Real Bride Hannah wearing Monique Lhuillier Valencia gown

Bride & Groom: Hannah Hooper + Sam Fong
Planning & Styling: White Events
Gown: Monique Lhuillier
Accessories: HR signature veil, Sarah & Sebastian earrings, Jennifer Behr headpiece, Manolo Blahnik heels
Bridesmaids dresses: Cult Gaia
Venue: Fraser Gallop Estate, Margaret River
Photography: Teneil Kable Photography
Videography: Orris Films
Floral: Natural Art Flowers
Hair & Makeup: Brittany Mason, Catherine Mooney

How did you and your husband meet?

Sam and I met at an AFL Ladies Day event where I had gone to support a girlfriend who played in one of the teams. Unbeknownst to me, one of our mutual friends had gone up to him and said she wanted to introduce him to me. Sam wasn’t keen on a setup so didn’t want to know who it was she wanted him to meet. Not too long after that Sam and I happened to be standing next to each other in the bar line (I know, such a cliché!) and hit it off right away..the rest is history!

How did he propose?

Sam proposed on the morning of my birthday weekend on a secluded beach near Bradleys Head point. We then enjoyed a champagne breakfast at my mum’s house with Sam’s parents. They had no idea that he was proposing, so we got to surprise them at breakfast which was quite special. Sam had then booked a beautiful lunch for the two of us and the celebrations continued with a birthday / engagement party that evening with all our friends and family!

What was your vision for your wedding day?

I had always wanted to get married in the Margaret River as we had spent many summers there at Sam’s family property. The first year I visited WA we had visited Fraser Gallop Estate and I absolutely fell in love with the venue. The estate features a large Palladian style home, which fronts a lake, and across the lake there are sweeping views of the vineyard. I said to Sam that day that if we ever got married this is where I’d want to have it! In terms of styling, my vision was clean and crisp with lots of whites and ivory. For the flower arrangements I envisioned hydrangeas and orchids mixed in with baby’s breath.

Where did you look for your wedding inspiration?

 Mostly Pinterest and Instagram!

What drew you to your gown from Helen Rodrigues Bridal?

I had been referred by some girlfriends who said that they had the best experience with the HR team. I had seen my dream dress on Instagram and messaged Helen right away who had me in for a trunk show viewing within a couple of weeks. It was a one and done job! Thanks to Helen it was probably the least stressful part of the whole wedding planning process.

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

We had booked in the date and venue a few weeks after getting engaged and had also had our first meeting with our wedding planner by that point. Once the big things were locked in, most of the planning happened about 6 months out from the wedding. We had a great wedding planner who helped make it a seamless and stress-free experience.  

What was the biggest decision you had to make?

The biggest decision was choosing whether to have an interstate wedding. We were cognisant that there would be travel and a fair amount of logistics involved for guests to get there. We made sure to provide a lot of information and guidance to our guests on where to stay, how to get around and we organised shuttle buses to and from the wedding and recovery party the next day.

 What was the highlight of your wedding day for you?

Without a doubt the highlight of the day for me was the ceremony. Surprisingly I was the calmest I had been all day whilst walking down the aisle and during the ceremony. It felt like it happened in slow motion, and I somehow remember every moment of it. The latter half of the wedding – not so much! 

Is there anything you would do differently?

Honestly nothing! The day was perfect and even if there a couple of little hiccups, no one notices, and you just go with it.

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

Remember that it's about the two of you. Everything else is secondary. If possible, try and sneak off for a few minutes for some alone time and even watch the wedding from afar! It’s nice to take this moment to be present and soak it all up as the day goes by so incredibly fast!

Helen, Sophie and whole the team are true professionals. Not only does Helen stock the most incredible gowns, but the attention to detail she showed throughout the entire experience was second to none. Helen took the time to really understand my vision for the day and matched me up with incredible accessories to pull the look together. From my initial enquiry through to styling, alterations and the delivery of the dress, the team were so helpful and truly made the process stress-free (and fun)! Thank you to Helen and the team for providing me with such an amazing experience. I can't recommend Helen Rodrigues Bridal more highly!

