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EXCLUSIVE
Monday, June 27, 2011
Adelaide international shoe designer Mary-Kyri Pallaras has clad the feet of celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kylie Minogue. So, it was only natural that she’d be thinking feet-first on her wedding day.
The young beauty had not one, but two, wedding soirees - one in Adelaide and one in Hamilton Island – and self-designed heels for each. Both pairs featured French Guipure lace, personally selected by the bride in Paris. The lace was carefully scallop-edged by hand down the back of the heels.
The Adelaide pair were an open-toe pump, with petite thin straps around the front of the ankle, to suit the garden setting. An open-toed stiletto sandal, featuring a scallop lace, cross-over ankle strap, created a sexy look for the island celebration. “My shoes were made from the same Thai silk organza as my dress,” Mary-Kyri enthuses. “I sent the fabric to my factory in Italy to have the heels crafted. I wanted them to perfectly match my gown’s design for a beautiful, harmonious flow.”
The designer had such fun creating her own bridal shoes that she’s now offering the couture service to her customers, so they can perfectly customise their own footwear for their special day. (more info)
Before Mary-Kyri’s two-day wedding extravaganza, her beau, Zac Zacharia, popped the question in style. (The pair met through mutual friends and instantly held a magical connection. Zac owns the Glenelg hair salon, Zak Grooming For Men, has the hair styling product line ‘Zak’, and is a house music producer.)
Mary-Kyri says: “We were holidaying at the stunning 5-star Sea Temple Resort and Spa Port Douglas. It’s one of the best relaxation retreats. The food was incredible, as was the service! I highly recommend the resort for honeymooners and vacationers for that special romantic holiday.
The designer recalls: “The amazing Sea Temple villas we stayed at led into a small, enchanting rainforest, with a pathway spilling out onto Four Mile Beach. Zac said: ‘Shall we go for a walk?’ As we were walking, I turned to look at Zac and saw he was on one knee with a ring! He said: ‘Honey, I love you with all my heart. Marry me!” Mary-Kyri enthuses, “I knew Zac would propose in a very romantic yet natural, beautiful way. It was almost like a deserted beach, him in his shorts, a bottle of Moet in one hand, ring in his pocket and I was in my bikinis!”
Zac designed and had made a princess-cut diamond ring, set in 18-carat, white-gold, with two rows of princess-cut diamonds, as part of a split wedder. The groom’s design was a simpler version. Mary-Kyri wore a white-gold choker and one-carat diamond stud earrings given to her by her parents George and Joan Pallaras.
For the nuptials, Mary-Kyri says, “For the weddings, I created diversity with my hair, shoes and jewellery.” In Adelaide, her hair was worn in a glamorous beehive, styled by Pam Chapman from Kaz Hair. In Hamilton Island, the bride wore a one-sided style, cascading in waves and decorated with two Phalaenopsis orchids.
Mary-Kyri’s bridal gown itself was quite the masterpiece. “The design feature was simplistically detailed and so incredible. To me, it truly is the most fabulous and timeless dress!”
In a milk-cloud white hue, it was intricately Chevron-pleated, with no side seams. Every pleat had to be perfectly wrapped in exact position. The top chevron pleats comprised silk organza, while underneath was the form-fitting sheath silhouette in Thai silk. The bride’s veil, made from silk organza, was perfectly aligned to match the length of the gown’s 1m train. Mary-Kyri teamed her gown with a classic teardrop bouquet of white Phalaenopsis orchids.
The bridal party included Mary-Kyri’s sister, Theona Bacasetas, and her daughters, Juana and Demi, as flower girls. Theona’s husband, John, was also the first groomsman, while Zac’s brother Costa was the best man. Danielle Tsogas (Maid of Honour), Anthony Ferragamo, Jana Elia, Theo Yiallourou and Laura Ursino were also a part of the bridal party.
The bridesmaids looked stunning in black, strapless, belted, full-skirted cocktail dresses, teamed with slim-line clutches and Elizabeth Nicholas hand-made pearl earrings. The flower girls’ dresses were identical, though in white. “I designed the dresses and Cinderella Bridal made them perfectly!”Mary-Kyri gushes. The bridesmaids’ footwear was, of course, Mary-Kyri Shoes - ‘Tolaya’ peep-toe, open sling-back stilettos, with a corsetry lace-up ribbon at the back.
She and her bridesmaids made an elegant arrival at the St George Church ceremony in 1950s sleek white Mv5 jaguars. The groom and his groomsmen opted for a black limousine Hummer. The Greek Orthodox ceremony was presided by a family friend, Father Con.
Following the traditional affair, the newlyweds and bridal party had photos taken about the city. “Impressions Photography did a fabulous job capturing every moment!” Mary-Kyri enthuses.
Then, 200 guests joined the newlyweds at Pinky Flat for the garden cocktail reception. A white marquee housed the delicious catering by Kym and Bec Paris-Hewitt from Zootz Kitchen Bar. “Bec was the ultimate wedding day coordinator - so organised and wonderful to work with!” Mary-Kyri says.
Sugar & Spice was behind the four-tiered wedding cake, decorated with white chocolate collars and comprising chocolate mud cake layers with a Frangelico filler. There was also a groom’s cake, “It featured replicas of a Zak hair product and my wedding shoes in white icing!” Festival City Wines supplied all the mini alcoholic beverages for the bomboniere.
Live Greek and English music added to the ambience of the Saturday night nuptials, with the couple performing two wedding dances to Etta James’ At Last and Michael Buble’s Feeling Good. Later, the newlyweds retired to their suite at the Hilton Adelaide.
It was an early start the next morning, with the newlyweds catching a 6am flight for Hamilton Island, where they would be joining 80 guests from New York, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney for their wedding reception.
One day later, the couple reaffirmed their vows on Catseye Beach, before a reception at The Hamilton Island Yacht Club at the water’s edge, with incredible views of the surrounding islands and marina.
On arrival, guests enjoyed lime caprioskas, pre-dinner drinks and canapés on the flag-deck. They then joined the couple inside for a glorious feast, including prawn, potato and asparagus stack entrees, reef barramundi and organic beef mains, exotic fruit and Australian cheeses. A special touch on the night was also I Do Digital projecting wedding highlights on a big screen in a cinema same-day edit. “The cinema was unbelievable, the excitement in the room was astounding.”
The festivities climaxed with a special treat Mary-Kyri had in-store for her groom. “All guests followed me out onto the outdoor flag-deck. My cue was: ‘I’d like you all to raise your glasses to toast my husband, Zac.’ And, then the evening sky was lit up with colourful fireworks! On the opposite pier, ‘MK and Zac’ was lit-up in sparkly, white writing, followed by 20 love heart-shaped fireworks and explosions, reaching 300m!”
The celebrations weren’t over yet though, with a honeymoon in the largest 5-star hotel in north Queensland, The Sebel Cairns, for the couple (who personally selected their presidential suite). The hotel, located near Cairns nightlife, marina and the Daintree Rainforest, boasts an elite 10-room day spa offering rejuvenating treatments. Mary-Kyri enthuses: “The scenic views of the yachts and the exotic, lush scenery overlooking the mountains, created our perfect honeymoon!”
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