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.”