan
Roving: 4x Pieces of Roving Entertainment
Champagne Servers
Fan Dancers
Disco Ball Heads
Burlesque
Recovery Entertainment: Jam – Pianist

Pre -wedding vibes

For the two lovers who love a party, the vibe started early. They described a few pre-wedding fun that involved a little superstition to ward off any Alanis Morrisette style irony. 

“Plenty of hilarious pre-wedding superstitions (burying sausages, Etsy witches, and unused wedding umbrellas) after a terrifying rain forecast,” explains Nathan.