Galia Lahav Partners with Helen Rodrigues Bridal in Australia

Galia Lahav, the renowned luxury bridal and evening couture fashion house, is delighted to announce its partnership with Helen Rodrigues Bridal as the exclusive official retailer in Australia.

Beginning March 2024, Australian brides will have the opportunity to discover and indulge in the dreamy creations of Galia Lahav at the prestigious Helen Rodrigues boutique in Sydney.

Located in the heart of Sydney’s Lower North Shore suburb of Neutral Bay, an iconic bridal destination awaits, adorned with the legacy of elegance. Since its establishment in 2001, this boutique has been the go-to for Australia’s most sophisticated brides, offering a curated collection from the world’s eminent designers. Now, a new chapter unfolds as Galia Lahav, the renowned luxury bridal and evening couture fashion house, joins hands with Helen Rodrigues Bridal to bring a touch of couture splendor to Australian brides.

The Boutique Experience

Helen Rodrigues Bridal stands as a symbol of unparalleled dedication to excellence, offering a unique bridal experience that transcends the ordinary. With collections sourced from international fashion hubs like New York, London, Israel, and Lebanon, Helen ensures that each bride receives exclusive attention during their “By appointment only” sessions.

The boutique becomes a private haven, where brides immerse themselves in a world of style, intimacy, and meticulous attention to detail.

A bridal gown from Helen Rodrigues Bridal is an experience of excellence, and not just a purchase.

Galia Lahav's Couture Elegance in Australia

The Galia Lahav team, are delighted at the prospect of brides at Helen Rodrigues Bridal in Australia enveloping themselves in the artistry and romance meticulously woven into our haute couture creations. The anticipation of unveiling the pinnacle of haute couture at this exquisite boutique, enabling brides to feel their most exquisite, is a moment we earnestly look forward to.

And as Helen herself said “This partnership is a testament to our ongoing commitment to bringing the best in luxury bridal design to the Australian bride.”

Booking an Appointment and Unveiling Dreams

Brides, it’s time to turn your wedding dreams into reality. Book your appointment at Helen Rodrigues Bridal and immerse yourself in the beauty of our Galia Lahav gowns.

Helen Rodrigues Bridal 2023

It has been such a pleasure meeting and helping so many gorgeous brides this year. We are so passionate about helping our brides find their dream gown and look forward to meeting so many more of you in 2024! xx

HR Team News

Both of our beautiful stylists Nicole and Sophie had very exciting news in 2023!

Nicole and Alex were married in August in Port Douglas. After styling so many of our grogeous brides, it was her very own turn! Nicole wore a custom Inbal Dror gown for her special day.

The cutest addition to the Souris family arrived this year! Sophie and her husband Arie welcomed baby boy Maxim in July this year. Little brother to August.

Real Bride Eliana wearing bespoke Suzanne Neville gown

Bride & Groom: Eliana and Stathis @elianacallintzis & @stathiscallintzis
Planning & Styling: B Events by Bianca @b.eventsbybianca
Gown: Suzanne Neville
Accessories: Jennifer Behr (headpiece), Peter Langner (veil) Roman and French (Earrings) Jimmy Choo (Shoes)
Bridesmaids dresses: Shona Joy @shonajoy
Venue: Ivy Ballroom @merivaleweddings
Photography: Blumenthal Photography @blumenthalphotography
Videography: Soda Films @sodafilms
Floral: Montana Flora @montana__flora

How did you and your husband meet?
We met when we were only 2 years old and grew up as family friends. We reconnected when we were in our early twenties and he asked me out for drinks one Saturday night….the rest is history!

How did he propose?
He proposed during the thick of lockdown, pyjamas, and all. We were sitting on my bed, and he pulled out a piece of paper. He had written an acrostic poem that said “Will you marry me” vertically down the page. It was very real and raw. I couldn’t have asked for a more special proposal!

What was your vision for your wedding day?
I always envisioned a very classic and elegant wedding day, filled with soft romantic colours and timeless décor. With this said, I also wanted to ensure that we simply had fun, ate, and danced a lot! 

