It's been so long that you may be wondering how they first met. So let's go back... It was August 2001. Takumi had just moved to Tokyo to start Freshmen year at the American School in Japan. He had first period class with Ayla. Ayla went to say hello the new kid and was very surprised to find out that Takumi, like her, was half-Japanese....She totally thought he was Mexican. Takumi had moved three doors down from Ayla's cousin's house, and quickly she became very close friends with the boy next door. They were best friends, but just friends. Poor Takumi had the biggest crush on Ayla all throughout high school, but they never officially dated. Takumi asked Ayla to go to Senior Prom with him, and he jumped for joy when she said yes! (True story) After HS, they both left for Uni. Takumi moved to Massachusetts and Ayla moved to California. Despite being on opposite coasts, Takumi came to visit her multiple times and never forgot to send her Valentine's day chocolates. But still, they were just friends. In 2010, when Ayla and Takumi moved back and were working in Tokyo, they decided to take their relationship to the next level and officially started dating. Then the following year, they planned a camper van adventure in Australia. They both loved Australia so much that they never wanted to leave... And the rest is history! 7 years later, they adopted a giant fur child and are enjoying life in Melbourne, Australia.
Eri met Ayla in 6th grade when she had just moved to Tokyo. They instantly became friends and have become more like sisters! Eri met Ayla in 6th grade when she had just moved to Tokyo. They instantly became friends and have become more like sisters! When they get together, their hilarious energy is infectious. Over the years, they've spend many summers in Hawaii, dressing up in costumes in Tokyo on new years (with Takumi too), and have spent countless hours in karaoke together mastering "The Boy is Mine" by Brandy and Monica. Eri is also an excellent rapper and knows how to bust moves on the dance floor! Eri is now settled in Washington DC with her husband Raymond and their adorable puppy Jeffrey. She's currently pregnant with their first baby and will be attending in spirit!
Hiroshi has known Ayla since Kindergarten, and met Takumi in high school. They only lived a few minutes apart so frequently met up for late night bike rides, quite possibly up to no good. The two continued on to study at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts for four years before moving back to Tokyo where Hiroshi joined Papersky to play keyboard and turntables. Hiroshi is currently running a mobile app development company in Japan. Whenever Takumi is back in town, the two catch up at Gold Rush, their favorite steakhouse in Shibuya.
Satomi met Ayla in the 8th grade when she transferred schools. They quickly became friends and call each other their soul sisters. Satomi lived in Yokohama and woke up every morning at 5AM to catch the train to Chofu. She'd meet Ayla at Tokyo station to get on the Chuo line to head to school together. Satomi would always make oyaji-gags that would freeze over Hawaii, but Ayla still loves her anyway. They bonded over their love of maple pecan pie, shin ramen, and accounting (not!). Satomi saw the love Takumi had for Ayla and was always the biggest supporter of them getting together. She was so excited when they finally made it official! She now lives in Boston with her husband Coady and their fluffy pup Lychee.
Nate and Takumi both grew up in northern California and have been family friends for as long as they can remember. So much so that they might not even remember being at the same birthday parties as kids, but there is plenty of video evidence to prove it. Takumi wasn't really sure if he was cool enough to be friends with Nate, but they became closer when they moved to Tokyo for high school and started a band together. Nate has always been a role model for Takumi and has helped him stay out of trouble throughout the years. Nate and his super cool wife Sandi are currently living in El Cerrito, where they put in work every day as elementary school teachers.
Misa and Ayla go way back! They met in 1991 in Mr. Prewitts' Kindergarden class where Ayla befriended the class chicken, Ed. Misa wasn't too fond of him. Over their 20+ year friendship they've bonded over their mutual love of the colour pink, hengao, and stray cats. Being the rebellious teens that they were, Misa and Ayla would look forward to leaving campus after 2nd period of senior year and spend the rest of the day in Shibuya taking hilarious print clubs and going karaoke. Sorry mom and dad! Misa is now living in California as a speech pathologist doing incredible work with babies and being a supportive role for their parents.
Ryo has known Ayla since the first grade and also met Takumi in highschool. Ryo and Ayla have been super close all throughout elementary, middle, and high school with countless sleepovers and late nights out in downtown Tokyo. A rough night out would always be followed by a traditional breakfast of ramen and Japanese sausages. Ryo lived downtown and always opened up his home whenever Takumi needed to crash for a night before his hour-long journey back home. The two have kept in touch and met up throughout college even though they studied in different states. Ryo is now living in Colorado with his amazing wife Whittney and their dog and two cats. They are looking forward to welcoming baby Dean in the fall!
