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 Emma wearing Monique Lhuillier Bloom gown

Bride & Groom: Emma Court, Cameron Muirhead
Planning & Styling: After the Rock
Gown: Monique Lhullier Bloom
Accessories: Helen Rodrigues Veil, Jennifer Behr headband for reception, Linneys Rings, Jimmy Choo and Sergei Rossi Shoes
Bridesmaids dresses: Custom Paris Georgia (Cam’s Cousin)
Venue: Mona Farm
Photography: Cassandra Ladru
Videography: Moon and Back
Floral: My Violet

How did you and your husband meet?
I met Cameron on my first day of university. As fate would have it, we both happened to pass each other at the gates of the University of Melbourne’s Ormond College – Cameron was starting his postgraduate medical degree, and I was studying Commerce. I had moved from Western Australia and Cameron from New Zealand, we both came to Melbourne not knowing anyone, but ready for a new adventure.

I feigned ignorance as to where the Commerce building was to spark up a conversation at the College gate. Looking back, I must have really liked him given I hadn’t slept in week and had just met 500 new people at Orientation week, so I certainly wasn’t starved of human interaction! I genuinely don’t know what it was, but I just knew that there was something about Cameron that completely captivated and enchanted me.

Of course, I’d like to say the rest is history, however, there were many ‘sliding doors’ moments until we actually started dating.

It’s been an interesting 10 years – living on opposite sides of the world from one another (I spent a period working in Milan and Cam was on a surgical elective in India) and opposite sides of the country (Me in Melbourne, Cam in Perth… which sometimes felt like worlds apart due to the COVID border closure and Melbourne lockdown). However, through these various chapters, our relationship has really continued to evolve and become a great support no matter what the adventure or circumstance.

Our relationship has been quite the lesson in patience, as it only took 10 years of dating, 4 years of engagement and 5 wedding dates to get us to the wedding day!

How did he propose?
My parents were living in Japan at the time, and it was a place we had visited together many times and absolutely loved for its enchanting beauty and culture. Cam had planned out an intricate treasure hunt around Tokyo, sneaking out in the early hours of the morning to hide clues in envelopes around the city. However, his carefully laid plans were somewhat derailed as I had planned a trip to explore a part of Tokyo that day. Not wanting to give up the surprise by insisting too strongly, he anxiously went along on my adventure hoping that his envelopes would still be in place by the time we got to them! At first, I thought it was a fun activity but started to realise that something more was unfolding. The clues were in all sorts of places from a book inside a library, behind a bush or given to shop attendant. The final clue led us to a Japanese garden (at this stage the sun was setting thanks to my detour). As I opened the final envelope, I turned around to find him down on one knee.

What was your vision for your wedding day?
Originally our wedding was planned amongst the mountains of Lake Wanaka in the South Island of New Zealand (as that is where Cam grew up), but like so many others, COVID forced us to re-think our original plans. To allow the best possible chance for both our Australian and International guests to attend, we were guided by our wedding planner Georgie to explore the beautiful surrounds of Braidwood, NSW.

We wanted our guests to be removed from the day to day and be immersed in beautiful breathtaking surrounds. The gardens of Mona Farm truly provide a sense of sanctuary and other-worldliness. We instantly felt immersed in nature amongst the beautiful trees surrounded by sweeping gardens and flower fields, and loved the nod to Cam’s Scottish heritage through Mona’s cooler climate and cobblestone bridges.

Our styling inspiration came from our wish to honour and complement the natural surrounds of Braidwood and Mona Farm. The Ceremony on the crabapple lawn truly felt like a secret garden – it was so intimate. During our planning, we aimed to create a sense of intimacy with our guests and with the surrounds, to really take in each special moment of the weekend. We selected locations within Mona where guests could be immersed in nature but it still feel intimate.

You could really feel so much love on the day and there was such a warm atmosphere of joy. It was such a special time to be surrounded by people who had shown us so much love and support in so many different ways, both individually and as a couple.

I had a vision in mind to keep to a colour palate of whites and greens, so my guiding aesthetic was very soft, romantic and ethereal. We wanted the styling to accentuate and build on all of the love, care and design that is been put into each exquisite element of Mona Farm. I also took a lot of stying inspiration from the first thing I selected in our wedding planning process, which was my wedding gown from Monique L’Huillier, which I absolutely adored.

The brief for the florals were to create a meadow of flowers within the garden and for it to look beautifully imperfect. Similarly with the reception florals, I wanted it to feel like an intimate dinner party with an eclectic mix of ceramics rather than perfectly symmetrical and over-styled.

I was particularly excited by the prospect of creating a suite of stationery that our guests could keep as special keepsakes of the weekend. In designing the stationery, we took inspiration from the historical elements of Mona, and small details such as marble finishes, which created a softness that we both loved. I really loved this aspect of the planning process – we had bespoke welcome packs, door handles, wedding cake boxes, coffee cups… you can tell I really loved it!

Georgie: – ethereal, soft Romantic, picturesque, understated elegance. we chose Mona Farm due to the nod to Cameron's Scottish heritage (cooler climate, beautiful Palladian stone bridge near the lake and misty mornings had a scottish feel for them) - Emma particularly loved the english inspired gardens and wanted to work within that environment and enhance that look and feel with every decision she made on her styling throughout each event. ]

Where did you look for your wedding inspiration?
The venue was a big source of inspiration and we wanted to highlight the beautiful gardens and landscape through the styling.

