Wedding Party
Laura Munari
Bridesmaid
Laura and Melissa have known each other since Prep, having both gone to St. Matthew’s Primary School and then continuing their school years together at Mercy College. Laura was the first one to introduce Mel to Visual Communication Design (VCD) classes in Year 11, where Mel found her love of Graphic Design and pursued a career of it. What makes their friendship so special is there unique love for 90s music, which is where they would be most Saturday nights at Perseverance dancing away or their fondness of gossiping and laughing, where they would go to each other’s houses and talk and eat for hours about life, even pulling each other’s parents in on all the shenanigans. And of course, travelling through Europe together, what an adventure they had, exploring new cultures, cuisines, and landscapes while creating memories that would last a lifetime. Laura will always remember the night during COVID that she face-timed Mel for some gossip and wine and convinced her to join a dating app for the first time. Little did she know that Mel would meet Luke and the rest was history. Laura is most looking forward to celebrating their love for each other, creating once in a lifetime memories, dancing the night away and witnessing Mel’s sheer happiness. Laura is beyond thrilled and honoured to stand by Mel’s side as her bridesmaid on her special day as she embarks on this beautiful journey of love, commitment and endless adventures.
Diana Samuel
Bridesmaid
Melissa and Diana first crossed paths in high school back in Year 9, nearly 18 years ago! Mel had joined Diana’s friendship group, and despite their differing personalities, an unlikely mix as Mel is more outgoing and loud compared to Diana who has a shy and reserved demeanour, these two have started and continue a beautiful friendship. Diana knew that Mel was a caring, loyal and genuine natured person which instantly resonated with her and over the years, their friendship has only grown stronger. Mel has always encouraged Diana to get out of her comfort zone, taking her on nights out clubbing, getting her to try her first bit of alcohol, talk to boys, getting her to wear shorter dresses and even trying to get her to say a rude word here or there, that last one has never been successful. Diana is immensely grateful to have Mel in her life as a friend and cherishes all these moments in their friendship with fondness. Diana is looking forward to a day filled with lots of love, happiness and watching Mel and Luke promise a beautiful future together. Being a part of Mel’s wedding day is an honour she will always remember. Watching Mel walk down the aisle to marry Luke will be an incredibly heartwarming moment and Diana can't wait to witness their next chapter and their love story unfold.
Christina Rahme
Bridesmaid
Christina first met Melissa in Year 7, in class 7D at Mercy. As you can imagine an all-girls school, slightly more tamed than a scene from Mean Girls, but still having its moments of “you can’t sit with us”, they stuck by each other right through to Year 12. Christina has so many fond memories of her friendship with Mel. One she always laughs about is the time they went to Rye. The group decided to take a walk along the beach. As they were walking, two of their friends noticed this abnormally large rock in the sand, as they approached, a head curls up and out. It was a seal! It started to chase after them, heading straight towards the group. Everyone scattered in different directions and in a panic Mel threw her shoes in the ocean. Thankfully the seal took a turn and headed back into the water, and the uncontrollable laughter began. Christina is so happy and excited to see Mel marry the man she has fallen in love with. Once Christina and her husband found out Luke barracks for Carlton, they knew 'he was the one!' Christina prays that Mel forever loves and be loved, respects and be respected, appreciates and be appreciated. That she’ll be an amazing wife and that their marriage be filled with nothing but joy and laughter. But more than anything, that she never loses her awesome self and always remains the strong, powerful, and badass woman she is today. With a whole lot of love, today. Tomorrow. Forever.
Paige Coghill
Bridesmaid
Thinking back on the last 18 years of Paige and Melissa's friendship it's hard not to laugh at all the crazy adventures they have had, especially remembering how they first met. Paige was waxing the back of an ex boyfriend of Mel's at the time because he didn't want her to see it. Without knowing the details, Mel thought Paige was trying to steal him. Thus started the dislike between the two. To throw a spanner in the works Paige then began working at Bakers Delight after this, where Mel worked. On Paige’s first day, Mel was asked to train her. They had their first conversation and Paige had explained what really happened and they laughed and have been best friends ever since. They spent heaps of time together over the years, sun-baking in Mel’s backyard in summer. Well, Paige was the one getting a tan and Mel was determined but failing to turn a shade less white. If they weren’t lying by the pool, they were breaking into Fawkner Pools for a late night swim or road tripping down to Lorne for a little getaway or hitting the dance floor at Laundry Bar. Paige is proud to stand next to Mel on her wedding day as she also did for her. To witness the beginning of her next chapter in the happy couple's love story and to celebrate love, friendship, making memories that'll last a lifetime and bringing out some old Laundry Bar moves on the dance floor.
