Tell us a little about yourselves!
We’re Ian and Jimmy, currently living between Melbourne and Geelong with our two fur babies, Grizz and Taro. Ian is a pediatrician, and Jimmy works in luxury retail. We’re both Australian-born but come from Chinese and Vietnamese heritage, so our wedding day was all about celebrating our cultures alongside our love.
How did you two meet, and how long have you been together?
We’ve been together for five years, and it all started with a swipe on Tinder! At first, neither of us thought it would work—Jimmy wasn’t too keen on dating doctors (because of their egos, ha!), and Ian was shocked to find out Jimmy was studying to be a chiropractor and vegetarian. Despite our differences, we bonded over our love for netball and dogs, and the rest is history.
Tell us about the proposal!
The proposal took place at Quinta da Pacheca, a beautiful winery in the Douro Valley in Portugal. We stayed in these cute wine barrel rooms and, after a morning of port and wine tasting, Ian set up a romantic picnic overlooking the winery. Jimmy was totally oblivious to the whole thing—even when Ian dropped hints like, “Which side profile is better for photos?” It wasn’t until Ian got down on one knee that the penny dropped. We had a secret photographer there, and our fur babies weren’t far behind!
What was the wedding planning process like? Any stressful or funny moments?
Ian once had to fly to Sydney for a Christian Louboutin sale just to buy Jimmy’s wedding shoes. Ian is colorblind and not exactly a fashionista, so he had a lot of pressure on him to pick the perfect pair! Another funny moment was the night before the wedding when Ian thought a groomsmaid dress was missing. After a mini panic, we discovered it was in the boot of the car the entire time!
Why did you choose your venue?
Whitestone Events in Melbourne was actually the only venue we visited! Jimmy wanted somewhere picturesque and close to home, while Ian’s only requests were external catering and pet-friendly. Whitestone ticked all our boxes, so we booked it on the spot. Why keep looking when you’ve found “the one,” right?
What was the theme or vibe of your wedding?
Jimmy loves to go all out—so the theme was basically “Crazy Rich Asians,” but make it gay! The florals were bright and tropical, and the dress code was “elegance and opulence.” We wanted the day to be a huge celebration, full of color, love, and fun.
Did you include any cultural or family traditions in your wedding?
We did! There was a traditional lion dance, a Vietnamese cultural performance, and we wore traditional Chinese suits. We also had a 9-course Asian banquet, ending the night with a Chinese lantern exit. It was the perfect way to honor our heritage and share our culture with everyone.
What’s one of your favorite moments from the day?
Honestly, the whole day was a whirlwind, but one standout moment was right after we got married. We snuck off to the balcony, just the two of us, and watched all our guests arrive for the reception. It was such a beautiful, peaceful moment amidst all the excitement.
Do you have any advice for couples planning their wedding?
Enjoy the process! Pick vendors you vibe with and trust—they’re the professionals, so let them do their thing. Also, make sure to carve out a little time just for the two of you on the day itself—it goes by so fast.
What does marriage mean to you?
Marriage to us means being best friends for life, being the best fur-parents to Grizz and Taro, and having our love recognized and validated. Plus, Jimmy is hoping it means we can take turns being “conference husbands” and working part-time so we can travel more!
Photography by Maegan Brown Moments
Accessories Hermes
Cake Ladybird Cakes
Catering Crystal Palace
Celebrant Damon Hughes
Champagne Tower Miss Fizz
Cinematographer Josue Films
Dog Chaperones I Do Paws
Engagement & Wedding Rings Graff
Entertainment Elise and Andrew (Paper Hearts)
Fireworks Sparked Events
Florist Flowers by Varu
Hair Pearly Hairstylist
Lion Dancing CMS Lion Dancing
Makeup Babydolls Makeup Artistry
Shoes Christian Louboutin
Signage Sea & Paper
Suit Designer YSG Tailors
Venue Whitestone Events
Wedding Favors Sunset Cocktails