When we made the decision to move the wedding to Australia, we were in the midst of full lockdown in Melbourne with no ability to travel outside of our 5km radius, yet alone to see a wedding venue in another state. Georgie sent us photos and videos and we were instantly in love. What really sealed the deal though was the bridge over the lake. Pre-Covid, we had travelled to Scotland to commence the kilt design process. Cam reveled in the Mona Farm bridge’s likeness to those in the small towns of Scotland.

The gardens at Mona are just spectacular and create a meandering journey through secret passageways and old stonework from the original buildings.

We had the Ceremony on the Crabapple Lawn amongst the garden then after a champagne and canapes hour the bagpiper led the guests over the bridge to the other side of the lake, where the reception was held under the marquee.

What drew you to your gown from Helen Rodrigues Bridal?
I saw a video of the gown in some behind the scenes footage from the campaign before it was launched and fell in love with how ethereal and light it looked. The video had the model running through a secret garden and the movement of the gown was so special. I love an off the shoulder design so it was just perfect.

The soft folded detailing on the bodice and the texture of the fabric added a subtle but beautiful element.

The gown hadn’t been released yet when I first went to try it on so we had to have it shipped from the New York atelier as a sample. I tried on a few other designs just to be sure but I really knew it was the one because it felt so timeless and truly a reflection of my style. It was a testament to the enduring nature of the design that the wedding ended up being nearly 3 years after I did the initial fitting and I love it just as much on the day as I did when I first tried it on. I would say my style is more understated and I love to play more with tone, structure and texture rather than embellishment and colour so the dress was very true to this style.

What was your wedding planning journey like for you? How far out did you start planning?
Like many brides, it will come as no surprise that I had my fair collection of wedding inspiration on Pinterest before we were even engaged (it had been 7 years of dating after all).

As we both have busy jobs, we knew we needed help. I had known of Georgie and her team at After the Rock for quite some time, so it took us less than 48 hours post-engagement to get in touch with Georgie to ask about the process.

While I love planning (indeed my job is to plan and execute Mergers and Acquisitions – and what is a Wedding if no the ultimate Merger!), I didn’t want to lose the joy in the process by being consumed by navigating the minefield of the wedding industry. Additionally, with an overseas wedding we didn’t have any expertise or contacts. So enlisting ATR wasn’t just about capacity, it was capability and being able to bring our vision to life and really help us collaborate with vendors to articulate and refine that vision.

Georgie had 80% of our vendors locked in within months and we learned that navigating this alone would have been near impossible.

We received great advice to prioritise was really mattered and not be fixated on certain wedding elements just because we felt like that was what needed to be “done” at a wedding. Georgie guided us to approach it like just planning a party, rather than fixate on “wedding” traditions just for the sake of it.

We designed the day to feel like everyone was disconnected to the outside world and connected and fully present with one another. We had a strict no phone policy so everyone would enjoy the moments and be fully present.

We knew we wanted to incorporate elements of Scottish heritage such as the hand fastening ritual and Scottish dancing, as well as some Ormond College traditions, as a nod to where we first met. While we had been at Ormond, Cam had championed the return of an old tradition ‘The Masters Dance’ which was a night of Scottish dancing. It was so much fun and we wanted to incorporate Scottish dancing to the wedding night. We were very fortunate to have Bruce and Jan from the Scottish Society in Canberra come to Mona on the night of the Welcome dinner, to lead all of our guests through a Scottish Dance lesson. It turned out to be the perfect ice breaker for everyone to meet and get to know each other. Shoes were flung off as everyone spun around the lawn as Bruce taught the moves. It was certainly high energy! For the Wedding night we had a Scottish bagpipe ensemble and everyone had picked up the dances so well from the night before, so there were hands flying and an abundance of laughter as everyone danced the night away.

‘Spooning In’ was another Ormond tradition we wanted to incorporate, so instead of entering the reception to a song, we entered to the sound of 100 spoons meeting the dining tables conducted in the Ormond rhythm by one of our bridal party. It was so fun to share these traditions with our friends and family and it was certainly a big energy to walk in to!

We knew from the outset that having our closest friends and family in the same place was going to be a truly unique time, so we planned the wedding over 4 days. We didn’t want to only have a few fleeting moments with people on one night who had travelled so far to share the milestone with us.

Summary:
Day 1: Family and Bridal Party Arrival and Dinner

Day 2: All Guests arrive, Welcome Dinner and Scottish Dance Rehearsal

Day 3: Wedding

Day 4: Recovery Brunch in the Garden

Day 1: Our bridal party and parents arrived on the first day which ended with a family dinner prepared by Mona Farm.

Day 2 all other guests arrived and we had a welcome dinner and Scottish dance rehearsal overlooking the lake as the sun set. Although it was so cold, the Scottish dancing managed to warm everyone up! Dinner was prepared by the team at Mona farm from local produce, accompanied by local wines. Afterwards, me and my bridal party retreated to the homestead where we had facial boxes prepared by Mecca – so we masked and chatted then got an early night before the big day.

Day 3 was the big day. I started the day with Pilates with my bridesmaids overlooking the garden. Then we grazed on food from Mona farm, talked and lounged around as we cycled through getting our hair and make up done.

