A Cinematic Sydney Wedding Inspired by French Bistros, Theatre, and an Iconic State Library Dinner

Ruby and Joel’s Sydney wedding was never meant to feel like a traditional wedding day. From the beginning, the creative direction was built around atmosphere: food, music, surprise, theatre, and the feeling of stepping into the couple’s own beautifully curated world.

Key Highlights

Designed and produced by Place of Lb, the celebration unfolded like a cinematic evening out — part French bistro, part theatre performance, part intimate dinner party, and part late-night secret dance floor. The creative brief?

Baz Luhrmann meets Bistrot 916

— considered, cinematic, and full of personality.

The couple, who have been together since high school, wanted the day to feel deeply personal and experiential. Food was at the heart of the celebration, while music shaped the emotional rhythm of the night — a perfect reflection of Ruby and Joel, especially with Joel’s background as a sound engineer.

A Theatre Ceremony with Yves Klein Blue Details

The ceremony took place inside the theatre at Hubert, an iconic French restaurant in Sydney. Rather than overbuilding the space, the design leaned into the drama of the room itself: red velvet curtains, a blue carpeted aisle in a vivid Yves Klein blue, a vinyl player, and the couple surrounded by the people they love most.

Ruby carried a Yves Klein blue ceramic bouquet — sculptural, unexpected, and completely unforgettable. She walked down the aisle to “Your Love Is King” by Sade, and the newlyweds exited to Fatboy Slim’s “Praise You,” setting the tone for an evening centered on joy, music, and a little bit of theatre.

Guests arrived to French champagne before taking their seats, making the ceremony feel more like the opening scene of an intimate performance than a formal procession.

Martini Hour, Vinyl, and a Walk to the Library

After the ceremony, cocktail hour continued at Hubert with martinis, canapés, and a vinyl DJ keeping the energy high. Because Ruby and Joel did a first look before the ceremony, they were able to be fully present for this part of the evening — sipping cocktails, enjoying the food, and taking in time with their guests.

Then came one of the sweetest transitions of the day: Ruby and Joel walked to the State Library with their dogs waiting out front, turning the short move between venues into its own memorable moment.

A State Library Reception Turned Restaurant Experience

Dinner took place in the foyer of the State Library, where guests were welcomed by black-tie staff and the sound of a harp player at the center of the room. The reception was designed to feel like an extraordinary restaurant experience — elevated, immersive, and completely Ruby and Joel.

A blue carpeted floor, pink velvet accents, and a dramatic “monster tulip” installation set the tone. At each place setting, guests found an amuse-bouche already waiting, along with beautifully sleeved menus and custom details that made the dinner feel highly considered from the very first moment.

Every choice was intentional: the architecture of the library, the layered textures, the cinematic color story, the food, the sound, the service. It was a 60-person wedding, but every moment felt transportive.

A Surprise Dance Floor Behind the Drapes

As the evening progressed, the sense of theatre continued. A surprise DJ and dance floor were revealed inside a red-draped room, adding another chapter to the night and giving guests the feeling that the wedding was still unfolding around them.

It’s this balance — simplicity and surprise, intimacy and drama — that made the celebration feel so special. From Ruby’s ceramic bouquet to the fabric buttonhole, the tulip installation, custom menus, immersive entertainment, and restaurant-inspired service, every detail felt personal without ever feeling forced.

Advice from the Planner

For couples hoping to create a wedding that feels personal, cohesive, and beautifully designed, Place of Lb’s advice is simple: start with who you are.

Rather than building a wedding around what you see on Pinterest or Instagram, beg

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