Real Bride Emma wearing Suzanne Neville ‘Romance’

Bride & Groom: Emma Law & Will Charalambous
Planning & Styling: Planning = self, Styling = items hired from Simply Seated
Gown: Suzanne Neville – Romance
Accessories: Veil (Peter Langer), Earrings (Jennifer Behr)
Bridesmaids dresses: Bec + Bridge
Venue: The Stables – Bendooley Estate
Photography: Scott Surplice
Videography: Ripple Weddings
Floral: Ellebore

How did you and your husband meet?

We met through mutual friends. We were at a friends house and I was holding a cheese platter and serving it around. He came right up to me – they do say a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach!

How did he propose?

 We've been engaged since November 2021. Will's boss (who was in on it) sent an email out to the whole office, to which Will forwarded to me, saying that he was taking the team plus partners to a celebratory dinner at Nobu Sydney, followed by all expenses paid night at the Crown. My boss (also in on it) 'coincidentally' gives the whole team the SAME afternoon off... what are the chances?!... We head to Crown, Sydney that Friday afternoon. I am blissfully unaware of what was really planned that night. I thinks we're going to FREE drinks at The Palisade Hotel followed by a FREE dinner at Nobu...little did I know. I’m all dolled up and VERY excited to meet Will's new work buddies. It is absolutely pouring outside... we jump in a cab headed for The Palisade Hotel. The cab drops us off at the bottom of Barangaroo reserve, one of our favourite spots to take Douglas our dog, to which I immediately start telling the cabbie off for not dropping us off at the front of The Palisade....you're going to make me walk in this rain?! My hair? My shoes? Will hurries me out of the car and convinces her that they'll walk the rest of the way through the park.....in the rain. I am NOT a happy camper. In fact I whinge the entire walk about how my hair and shoes and dress are ruined and his work friends are going to think I'm a mess. All the while, Nick, Will's best man, had been hiding in the bush for hours with a camera and a picnic blanket to shelter from the rain. A park ranger had questioned him 2 or 3 times for wearing all black, with a camera and hiding in a bush. We reach our favourite spot, right in front of the harbour bridge, and Will put his hand on my shoulder. That's when I knew. Not to mention he dropped the knee...onto wet concrete....in white jeans! Now that is love.

What was your vision for your wedding day?

 I always pictured our wedding having a country-like feel to it, but still wanted an element of luxe to it. Both my husband and I come from families who love to feed people and eat together – so a family-style share menu was important to us and was something we’d always envisaged. We just loved the idea of being in the same room and sharing such a fabulous day with those we love most.   

Where did you look for your wedding inspiration?

Instagram is where most of my inspiration was found! I had been to many weddings prior to my own – so I had an idea of what I wanted and what I definitely didn’t want. Going on the Instagram accounts of vendors I loved was helpful to see what other brides had done.  

What drew you to your gown from Helen Rodrigues Bridal?

 Being completely honest – the neckline of my chosen dress was something I never thought I would go for, however the drop sleeve was truly the feature that convinced me to try the dress on. I loved how the dress was the perfect combination of traditional and contemporary with a touch of romance. 

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

 I started planning relatively soon after we got engaged as we were still only starting to come out of covid at the time – so I had some time on my hands! I probably started planning about 14 months out from the actual wedding.

 I really enjoyed the planning process overall. I consider myself to be a very organised person, so no doubt this helped, but I do believe this is what made the process enjoyable as the ‘panic’ was rarely there.   

What was the biggest decision you had to make?

 Probably a somewhat selfish answer but my dress! There were 2 dresses, I was choosing between, and I found it very difficult to decide. I found myself deciding between the dress I loved and made me feel amazing and a dress that I thought others would want to see me in. I obviously went with the dress I loved!

What was the highlight of your wedding day for you?

 Just taking a moment to realise that every single person in the room, many who had travelled from far and wide, were there to celebrate my husband and I – a really magical feeling! This was definitely the highlight.

Is there anything you would do differently?

 Firstly, my shoes! I fell in love with how my shoes looked and they cost a bomb! But they were the most uncomfortable slingback shoes and the straps fell down my heels all through the ceremony and photos. Break in your shoes properly and wear a style of shoe that you know are comfortable for you.   

Secondly, I wish I actually ate and enjoyed the food and drink!...

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

 The best advice I was given and I believe in having now had my wedding, is to trust your vendors. They do what they do for a living and sometimes you have to trust their creative license! I could never have imagined some of the elements of my wedding day and they would have never happened had I provided a really stringent brief. They know what they are doing!   