Where did you look for your wedding inspiration?
For my wedding look, I turned to old Hollywood stars for inspiration (Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly). As for the styling, I simply wanted the venue to feel warm, romantic and filled with love.

What drew you to your gown from Helen Rodrigues Bridal?
Helen was the first and only boutique I went to as I knew that she had the style I was looking for. I think it was the 2nd gown I tried on, and as soon as I saw it, I knew it was the perfect dress for me! I always wanted a timeless dress that I would be able to look back at in 20 years and still be just as obsessed with.

What was your wedding planning journey like for you? How far out did you start planning?
Luckily one of our best friends is a wedding planner and she was the biggest help throughout our journey. It was a very seamless and enjoyable process. We started planning the wedding roughly a year out!

What was the biggest decision you had to make?
The biggest decision we had to make for the wedding would probably have to be the seating chart as we both have big Greek families!

What was the highlight of your wedding day for you?
The highlight of the day was definitely sitting at the bridal table with my husband and just taking it all in. Speeches were just about to start, and I thought to myself, we really did it, this is our wedding day! My husband also performed a traditional Greek dance for me which was very special.

Is there anything you would do differently?
I wouldn’t change a thing!

Is there any advice you would give other #HRBride’s?
Your wedding begins the day you get engaged, enjoy every second of the planning (stress, tears, laughter, and all) because it truly goes so quickly. Take a moment on your special day to be with your partner and really try to soak in the moment!

 When I got engaged, there was no question about where I would get my dress from. I was always going to be a Helen Rodrigues bride as they really do have such an exquisite selection of gowns. Helen and the girls were so supportive and lovely from the first moment we stepped into the boutique. They had answers to questions I hadn’t even thought of yet and had a big influence in not only helping me find my dream dress, but from styling me head to toe! We ended up mixing 3 different Suzanne Neville gowns together to create my dress and the team at Helen did not hesitate to make this happen. It truly was such a memorable experience that I will cherish forever!

Real Bride Danielle wearing Lee Grebeneau

Bride & Groom: Danielle and James
Gown: Lee Grebenau
Shoes: Christian Louboutin
Accessories: Veil from HR Bridal Accessories
Bridesmaids dresses: Hexie Official
Venue: Centennial Park, Sydney
Photography: Karina Lee Studio
Videography: Moon & Back Co
Floral: Poho Florist
Hair: Ellie Maree from Natalie Anne Hair
Makeup: Ann Hassarati Makeup

How did you and your husband meet?
We met at work in 2017 when we were assigned to the same project. I had already booked a one-way ticket to relocate to London for the following year, but by the time I went to depart Sydney, we had fallen madly in love. Saying goodbye to him was the most heartbreaking moment of my life. We decided to try out a long-distance relationship but after 4 months I missed him so terribly that I moved back to Sydney. It was the best decision I ever made.

 How did he propose?

He took me on a trip to Hayman Island for the long weekend. Unfortunately, the weather was terrible so his original plan to propose on a nearby island was cancelled and he had to think of something else. We went out for dinner on the Friday night and were told that there would be fireworks in front of our balcony later that evening. We raced back to watch them and have a glass of champagne. As we were watching the display, he asked me if I could turn around. I said no and that I was busy enjoying the fireworks! He then begged me to turn around and I finally did. He was on one knee and asked me to marry him. I was so shocked, burst into tears and said yes immediately!

What was your vision for your wedding day?
We wanted our day to be classic and timeless with an abundance of neutral florals. We always envisioned getting married in a beautiful garden in the summer so selecting the Rose Garden at Centennial Park was an easy choice. We also had 100 long-stemmed candles at our reception which made the tables look incredible!

Where did you look for your wedding inspiration?
Pinterest was so helpful in terms of the styling we wanted. I also followed quite a few wedding stylists on Instagram to get some inspiration.

What drew you to your gown from Helen Rodrigues Bridal?
The gown I selected is so different to anything I would normally wear. I typically go for more simple designs. However, when I tried on the stunning Lee Grebenau gown, I immediately knew it was the one. It made me feel like an absolute princess and I loved the embellishment’s that had been hand sewed onto the gown.

