Inside the intimate Melbourne wedding of Par Moi designer, Ashiya Omundsen

“It was really above and beyond our expectations.”

After almost 10 years together, Andrew Yuille and the Founder of womenswear label Par Moi, Ashiya Omundsen, wanted something “low-key, stress-free and low-cost” for their big day. Following an official registry service in the city, the Melbourne couple headed to the Treasury Gardens for drinks and canapes, followed by more drinks and dancing at The Rose Hotel in Fitzroy.

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Describing it as a “group effort”, Ashiya and Andrew’s wedding was embellished with the personal touches of some close creative friends (and family). Below, Ashiya gives us an intimate glimpse into the day.

How did you meet your partner, and how did the proposal happen?

We met almost 10 years ago at the Brunswick Hotel… which was (is?) a bit of an institution in Brisbane. He asked me what my deal was, which I did not find overly impressive, but he must have made a lasting impression because when I ran into him a month or so later, we kind of started dating and never stopped. We didn’t do a proposal, instead, we just decided together, which is more our style.

What venue did you choose for your wedding, and why?

Our goal was to keep things super low-key, stress-free and low-cost (inflation is real), we just wanted to do the legal part and then have a little party. I honestly didn’t think about the venues that much and just went with the first idea that I felt would work.

We had a small registry service at the Old Treasury Building with family in attendance followed by snacks and drinks in the Treasury Gardens where our friends joined the festivities. Later we moved on to the Rose Hotel in Fitzroy for canapés, more drinks and dancing.

How many guests did you have?

Around 65, just close friends and family.

Where was your outfit from, and what was the process of sourcing it like?

I made two dresses, one for the ceremony and one for the pub, which I finished the week before – very classic me behaviour. The shoes were a pair from Acne Studios that had been on my wishlist and I finished the look with a pair of earrings from Agmes, a bag from St Agni and a Tuxedo Blazer from Matteau (in case of a chilly evening). I wanted the finishing touches to be pieces I would wear again and again after the day, and so far I have.

What about your partner’s outfit?

Andrew had a suit made at P. Johnson for a wedding we attended in New York a few years back, he decided it would be frivolous to get a new one so wore that and had a new shirt made (also P. Johnson) and found a vintage Zegna tie he loved to go with it. I also made matching rosette broaches for his mother and him, in lieu of matching boutonniere.

In terms of beauty, tell us about the look you went for on the day, and what your inspiration for it was. Did you do your own hair/makeup or hire someone?

I had my hair done at my usual salon, Everyday on Sydney Road. I knew it was going to be a windy day so choose a simple slicked-back bun. I’m not a big makeup person and have never felt like myself when I’ve had it done by someone else so did that myself, keeping it mostly neutral with a strong lip.

What did you do to celebrate after the wedding?

We stayed in a suite at the Rydges in the city for the weekend of the wedding which was cute, but are yet to ‘honeymoon’. Having been together for so long already we’ve been on a lot of holidays, so it didn’t seem urgent to take off on one. I think we’ll do a Euro summer this year.

What kind of food and/or entertainment did you have on the day?

Everything was such a group effort on the day. Initially, I had asked a few friends to help bring a few things to the park so we could all pop a few bottles right after the ceremony but they really took the reins and turned it into a full-scale event. It was really above and beyond our expectations.

We had country wheels from Baker Bleu, cheeses, cured meats, tinned fish, Spanish chips and an assortment of bite-size canapés.  They loved organising it so much that they’re starting a side hustle (DM me if you want details).

We also had bubbles from another friend’s family winery – Rob Dolan Wines at the park. Andrew’s brother is a chef and food stylist, so was an obvious choice to make the cake – which was a bow-covered croquembouche.

At The Rose, we were able to bring in our own finishing touches, so my sister Alex (@degoey_planet) made custom vases. She and another friend decorated the venue with those and an assortment of flowers we picked up at the markets.