Day 4: Mona farm set up a barista cart and full brunch in the garden the morning after. It was so lovely to relax in the sunshine and reminisce on the festivities with our guests then have a proper opportunity to say farewell.

What was the biggest decision you had to make?
The biggest decision we had to make was whether we move the wedding from NZ to Australia even though we had already planned the whole wedding in NZ and locked in all the vendors there. Ultimately we weren’t willing to take the risk that our guests (or indeed we) wouldn’t be able to physically get to NZ amidst lockdowns and travel restrictions.

Even though it was hard to let go of the NZ vision, ultimately it was the right decision and Mona ended up being the perfect location.

What was the highlight of your wedding day for you?
There was the most intense wash of emotion as I was waiting to walk down the aisle. My bridesmaids walked down to a string quartet version of ‘LOVE’ by Lana Del Ray then the bag piper started with ‘The Skyboat Song’ for my Dad and I to walk and I was just completely overcome by emotion. I looked to my Dad who had a tear in his eye and as soon as we rounded the corner into the garden I just kept my eye on Cam to get to the end of the aisle.

Our niece Evie who is 18 months old was our flower girl and was to walk down with two of the bridesmaids’ tossing petals. We were, however, fully aware of the old show business adage ‘don’t work with children or animals’ so if she wasn’t feeling it on the day were more than happy to let her do her own thing. Moments before the bridesmaids song started playing, Evie threw off a shoe, face planted into the grass and thew the petal basket to the ground. I still have the image of Georgie patiently negotiating with her holding one foot to get the shoe back on as Evie was clawing the ground. As we went to make the call to ‘cut’ her from the line up – the second we went to take the basket of petals, she stood up, put her game face on and strode down that aisle perfectly throwing petals. Clearly the prospect of losing the lead role was less appealing than grass face planting!

Is there anything you would do differently?
I think sometimes it can be easy to get caught up in the idea that every element has to be special and perfect, but on the day you are so swept up in love and emotion that you don’t notice a lot of these things. Focus on the elements that genuinely matter the most to you and your husband and be willing to let go of other things as they will just cause unnecessary stress.

Is there any advice you would give other #HRBride’s?
Wedding planning and execution can ironically place significant strain on your relationship with your husband-to-be – whether it’s the never ending to-do list, the heightened emotion, the pressure of significant financial decisions or in our case the added stress of planning a wedding in the midst of a pandemic. Remember you are the team and together you can get through anything – whether it be the 5th reschedule or a mis-printed invite. Approaching the wedding as a team and always having each other’s best interest at heart is so important.

I don’t think you realise how complex a production weddings can be until you have one and Hollywood really mis-sold us that it was a fun breeze. So just be aware there are highs and lows but come back to the fact that this is such a rare opportunity where you can celebrate your love surrounded by your friends and family.

Helen’s curation of the leading wedding designers is second to none and having access to the phenomenal craftsmanship of these designers in Australia is truly unique. Helen helped me select a stunning design and my love for my dress only grew over the three years we refined and fitted it (due to pandemic related wedding delays).
As I wasn’t from Sydney, Helen was able to flex around travel requirements for fittings and the final collection.

Real Bride Sophia wearing Lee Grebenau Taylor

Bride & Groom: Sophia and Ben
Gown: Lee Petra Grebenau Taylor
Accessories: Veil – Peter Langner Pearl Veil + Jennifer Behr Pearl Pins
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Bridesmaids dresses: Bec + Bridge
Venue: St Josephs College Hunters Hill (church) and Doltone House Jones Bay Wharf (Reception)
Photography: Salt Atelier
Videography: Salt Atelier
Floral: Sydney Wedding Flowers (florals and styling)
Cake: Something Blue Wedding Cakes
Cars: Roll Up In A Rolls
MC: Joseph Dimento

How did you and your husband meet?
Ben and I met just after high school through mutual friends. The first time we met was at a party where we chatted for a while but left things there. It wasn’t until a few months later where we bumped into each other at the shops and things kicked off from there.
How did he propose?
Ben organised the whole thing which was so sweet! He got my friends and our family involved so that everyone was on board. He had a gorgeous set up down at McMahons Point where he proposed. My friends had organised to go for lunch with me that day, so I was unsuspecting of the proposal. I believed Ben was at his usual Saturday soccer game at the time and when I arrived to McMahon’s Point he was there, amongst the beautiful set up, waiting for my arrival. We celebrated with our family and closest friends afterwards and had a gorgeous lunch at Catalina in Rose Bay.

What was your vision for your wedding day?
Classic and elegant. I wanted all of the elements to be classic and timeless – particularly my gown. I wanted to be able to look back in 10 years and still be in awe of every detail, which I am confident that I will be.
Where did you look for your wedding inspiration?
I had some ideas in mind already, however, my Instagram account was flooded with wedding content from the moment I got engaged!

What drew you to your gown from Helen Rodrigues Bridal?
The amazing material. The hand-beaded gown caught my eye instantly. Surprisingly, it was the last gown I tried on, but I immediately knew that it was going to be the gown for me.

What was your wedding planning journey like for you? How far out did you start planning?
I started planning immediately after we got engaged. We had booked in the date and locked in the venue a couple of weeks after our engagement. The whole process was super exciting for us, and I managed to keep quite organised throughout the process which reduced a lot of the stress.