What was your wedding planning journey like for you? How far out did you start planning?

Our wedding planning journey was very relaxed! Shortly after booking in our wedding, we went into the second Sydney lockdown. James was very involved in the entire wedding planning process and we had so many fun evenings at home together, drinking wine and doing research to source the most incredible list of suppliers. Overall, I have the best memories of that time and how fun the process was. We started planning around 9 months beforehand.

Getting married in the midst of the Omicron outbreak in Sydney did have its stressful moments! Both James and I came down with covid 3 weeks before the wedding – which was a blessing and a curse. We also had suppliers drop out last minute and some of our guests were hit with covid as well, so our guest list was everchanging. We just had to remind ourselves that the most important thing about the day was that we were getting married!

What was the biggest decision you had to make?
There were stressful moments in January where we had to consider whether to postpone the wedding due to the Omicron outbreak. But our incredible family and friends helped us get through this tricky time. I will never forget how our wedding guests moved mountains to be there and attend our day, despite the uneasy situation.

What was the highlight of your wedding day for you?
Its hard to pick just one highlight as it was such a magical evening! I would have to say having my Dad walk me down the aisle and seeing James’ face in that moment were the most special parts. I also loved reading our vows out to each other in front of our family and friends.

Is there anything you would do differently?
Nothing!

Is there any advice you would give other #HRBride’s?
Weddings tend to bring out a lot of people’s opinions and emotions. But try to remember that your wedding day is the only time in your life that is just about the two of you. Try to block out the noise and remember that you’ll never be able to please everyone. The most important people in your life will recognise that this day is about celebrating your love for each other and that the rest of it shouldn’t matter.

“My experience with Helen Rodrigues Bridal exceeded my expectations in every single way. From the minute I stepped into the stunning boutique, I was made to feel completely comfortable due to the warm and friendly nature of the team. To be completely honest I had been dreading the wedding dress process as I don’t enjoy shopping or trying on clothes at the best of times. I also had no idea what type of dress I envisioned myself wearing at my wedding.

The team at Helen Rodrigues went above and beyond to help me select the perfect gown. I typically gravitate to plainer styles but I trusted them to select what they thought would work best for me. The third dress I tried on was the sparkly, embellished, Lee Grebenau ‘Sansa’ gown. Immediately I felt like a princess and knew this was the one!

From there, the process was seamless. I absolutely loved all of my dress fittings – going in to see Helen was like catching up with a friend. We would chat about everything and you genuinely know that she cares about you. Even the lovely alterations lady was so incredibly warm and friendly. Nothing was too much trouble.”

Ewa wearing Monique Lhuillier "Serena"

Bride & Groom: Ewa & Kirk
Gown: Monique Lhuillier “Serena”
Accessories: Keren Wolf earrings
Bridesmaids dresses: Jenny Packham
Venue: Sergeants’ Mess
Photography: Society Photography
Videography: Keeper Films
Floral: Bohemian Blooms
Hair & Make-up: Justyna Chapman

How did you and your husband meet?
We met online – I want to say the old fashioned way because RSVP seems old school now compared to all the dating apps! Our actual first date was coffee at the Manly Boathouse.

How did he propose?
We were on holidays in the Maldives and on our last night at sunset on the deck of our overwater bungalow, Kirk got down on one knee and proposed – it was perfect! 

What was your vision for your wedding day?
I always had a wish to get married in Lake Como but planning a destination wedding with two kids was always going to be tricky so I found my own slice of Lake Como in Sydney Harbour. My only other vision was to include my favourite flower – lily of the valley – because it reminded me of my homeland Poland and it was extra special because it was the first bunch of flowers I had ever received from a man (my Dad). However, it’s a cold climate flower and only blooms in Australia during spring and only for a couple of weeks so it was always going to be a gamble to have it as my floral wedding bouquet so I was thrilled when my florist Jerin-Lei told me two days before the wedding that she was able to find these precious little blooms.

