Time Stood Still For This Couple At Their First Look
As Merve recounts her love story with Lucas, she takes us on a journey from their initial encounter to the romantic proposal that sealed their fate. Fast forward to February 2022, when they tied the knot in an intimate gathering of close friends and family, blending cultural traditions in a rustic setting.
In this heartwarming account, Merve reflects on the most unforgettable moments, shares the most unique aspect of her wedding day, and offers valuable insights for future brides navigating the challenges of planning a wedding during pandemic times.
How did you two meet? Tell us your proposal story if you like;
It’s been precisely six years since Lucas and I crossed paths at the Portsea Hotel on Australia Day weekend – a coincidence that would lead us to book our wedding, again, on the same weekend exactly six years later. The universe had other plans. Fast forward a week, and we met by chance at a club, having exchanged numbers not once. At the time, we joked about not falling in love with each other. Little did we know, fate had other intentions.
Our connection grew stronger, and we found ourselves head over heels for each other. As ambitious entrepreneurs, we’d always dreamed of exploring Europe together. In 2019, I was booking international weddings as a photographer, and Lucas had plans to propose in the iconic Notting Hill – a nod to one of my favorite movies. However, the pandemic threw a wrench into our travel plans.
Undeterred, Lucas proposed in our kitchen during lockdown, while I was cozied up in my robe, unaware of what was about to unfold. As I sat there, freshly manicured and recording a snippet for later, Lucas seized the moment. ‘Oh, are you recording? Keep going,’ he said, as if he had something up his sleeve. Next thing I knew, he produced a ring, and I erupted into an excited frenzy: ‘OH MY GOD, ARE YOU SERIOUS?! NO WAY!’ – still awaiting my formal response, but that’s a story for another time.
What was the best moment of your Wedding (funniest, most heart-warming, and most memorable)?
What do you feel was the most unique part of your wedding?
As we embarked on this cultural fusion, the significance of family heritage became apparent. Lucas hails from a proud Italian lineage, while I come from a rich Turkish background. Both of us placing immense value on our respective cultures, we strived to harmoniously blend them throughout the day, avoiding overemphasis. The ritual began with traditional Turkish drums, but with an unexpected twist – the iconic Bella Ciao served as our cultural ambassador.
Looking back, what’s one thing you’d change about your wedding (could be to do with planning, the actual day, etc.)?
As we reflect on that unforgettable day, it’s clear that meticulous planning was key to creating a truly magical atmosphere. My vision was to keep things simple, yet elegant and ethereal. While I think we struck just the right balance overall, one area where we might have taken it up a notch is incorporating more cultural music for our loved ones in attendance.
Looking back, we realize that our guests were craving a deeper connection to our heritage through song, which we didn’t quite deliver on. The two cultural customs we did incorporate into our entrance, however, with the drums, were an absolute hit and something we’re grateful for.
Any advice you would give to future Brides planning their Wedding in managing Covid?
When planning your wedding, it’s easy to get caught up in worrying about every little detail. But remember, the key is to focus on the positives and trust that everything will fall into place. Of course, having a solid plan in place can help alleviate any stress. We took this approach and ended up with an unforgettable day that exceeded our expectations. From booking our dream suppliers to bringing our unique vision to life, every element came together seamlessly.
In terms of attire, we opted for a stunning coral wedding gown by Coral Confortti, paired with reception dress by Cult Gaia. Our choice of shoes was just as thoughtful, selecting Aquazzura and Yves Saint Laurent respectively. To add the perfect finishing touches, we chose earrings by Dior and entrusted our bridesmaids to the talented Shona Joy.
When it came to the finer details, we relied on the expertise of Sassafras for our floral arrangements, Ivory & Noir for stationery and signage, and The Event Merchant for our champagne tower. For music and entertainment, we enlisted the help of Entertainment Collective for ceremony vocals, Rutherford Entertainment for DJ services, Zaffet Royale for Turkish entertainment, and Live Entertainment with their saxophone and percussion performances.
Our MC was Serge Romano, while our cake was provided by Party with Grazor. We also took the time to create personalized guest favors. The perfect setting for our special day was Stones of the Yarra Valley, where we were pampered by Steph Piazza’s makeup skills and Hair by Neveen’s styling expertise. Our photographers at Mervé Togan Team and videographers at Tango Films ensured that every moment was captured with style.
