“I plan luxury events for a living — but nothing prepared me for planning my own wedding.”
Words by Lani Hallinan
Senior Group Marketing Manager for PORSCHE / 2024 Mona Farm Bride.
As a Senior Marketing Manager of Porsche, I’ve spent nearly a decade curating brand moments, unveiling dream cars, and producing lifestyle experiences where every detail is dialled. In this world, you learn to think three steps ahead—anticipating guest movement, creating flow, removing friction before it’s felt. But when it came time to plan my own wedding, all that experience only took me so far.
Because weddings are different.
They’re emotional. Personal. Weighty in a way no product launch or brand dinner could ever be.
From the very beginning, there was never a question about the venue. It was always going to be Mona Farm. As a planner, I didn’t even look anywhere else. Mona has a presence that’s impossible to explain until you’re there. The heritage buildings, the gallery-like interiors, the way the light hits the lake—it has that blend of romance and sophistication that makes it feel like a world of its own.
What mattered most to us was flow. No awkward pauses, no guest confusion, no dead space. Just a steady, seamless pace where everyone always knew where to be and what was happening. We designed the day with intention, and we trusted the Mona Farm team completely to bring it to life. Their calm, detail-driven approach gave us the confidence to stay present from start to finish.
The Date: Friday, 20th December. Choosing a date for the wedding wasn’t an easy decision. Initially, when we locked in Friday, 20th December, there was a fair amount of pushback from some people who felt it was “too close to Christmas.” But, as it turned out, this became one of the best decisions we made. With the wedding just before Christmas, our best mates didn’t have to worry about work commitments for the REST of the year —they were able to fully relax, unwind, and be present. The timing was perfect, and it created an instant vibe.
Something I came to learn along the way? Your wedding doesn’t have to be a family reunion. It’s about the two of you. Stay focused on what matters—what feels like you—and try to block out the noise of what everyone else is doing. Trends, expectations, comparisons... they can dilute your day if you let them. Plan ahead, yes—but don’t let it take over your life. It’s over in a flash, and you’ll miss it when it’s gone.
One of the most surprising parts of the planning process was the energy of the wedding industry itself. I underestimated it at first. In the corporate world, luxury can be quick and precise. But with weddings, it’s also deeply emotional. That shift hit me when I met Pia & Jade, our floral stylist—who I now call a friend. My brief to her was: “Not a wedding. No white.” She understood the assignment instantly.
If I could give one piece of advice about styling and spend, it’s this: pick one moment and run with it. For us, it was the ceremony. We built everything else around that moment. Over 1,100 deep red roses created a bold backdrop that said everything we wanted to say—romantic, intentional, not traditional. And beyond styling, we made a conscious choice to invest in food and beverage. People may forget the napkins, but they remember what they ate, what they drank, and how they felt.
When creating the run sheet, it was essential that cocktail hour wasn’t neglected! I didn’t want to disappear for hours taking bridal portraits that we’d never use. Instead, we cut the cake and had my now-husband give his speech during cocktail hour, allowing us to hug our guests pre-party. We had Stellarie on piano and violin, they are truly amazing, say no more.
Of course, the most important decision I made was saying yes to the actual love of my life—someone who loves a big party just as much as I do. So, naturally, the music had to be right. We put so much thought into that part of the night, because we wanted the celebration to end the way it started.
I’ve planned a lot of special events in my life. But this one? It was ours. And I’ll never forget the feeling of standing in the middle of it all—not as a producer, but as a bride, completely in love, surrounded by beauty, and knowing everything was exactly as it should be.
The details
Ceremony: The Crab Apple Lawn | Friday 20.12.2024
Post-Ceremony Drinks: The Ring of Trees
Reception: The Marquee
The Recovery: The Lake House Lawn
THE CREATIVES
Florist & Stylist: @piaandjade
Musician: @stellaire.ent
Band: @silentshoutent
Celebrant: @aniellabatten_celebrant
Photographer: @blaisebell
Videographer: @morelifefilms
Hair: https: @willowbridal_
Makeup: @hayleymcivermakeup
Catering: @simonekascatering
Cake: @cakesbyadrienne
Discover why Mona Farm is one of Australia’s best destination wedding venues near Sydney.