Michelle met Ayla when she started working at Mikuni. Ayla was 18 and had just moved to California. Young, lost and super naive, Michelle took her under her wing to show her the ropes around being #thehostesswiththemostest! Michelle has always been like a big sister to Ayla. Even after parting with their Mikuni days, they remained closer than ever. Despite the distance, they maintain their friendship by sending ridiculous snapchats to each other and taking the occasional girls' trip to Hawaii. Michelle always knows how to have a good laugh and see the positive side of every situation...except when birds are involved. Ayla loves birds and secretly thinks she'll be able to help Michelle get over her phobia. Michelle lives in California with her sweet little boy Jacob!
Stacie is Takumi's sister so she's actually kind of weird but also pretty smart. Stacie manages to find the silver lining and humour in any situation, and Takumi can always count on her to make him laugh at the most inappropriate times. Like her brother, Stacie seems to find sneaky but clever ways to get what she wants which has lead her to her current job at Facebook in Tokyo. Stacie will be attending the wedding as Takumi's groomswoman in honour of their late brother Justin whom they dearly miss.
Berkeley (aka booboo, berks, berkels) has been a part of our family for 7 years, and we simply cannot imagine getting married without him! He will be running around the property and would be stoked if you'd say g'day and throw him a ball. He's a 40kg white german shepherd, you can't miss him!
5:00 pm
To kick off an exciting weekend, we’ll be organizing casual welcome drinks in the city with light bites & drinks! Location: One Roof 77-79 City Road, Southbank VIC 3006 Dress code: Semi-formal
5:30 pm
Please come 15-20 minutes early to grab a drink (or two) before getting seated as we make our way down the aisle at 5:30PM. We invite you to be truly present with us during our nuptials with an unplugged ceremony. We kindly ask that phones and cameras remain out of sight until the ceremony conclusion! Dress code: Formal
7:00 pm
Let's get the party started! The reception will take place a couple steps away inside of the Summerfields Country House. Dress code: Formal
vroomvroomvroom.com.au
Let's be real, Australia is a massive country and there's just so much to see! Public transport will get you around the city, but I really recommend hiring your own wheels so you can explore to the fullest. It'll be much easier and faster to get around than waiting around for a bus.
Melbourne has a great transportation that will get you around the city. You'll just need to get yourself a Myki (transport pass) and top it up as you go. You can buy a Myki at most train stations and 7-Eleven's around the city!
03 8353 2578
Explore and see Melbourne's major attractions, bustling laneways, cafes and beaches at your own leisure as you hop on and hop off at any of the 23 bus stops located in the city and surrounding areas. Get yourself the 24 hour ticket to get access to the City SightSeeing bus for a tour around the city. There's the City Tour and St Kilda Tour by bus, and a River Cruise tour that goes through the Yarra River! Go here to see where the tour will take you: https://wedsit.es/2OWyDps
16 The Esplanade, St Kilda VIC 3182
Travel 15 minutes outside of the Melbourne CBD and you'll find St. Kilda on the south east side of Port Phillip Bay. St. Kilda is a lively area with heaps of restaurants, cafes, markets, bars, and of course the beach. We'll be able to view the NYE fireworks in the city from the beach, but there will also be several venues by the water throwing parties within walking distance of the Novotel St. Kilda. We've organized a group rate here for your convenience! Please make your reservations by calling +61 03 9525 5522 or email [email protected] and use the booking code "AT281218" to get access to the following rates: Standard Queen Non Bay View at $155.00 AUD Standard Queen Bay View at $165.00 AUD Executive King Room With Spa $205.00 AUD *For NYE there is a surcharge of $50.00 per room Included: Gym & outdoor pool included in rates Discounted parking at $10AUD per night (normally $25) Considering the location and New Years Eve, the hotels in the area will certainly start booking out so don't miss out! These rates are available until November 10th.
airbnb.com.au/wishlists/345947621
Combine the best of Europe's coastal living with Aussie charm on the Mornington Peninsula. For a relaxing weekend, we highly recommend staying in Mornington and exploring the beautiful wine country. Please visit the link above for a list of Airbnbs near the Summerfields Country House.
Fun Fact: Melbourne has been named the most liveable city in the World 7 years in a row. (Eat that Sydney!) For those of you who want to explore the city by foot, it's easy to walk around the CBD without using public transport but for a guided tour, jump on the City Sightseeing bus! For the local experience, there are also free trams that run through the CBD, but if you want to explore the outer city suburbs you'll need to pick up a Myki! (Please refer to the Public Transportation section) Every New Years Eve, Melbourne puts on a firework display in the city where they'll be shooting off fireworks from the tops their tallest buildings!