What was the biggest decision you had to make?
The biggest decision was definitely my gown!! I wanted it to be absolutely perfect – and it was! I remember being in awe of my gown every time I came to Helen for a fitting. I had also kept my gown a surprise from all of my friends and family – including my bridesmaids and maid of honour. This was so hard to do but it was absolutely worth it! We did a big reveal on the day which was so special.

What was the highlight of your wedding day for you?
The most memorable moment was walking down the aisle. Seeing Ben for the first time at the end of the aisle was such an emotional moment. Also, having my dad walk me down the aisle was so special to me. It was definitely the moment with the most anticipation and the biggest highlight of the day. I felt so beautiful walking down the aisle in my gown and having all the most important people in my life seeing me for the first time on the most important day of my life.

Is there anything you would do differently?
Definitely not! No regrets!

Is there any advice you would give other #HRBride’s?
Enjoy the process and enjoy the moment! Helen has the most amazing gowns and she made the process so seamless and stress free! During some of the stressful moments of wedding planning, you sometimes wish for time to move quicker. However, now that the day has come and gone, I wish I could go back and enjoy those moments again because it’s something you only get to experience once. The process leading up to the wedding is just as exciting as the day itself! Everybody tells you that your wedding day is going to be the best day of your life, and they are absolutely right! Soak it all in because it will truly be the best day of your life!

I could not speak higher for Helen and Nicole at Helen Rodrigues Bridal. They were incredible and patient when helping me choose my dream gown. All the gowns are of exceptional quality and are absolutely stunning. I was able to take my time in the initial appointments to ensure I was certain with all my decision. Every appointment was easy and stress free. Helen made every interaction so personal, and it was very clear that she wants every one of her brides to have the ultimate bridal experience and feel their very best on their wedding day. I couldn’t imagine going through this process without Helen and I can’t recommend her highly enough!

Real Bride Georgia wearing Monique Lhuillier Fernanda and Suzanne Neville Zarina

Bride & Groom: Georgia & Tom Bruerton
Planning & Styling: Planning by yours truly - Georgia (with the help of Mona Farm), Styling by Poppy from Honey Lane Events
Gown: Monique Lhuillier Fernanda followed by a Suzanne Neville for the reception
Venue: Mona Farm
Photography: Bayleigh Vedelago
Videography: Moon & Back Co.
Floral: Clementine Posy
Accessories: Jimmy Choo Sacora Heels, Diamond Emporium wedding band and engagement ring
Bridesmaids dress: Shona Joy- La Lune lace back
Hair & Make-up: Jasmin Cervello, Zoe Martin Makeup
Spray Tan: Bliss by Bree

How did you and your husband meet?
After several years of single life, I had almost given up on the hope of finding anyone even half decent in Sydney. Then came along a little app called Tinder (you can call me Tinderella). Tom had just relocated down from the Central Coast to Chatswood, so unfortunately, his single bachelor life was very short lived.

Our first official date took place a few weeks later at a venue called the Royal George. It was super casual, but SO very unexpected - full of lots of laughs (and drinks). The rest is history!

How did he propose?
We got engaged back in November 2020.

It was definitely time as I was suspicious for at least 6 months, wondering exactly when the moment would come. We had arranged a little weekend getaway to Kangaroo Valley, needing some time to just ourselves post lockdown.

The weekend got off to a lovely start, we had checked-in to our air b n and headed off to the shops to buy some essential supplies. We then decided to drive around the area, exploring some of the sights that Kangaroo Valley has to offer. Tom had mentioned that we needed to be at dinner at 6.45pm to see the sunset - and was very firm on this.

Before dinner, we thought it would be a great idea to check-out one of the local vineyards. Little did we know that this was all the way up one of the hills, and the road was untarred. We entered this big field of grass, following the google maps directions. After about a minute, we realised that we were driving the wrong way, so decided to turn back. It had been raining the day before, so the grass was extremely muddy. As I reversed the car around, we got bogged! My foot was hard on the accelerator, but the car wasn’t budging. Tom was freaking out - evidently very stressed that we weren’t going to make it out in time to see the sunset. Adding to the stress, we also had no phone reception. We ended up having to get out of the car and start pushing. The car finally got released - what a relief that was!

Once we were both ready for dinner, we drove a few minutes to the ‘restaurant’. We arrived to an empty car park, and followed the signs to the entrance. We were greeted by a lovely woman who asked us to check in via the QR code (very convincing). I was then told to follow the path down to the restaurant.

As I begun walking down the steps, Ed Sheeran music began playing, and I noticed that the path was lit up on either side with candles. I saw a platform not too far ahead that overlooked the ridge of Kangaroo Valley, decorated either side with more candles and decorations. The rest is pretty much a blur. Tom got down on one knee, and presented me with the most beautiful ring I had ever seen. It was in a diamond emporium box, so immediately I realised that my MOH Lauren was in on it too. After we shared a very intimate moment, we enjoyed a bottle of my favourite champagne before heading off to dinner to celebrate, sharing the news with our nearest and dearest!

What was your vision for your wedding day?
We had lots of planning hiccups along the way with our original venue so when I eventually landed on Mona Farm, I was immediately blown away by how beautiful and picturesque the property was. One of my non-negotiables was that I wanted all of our guests to have a magical (and carefree) experience - away from the hustle and bustle of Sydney.

