Real Bride Style: Vivian of Ish & Chi

Despite an original plan to marry on the Greek island of Santorini (complete with complimentary donkey ride!), Vivian and Matthew Mansour decided to marry in Sydney where they were surrounded by 230 members of their family, extended family and friends.

This decision meant that an important wish could be fulfilled; being married at the same church by the same priest who married Matthew's parents 31 years earlier.
"He had retired but wanted to do the service for us and we are so honoured to have been married by him." says Viv.


Viv's breathtaking gown was designed by Alex Perry.
"I took my time looking at dresses but after seeing a few I couldn’t make up my mind. I visited Alex Perry and loved his vision for our wedding. I showed him a photo of a dress I had in mind and he used his creative genius to design the dress I wore. The whole process was so much fun. It was his suggestion that I wear my hair in a simple ponytail and I’m so glad I did."


Vivian incorporated the 'something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue' tradition into her wedding day as well as following a Greek tradition where the bride writes the names of her bridesmaids on the bottom of her shoes."The name to rub off the most (or completely) by the end of the day is supposed to be the next person to marry. All the names rubbed off by the end of the day so hmmm!"


Being a Summer wedding Vivian embraced colour and decided on a palette of pink and green touches along with a lot of white.


Vivian carried a simple white bunch of David Austin roses while the bridesmaids and flower girls carried pink bunches mixed with lisianthus. A beautiful compromise from Viv's first choice of peonies and tulips which unfortuantely weren't in season.



Viv's words of wisdom to brides to be is "On the day, take a little time to yourselves. Go for a walk if you can and just enjoy the moment by yourselves even if it is only for a few minutes." I second this advice, something I didn't do with my husband and regret!

The gorgeous three-tiered cake was covered in cream cheese icing and decorated with David Austin Roses. Each tier had a different flavour; chocolate fudge, citrus poppyseed and hummingbird cake (carrot cake with slices of mango).

"The entertainment was a fun part of the day. My husband has a Lebanese/Polish background and I have a Greek background. We entered the reception to the beat of a Lebanese drummer and were lifted up onto our guests shoulders as we danced and danced. We also had a bouzouki player entertain us later in the evening. It was nice to combine both of our cultural backgrounds in the wedding and to watch guests from my husband’s side attempt Greek dancing and vice versa."

Viv is quite the DIY Queen and her wedding was no exception, hand-making the bonbonniere; silver boxes filled with tea and traditional sugared almonds wrapped in tulle and the order of service booklets.

Thank you Viv for sharing your beautiful day with us. For more of Viv's charm, style and wonderful designs visit her lovely blog, Ish & Chi!

Vivian's Style Guide
Ceremony: St George Orthodox Church, Redfern Reception: Oatlands House, Oatlands
Dress: Alex Perry
Bridesmaids dress: Custom made
Grooms attire: Lords Formalwear
Groomsmen attire: Lords Formalwear
Rings: Rafael Jewellers
Cakes: Simmone Logue Fine Food Company
Invitations: Angels Dreaming
Photographer: Christina and John Photography