Badger Creek Road, Healesville
Welcome to the continent of kangaroos, koalas, and wombats! You'll find so many animals that you've probably never heard of here, like the echidna (google it). Healesville sanctuary is one of my favorite places to go mingle with Australian wildlife! You'll be able to get up and close to some of the animals and learn a thing or two about our native creatures.
visitmorningtonpeninsula.org/
The Mornington Peninsula is situated on the south-east side of Melbourne. The peninsula is known for it's variety of beaches both sheltered and open-sea, wineries, restaurants, and mazes. Most visitors to the peninsula are residents of Melbourne who camp, rent villas and share houses or stay in private beach houses. It's a popular weekend getaway spot for local since it's only an hour drive away!
visitphillipisland.com/
Phillip Island, a popular day trip from Melbourne, lies just off Australia’s southern coast. At Summerland Beach, spectators gather daily at sunset to watch the Penguin Parade, when Little penguins come ashore in groups. The Nobbies outcrop is the viewing site for Seal Rocks, home to a large colony of Australian fur seals. The Phillip Island Circuit is a well-known track for motorcycle and car racing.
Port Campbell National Park
If you're keen for a road trip, drive down Great Ocean Road! As the name suggests, the beautiful drive is down the western coastline of Victoria with plenty of sights to see along the way. If you have time, drive down to see The Twelve Apostles in Port Campbell National Park. The view of the coastline, limestone towers, and caves are just breathtaking. Photos really don't do it justice, but if you go, make sure to bring a camera!
8 Whiteman Street, Southbank
Did you know gambling is legal in Australia? Crown is a favourite spot for high rollers around the world who fly in to visit Melbourne. Crown is an entertainment centre with restaurants, bars, movie theatre, and hotel. Even if you don't gamble, it's worth visiting to check out the boardwalk and watch the fireballs come out each hour.
Hosier Lane, Melbourne CBD
It's pretty hard to miss the beautiful street art in Melbourne. But if you're looking for THE spot for street art, you need to go visit Hosier Lane in the CBD.
350 Bourke St, Melbourne
If you want to experience what an Australian shopping mall is like, but don't want to venture too far from the city, Emporium and Bourke Street is the place to go! You can't miss the beautiful H&M inside of the heritage listed GPO building. It's absolutely stunning.
1341 Dandenong Rd, Chadstone VIC 3148
Ever wondered what an Australia shopping mall looks like? Head over to Chadstone aka the Fashion Capital. Chadstone is the biggest shopping centre in the Southern hemisphere, and you will discover lots of Australia brands here that you have most likely never heard of before.
First time visitors to Melbourne are always surprised by how diverse the population is. Lucky for us, you can pretty much find any type of cuisine in the city. If you're down to venture outside of the CBD, I recommend going to these suburbs for these cuisines: Italian: Lygon Street in Carlton Vietnamese: Footscray or Springvale Indian: Clayton Chinese: Boxhill, Chinatown, or Springvale Greek: Oakleigh Melbourne has so many cafes who do amazing coffee and breakfasts. For Instagram worthy brekkies, check out some of our recommendations below!
650 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
No one does brunch quite like the Aussies do. If you're after some seriously instagram-worthy brekkies, you won't be disappointed by Higher Ground. Not only does the food look like pieces of art, but the cafe is a heritage-listed former powerhouse with 15-metre high ceilings.
18 St Heliers Street Abbotsford, 3067 VIC
What started as a coffee and pancake stall once a month at the Collingwood Children's Farm, has now grown into one of Melbourne's most beautiful Cafes. The Farm Cafe in Abbotsford, located in an old veggie garden at the Children's Farm, makes everything on site, from beetroot relish and seasonal muffins. With a paddock to plate mentality, all ingredients are sourced locally, with the food reflecting the farm experience that you see right before your eyes. Dig In to the Green Eggs for a great tasting mix of fresh ingredients that will make your mouth water!
358 Koornang Rd Carnegie, 3163 VIC
You'll be able to chow down on deliciousness such as Middle Eastern spiced salmon gravlax, poached eggs, beetroot relish, dill goats cheese, smashed peas, zuchini ribbons, sumac avocado, radish, lime and rye or the Beetroot Cured Ocean Trout with a Poached Egg. If Bircher takes your fancy try their coconut, date and cinnamon bircher with saffron poached pear, cacao, figs, orange blossoms and rose petals. Of course you can't go past their sweet and sour BBQ pulled pork brioche with honey, japaneo and lime slaw, gherkins, cheddar cheese, corriander and chilli mayo. The crown jewel for those with a sweet tooth- their Oreo Cookies and Cream doughnuts. We just recently discovered this place and it has become one of our favourite!