I’ve always felt at peace in the countryside, surrounded by nature. Getting married at Mona Farm made the vision extremely seamless.

To summarize the vision in a few words, I’d say - elegant, classic, whimsical, vibrant and sophisticated.

What was the highlight of your wedding day for you?
Walking down the aisle feeling extremely calm (arm in arm with Dad), but equally grateful to be surrounded by all of our loved ones.

What drew you to your gown from Helen Rodrigues Bridal?
Once the venue was locked in, I knew that I wanted to wear a gown that would compliment the boldness of the venue. Given all the perfect photo opportunity locations that the venue lends itself to, I was comfortable wearing a material that had some character, and a structure that provided shape and excitement.

What was the biggest decision you had to make?
There wasn’t one big decision, but rather a number of important smaller decisions. We knew that when all of these elements were executed together, it would turn the atmosphere of the day from potentially just being mediocre, to being WOW (eg. the song selections, the welcome to the wedding itineraries, the food and beverage selection, the translated menus for international guests etc).

Where did you look for your wedding gown inspiration?
My go-to sources for wedding gown inspiration were Pinterest and Instagram, being very intentional to only follow pages that matched my timeless (but romantic) aesthetic.

Is there anything you would do differently?
Not a single thing! We were blessed with the best - can’t speak more highly of all of our vendors.

Is there any advice you would give other #HRBride’s?
Feeling wow’d the second you put on your wedding dress should be something that is never compromised on. Speaking first hand, the feeling does exist, and if you haven’t felt it yet - keep looking for your dream gown!

What attracted you to Helen Rodrigues Bridal?
Seeing all of the real-life brides. I felt as though I knew them as our aesthetics were aligned. I had no doubt I’d find my dream dress through Helen.

I can’t recommend Helen and her team enough! I had been searching for my dream dress in Sydney for a few months but none of the stores provided a memorable experience. The second that mum and I met Helen, we felt at home. Her pieces are absolutely breathtaking and I can attest to the fact that she prides herself on providing a luxurious bridal experience. All of my fittings went smoothly and Helen was always happy to go above and beyond.

Real Bride Lydia wearing bespoke Suzanne Neville gown

Bride & Groom: Lydia and Sam
Planning & Styling: Claire at One Lovely Day
Gown: Suzanne Neville 
Accessories: Shoes were Manolo Blahnik, Pearls Tiffany and Co, Grandmothers watch and handbag, earrings were borrowed from my sister (her wedding earrings) which were bought through a jeweller. Engagement ring is Naveya and Sloane. 
Bridesmaids dresses: Diane Von Furstenberg, Maggie Marilyn, Solace London.
Venue: The McCallum Residence
Photography: Danelle Bohane
Videography: Danelle Bohane (her husband Dirk)
Floral: Michele Coomey Floral 
Catering: Great Catering Company - best caterers!!
Marquee: Flagship Marquees

How did you and your husband meet?
We initially met while in London through mutual friends but it wasn’t until we were back home in NZ that we started seeing each other. 

How did he propose?
On our first holiday as a family of 3! One morning we went for an early walk on the beach with our son Hugo and dog Louie. There was no one else on the beach and the sun had just come up. It was the most surreal surroundings and perfect moment. 

What was your vision for your wedding day?
I wanted to create an elegant and glamorous occasion whilst still feeling relaxed. It was so important to me that the day felt like us and it truly did! 

Where did you look for your wedding inspiration?
I didn’t really outsource much, I had a vision that’s remained clear to me for a long time leading up to getting engaged so I was ready to get to it immediately and bring it to life! My wedding stylist Claire was a great sounding board and helped steer me in the right direction. 

What drew you to your gown from Helen Rodrigues Bridal?
My sister also bought her gown from HRB, so I knew it was a good option from her experience and once I visited the boutique I knew I was in good hands. Everyone at HRB was determined to help me get the gown I wanted and the ease that came with the whole experience was particularly appealing. 

Is there anything you would do differently?
No! Like any wedding, there was things that went wrong but I think it adds to the memories of the day and made it what it was - amazing! 

Is there any advice you would give other #HRBride’s?
Relax, laugh and soak up every moment. 

I would highly recommend Helen and her team. I was well looked after and made to feel very special at every visit and most importantly they understood my vision so easily. It was a seamless, enjoyable experience and I am very grateful for their service!

Real Bride Isabella wearing Monique Lhuillier

Bride & Groom: Isabella & Stephen
Planning & Styling: Isabella!
Gown: Monique Lhuillier
Accessories: Keren Wolf Headband, Manolo Blahnik shoes and Cartier bracelet
Bridesmaids dresses: Bec & Bridge
Venue: Gardens House, Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne
Photography: Evia Zachariah
Videography: Film My Wedding
Floral: Lucie from Lulu Bird

How did you and your husband meet?
I was living in Sydney and had flown down for the weekend to celebrate the Melbourne Cup Carnival, and we met at Derby Day at Flemington!

How did he propose?
We had planned a staycation weekend at the Sofitel in Melbourne CBD, just before we were headed for dinner, he proposed in our suite! It was so lovely and private, exactly what I could have asked for – I hate a fuss and being around other people, so just being the two of us was so special. We didn’t tell anyone (including our parents!) for 24 hours so we could really soak it all in and enjoy the night just the two of us.

