Opposites attract: Christina and Thomas combine cultures at modern wedding

By:
Content Team
/
Updated on: April 9, 2024

When Christina and Thomas first met, they admit they were complete opposites.

“I was a free-spirited hippie and Thomas was the typical nerdy gamer,” Christina explains.

“However, over time we bonded over our love of animals, we made trips to the zoo, adopted two cats and decided to move in together.”

After Thomas popped the question, planning for their modern wedding went into full swing.

“Setting the date was one of their biggest challenges,” the bride explains. “The date had to suit both families’ idea of ‘feng shui’ (good fortune). This is decided by the mystical calendars respective to our two different yet similar cultures – Japanese and Chinese. After a month of going back and forth between the families we settled for a date that was suitable for both cultures.”

With the date set – August 17, 2019 – the couple opted for a traditional ceremony at St Leonard’s Catholic Church, Naremburn, on Sydney’s North Shore, the bride’s church since childhood.

This was followed by a modern, wintry-themed reception with Chinese and Japanese influences at Pier One Sydney Harbour.

“It was a dream come true,” Christina says of the modern wedding.

“It was a unique cultural wedding with a mix of love, friendship, traditions and fun. A wedding where many of our guests were more than just that, they had helped create and shape the wedding to what became our dream wedding.”

Photos courtesy of Lightheart Wedding Photography.

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Christina chose a classic gown from Luv Bridal featuring nine layers of tulle, an elaborate train and sweetheart neckline. “Luv Bridal was the shop I always dreamt of buying my wedding dress from since I was in high school as it was on my daily bus route,” the bride says.

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Christina arrived in a Rolls Royce Silver Cloud courtesy of Variety Wedding Cars.

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Christina and her bridesmaids had their hair and make-up done for the big day by Le Fabulous.

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Christina advises future brides to enjoy the planning process. “Take your time with the planning and organising your big day. Spend as much time as you can with friends and family during this time as it is very special and what I enjoyed the most about planning the wedding,” she says.

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“We had a Japanese sake pouring ceremony to honour family tradition and I wore a red velvet red dress to symbolise good luck, happiness and prosperity according to Chinese traditions,” Christina says of the reception. The venue was impeccably styled, with some help from vendors like Jewel Phon Flowers.

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Featured Suppliers:

Bomboniere Bomboniere: Susymakes

Brides Accessories Brides Accessories: Lovisa , JJ's House

Brides Gown Brides Gown: Luv Bridal & Formal - Designer Direct

Brides Shoes Brides Shoes: Billini Shoes

Bridesmaid Shoes Bridesmaid Shoes: Various

Bridesmaids Accessories Bridesmaids Accessories: JJ's House , Fairykissedco

Bridesmaids Dresses Bridesmaids Dresses: Lulus

Celebrant Celebrant: Father Brian Moloney

Ceremony Music Ceremony Music: Joseph Drzyzga & Others

Ceremony Venue Ceremony Venue: St. Leonards Catholic Church

Entertainment Entertainment: Musiq Entertainment , Ellyse Auer

Flowers Flowers: Fairykissedco

Grooms Attire Grooms Attire: R&H Custom , Van Heusen , Hugo Boss , JJ's House , Happy Socks , Montblanc

Grooms Shoes Grooms Shoes: Hush Puppies

Groomsmen Attire Groomsmen Attire: R&H Custom

Groomsmen Shoes Groomsmen Shoes: Various

Hair Hair: Le Fabulous

Honeymoon Honeymoon: Krabi, Thailand

Invitations Invitations: With Joy , Officeworks , Kikki K

Lolly Buffet Lolly Buffet: Pier One

Makeup Makeup: Le Fabulous

Photographer Photographer: Lightheart Films & Photography

Reception Venue Reception Venue: Pier One Sydney Harbour

Rings Rings: Shhh Secrets , Mirai Jewellery

Transport Transport: Variety Wedding Cars

Venue Decor Venue Decor: Jewel Phon Flowers , Event Styling by Helen

Wedding Night Venue Wedding Night Venue: Pier One Sydney Harbour

Wedding Planner Wedding Planner: Brooke's Weddign and Events

Photos courtesy of Lightheart Wedding Photography.