Some weddings are built around elaborate schedules. Others are centred on something far more meaningful: bringing together the people you love and being fully present with them.
For Vicky and Nick, this was always the priority. Their wedding at Castello Zamittello was a warm, colourful and deeply personal celebration that brought together their Chinese-American and Maltese backgrounds, their families and friends, and the life they had created together in London.
From quiet private vows on the rooftop to the spectacular entrance of Chinese lion dancers, the day moved beautifully between intimacy and joyful energy.
From Oxford to Malta
Vicky and Nick first met while studying for their master’s degrees at Oxford. Nick is Maltese, while Vicky is Chinese-American, and they described their early relationship as a rather dramatic falling-in-love story—one best shared over a drink!
After spending three years living together in London, Nick proposed during a hike in Sri Lanka. Their story had already crossed countries and cultures, so Malta was a particularly meaningful place for them to gather everyone and celebrate their marriage. Castello Zamittello provided the setting for the entire wedding day, allowing the celebration to unfold naturally in one location.
A Relaxed Beginning Surrounded by Friends
Vicky prepared for the ceremony at the Castello with her mother and a wonderful group of twelve bridesmaids. The room was filled with conversation, movement and anticipation as everyone helped with the final preparations.
She wore a gown by Love Spell Design in London, complemented by family heirloom jewellery and meaningful gifts. Emma Camilleri styled her hair, while her friend Yooni Choi created her makeup.
These quieter hours before the ceremony are always about much more than the finishing touches. They reveal the friendships, family relationships and small gestures that form such an important part of a wedding story.
Rather than turning the preparations into a long formal photoshoot, we kept the photographs relaxed and efficient. This gave Vicky plenty of time with the people closest to her while still creating a few beautiful portraits before the ceremony.
A Personal Ceremony and a Confetti-Filled Exit
The ceremony began in the late afternoon, with the couple’s families and friends gathered around them.
One especially personal moment came when Nick’s nephew carried the rings down the aisle. After the ceremony, Vicky and Nick ran through a tunnel formed by their guests as confetti filled the air—a wonderfully energetic beginning to the celebrations.
Their approach to photography reflected the atmosphere they wanted throughout the day. They preferred candid photographs and genuine interactions over spending a long time away from their reception.
That suited my documentary approach perfectly. The focus remained on the embraces, laughter and spontaneous moments happening around them, with only a short amount of time reserved for creative portraits.
Private Vows on the Rooftop
Although their ceremony was shared with everyone they loved, Vicky and Nick also wanted a few minutes that belonged only to them.
They stepped away to the rooftop at Castello Zamittello and exchanged private vows away from the crowd. It was a quiet pause in the middle of an otherwise lively afternoon—a chance to speak to one another without an audience and take in the significance of the day.
Moments like these often become some of the most meaningful parts of a wedding. They allow a couple to slow down before returning to the celebration waiting below.
Chinese Lion Dancers at Castello Zamittello
One of the most distinctive parts of the wedding was the arrival of the Chinese lion dancers.
The performance introduced a vibrant expression of Vicky’s heritage into the celebration, filling the reception with movement, colour and excitement. Guests gathered around as the dancers animated the courtyard and transformed the atmosphere.
Vicky and Nick had asked to spend as much time as possible with their guests, so we used just a few additional minutes with the lion dancers to create something artistic and unconventional. The rest unfolded naturally, with the couple following the dancers into the reception and enjoying the reactions of everyone around them.
It was the perfect balance: a handful of creative portraits without interrupting the flow of the wedding.
Dinner, Speeches and a Full Dance Floor
The evening continued with dinner and speeches, followed by the cutting of the cake and a series of first dances.
Vicky first danced with her mother and then her father before joining Nick for their first dance as a married couple. They chose “This Feeling” by Alabama Shakes—a song that felt wonderfully suited to the soulful and personal character of the day.
Music was an important part of the celebration. Their favourites also included “Young Americans” by Durand Jones & The Indications, “Dog Days Are Over” by Florence + the Machine and, as a couple, “Heroes” by David Bowie.
The Alchemist brought the live music and energy to the evening before DJ Patman continued the party later into the night.
Wedding Suppliers
Venue: Castello Zamittello
Wedding dress: Love Spell Design, London
Hair: Emma Camilleri — @hairbyemmacamilleri
Makeup: Yooni Choi — @yooniphoto
Flowers: The Malta Florist
Live band: The Alchemist
DJ: Patman
Photography: FBalzan Photography