What was your vision for your wedding day?
We knew we wanted a wedding that was surrounded by gardens or greenery, given that many of our guests were flying in from other states; the Royal Botanic Gardens were perfect, being so close to the city! Once we had our venue, our vision was to be classic and timeless, with lots of personal touches and moments throughout to suit our beautiful venue.

Where did you look for your wedding inspiration?
Instagram! As a social media marketer, I spend most of my days on Instagram, so this was my natural inspiration tool – I looked at wedding planners and my vendor's pages to look for ideas that could suit our wedding.

What drew you to your gown from Helen Rodrigues Bridal?
When I first entered the boutique, Nicole suggested I walk around and pick a few dresses that immediately caught my eye. Remarkably, the very first dress I picked and tried on perfectly matched my vision and was the one I chose. Its classic silhouette and captivating off-the-shoulder neckline mirrored exactly what I had imagined.

What was your wedding planning journey like for you? How far out did you start planning?
I absolutely loved wedding planning! We got engaged in February and were married by that December, so we had 9 and a bit months of planning; it was perfect as it allowed me to have the time I needed to organise everything but not too much time to procrastinate or stall on making a decision!

Working in marketing and previously doing some events, I felt like I could put all my skills to good use – I loved having a project and really enjoyed not having a wedding planner/stylist (apart from our incredible planner at Gardens House, Melissa who made everything so seamless on the day!) in the lead up as it allowed us to really create and bring our own vision to life.
What was the biggest decision you had to make?
The venue! That felt like the most crucial and biggest wedding decision; once we had that chosen, everything else seemed to fall into place – it is also the first major decision you make for a wedding, so when you are just starting this big process, it can feel a bit overwhelming.

What was the highlight of your wedding day for you?
Apart from marrying my best friend? Having all our family and friends there to celebrate us! We stopped and reflected on how amazing it was that we had over 170 people, over half of whom had travelled from interstate to celebrate our wedding – it was really special.

Is there anything you would do differently?
Nothing! We were so thrilled with how it all came together both in the lead-up and on the day – something we have to thank our incredible suppliers for. Melissa from Atlantic Group at Gardens House was a delight to work with and had our wedding run seamlessly – a time when I didn’t have time to do anything; she was there to check all the details and ensure we would be happy.

Is there any advice you would give other #HRBride’s?
My top three tips for HRBride’s would be –

1.     Everyone will give you their advice (wanted or not!); whilst it’s great to listen and take on board where you want, at the end of the day, it is your wedding, and you have to stay true to what you and your partner would like for your special day

2.     Stay true to your personal style with your dress, hair and makeup – you don’t want to look back in 10 years and regret trying a trending hairstyle or look that isn’t you!

3.     Enjoy every minute of your wedding day because it truly does go so quickly, soak every minute in and if you can steal a few minutes with your partner, just the two of you, after the ceremony and before the reception starts – take it, it’s nice just to take a moment together and realise you are married!

I couldn’t have asked for a better bridal experience with Nicole and Helen from Helen Rodrigues; as an interstate bride, they made the process so easy and enjoyable. I did not visit another wedding dress shop or designer because I just knew my dream dress was at HR, and I was so happy with my initial consultation with Nicole. The alteration process was seamless, and they allowed me to get all fittings done in one visit from Melbourne, making it stress-free – all within a short 7-month period.

Real Bride Ally wearing bespoke Inbal Dror gown

Bride & Groom: Ally & Blake Dale
Gown: Inbal Dror
Venue: The Royal Sydney Golf Club
Photography: Image Haus
Videography: Soda Films
Floral: The Flower Drum 
Accessories: Jimmy Choo
Bridemaids dress: Bec & Bridge
Hair: Joh Bailey  
Make-up: Serena Wiley, Samantha Selby
Cake: Rebecca Lauren

How did you and your husband meet?
Blake and I met during high school. We dated for almost 10 years before he finally proposed!

How did he propose?
We were on holiday visiting my extended family and travelling around Western Australia. It was our first night in Exmouth, and we had spent the day exploring the town. Unbeknown to me, Blake used this as prime time to scout for the perfect location for a sunset picnic. 

We had arrived at what I thought was a lovely spot but an uncharacteristically stressed Blake had other ideas in mind, so we set down the road towards the lighthouse. As the sun began to set, Blake pulled out his drone and suggested we take a photo. To my surprise, he dropped down on one knee! Many tears later, we watched the sun go down from the boot of the car with pizza and champagne.

What was the biggest decision you had to make?
It definitely depends on who you ask! With our wedding scheduled for February we had to prepare for unpredictable weather. As a naturally curly haired girl, I was petrified that it was going to rain. Following extensive consultation with Helen and my hairdresser, I decided to make the call on my hair style the morning of the wedding. As fate would have it, we had perfect weather and my curls were kept at bay.

For Blake, the toughest decision was the venue and the date. Luckily the Royal Sydney Golf Club had availably on the same date as his Grandfather’s birthday - a big coincidence making that decision a no brainer!

Where did you look for your wedding inspiration?
We were inspired by the gardens of the Royal Sydney Golf Club which resulted in countless hours of scouring miscellaneous platforms for examples of garden weddings. Soft greens, pastels and warm tones became the colour scheme front runner which helped guide other decisions we had to make.

