Childhood memories lead to Sanja & Milan’s bayside wedding

Melbourne couple Sanja Mladenovic and Milan Ivanovic’s first memory of one another was when they were young classmates in Serbia.

“I remember Sanja as a cheerful, curly-haired blonde girl in a colourful sweater,” says Milan. “I remember Milan as a very quiet and polite skinny boy,” smiles Sanja. The pair, both 30, were married on November 26, 2013 in Elwood, but not before they struck up a social media friendship.

“Fifteen years [after knowing one another at school] we would find each other again on Facebook,” explains Milan. “Separated by mere distance through the center of a pale blue dot.”

After some happy but distant time together, Milan chose a daredevil moment to propose to his girlfriend. “Airborne in a dune buggy together over a Serbian mountain top, I thought it best to ask for her hand in marriage before the adrenaline wore off and we regained the ability to comprehend the realities of the visa application process,” he laughs.

Their bayside wedding in Melbourne provided a mix of gorgeous beach and inner-city grunge photos. And Sanja has the ultimate fashion tip for any bride-to-be. “Be brave, wear heels all day. You will look so much better on photos and it’s only for a day.”

Photos courtesy of Apertura Studios.

“My dress was custom made by a Serbian fashion designer Mihano Momosa,” says Sanja.

The grooms shoes? “Milan doesn’t remember where he got them from, that’s how much guys care about their shoes,” laughs Sanja.

The couple had custom-made wedding bands.

Video by Apertura Studios and Savvy Wedding