Where did you look for your wedding inspiration?
Pinterest, other weddings and my own ideas. 

What drew you to your gown from Helen Rodrigues Bridal?
I wanted to incorporate the lily of the valley motif into our wedding theme and when I started searching pinterest for Lily of the Valley wedding ideas, this Monique Lhuillier gown popped up and I instantly fell in love. Only problem was that at that point I had already bought a wedding dress but once I tried on the “Serena” dress there was no question that it was my dream dress, so I promptly sold the other dress and never looked back. 

What was your wedding planning journey like for you? How far out did you start planning?
Our wedding has definitely been a “journey”! We planned to get married in 2021 and like many couples had to postpone our wedding due to the pandemic. We then had to postpone our 2022 wedding for a much happier reason – a surprise pregnancy – so it was third time lucky when we finally tied the knot in 2023. It was definitely worth the wait!

What was the biggest decision you had to make?
Selling my original wedding dress in order to buy this dream dress.

What was the highlight of your wedding day for you?
Having our two kids be part of our ceremony as flower girl and page boy will be a treasured family memory for life and having my Dad overcome many health obstacles to walk me down the aisle was a true blessing. Speaking of blessings, on the way to our wedding venue my bridesmaids and I bumped into Sir Paul McCartney in the hotel lobby and he congratulated me on my wedding day – it’s not every day that you get “blessed by a Beatle” so that was definitely another highlight. 

Is there anything you would do differently?
Organising a wedding as a working Mum of two little ones was next level challenging (there’s a reason couples usually get married first and then have kids!) but having said that, being able to share the day with our two kids was very special so definitely worth all the extra work!

Is there any advice you would give other #HRBride’s?
I didn’t have the picture perfect, warm spring day that I was hoping for – in fact there was rain and a southerly wind blowing that made it feel like winter – so I was massively stressed about being cold on the day and even considered buying a bolero to wear over my dress but after consulting with Helen she quite rightly pointed out that I would be filled with so much love and adrenalin (and champagne!) on the day that I wouldn’t feel the cold and she was absolutely right! I now look back on the photos (expertly taken by Lara and David at Society Photography) and I’m actually thankful for the weather because we had some incredibly dramatic backdrops to our photos and my absolutely favourite photo is the one of us kissing under the tree as little droplets of rain fell down making it look just magical. 

Helen and her team are absolute pros that provide the most personalised service. Helen was like my fairy Godmother that helped me transform into a princess for a day.  I had complete trust in Helen and always felt like she was being honest and gave me the best advice. No dress will ever top this one and I’ve never received so many compliments. I thought about shortening the dress and perhaps wearing it again but I can’t imagine altering it in any way and will probably hold onto it for my daughter. 

Real Bride wearing Monique Lhuillier “Willow” and Suzanne Neville “Pandora

Bride & Groom: Krystle McWilliams & Nicholas Honey
Planning & Styling: Kashaya (styling)
Gown: Monique Lhullier “Willow” & Suzanne Neville “Pandora”
Hair: Madame Tulle custom pearl veil & Jennifer Behr pearl bow, Shoes: Manolo Blahnik & Stuart Weitzman
Bridesmaids dresses: Shona Joy
Venue: Kincoppal (ceremony), Vaucluse House (pre-reception drinks) & Estate Vaucluse House (reception)
Photography: Blumenthal Photography
Videography: Soda Films
Floral: Kashaya
MU: Kelly Bowman
Hair: Lily & Co

How did you and your husband meet?
Through mutual friends at a house party in London where we were both living at the time. It took us a couple years of being friends to realise there was something more between us and have pretty much been inseparable since, moving back home to Sydney together not long after we started dating.

How did he propose?
Nick booked a weekend away in the Southern Highlands at the stunning Osborne House. He had managed to keep me blissfully unaware as it had been my 30th birthday two weeks before, so he told me it was one of the many celebrations he had organised. Little did I know that he had an even more memorable weekend waiting for me!

What was your vision for your wedding day?
Romantic, clean and classic.

Where did you look for your wedding inspiration?
Primarily Instagram – I highly recommend The Lane.