What drew you to your gown from Helen Rodrigues Bridal?
Helen Rodrigues Bridal appealed to me due to the diverse range of designers and gowns. Though I am typically an indecisive person, I fell in love with my dress the moment I tried it on. I didn’t expect to wear a traditional gown but was instantly convinced it was the one for me by the intricate sheer fabric and corset - a magical and modern design. The ultimate selling point however was the lightness of the dress; it was perfect for the dance floor!

What was your wedding planning journey like for you? How far out did you start planning?
I was very lucky that my mum took the leading role in organising our wedding. She befriended all the vendors, attended every meeting and of course kept me apprised of all developments. I truly couldn’t have planned the day without her!

I really enjoyed planning the finer details such as the colour schemes, menus, florals and candles while Blake tackled wedding cars and honeymoon. Our wedding was 10 months after our engagement, so we commenced planning almost immediately.

What was your vision for your wedding day?
A whimsical garden party that transitioned into a groovy dance floor at night! We opted for outdoor cocktails and canapés under umbrellas. As the sun began to set, guests were moved into our fairy lit and flower filled marquee. The final move of the evening was inside the Royal Sydney Golf Club where our dance floor could be found. 

To ensure our guests could enjoy dessert and a dance we had the wedding cake and dessert table situated next to the dance floor - Blake’s main non-negotiable!

What was the highlight of your wedding day for you?
Our first dance! With the formalities over for the evening it was amazing to step out onto the dance floor before our loved ones for the first time as husband and wife. We danced to ‘Can’t take my eyes off you’ by Frankie Valli - one of our favourite songs. 

Is there anything you would do differently?
Future brides take note - leave the champagne tower indoors! Unfortunately, our tower was (at the time considered) strategically placed in the garden… one tiny gust of wind later it was a glistening pile of shattered glass. But remember no problem is too great and with the help of our guests we were able to set up a smaller one inside. 

Is there any advice you would give other #HRBride’s?
On the day, take a moment with your husband to really appreciate how special it is to have all your favourite people in the same room celebrating the two of you.

Helen really is excellent at what she does! From the initial meeting to everything that followed Helen was a delight. She made me feel at ease and shared her wealth of knowledge with me. I could not recommend her enough!

Real Bride Nicole wearing Elie Saab for her spectacular South African wedding

Bride & Groom: Nicole & Josh
Planning & Styling: BNT Management (collaboration with Anne Mann Celebrates)
Gown: Elie Saab
Accessories: Elie Saab Veil, Aquazzura heels, my mother’s diamond earrings
Bridesmaids dresses: Rachel Gilbert
Flower Girl Dresses: Annie Bell Boutique
Venue: The Manor House, Quoin Rock Wine Estate
Photography: Blumenthal Photography
Videography: Soda Films
Floral: Fleur Le Cordeur

The post wedding event details Shabbat dinner for all our guests
Gown: Bespoke Suzanne Neville
Accessories: Aquazzura heels, Chanel handbag, Jennifer Behr Earrings
Venue: Waterford Wine Estate

How did you and your husband meet?
For years and years, I kept on saying, “the drums of Africa still beat in my heart…” Then, as if it were written in the stars – my heart led me home in the summer of 2016, where I met Josh in Cape Town and fell in love. We endured an on/off long-distance relationship for a few years, until I finally took the plunge and moved to South Africa to be with him in February of 2020. Unbeknown to us at the time, Covid was about to spiral – and just three weeks later the President of South Africa locked us down, and Australia locked us out. 

There, in our very small, unfurnished, empty apartment - where the option to leave home was off limits, our social lives were halted, and travel was restricted; we were put in a situation that could make or break us. Fortunately, we had so much fun and really thrived as a couple.

How did he propose?
Fast forward 2 years, Australians were finally allowed to travel, and my mom visited us from Sydney. Josh asked her, my dad and stepdad’s permission to marry me – and at a casual lunch in his parents’ home to my complete surprise, he proposed. It wasn’t what he had planned as he wanted to propose in Cape Town a few weeks later; but the importance of having a member of my family with me after so long took priority, and it was simply perfect.

What drew you to your gown from Helen Rodrigues Bridal?
The process of getting a dress made from scratch wasn’t for me. I’ve always been a lover of high fashion, even working as a personal shopper and stylist when I lived in London; and I always wanted my dress to be the creation of an esteemed designer. Before I even had a boyfriend, I knew I would find my eventual wedding dress at HRB. Helen has the most incredible and most thoughtfully curated selection of top end gowns – it was a no brainer.

I had such a clear vision; my wedding gown was the first I tried. I’m a jeans and white t-shirt girl and always wanted my wedding dress to reflect that and to feel like an elegant ‘white t-shirt’ … very simple, classic but modern, no beading or lace, ‘less is more’ aesthetic. The fabric and fit were my priority, and nobody does this better than Elie Saab. In my opinion the quality, detail and craftsmanship of Elie Saab is unrivalled – so much so, it actually felt as if Mr Saab had made this gown especially for me. It was so perfect.

I was also lucky enough to wear a bespoke Suzanne Neville dress the following night, to our post-wedding Shabbat. A crisp white corset adorned with feathers and flowers – it was the perfect piece for a romantic dinner in the winelands.