Helen and the team are fantastic! From the very start I was made to feel very comfortable and not pressured at all. The experience at the beautiful boutique is really wonderful and very considered. The quality of the gowns are second-to-none and I felt beautiful on my wedding day. I would absolutely recommend visiting here for any brides-to-be. You will not regret it. Thank you Helen and her team xx

Real Bride Tara wearing Monique Lhuillier

Bride & Groom: John & Tara Gillette
Planning & Styling: Belinda – The Curated Life
Gown: Monique Lhullier
Accessories: Jimmy Choo Shoes & Dior Earrings
Bridesmaids dresses: Camilla & Marc
Venue: Redleaf, Wollombi
Photography: Blumenthal Photography
Videography: Moon & Back Co
Floral: Belinda – The Curated Life

How did you and your husband meet?

My husband and I met when I was 13 and he was 15 through our group of friends.

 How did he propose?

Johnny proposed at Emirates One & Only, Wolgan Valley. He had planned a sunset picnic for the two of us on the property.

What was your vision for your wedding day?

We (I* – Johnny just wanted an open bar and a pumping dance floor) wanted an elegant black-tie wedding but it was important that it still felt warm, romantic and very personal. The ceremony and reception were exactly that. By night-time we wanted to change the pace into a really fun party which had everyone on the dance floor. Tick!

 Where did you look for your wedding inspiration?

Our venue, Redleaf, Wollombi is an Italian style villa. This was the starting point for our inspiration. The design, colours & landscaping of the property all inspired our style for the wedding. While planning our wedding we were also doing a complete renovation to our new home. I used a lot of the items we had bought for our house at the wedding. For example, we have Tony Assness beeswax candles at home and were able to get more for the reception table centre pieces. We have some Alex and Trahanas ceramic pieces at home and we were able to buy additional pieces as vases for styling the bar tops. We also have Lucy Montgomery Cushions throughout our home and purchased some to fit in with our peach & lemon colour scheme. So I was really inspired by homewares and interiors.

 What drew you to your gown from Helen Rodrigues Bridal?

I wanted a really timeless, elegant and classic gown. I had actually been eyeing this one off since before my engagement! I knew beads, pearls, sequins & bling weren’t for me. I went to have something similar to this dress custom made and started the process but ended up cancelling this. I was worried about how many variations to the tailoring one simple dress could have and how much this would change the end product. It made me nervous not knowing exactly how the dress would be and not having time to change it. Once I had met with Helen and tried the dress I felt so at ease and excited, so I chose this one.

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

I had mapped out our wedding well before my engagement. It really was my dream wedding, so I always had ideas for what I wanted. I got serious about planning about 6 months after our engagement. Our original date was around a year after our engagement but then COVID hit and we had to postpone it until about 2.5 years post engagement. I know a lot of couples found this devastating but considering what so many people were experiencing during the pandemic – what’s enjoying our engagement a little longer!

What was the biggest decision you had to make?

I had originally chosen an alternative venue and paid the deposit so the decision to change venues and loose that was something I went back and forth over but I’m so happy I did.

Deciding on a new date and navigating COVID and wedding planning had its challenges. When we had to move the wedding date due to COVID restrictions one of the only available weekends within a reasonable time was the Easter Long Weekend. We incurred Public Holiday surcharges from all of our suppliers, so I was apprehensive, but it was so worth it to turn it into a 3-day affair!

 What was the highlight of your wedding day for you?

There are so many highlights for me that I can’t choose one! My favourite moments were getting ready with my bridesmaids and my parents, my dad walking me down the aisle, the moment of seeing my husband for the first time, hearing his vows, the speeches, the time Johnny and I spent together for photos soaking it all in and hitting the dance floor with the best friends & family.

 Is there anything you would do differently?

Not a single thing!

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

Have fun with it! Life will throw stressful situations at you. Your wedding shouldn’t be one of them! It should be fun and exciting. Remembering this will help keep things in perspective.

I had such a positive experience with Helen. Her calm nature and professionalism made me feel so comfortable. Helen offered her experience and advice without overstepping or trying to influence my decisions which provided the perfect guidance in finding a dress.