658 Church Street Richmond, 3121 VIC
Epitomising cafe cool, Top Paddock is a shining star in the Richmond brunch scene. The fit-out is bright and airy, with a huge wooden outdoor area spotted with umbrellas. The interior is full of natural light and pot plants, making for a refreshing space to have some chilli scrambles on toast, or the pretty-as-a-picture bircher muesli. The crew brews beans from Five Senses and, as a refreshing twist, all ingredients for their delicious dishes are sourced from organic suppliers in Australia. This is a place to take friends when they're visiting you from interstate, to show them the calibre of cafe that Melbourne has on offer.
Shop 1 140 Ormond Road Elwood, 3184 VIC
For our vegetarian and vegan friends, Elwood's Combi is known for its house-roasted brew and superfood eats. Their fair trade, organic coffee can be enjoyed with an almond, coconut, soy or organic milk base, while cold pressed juices, raw superfood smoothies, locally fermented kombucha and flavoured nut mylks earn points for health and taste. Food-wise, the emphasis is on the organic, local and nourishing, with glass jars of superfood goodness, sourdough and sprouted bread options and plenty of nourishing raw meals. While the menu is largely vegetarian and vegan (there's a tiny bit of ham here and there), you certainly don't have to be a kale-loving clean eater to appreciate Combi's delicious fare.
238 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053
If you have a chance to make your way to Lygon street (aka Melbourne's Italian district) La Spaghettata is classic Italian dining at its best! Characterised by its charming history that spans over 35 years, it has established itself as one of Melbourne’s most beloved Italian restaurants.
Curtin House, Level 1, 252 Swanston Street
A extremely popular watering hole and restaurant in the Melbourne CBD. They've got 200 local and international craft beers, a wine list that goes on for 70 pages, and a beautiful range of cocktails that will suit any fancy. Cookie is a Thai restaurant crossed with a beer barn set against a whimsical fairy-tale backdrop. You'll have to visit to know what I'm talking about!
299 Lygon Street, Carlton
Carlton is the go-to spot for Italian cuisine. You'll find heaps of authentic Italian restaurants here, but also gelato! I've tried and tasted many gelaterias in Melbourne, but Pidapipoó is my absolute fav!
2-8 Bourke Street Melb Vic, 3000
The Imperial boasts an incredible rooftop bar, overlooking the city and with spectacular views of Melbourne Parliament House. It is one of the oldest pubs in Melbourne and continues to be a favourite watering hole for locals and visitors alike for sports and dinner after some of Melbourne's best plays.
2/161 Spring Street Melbourne Victoria 3000
Siglo Bar is a stunning cube of industrial steel, glass and neon, opening to striking city views spanning the floodlit columned façade of Parliament, the spire of St Patrick’s Cathedral and the muralled brickwork and domes of the Princess Theatre. Dress Code: Smart Casual
64 Smith St, Collingwood VIC 3066
For our craft beer loving friends, we highly recommend checking out Foresters Hall! They have an extensive menu with great steaks, pub classics and pizzas, 40 craft beer taps, comfortable booth seating, an upstairs rock & roll bar and a very late night licence.
272 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
If you find yourself craving American style buffalo wings, corn bread, bourbon and whiskey, head on over to Kodiak club! Located in the very "hipster" area of Fitzroy, you'll find a wide selection of beers, cocktails, and wines. If you get bored of the USA vibe, head on upstairs to their sister bar Little Blood which has an excellent variety of Mexican tequila.
72 Watt Rd, Mornington VIC 3931
Mornington Peninsula Brewery, located in Mornington itself, is regarded as one of Australia top craft breweries, picking up awards locally and nationally since it opened in 2010. Set in the industrial area of Mornington, the brewery looks from the outside like a regular industrial building. But step inside and you soon realise it is a whole new world, with its distinctive large stainless steel tanks and its bar and dining area.
1180 Mornington-Flinders Rd, Main Ridge VIC 3928
Sit on the deck while enjoying the view of the vineyard, kitchen garden and ducks on the dam. They grow olives, grapes, herbs and veggies, raise sheep, chooks and fish and turn amazing produce from local farmers into a range of goodies. Check out their Farm Shop to enjoy fresh coffee from beans roasted on site and homemade sausages!
263 Red Hill Rd, Red Hill South VIC 3937
Port Phillip Estate, an architectural landmark and one of the most exciting wine destinations in Australia. With panoramic views over undulating vineyards and the sea, Port Phillip Estate lies on a spectacular site on the picturesque Mornington Peninsula.