What was your vision for your wedding day?
I’ve always wanted a wedding that was tasteful and understated. My vision was to incorporate my love of luxury style with the natural landscape that Cape Town and the Stellenbosch region is known and loved for. I chose soft colours for the floral and décor. A butter yellow baby’s breath chuppah, couches adorned with various Missoni printed cushions – and Missoni zig zags running throughout the wedding… on the tablecloths, bars, dance floor etc. I wanted the venue to speak for itself, with the décor and abundance of floral to just accentuate the already magnificent setting.

The custom linen lamp shades that filled the roof of the marquee only further accentuated the romantic feel we were going for.

Where did you look for your wedding inspiration?
I was fortunate enough to 1) know exactly what I wanted and 2) have a mom who is a leader in the event and wedding planning industry – so I didn’t have to look anywhere! My mom and I are so in synch and had lots of chats and discussed what I wanted and how it could be executed. The fact Josh and his parents trusted us both 100% made it even easier – as we could make all the decisions without having to run them by anyone.

In terms of initial vision, I think Josh and I drew inspiration from the setting and from our love of the country in which we were getting married. Our goal was for our wedding to reflect us as a couple – from the look to the feel, to the vibe. Everything was so perfectly executed to enable this; and from our guests’ feedback, I think we nailed that goal.

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

We started planning probably 8 months ahead of the actual wedding day – once we had confirmed our most important overseas family members could all travel to South Africa to be there with us on our chosen date.

I would say the journey was quite seamless, except for the fact we had to manage cross-city and cross-continent hurdles. It was the logistics that posed the biggest challenges for us. Josh and I lived in Johannesburg, chose to get married in Cape Town and use suppliers from there, and my family and our wedding planner (my mother) were all in Sydney – as were the chosen caterers, photographers etc. The international time difference was frustrating and there were many early morning / late night zoom calls throughout the organisation period.

What was the biggest decision you had to make?
We wanted to incorporate some of the Sydney suppliers and professionals who work alongside my mom in the industry, and who have literally known me since I was a little girl and watched me grow up. To fly everyone across the globe is both logistically and financially challenging so we had to make choices. Big decisions pay off. Our day would not have been the same if not for the hard work, skills, and attention to detail that the Sydney contingent brought.

What was the highlight of your wedding day for you?

There were two moments that really stood out for me. The most unforgettable of all was without a doubt the moment Josh and I saw each other for the first time. There is a custom in Jewish religion whereby the bride and groom separate for a week before the wedding, with no communication.

On the wedding day, I got ready with all my female friends and family and the important women in my life, and Josh did the same. We then made our way to the Bedekin; the veiling ceremony – which takes place right before the chuppah. After a week apart and all the built-up stress and excitement, and without being able to talk to or see each other, our closest friends and family sang us to that moment where we locked eyes and were reunited. It was beyond special. The Bedekin is always my favourite part of any wedding; and the love, happiness, atmosphere and spirituality that emanated ours will stay cherished in my memory always.

The moment we walked into the marquee was also a highlight. You can plan and plan so that the song is perfect, the room looks perfect, everything is perfect. What you can’t plan is the energy from your guests and the vibe they bring. As we walked in, the entire room of guests swarmed into the middle of the marquee and surrounded us in a mosh pit – and what was meant to be one entrance song turned into a ten- or so-minute rave before we even sat down! The mood was absolutely electric, and I remember Josh and I looked at each other and said “what is going on!?” It was unbelievable.

Is there anything you would do differently?

Not a thing. Our wedding day was so perfect. It was incredible feeling the love from family and friends and each other – and the vibe was better than we could have even imagined. It was electric because our wedding was one hundred percent, authentically us – and nothing was contrived or forced in any way. We made sure to stay true to ourselves as a couple and the things we love and put value on; and this was felt in every way.

In terms of my experience as a bride – they say you want to look back in 20 years at your wedding photos and have no regrets. I know this will be the case… not to mention I felt like an absolute princess in my dresses!

Is there any advice you would give other #HRBride’s?

In terms of the dress – whether you go in with a vision or not, make sure to choose a dress that feels true to you. My advice is to not try to be different on your wedding day – and to not choose ‘a trend.’ It’s possibly the most important day to date where you should look and feel wholeheartedly, entirely you.

In terms of the wedding – so many of our married friends told us to take a moment at the wedding, walk away, and look back at what we had created. We made sure to do this – and it was unbelievable to see the joy, love and enthusiasm that surrounded us. The day goes so fast; and this moment enabled us to just pause, and take it all in.

More significant though I would advise any bride-to-be to remember that the wedding day is just one day – it’s the marriage that is most important. Try not get worked up about small details and focus on the big picture and exciting future ahead. It is all about love after all.

I loved my experience with HRB from start to finish. Helen is so warm and honest, and she understood what I wanted in terms of look and feel. I trusted her throughout the process wholeheartedly. Even despite me living overseas, she was so accommodating in scheduling appointments and fittings to work with my short visits to Sydney. She really was there for it all - even putting my dress in the boot of the car when I went to collect it that final day!

Honestly, I might need to talk to my husband into having some sort of anniversary party just so I can relive my HRB process. I’ve been looking at the latest range of dresses Helen’s bringing in – and the new season pieces are making me fall in love all over again!