What drew you to your gown from Helen Rodrigues Bridal?
After 5 appointments elsewhere, finding some dresses I liked but didn’t necessarily see myself wearing on my own wedding day and still not getting the butterflies I expected to get when trying on wedding dresses – I found myself at Helen’s.

After trying on a few dresses, the Monique Lhuillier fit the brief for my first gown – off the shoulder, romantic, yet classic, a beautiful shape, and I fell in love! It was also perfectly suited for our afternoon church ceremony. I found my Suzanne Neville gown in the same appointment, and it was exactly what I’d been searching for in a second dress – something simple, yet stunning and comfortable so I could dance all night long in it!

I finally got that wave of emotion that I’d been searching for in all my previous appointments when trying on both dresses, and just knew I had to leave with both of them!

What was your wedding planning journey like for you? How far out did you start planning?
We started planning as soon as we got engaged, which ended up being 15 months before our wedding day. The journey was mostly smooth sailing and I found having over 12 months lead time an advantage to booking the suppliers we had our eyes on. Nick trusted my vision – we are generally very aligned on taste so luckily we didn’t butt heads too much!

What was the biggest decision you had to make?
Apart from the obvious ones like venues, dresses and choosing the champagne, whether or not to book in a marquee as a wet weather back up was something we went back and forth on as we would have to pay the full fee whether we used it or not – we ended up with a completely clear forecast so didn’t end up booking it and were lucky enough to have perfect weather for our black tie affair! (That being said, if there was even a glimmer of rain on the forecast two weeks out, we agreed that we would be happy to book the marquee and even if it meant forfeiting the cost if it ended up being a beautiful day).

What was the highlight of your wedding day for you?
Gosh – can I say all of it?

If I had to pick one highlight, it would probably be the first look. We did it before the ceremony to lessen the number of photos we took in between the ceremony and reception, so that we could spend as much time as possible with our nearest and dearest, but it also meant that we had nearly an hour of time just spent with the two of us (+ the photographers and the videographer) chatting and walking around, before we drove up to the ceremony together. It was invaluable one-on-one time!

The dancefloor was packed from beginning to end so that was also another highlight!

Is there anything you would do differently?
Honestly – nothing!

Is there any advice you would give other #HRBride’s?
Try to maximise the time you spend with your guests – whether at pre-dinner drinks or on the dancefloor, while also making sure that you get some one-on-one time with your partner to take each other in and digest the day!

Also – I’m sure this goes without saying but – let go and enjoy the day! What is meant to be will be and you don’t want to look back on your wedding day thinking about how much you stressed about this or that!

“Helen and her team were an absolute dream to work with! Not only does she carry the most stunning dresses, which includes a wide range to cater to different vibes, but the entire customer experience, including the fittings process, was perfect! Helen knows the best way to tweak the fit of the dress here and there to give you exactly what you’re after while also staying true to the design of the dress!”

Real Bride Ashley wearing Lee Grebenau

Bride & Groom: Ashley Nahum and Stephen Narunsky
Planning & Styling: Honey Lane Events
Gown: Lee Petra Grebenau
Venue: Redleaf Wollombi
Photography: Alex Marks
Videography: Josue Films
Floral: Floral Anarchy
Bridesmaids dress: L’idee
Hair & Make-up: Rachel Collura and Lauren Brook

Shout out to Fennel and Co. They were AMAZING. From the taste testing through to the catering on the day and during the recovery brunch. Tess checked in on us to make sure we ate canapes while having photos and that there was a plate of food left for us at our seats.

How did you and your husband meet?
Steve and I met via a dating App called Hinge, but we tell everyone who asks that we were introduced by a friend, as Steve vetted me by my good friend featured in my photo.