Real Bride Sascha wearing Lee Petra Grebenau Bella gown

Bride & Groom: Sascha Lane + Jack Karikios
Gown: Lee Grebenau - Bella
Venue: Burrabaroo, Braidwood (Sascha’s parent’s farm)
Photography: Ali Woods
Videography: Soda Films
Floral: Tiffany Flowers
Accessories: HR short veil and Jennifer Behr Iris pearl earrings
Bridemaids dress: Custom made
Hair & Make-up: Mia Makeup

How did you and your husband meet?

Through friends in 2009, and then we reconnected 10 years later in early 2019

How did he propose?

At 6am at my parents property (we got married a year later on the exact same day at the same place). He put the ring in a backgammon board (we love to play).

What was your vision for your wedding day?

Fun, relaxed, nothing too showy. We wanted to embrace the beauty of the farm.

Where did you look for your wedding inspiration?

Pinterest, vintage wedding photos, my Spanish culture!

What drew you to your gown from Helen Rodrigues Bridal?

The high quality dresses and array of designers that you couldn’t find anywhere else.

What was your wedding planning journey like for you?

How far out did you start planning? Jack and my mum planned most of it haha. I was just on the styling/visuals. We planned exactly one year in advance, I think that was the perfect amount of time.

What was the biggest decision you had to make?

The dress!

What was the highlight of your wedding day for you?

Everything! The whole weekend was perfect. It’s a crazy experience having 175 of your closest friends and family at your property for your special day.

Is there anything you would do differently?

I probably would of worn my hair up, it got quite annoying by the end of the night.

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

Enjoy every moment as it goes SO quickly! It’s easy to get overwhelmed by it all but at the end of the day just remember why you are getting married. Don’t worry about what you look like or the little details - no one notices (and if they do, who cares, it’s your day).

I am so thankful for the team at Helen Rodrigues for helping me find my dress! Their customer service was unmatched, they ensured that any issue was no issue.

Real Bride Jess wearing custom Inbal Dror gown

Bride & Groom: Jess and Tom Law
Gown: Inbal Dror
Accessories: Jennifer Behr Earrings and headbands @jenniferbehr, Peter Langner “New York” veil and Rings from Armans @armansjewellery
Bridesmaids dresses: Rebecca Vallance
Venue: Jaspers Berry @jaspersberrywedding
Photography: Scott Surplice @scottsurplicephotography
Videography:  Dear Vincent @dear.vincent
Floral: Jaspers Berry @jaspersberrywedding
Celebrant: Alex Lollback @axweddings
Music: Lily Road @lilyroadband
Strings: Clear Strings @clear_strings
Transport: Classic Car Company @classiccarcompany_
Bridesmaids earrings: Amelie George @ameliegeorgebridal

How did you and your husband meet?

My close friend Tina had quite the crush on Tom and of course we being her posse accompanied her to their gelato date after school. I definitely knew Tom’s existence and his Knox crew prior to this meeting yet this was the first time I laid eyes on him. Us Pymble girls couldn’t resist those Knox boys.

 How did he propose?

It was a sunny summer day in December 2019 and the only clear day in what felt like forever since the bushfires. From our family beach house we walked to the Bible Gardens which is a very special place for us. I was admiring the view when Tom got down on one knee and asked me those four words. 

I internally exploded the day Tom proposed as I could not fathom what was going on. To be honest, even though marriage was something we both wanted in our future and it was something that made perfect sense to our situation at the time, when he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him I couldn’t believe it as I never thought anyone would genuinely want to spend the rest of their lives with someone like me. I realised then and there that someone did want me in the same way I wanted them. All the negative noise I have about myself was forced to the surface and to the background simultaneously as I came to the conclusion that Tom was committed to spending the rest of his life with me by his side. I was living a dream, at our special place looking over one of the most beautiful beaches known to mankind. Little did I know that when we left for our walk I would return home to the whole family with my fiancé.

What was your vision for your wedding day?

I didn’t really have a vision for my wedding day except that I wanted my nearest and dearest there by my side. Somewhere with lots of greenery and opportunity for photos. I have always loved classy and traditional designs and elements. This is something that Jaspers does so well. Even my invitations were simply yet classy and traditional. 

