Equality Projekt

How a Yarra Valley wedding venue celebrated marriage equality with a dream wedding competition.

Projekt 3488 is proud of our reputation as one of the Yarra Valley's best same-sex wedding venues.

On the 15th of November 2017, Australian history was made with the passing of the Marriage Equality Bill. Along with many across the country, we welcomed the news that same-sex marriage would now be legally recognised!

Having operated as a wedding venue since 2014, Projekt 3488 was already hosting beautiful same-sex weddings and commitment ceremonies. Regardless, couples often asked whether we were 'ok with gay weddings'. Being gay owner-operated, the fact that they felt they needed to ask was heartbreaking, but we understood.

While the bill's passing was cause for celebration, the process leading up to it was confusing and difficult. The country had been asked to participate in a plebiscite that asked if same-sex couples deserved what, for others, was considered a basic human right. The news that the majority of the country's population was on our side came with the understanding that almost 40% of our fellow citizens were not. The idea for the Equality Projekt arose during this time.

We decided that the best way to build awareness was to offer a dream wedding giveaway to one lucky LGBTQIA+ couple. We wanted to let our gay community know we were there for them. To understand their love was worth celebrating and that they deserved the ritual of marrying publicly, without shame or hesitation.

We knew many of our colleagues in the wedding and events industries shared the same sentiments and didn't want to be asked if they were 'gay-friendly'. They wanted a world in which it was assumed they were.

Over twenty exceptional and generous Victorian wedding suppliers agreed to sponsor the event together with Projekt 3488, allowing us to offer a fully-catered wedding valued at over $70,000!

But who? We decided a creative competition would be the best way to both determine a winner and get our message across.

Entrants were asked to answer a single question: What does the word INCLUSION mean to you?

Creative entries could take the form of written pieces, photographs or videos posted to social media with the hashtag #equalityprojekt.

Having just had our right to marry publicly debated by supporters and opponents alike, we wanted to hear from those directly affected. The competition was open to couples who identified as part of the LGBTQIA+ community.

The Winning Entry 

Picking just one winner wasn't an easy task. We would have loved to have given a wedding to each couple who sent us a heartfelt entry. 

Jess and Clio submitted an animated video, voiced by their daughter, the adorable Adia-Tuesday.

"When we first heard of this incredible competition, I asked my partner Clio what inclusion means to her. She was so eloquent and articulate with her explanation that I realised my meaning of the word triggered all the times I'd been excluded. 

Our daughter, Adia-Tuesday, always wanted to be part of the conversation, so we asked her what she thought the word meant. This little animation is a representation of the research that ensued. We thank all the people Adia-Tuesday interrogated and hope they like their animation selves!

We wanted to distil the idea of equality and inclusion into a simple concept that even young children can understand. 

Inclusion is a beautiful word and a very important part of the puzzle that we are all negotiating together."  

- Jess Window

We had our winners! Our phone call to Jess and Clio really showed how much this prize could mean to someone. Through laughter, tears and weak knees, we all grew more excited than ever about the prospect of putting together the most incredible wedding!

The Wedding

Projekt 3488 and their generous suppliers provided the wedding package dreams are made of. The lucky couple, Clio and Jess, brought the love, fun and style worthy of any Hollywood happy ending. 

120 of their dearest friends and family gathered for the ceremony in the hall, officiated by not one but two of our favourite celebrants, Bianca Paliaga and Danielle Binaisse. Jess, in an ivory, full-skirted fairytale gown and Doc Martens and Clio, in elegant beaded chiffon and matching sneakers, were wed as Adia-Tuesday, fabulous in her tiny suit, looked on happily. After saying "I do", the brides kissed whilst flower petals floated from the sky around them! Guests cried and cheered, filled with wonderment and emotion.

Following the ceremony, guests were greeted with cocktails and drinks on the deck. Ethos Catering provided a mouth-watering grazing station and canapes, showcasing their Greek Cypriot cuisine. The sounds of live music flowed throughout the venue and gardens. Not one but three photographers captured all the revelry.

As the sun set, the ceremony space was transformed into the most unbelievable dancefloor. Jess and Clio's gorgeous crew celebrated late into the evening with the DJ playing party tunes. A cheeky classic burlesque floor show wowed guests. At the night's end, Jess brought the house down as she serenaded her new bride with The Cure's 'Lovesong' and lovers of all ages slow-danced around the happy couple. 

Since the Marriage Equality Bill was passed, Projekt 3488 has been privileged to host many more same-sex weddings. We've noticed a paradigm shift in the way LGBTQIA+ couples approach us. They are now relaxed, unapologetic and confident in their right to celebrate their love. We are so proud to have been able to facilitate and host this beautiful event. We couldn't be happier or more proud.

A huge thank you to all the amazing suppliers offering their services. None of this would have been possible without them.

Projekt 3488:

8 hour function & ceremony package for up to 100 guests for seated dining or up to 120 guests for cocktail-style dining

Event planning, styling & coordination

Bus shuttle service for guests to & from local accommodation & Projekt 3488

Ethos Catering:

Authentic Greek-Cypriot catering for the wedding - either seated or cocktail-style

Rick Liston Photography:

8 hour full wedding day photography package

Suzanne Phoenix:

Photography of wedding function & Artist book

Wedding Reception Drinks Package:

Four Pillars Gin

Whispering Hills Vineyard

Payten & Jones

Six Acres

Steels Gate

Hargreaves Hill

St Ronan’s

Anouk Flowers:

Wedding Party & Venue Floristry for the wedding function

The Lovely Native:

Hair & makeup services for the wedding function (includes travel)

Oscar’s on the Yarra:

8 x Standard King or Twin Rooms for 2 nights accommodation (Friday & Saturday). Includes full buffet breakfast each morning

2 x Lounge areas to gather in prior to the function.

Warburton Motel:

6 x rooms of accommodation for the wedding function - for 2 nights, 2 people per room (Friday & Saturday)

Christopher Boots:

Wedding gift of a Christopher Boots Portal Table Lamp

Katrina Rhodes:

Signed limited edition print of an original Katrina Rhodes painting (cotton rag archival print)

Alchemy Produx:

Home fragrance package

Sonsie Studios:

Invitations, place holders & graphic design for the wedding function

Celebrant:

Full celebrant package for the wedding function with celebrants
Bianca Paliaga & Danielle Binaisse

Agent Cleave & Co:

Wedding function hosting & tailored performance floor show of up to 5 cast

Locavore Studio:

Wedding Cake

Yarra Valley A2B:

Wedding party transfers to & from accommodation & Projekt 3488

Yarra Linen:

Napkins and tablecloths

Adah Kelleher-Roulston:

Custom designed wedding rings