How did he propose?
I always hoped that my life would emulate a romantic comedy like When Harry Met Sally… End up with your best friend and live happily ever after. Steve knew that I loved the ending when Harry runs up to Sally on New Years Eve and tells her all the crazy reasons why he loves her. True to form, a week before we got engaged, I had impatiently asked Steve if he was ever going to propose, not knowing that he had already asked my parents for their blessing. Steve then arranged a ‘family picnic’ for his sister’s birthday and I coincidentally suggested we take the Hermitage Walk as it was a beautiful, sunny day. He then led me up some stairs above Queens Beach where a picnic was set up for the two of us and got down on one knee, telling me all the crazy reasons why he loves me and can’t wait to spend the rest of his life with me. My real life Harry.

We then celebrated with family and friends who were eagerly waiting.

What was your vision for your wedding day?
Before I met Steve, my grandparents took our whole family on a trip to Vienna and Poland to see where they had come from. While my grandparents finished off the very emotional trip in Zurich, my family together with my aunt and uncle and cousins ended our trip in Lake Como, Italy. I fell in love with the beauty and romance of the lake side, the beautiful gardens, and the exquisite Italian cuisine. I had always hoped of getting married there but COVID intervened and so for me anything that brought Lake Como to Australia was what I had in mind. Redleaf, Wollombi, was a perfect compromise.   

Where did you look for your wedding inspiration?
A lot of my wedding inspo came from Instagram accounts I followed – from wedding dress designers, to wedding planners and photographers. It’s no secret that I love weddings, and despite now being married I can’t help but continue to follow them all to see the beautiful day for so many others.

What drew you to your gown from Helen Rodrigues Bridal?
I first met Helen 8 year ago when my sister came in for her wedding dress. Watching her try on her dress and witnessing that magical moment when she knew she had found the only dress she could imagine walking down the aisle in was so emotional. I just knew I would be back when it was my time.

I have always loved the intuitive way that the Israeli designers create gowns that are both unique and work to flatter a woman’s shape. My personality is unapologetically extraverted and I wanted a dress that would showcase my fun-loving side, as well as suit the elegance and sophistication of a grown-up wedding.  As soon as I put on the dress by Lee Grebenau I felt stylish and glamorous - from the exquisite pearl beading to the soft and romantic lace that lined the dress. I could see by the tears my mum had in her eyes that she too, thought this was the perfect dress.

What was your wedding planning journey like for you? How far out did you start planning?
We started planning the wedding a year in advance. We found the wedding journey quite different to what we had expected and a bit challenging at times. It is always hard to manage the competing opinions and hopes of everyone involved in the wedding process, and at the end of the day I just wanted everyone to be happy and feel included. Having a wedding planner was a game changer, as they made the research easier and gave us a neutral party to bounce ideas off and help solve any issues.

What was the biggest decision you had to make?
Where we got married was one of the biggest decisions we had to make. I had dreamed of getting married in Lake Como but with the unpredictability of COVID and my grandparents being unable to travel such a long way, we made the decision to have it in Australia.

Our vision was to create a vibe where everyone could carve out a weekend away from everyday life, let their hair down and put on their dancing shoes, with no commitments the next day to halt the fun. However, with my husband being the practical one he also wanted the venue to be within driving distance so that guests with families could get home easily should they need to. Romantic Redleaf Wollombi in the Hunter Valley was just the answer we had been looking for. It was the one venue that could transport us to a slice of Italy in our very own backyard. We danced the night away in a marquee lit up by fairy lights under a stary sky. And best of all we can always come back to relive the memories of one of the happiest nights of our lives.

What was the highlight of your wedding day for you?
Finally walking down the aisle and seeing Steve after a long and stressful week. When I asked Steve what his highlight was, he said the same thing, which is pretty cute. But I also have to say being surrounded by all our friends on the dance floor was just as memorable. We could really feel the love and that’s all we wanted for our wedding, to radiate warmth and love.

Is there anything you would do differently?
I probably would not have taken on a renovation and got a puppy at the same time as planning a wedding. While you can’t let the wedding get in the way of living your life, it meant I left a lot of things up to the wedding planner that I feel I would have enjoyed being more involved in.
Is there any advice you would give other #HRBride’s?
Hold true to your vision for the day. There will always be differing opinions and expect that some things may go wrong on the day, but that’s okay and not something to be surprised by.

