THE HAPPY COUPLE

ELISABETTA GAGLIARDO, 24 KIKO NIETO AGUDO, 24

A couple of surprise guests made the wedding of Elisabetta and Kiko an affair to remember. The young couple met on a trip to Alice Springs in 2009 and Kiko popped the question last year. “We were sitting down at a park in Sydney when Kiko handed me the ring,” Elisabetta said. Of course she said ‘yes’ and on September 9 the pair officially tied the knot at Saint Mary’s Cathedral in Darwin. “One of my husband’s friends booked a last- minute ticket and surprised Kiko with his presence,” Elisabetta said. “And my close friend from Italy, who said she could not make it, woke me up the morning before the wedding — it was quite a surprise.” On the day, the bride looked stunning in a bohemian-style gown by a French designer, and the groom wore a classic suit. The liturgy was performed by a priest who just happened to be Kiko’s uncle, adding to the pleasures of the day. Elisabetta said the ceremony — particularly the exchanging of vows — was the highlight of the wedding day. The new husband and wife celebrated their union with a reception on the lawns of Cornucopia Museum Cafe. “We danced to the song ‘Never Can Tell’ by Chuck Berry,” the beautiful bride said. “We danced to the version from PulpFiction. It was fun!” Elisabetta and Kiko honeymooned in the US, Cuba and Bora Bora.

ESSENTIALS MET Alice Springs DRESS Bohemian-style gown CEREMONY St Mary’s Cathedral, Darwin RECEPTION Cornucopia Museum Cafe PHOTOGRAPHER Mel Silva Photography