Christian Bonello
Groomsman
Luke and Christian met at Parade College, where as fate permitted they were assigned the same homeroom. It didn’t take long for a formidable friendship to form. This may have been through blood and sweat forged during lunchtime soccer-volleyball or shared trauma of having northern Italian fathers scolding them in the veggie patch. No one can be certain. Scholars maintain the friendship was cemented when the pair performed the same dance move to the same lyric of Candy Girl by Quesh, a moment akin to the "did we just become best friends?" scene in Stepbrothers. Sensing a strong musical connection, Luke handed Christian the infamous mixtape from his cousins entitled “Year 7 House CD.” Whilst the pair considered becoming DJ’s, the dream was abandoned when they discovered the artist “Christian Luke” already existed. As well as a love of music the pair share a love of cinema, although Luke’s obsession with Tony Soprano is often concerning. In this spirit, Christian always admired Luke’s values of integrity, honesty, loyalty; a great consigliere. Walks along the Merri Creek provide considered debriefs from nights out or sound advice to the AFL board. Christian is extremely honoured to be part of a pivotal moment in his best mate's life. Not only is Luke marrying the beautiful Melissa, he is simultaneously replacing the first love of his life: The Carlton Football Club. Christian is also excited and hopeful that Lino's famous cheese board will be making an appearance.
David Carlassare
Groomsman
Luke met David 28 years ago on the day of David's birth, which makes it 28 years since Luke was their Nonna’s favourite. Some of David's earliest memories with Luke were building forts out of pillows and blankets in the lounge room and playing games like Crash Team Racing, Resistance and Fifa. David always laughs when he thinks back to the times he would get mad at Luke winning every time they played together. Aren’t big brothers meant to let little brothers win by default? But David had the perfect plan to even the score. He would unplug the dial-up internet while Luke was in the computer room playing Diablo. Watching Luke trying to figure out what had gone wrong, would put such a smile on David’s face. Aside from games, they also share a fondness for similar music. David has memories of listening to Luke’s music in the car with bands such as Temper Trap, Jet, The White Stripes, and Supertramp. But David’s favourite memory of Luke was picking him up from school with their mum on his first day of Grade 1 in Mr Lynch’s class. From then on David was excited to start school knowing his older brother would be there. He knew Luke would look after him and so he has even till this day. It’s what David is most excited for on the day, the privilege to be one of the groomsmen and watch Luke be a great brother, uncle, friend, godfather, son and now husband. David also can't wait to have the most expensive drink available with the four Carlassare boys because he isn’t paying for it.
Giuseppe Musumeci
Groomsman
Luke and Giuseppe first met in high school, in the midst of intense down ball tournaments that quickly went from friendly competitions to all-out battles for bragging rights. However, while they were evenly matched on that court, Luke absolutely dominated Giuseppe and the rest of the group in table tennis, a schooling they will never forget. As the big day approaches, Giuseppe is looking forward to enjoying what he can only imagine will be a nut and carb filled wedding cake. But more than that, he cannot wait for the privilege to stand by Luke's side as he embarks on this incredible adventure, knowing that he will bring the same passion, enthusiasm and commitment to his marriage as he does to every ping-pong match. Over the many, many years of friendship they have shared, Giuseppe would just like Luke to know… He is still adamant Daniel did not come up with ‘the joke’.
Daniel Rasile
Groomsman
Luke and Daniel have shared 28 years of friendship, which all started in the sandpit at 3-year-old kinder. They have laughed together, travelled together, and most of all grown up together sharing many of life’s different chapters side by side. They attended the same primary/secondary school, both went to La Trobe University, have had the same friendship group since school, and have even lived one house apart almost all their lives. Some might say it was meant to be. They were lucky enough to spend 5 weeks travelling around America together with their friend Andrew. Although Daniel warned Luke about the scammers in Venice beach handing out their mix tapes supposedly for 'free', they couldn’t resist taking a CD for the fun of it. Who knows they could of stumbled across the next Drake. After then being badgered for payment, Daniel luckily swooped in with a $20 note to save them from the harassment. Daniel is excited to see Luke marry Melissa and honoured to stand beside him as one of his closest friends. They have shared so many of life’s important moments together and this one is no exception.
Jake Peric
Celebrant
Jake vividly remembers the day that Luke was introduced to him as ‘Judas’. He wondered if he was going to end up nailed to the cross the next day? He hoped that this would not come to fruition. But as they began to talk more and more, he realised that this name couldn’t be further from the truth as Luke is one of the most loyal and trustworthy people he has had the pleasure of knowing. When it comes to memories between the two, there is an absolute abundance of them. Jake has so much respect for Luke and thinks of him as someone that will do almost anything to help a friend in need. Whether it's going out for a drink, playing a few games, or just spending time together, distracting each other from the harsh realities of life. Jake is honoured to be the one that officiates the ceremony and be responsible for the telling of the happy couple’s story. Especially being a part of their special day, watching Luke marry the woman of his dreams, with the hopes of also watching Carlton lose the big dance to round off the year.