I had the most wonderful experience with Helen Rodrigues. Helen took care of me from the moment I walked in. She knew how long I had waited for this day – remembering me from years prior when I had come in with my good friend and then my sister. She made me feel like a VIP and always had a solution for any problem. She helped alleviate any concerns I had and made sure that appointments worked around my busy schedule. I cannot recommend her highly enough.

Thank you for making me look the way I had always hoped to look on my wedding day. You made me sparkle.

Real Bride Chloe wearing Monique Lhuillier Fleur de Lis and custom bolero

Bride & Groom: Chloe & Lachlan Moo
Planning & Styling: Chloe Moo with help from mum, Jo Moo (@stylingbyjomoo)
Event Management: Agentur
Gown: Monique Lhuillier
Jewellery including wedding rings: Paspaley
Shoes: Chanel, Aquazurra
Bridesmaids dresses: Carla Zampatti
Venue: Friend’s home
Photography: Bayleigh Verdelho
Videography: Josue Films
Floral: Grandiflora supported by Darwin Community
Napery: Kieren Kurritpul
Lighting/AV: TES NT
Stationary: Samuel Pauletto
Celebrant: Anniella Batten

How did you and your husband meet?
I’d escaped from Sydney lockdowns to Darwin at the beginning of COVID and Lachlan had moved back from Melbourne a few years prior. Our maid of honour and best man had independently noticed our paths had led us both back to our hometown and hinted we should meet each other. One day I threw caution to the wind and added him on Facebook and later the same day we bumped into each other at the Darwin Races (literally!). It was both of our turns to buy our friends a round of drinks and I don’t think we’ve stopped talking since.

How did he propose?
He recreated our first date. It was at the beach I grew up on and we were walking the dog. Simple and perfect.

What was your vision for your wedding day?
My vision intersected two of our favourite things; Darwin, and our love story. We wanted to pay tribute to the town and celebrate its unique charms. From its relaxed culture and deep connection to the tropical coast, to its mesmerising botanical beauty and our Chinese heritage in the area; I wanted to create an atmosphere and aesthetic which transported our guests to a fantasy scape, where all our favourite details came together in symphony.

What drew you to your gown from Helen Rodrigues Bridal?
I was instantly drawn to Helen’s range and eye for designers who were fashion first, bridal second. I have long admired Monique Lhuillier; the queen of lace, and Helen’s relationship with her was the ultimate calling. Helen and the team worked with me to capture a contemporary take on a classic lace gown, with ties to cheongsam form. The bespoke design combined elements from three ML gowns, in lace, with the flexibility to become two different dresses.

What was your wedding planning journey like for you? How far out did you start planning?
The planning journey was an ongoing balance of creativity and practicality. Following our engagement, I created a decision and task timeline to guide us and methodically worked through those. We started with the non-negotiables; Darwin’s climate, wedding date and our favourite vendors, and worked our way back from there.

What was the biggest decision you had to make?
Every decision feels relatively big in the moment. Collaborating with all the innovative and passionate people we did to bring the day together was the best decision we made and such a pleasure.

What was the highlight of your wedding day for you?
Besides marrying Lachlan (!!) it was intensely moving to see all the people we love; friends and family, come together for those magical few days. As two who have lived abroad, with family and friendships spread across states and continents, we felt so lucky and so loved, sharing the day with everyone and seeing our guests’ forming friendships which have outlived the day.

Is there any advice you would give other #HRBride’s?
Trust your intuition with the people you want to work with. Once you have those people, trust them and their craft; there’s a reason you chose them!

Helen is the ultimate specialist in bridal. Not only does she have an incomparable eye to bring to the table the most beautiful bridal offerings from around the world, but she has a well-honed perspective on what a bride needs to make the all-important dress decision. She is calming, tailored in her approach, effortlessly helpful and anticipates your needs. Her and the team are passionate about you finding your dress, offer impeccable guidance and service. Finding my dress and being on the journey from start to finish with Helen was one of the greatest joys of the wedding process. They made me feel like a bride, amongst the hecticness of planning and preparation.