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!