Day full of surprises: Koren and Johnny’s modern fun wedding

By:
Content Team
/
Updated on: March 16, 2022

Bride Koren Dyer kept plenty of surprises up her sleeve for her modern fun wedding to Johnny Vella.

“Johnny had made it clear from the start that organising our wedding would be my project to tackle,” Koren, 36, says. “Since I had full control of the big day, I was determined to make the day spectacular – filled with surprises for guests, and especially for Johnny.”

The bride created a star-studded affair with celebrity appearances, a flash mob performed by Australian TV favourites and some impressive dance moves from the wedding party themselves.

Koren booked the venue – the Sky Room at Brisbane Convention Centre – a year in advance for the October 22, 2016 celebrations in front of 110 friends and family. The first surprise was at the ceremony, where the bridal party got in on the act for a walk down the aisle like no other.

“The wedding march commenced like a regular wedding march, with our pageboy and flower girl walking down the aisle. When they joined the celebrant at the altar, the flower girl threw her basket on the floor, and they both did a Michael Jackson-style spin with change of music over the speakers,” Koren explains.

The bride had organised monthly choreography lessons for the bridal party and this paid off as they all sashayed down the aisle. “The guests clapped and cheered loudly, and it really set the scene for what followed,” Koren says.

Most of Johnny’s family still live in Malta and Koren secretly organised for them to record video messages to be played at the reception, bringing everyone to tears.

“I contacted a few of Johnny’s favourite celebs as well. Jimeoin, Paul Fenech and the Housos crew, as well as Kevin Rudd, each kindly left video messages!”

A breakdancer dressed as a waiter was a surprise addition to the end of the bridal waltz.

“Soon after, another waiter joined him, then another and lastly our choreographer joined in. I had organised The Equals, who were Australia’s Got Talent finalists to flash mob the dancing! They were incredible and the crowd erupted,” Koren says.

“This was my last big secret, and I’m shocked I managed to pull each of my surprises off, with nobody the wiser.

“After their performance, The Equals encouraged people to get on the dancefloor which was then packed for the rest of the night.”

Photos courtesy of Dreamlife Photography.

Koren_Johnny_Modern-Fun-Wedding_002 DLFT_BNE1980_0006_sbs

Koren_Johnny_Modern-Fun-Wedding_003

Koren_Johnny_Modern-Fun-Wedding_011

Koren_Johnny_Modern-Fun-Wedding_012 Koren_Johnny_Modern-Fun-Wedding_015

Following the ceremony, the couple released a pair of doves, from White Dove Ceremonies, into the Brisbane sky.

Koren_Johnny_Modern-Fun-Wedding_005

Koren_Johnny_Modern-Fun-Wedding_008


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4d–yD8QTs

Kevin Rudd sends a video message to Koren and Johnny: “I hope he’s a general, all-round superman!”


Koren_Johnny_Modern-Fun-Wedding_006 Koren_Johnny_Modern-Fun-Wedding_009
Koren_Johnny_Modern-Fun-Wedding_SBS_008 Koren_Johnny_Modern-Fun-Wedding_SBS_003

Koren_Johnny_Modern-Fun-Wedding_014

Koren and her bridesmaids had their hair and make-up done by the team at The Powder Room.

Koren_Johnny_Modern-Fun-Wedding_013

Koren_Johnny_Modern-Fun-Wedding_016

Koren_Johnny_Modern-Fun-Wedding_017

Koren_Johnny_Modern-Fun-Wedding_018 Koren_Johnny_Modern-Fun-Wedding_019

Koren_Johnny_Modern-Fun-Wedding_020

Johnny and Koren were married by Brenda Keeling. “When we first met with Brenda, Johnny being Johnny said no matter what we will NOT sign anything or say yes on our first meeting. Half way through our appointment Johnny looked at me and said ‘I think I’m happy, are you?’ And we signed with Brenda that day.” Koren says.

Koren_Johnny_Modern-Fun-Wedding_022

Koren_Johnny_Modern-Fun-Wedding_025

Koren_Johnny_Modern-Fun-Wedding_023


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEXA65sMSiA

As well as receiving signed photographs from Jimmy Barnes and Judge Judy, Johnny also received this short and sweet video message from comedian favourite, Jimeoin. “Johnny has an eclectic taste in celebrities,” laughs Koren.”


Koren_Johnny_Modern-Fun-Wedding_024

Koren_Johnny_Modern-Fun-Wedding_027

Koren carried a selection of calla lilies, white and yellow roses and baby’s breath in her wedding bouquet.

Koren_Johnny_Modern-Fun-Wedding_026

Koren_Johnny_Modern-Fun-Wedding_028

Koren_Johnny_Modern-Fun-Wedding_SBS_025 DLFT_BNE1980_0683_sbs2

Koren_Johnny_Modern-Fun-Wedding_032

Unique bobble head cake toppers of the bride and groom were a talking point at the reception.

Koren_Johnny_Modern-Fun-Wedding_029

Koren_Johnny_Modern-Fun-Wedding_033

Koren_Johnny_Modern-Fun-Wedding_034


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahuarmmPZf0&feature=youtu.be

Australia’s Got Talent The Equals performing a wedding flashmob at Koren and Johnny’s Brisbane Convention Centre reception.

Featured Suppliers:

Bomboniere Bomboniere: Recycled Ideas , Wholesale Satin Robes , Piston vs Rotary , Personalised Favours

Brides Gown Brides Gown: Allure Bridal Couture , Dress Boulevard

Brides Shoes Brides Shoes: Novo Shoes

Bridesmaid Shoes Bridesmaid Shoes: Various

Bridesmaids Dresses Bridesmaids Dresses: Bari Jay

Celebrant Celebrant: Brenda Keeling Marriage Celebrant

Ceremony Music Ceremony Music: 16 Strings String Quartet

Entertainment Entertainment: SoHO , The Equals , Mad Dance House , DJ SinFidelity

Flowergirl Dress Flowergirl Dress: Allure Bridal Couture

Flowers Flowers: Brisbane Flowers

Gift Registry Gift Registry: Myer

Grooms Attire Grooms Attire: Bonanno's Menswear

Grooms Shoes Grooms Shoes: Julius Marlow

Groomsmen Attire Groomsmen Attire: Strictly Formal Brisbane Suit Hire , Lowes

Hair Hair: The Powder Room Exquisite Hair and Makeup

Honeymoon Honeymoon: Qualia

Invitations Invitations: Tango by Design

Makeup Makeup: The Powder Room Exquisite Hair and Makeup

Pageboy Attire Pageboy Attire: DIY

Photographer Photographer: Dreamlife Photos & Video

Rings Rings: Antony's Fine Jewellery

Transport Transport: Hughes Limousines

Venue Venue: Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

Venue Decor Venue Decor: Pink & Purple Petals , White Dove Ceremonies

Wedding Night Venue Wedding Night Venue: Rydges Southbank