Wedding | Nikki & Jakka

Tell us a little about yourselves!

My name is Nikki, and I’m 22 years old. I’m a Greek convert, born and raised in Adelaide, Australia. Both of my parents are Greek and were born in Australia, while all four of my grandparents migrated from Greece. I work in the disability sector. My husband, Jakka, is 27 years old and a Muslim Australian-Indonesian. His dad is Australian, and his mum is Indonesian, born in Indonesia. He moved to Adelaide at the age of 12 and currently works within the government sector.

Jakka and I first crossed paths on November 3rd, 2020. I was working my second shift at a Greek Loukoumades shop, serving him and his friends. I remember vividly having this grand idea to serve him ice cream and casually ask for his name, a simple icebreaker. But, as fate would have it, it was his best friend—who would later become his best man—whom I ended up asking for Jakka’s name and Instagram instead.

Fast forward just over four years, and here we are, stepping into a completely new chapter of our lives together. What started as a fleeting moment, a small gesture of curiosity, has blossomed into a shared journey filled with love, laughter, and endless memories.

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

From the very beginning, both Jakka and I shared a love for visiting Botanical Gardens, admiring it's beauty, and finding peace in nature. So when we spoke about marriage, we always knew we wanted to get married outdoors. As we explored different venues, we fell in love with the Economic Garden at the Adelaide Botanical Gardens off North Terrace—a space that felt intimate, serene, and perfect for the day we envisioned.

How many guests did you have?

Our wedding was a celebration filled with love, joy, and the presence of 180 guests at our ceremony, followed by 152 at our reception. 

What was your budget?

We were mindful of our budget, aiming to stay under $50,000, and successfully planned our dream wedding for $47,000 in total.

Tell us about your outfits.

For my bridal look, I purchased my dress from Podur, a luxury modest fashion brand designed by Amna Podur. My hijab was from Boutique Noural Houda, and I wore the Frenzy Vegan Point Toe Mules from Betts. My veil was customised by Jenny & Gerry's Bridal Centre, where they carefully removed the pre-existing hair comb, allowing me to pin it securely to my hijab. As a unique and sentimental touch, I also had a personalised pearl denim jacket from Sleeping with the Enemy, with Mrs. Harvey embroidered on the back—something special to wear throughout the day and night.

Jakka had his suit custom-made by Oscar Hunt—a double-breasted black suit with a peak lapel. As a meaningful detail, he had our wedding date embroidered inside the collar of his suit, so when the collar was unfolded, the date was visible. His shoes were black penny loafers from Suit Supply, crafted from Italian calf leather.

What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?

For both Jakka and me, it was essential that our wedding be a celebration of simplicity and κέφι—a Greek word that captures the essence of joy, passion, and boundless enthusiasm. We didn’t want it to be just another wedding, but rather a wholesome, unforgettable experience.

Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?

We also wanted to honour Jakka’s Indonesian heritage, as his mum and stepdad’s side of the family, who live in Indonesia, couldn’t be there to celebrate with us. As a heartfelt tribute, I chose to walk down the aisle to the sounds of traditional Sundanese music—a surprise for Jakka, his mum, and his stepdad. The emotion on their faces in that moment was something I will never forget.

We also chose to have our sheikh, an Islamic teacher, officiate our ceremony as a civil wedding, surrounded by our closest family and friends. It was a beautiful way to share this meaningful moment with our loved ones, offering our predominantly Christian, Catholic, and Greek Orthodox guests a chance to experience something new and deeply personal to us.

Any tips for couples getting married?

If there’s one piece of advice, we’d share with couples preparing for their wedding, it’s this: embrace every moment, because the day truly flies by. Soak it all in, and don’t get caught up in the small details—things that may feel significant in the moment but, in reality, won’t matter in the long run.

At the end of the day, what matters most is that you and your partner feel at peace with how you’ve chosen to celebrate your love. Even if things don’t go exactly as planned—the weather, the setup, the flowers, or even how you felt in your dress—these are just fleeting details. None of them compared to the true beauty of the day: the beginning of a lifetime together. Your wedding day is about you and your partner—a celebration of your love and the start of your journey. It’s okay to get lost in your own little world, to steal quiet moments just for the two of you, and to fully embrace the joy of the day. You don’t have to spend every second trying to make everyone else happy—because the people who love you are simply happy to witness your happiness.

Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Jacquie, Sales & Events Coordinator at The Adelaide Pavilion for all her incredible assistance in making our event perfect. A huge thank you also goes to the chefs and kitchen team for the delicious food. Special thanks to the Weddings and Events Coordinator at Botanic Gardens Weddings and Events, and to Steve from Glamour Entertainment for keeping the energy high throughout the event. A big shout-out to George, my cousin and MC, for being fantastic on the mic.

Mel from Floyd and Frankie, your floral arrangements were absolutely stunning. Siana Siliquini  your photography captured every special moment beautifully. Cheryse Zagler Cakes your cake was simply delicious and unforgettable! Paul and Daniel from Love And Other , thank you for capturing all our memories so perfectly. Lastly, to the glam team — Matiah Amiri, Emily Lauren Hair, and Johnny — who made us all look incredible. Thank you so much!

Photographer: Siana Siliquini @sianasiliquini | Styling: Adelaide Pavillion  @adelaidepavilion | Flora:

Floyd and Frankie @floydandfrankie | Videographer: Love and Other @Love.and.other | Ceremony & Reception Location: Adelaide Botanic Gardens |  Reception Location: Adelaide Pavilion  @adelaidepavilion | Celebrant: Sheikh Helmi Bakhour Sheikh.helmi.bakhour | Hire: Creative Corner Co. | Makeup Artist:: Matiah Amiri @makeupbymatiahamirihair_| Hair: Emily Lauren Hair @emilylauren.hair | Catering & Beverages: Adelaide Pavilion @adelaidepavilion| Cake: Cheryse Zagler Cake Design @Cheryse_zagler | Stationery: Officeworks | Entertainment: Glamour Entertainment @Glamourentertainmentadl & George Mountzouris | Dress: Podur @podur | Suit: Oscar Hunt 

@oscarhunttailors | Veil: Jenny and Gerry's Bridal Centre @jennyandgerrys | Personalised Jacket:  

Sleeping with the Enemy @sleepingw.theenemy | Hijab: Boutique Noural Houda @boutiquenouralhouda

| Engagement Ring: Christian Viella Designs Jewellery @Christian.villella.designs | Wedding Rings: Renai Perkas @renaiperkas.design | Shoes: Betts @bettsshoes & Suitsupply @suitsupply Wedding Party Attire: Peter Shearer @petershearermenswear & Billy @billy_j_boutique