The day I really felt like I had a clear idea of what I had dreamed my wedding day to look like was when we visited Jaspers, Berry. The whimsical and natural beauty is encapsulating. The grounds are immaculate and the fairy tale elements took me in instantly. The moment I saw the cherry blossoms I said to Tom this is the place. I completely fell in love with Jaspers and with all the chaos covid brought I was determined to keep our special venue. 

Thankfully we visited and booked Jaspers shortly after we got engaged so I was able to look forward to finding a dress after we had secured a venue.

Where did you look for your wedding inspiration?

Initially I looked in magazines and on instagram. After months of looking for inspiration I started to realise the type of style I wanted from location, details, and of course my dress. I always knew I never wanted a super tight or tight figure-hugging type of dress. I wanted to make sure I felt comfortable. I was lucky that Helen made my special dress come true, which ended up being made of two separate dresses by the same designer.

What drew you to your gown from Helen Rodrigues Bridal?

I have always loved visiting Helen and her beautiful shop. I got to witness my oldest sister choose her dream dress from Helen and it was there that I knew I would return one day to find my dream dress. I live locally and drive past the beautiful shop every day, I just knew it was meant to be and that I would be able to find the right dress for me there.

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

The wedding planning journey was interesting, long, complicated however it was very fun! The planning was definitely affected by covid which continued to evolve from the month following our engagement up until our wedding. It was always a game of trial and error and making the best with what we had and what was to be predicted. As difficult and challenging the planning was at times, I was super lucky to have my beautiful Mum who did all the hard work for me. Mum is a master mind when it comes to planning and solving problems, not even a pandemic could stop her or our wedding! We were always optimistic that our second date would go ahead in some shape or form which made the planning a bit smoother towards the end. The day the restrictions were lifted for regional travel which meant we could travel to our wedding in Berry was one very big day - and was only two weeks out from the date! We got extremely lucky and I will forever be grateful for my beautiful Mother who made it all possible.

What was the biggest decision you had to make?

The biggest decision was definitely when we changed our original date to a year later. With hindsight this was the best decision and also really the smartest decision at the time, however it was definitely a big decision to make.

 What was the highlight of your wedding day for you?

Everything was a highlight. Although it sounds cliche, the whole day and everything it involved was special, unique and extraordinary. One that sticks out of course is my dress. I finally got to wear the dress of my dreams, which had been ready to wear for months in advance. There are no words when you get to put your dream dress on after a day of getting ready and sharing that experience with my two best friends and family before heading off to one of the most special days of my life. It is too hard to narrow down the feelings and experiences into one highlight from the day.  

 Is there anything you would do differently?

Definitely not. Even the fact that the pandemic affected the planning, it made the day so much more special. The anticipation leading up to the day was completely overwhelming. The day was absolutely perfect. The best day of my life.

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

Trust the process. You are in the most experienced and trustworthy hands which will guide and support you every step of the way. Get excited and enjoy the process. It is so overwhelming, and it is so special to remember to enjoy the journey leading up to the wedding. Waiting for the dress can seem long but it's worth every minute. You are only a bride to be once - soak it up!

 Every moment and every detail was nothing but a dream. The service, the attention to detail and the kindness and dedication you receive whenever you are in the shop is unlike anywhere else.

 Helen made me feel special from the very first time I met her. I fell in love with her shop when my sister got married years ago. I couldn't wait until the day would come that I would get to have an experience as extraordinary as hers. Helen made my dream dress come true. We combined two beautiful dresses by Inbal Dror, which I presumed would be impossible, however she knew what I was after and from that moment on it was a breeze as it was in her trusty hands.

 Words will not do justice trying to explain how magical it was when I first saw the dress in its final product.... it was absolute perfection. I felt supported, confident and happy which is exactly how I was hoping to feel for my special day. I will never forget my times at the shop with Helen, my sisters and my Mum.

Helen and her team are so dedicated and talented at what they do. I am lucky to have been looked after by them.

 Due to covid we had rescheduled our date and overall were almost 24 months from engagement to rescheduled wedding date. Lots of uncertainty came from that. With retail having to close and my own health issues I was worried at times when I would be able to see the dress and whether it would fit again... however Helen was so supportive throughout all this and would make sure anything is possible.

Thank you so much for making my dreams come true. I felt like a real life princess!

HR Bride Cayli Wearing Lee Petra Grebenau Sophie

Bride & Groom: Brett Rosenberg & Cayli Shubitz
Planning & Styling: Styled by Sting
Gown: Lee Petra Grebenau ‘Sophie’ from Helen Rodrigues Bridal
Accessories: Veil from HR accessories, Jimmy Choo Shoes & Keren Wolf Earrings
Bridesmaids Dresses: PatBO
Venue: The Grounds of Alexandria
Photography: Jack Henry Photography
Videography: Soda Films
Floral: Wilder
Make up: Katie Angus Makeup
Hair: Diane Gorgievski

How did you and your husband meet?

Brett and I had known each other for many years as we went to the same high school and had many mutual friends. After school, Brett played soccer with my brother and kept begging him to allow him to date me. After relentless perseverance, my brother finally agreed. We went on a first date and here we are today.

How did he propose?

Brett and I had been doing long distance for 18 months, as Brett was living in Toronto, Canada. The plan was for Brett to come to Sydney, so that I could fly back with him to move there to be with him. He arrived on an early morning flight in February 2020 and unfortunately, I was at work that day. That afternoon we went for our usual sunset walk along the Rose Bay marina and towards the end of the walk out of nowhere he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. He had organised for our families to have a big dinner together and for all our friends to come for a drink later, it was really just the best day!

What was your vision for your wedding day?

We wanted our wedding to be a representation of “us”. We wanted every guest that attended to feel connected to us as a couple, so they could share in our love and create one big party! I have an eye to every little detail, so it was also important to me to have the little extras bits of detail that gave our personal touch.

Where did you look for your wedding inspiration?

I did a lot of research, using both Pinterest and Instagram to create mood boards for every aspect of the wedding.

What drew you to your gown from Helen Rodrigues Bridal?

I had especially made an appointment with Helen to come and try the’ Sophie’ gown, as there was a Lee Petra Grebenau truck show. I had seen so many images of the dress and was already in love with it before even trying it on. The gown was so me – simple, understated yet exceptionally detailed, timeless and had the most beautiful statement sleeve. Immediately putting it on, I fell in love with it straight away and simply just knew it was the one.

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

We got engaged just before COVID hit and had originally planned to get married the following March 2021. This then became November 2021 and finally February 2022. This meant that the wedding planning process started 2 years before we actually got married. I am exceptionally organised and love to plan/organise things, so for me, I had the absolute best time planning my wedding with the help of my wonderful wedding planner Steph.

What was the biggest decision you had to make?

The biggest decision we had to make was whether to post-pone our November 2021 Wedding date given the ongoing uncertainty of COVID and the restrictions in place. It was the best decision we made as by February 2022 we were able to have our perfect day.

What was the highlight of your wedding day for you?

Part of Jewish tradition is the bride and groom spend 7 days apart before the wedding. Therefore, I would have to say seeing my husband, Brett for the first time after being apart for 1 week was the absolute highlight.

Is there anything you would do differently?

Absolutely nothing!!! My husband and I, truly still feel as though it was the best day of our lives – we have never felt so happy and content.

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

Don’t let that wedding planning process stress you, it’s seriously not worth it. From my experience, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to have all the people you love in one room and at the end of the day, so your wedding should only bring happiness not stress.

My experience buying my Lee Petra Grebenau wedding dress from Helen was absolutely seamless from start to finish. The moment my mum and I stepped foot in the door, we instantly felt so comfortable and at ease with Helen. I fell in love with the "Sophie gown" instantly and knew that this was my dress - it was SO me. It was such a pleasure to work with Helen and I absolutely trusted her with every step of the process. Not only did she help me find my gown, but my magnificent veil and earrings too. Thank you, Helen and her team, for the most wonderful experience and service.

Carla in a Monique Lhuillier Celine Gown

Bride & Groom: Carla and Anthony
Gown: Monique Lhuillier
Shoes: Bottega Venetta
Earrings: Vintage Celine
Rings: Sarah and Sebastian
Bridesmaids dresses: Bridesmaid dresses were a mixture of Shona Joy and Third Form
Venue: Anambah House, Hunter Valley
Photography: Siempre
Videography: Soda Films
Floral: Mi Violet
Makeup: Katie Moore Makeup

How did you and your husband meet?

Anthony and I met at a party in high school. We found out only just a few years ago that both of us were so close to not attending, luckily, we did! We exchanged numbers and have spoken every single day since. We became inseparable and I still do not think my mum has forgiven me for all the expensive phone bills from spending hours and hours every night on the phone. We were only teenagers but I knew quite quickly that Anthony was the one for me.

How did he propose?

Anthony and I got engaged after being together for 12 years. I hate to say this but I knew the exact moment he was planning to propose to me. I know Anthony all too well and one night we were sitting on the lounge and he turned to me and said “do you want to go for a walk in three week’s time”. Firstly, Anthony never plans anything three weeks in advance and secondly would never opt for a walk. As a typical girl, I started analysing every detail from all my friends and family from that moment on and had an inkling that something was happening on this certain Saturday. Anthony then rang me the Friday night before and said maybe we will go to David Jones tomorrow because I need a new shirt, this is what threw me. I went to bed thinking okay, maybe this is not happening. The next morning Anthony came over and casually asked me if I wanted to go to the shops or for a walk. I thought wow I really was being crazy; it is not happening. Let down, I said no let’s just go for a walk. We began our walk and Anthony fell behind, I walked on and didn’t really take much notice of it. We did not get far in and he eventually caught up and started telling me that he had a sore leg, I could see out of the corner of my eye that he was limping (fake limping, he played the part well). I turned around only to find him down on one knee with a ring in his hand asking me to marry him. I had asked Anthony later that night what he would have done if I said let's go shopping and he told me that he would have had to ask me to marry him inside the change rooms to try and keep it a secret.

What was your vision for your wedding day?

We both agreed early on in the planning process that we just wanted our day to reflect us as a couple. The vision for our wedding was Under the Tuscan Sun, we found the most perfect venue in the Hunter Valley filled with rambling gardens and partied outside under fairy lights. I tried to get my suppliers to stick to a raw and organic feel as I do not like things to fit too perfectly together and love the idea of letting beauty shine through simplicity.

Where did you look for your wedding inspiration?

Like most brides, I found a lot of inspiration through Instagram and Pinterest. There are so many amazing bridal and wedding pages that would fill my feed with beautiful inspiration images. I kept folders filled with pictures of hairstyles or flowers that I loved however I always ended up going back to the most classic and timeless options. Looking back on everything, I’m so happy with all of my choices for the day.

What drew you to your gown from Helen Rodrigues Bridal?

I never had a clear vision of what I wanted for my wedding dress, I had never seen a wedding dress that I was drawn to and was not into the idea of a ‘typical’ wedding dress. I did not know where to start and had heard only great things about the Helen Rodrigues bridal boutique and decided to start my dress journey here. I went online and screen shot a few different styles that I wanted to try and made an appointment. Seeing my dress online, I was not fussed but thought it was quite a unique design so I would give it a go. It was the first dress I tried on and it took my breathe away instantly but I struggled to believe it would be that easy. I tried on the other dresses, however, nothing compared, it just complimented me perfectly. I walked out of the store telling Helen that I needed to think about it before making a final decision. I waited three weeks before going back to try it on and purchased it there and then on my second visit.

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

We started planning journey one month after getting engaged, we really wanted to soak up and enjoy just being engaged before the stress of planning a wedding started.

What was the biggest decision you had to make?

I am the most indecisive person, so planning a wedding was not easy. The morning of our wedding we were faced with light and scattered showers so the hardest decision we had to make were last minute wet weather alternatives, deciding if we should have the ceremony outside or keep our guests dry at all costs and use our plan b ceremony location.

What was the highlight of your wedding day for you?

The entire day was a highlight, but the most special moment for me was the ceremony as it is such a beautiful process. This might sound controversial; but as perfect as the wedding day was, the time you spend with each other the night and morning after the wedding was also one of the biggest highlights for me as it is such a special moment. I remember never feeling happier in my entire life, you are just immersed in a giant love bubble.

Is there anything you would do differently?

No.

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

You read about it everywhere and I know everyone says it, it was said to me at least twenty times in the lead up to our wedding, but just enjoy the lead up and live in moment because you will never get the day back. I did not truly understand what this meant until our wedding day was over. The day goes so quickly that it becomes a blur, you are hot property everyone wants a piece of you so it is important to just enjoy yourself.

Purchasing my wedding dress with Helen was definitely one of the best decisions I made for my wedding. I absolutely loved seeing Helen at every dress fitting, she is such a special person and makes you feel so comfortable in her boutique. She allows herself to understand who you are as a bride, your style and the vision of your wedding to ensure that your vision as a bride is brought to life. I put all my trust in Helen and there was not one moment of doubt or regret, she just gets it!

Celeste Wearing Monique Lhuillier Magnificent and Bolero

Bride & Groom: Celeste de Saint Jorre & Connor Patmore
Planning & Styling: Lara White, White Events
Gown: Monique Lhuillier
Accessories: Natasha Schweitzer, Jimmy Choo, Linneys
Bridesmaids dresses: Zimmermann, Self-Portrait, Rebecca Vallance and One Fell Swoop
Venue: St Michael the Archangel Chapel / Matilda Bay Reserve
Photography: Teneil Kable Photographer
Floral: Natural Art Flowers

How did you and your husband meet?

We technically met when we were 6 years old at the start of pre-primary! We became very close friends in high school but didn’t start dating until our first year of university – the rest is history!

How did he propose?

Connor’s proposal was perfect – we were having dinner together at home to celebrate my birthday (which had been a few days earlier) and he wined and dined me with champagne, oysters and crayfish. He insisted I closed my eyes when it came time for dessert, and once I finally opened my eyes, he was on knee with the most stunning engagement ring. It was a really special moment and one that I will never forget.

What was your vision for your wedding day?

A huge objective for us was making sure we stayed true to who we were as a couple – we love good food, drinks and especially a good party. We wanted to create just that, in a classic Perth summer way – by the water at Matilda Bay. We also wanted to celebrate in a way that had nods to tradition, but without feeling pressured to incorporate wedding conventions that we find cringe-worthy!

Where did you look for your wedding inspiration?

I relied very heavily on Pinterest and Instagram, but also drew a lot of inspiration from classic brides including Grace Kelly and Kate Middleton. To me, their gowns stand the test of time and are just exquisite.

I also religiously listened to the You and Me podcast to get an insight into the planning process!

What drew you to your gown from Helen Rodrigues Bridal?

I always knew I wanted to wear a Monqiue Lhuillier wedding dress, so knew to look no further than Helen Rodrigues to make it happen.

Naturally, by the time I started looking, the Monique Lhuillier trunk show had been and gone, but Helen managed to have the sample of the gown I had my eye on sent over to Sydney for a few days so I could try it before it had to be sent to Italy. I flew in from Perth for the weekend, which was also incredibly lucky, given our borders were closed for most of the year, and I was able to try on the gown. As soon as I put it on, I knew it was meant to be and it just felt that the stars had aligned to make my dream dress happen.

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

Wedding planning was so much fun – as soon as we were engaged, I jumped right on the bandwagon and booked a wedding planner almost immediately (as we wanted get married the upcoming summer). I booked in a date with Lara White from White Events (who is an absolute legend) and we were off!

What was the biggest decision you had to make?

Honestly – we didn’t feel too much pressure in decision-making, as we made a very conscious effort not to agonise over every decision, went with our instincts and let the vendors guide us on what to do. This includes when it comes to choosing a wedding gown!

What was the highlight of your wedding day for you?

It is so hard to choose a highlight, we loved absolutely every aspect of our day. One special moment was when we left the Chapel and took the wedding car to our reception venue – it felt like time was standing still and we had a moment to take it all in, just us two, before the excitement of the reception kicked into full swing.

Connor also gave the most fabulous and hilarious speech – I will never forget that!

Is there anything you would do differently?

Not a thing! Everything went off without a hitch and we honestly enjoyed every minute.

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

Go with your gut and trust the experts! I think this is key to just enjoying it all and not letting stress get too much in the way of what is a very special time.

I also think it is really important to only do the things that you place value on – there are no rules and you can pick and choose whatever aspect of a wedding you want to incorporate into your special day!

I could not recommend Helen Rodrigues Bridal enough! Helen made my dream dress happen and was so attentive and responsive throughout the whole process (which included having my dress sent over to me during WA’s border closures and NSW lockdowns). I felt at ease working with Helen and knew I was in a safe pair of hands.