Real Bride Laura wearing Suzanne Neville Amber
“I adored working with Helen and her team - she is very intuitive and really understood the vision I wanted for the day. She made me feel so comfortable and confident. She really helped to complete my look and was the one who suggested the Jennifer Behr headband (I can’t imagine my look without it). It was tricky being interstate with the Covid restrictions changing so often but Helen was so accommodating of me and her tailor was also so wonderful to work with. My experience with Helen Rodrigues Bridal was exceptional and I can’t imagine planning my wedding any other way.”
Bride & Groom: Laura & Alexandra
Gown: Suzanne Neville ‘Amber’ from Helen Rodrigues Bridal
Photography: ImageHaus
Venue: Ceremony at St Stephen’s Cathedral and reception at the Calile Hotel
Floral: Mrs Gibbons Flowers
Bridesmaid dresses: Hexie
Hair & Make-up: Reanin Glah & Hexie
Band: Baker Boys Band
Stationary: Laura Elizabeth Design
Accessories: HR Bridal Accessories Peter Langner Neave Veil and Jennifer Behr Headband, Dior Shoes, my mother’s watch and a sapphire bracelet gifted by my mother
Fringe & Balloon Installation: Fancy Schmancy Balloon Co
Wedding Favours: Three Foxes Distillery
Rings: Engagement Ring - Cushla Whiting & Wedding Band - Tiffany & Co
How did you and your husband meet?
Alex and I met in year 10 on the school bus - he attended the nearby boy’s school so we saw each other most mornings and afternoons. He asked me to be his date to his semi-formal and we began dating at the end year 12.
How did he propose?
Shortly after our 10-year anniversary, he asked me to meet him for dinner at Hellenika after work one Friday afternoon which I knew was odd as his office is about 100 metre from mine and I was immediately suspicious why we wouldn’t just go there together. When I arrived, he bypassed the resturant and took me upstairs to one of the suites in the Calile Hotel where there was champagne and flowers. I talked the whole time as I knew he was nervous. He then took me to the roof top of our room and as I was admiring the view, he got down on one knee and proposed. We celebrated just the two of us before calling our parents.
What was your vision for your wedding day?
Romantic, chic and intimate. I knew I wanted our reception room to feel like an intimate dinner but also fun with lots of dancing. My florist Amber knew exactly what I was looking for and created the most beautiful look with lots of candles and beautiful flower clouds over our dining tables and worked with Kady from FancySchmancy who created an amazing balloon/ fringe installation over the band and dancefloor.
Where did you look for your wedding inspiration?
I found Instagram to be my main inspiration. It was actually how I found my dress. I also sourced inspiration from real weddings in Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.
What drew you to your gown from Helen Rodrigues Bridal?
I located the Suzanne Neville Amber gown on Instagram and knew I had to try it on. I travelled from Brisbane in July 2020 to try on the gown at Helen Rodrigues Bridal. It was tricky travelling interstate at the time and Helen was wonderful accommodating me one early morning at short notice when the borders opened up. It was the only gown I tried on that day and once Helen placed the Jennifer Behr pearl headband on - I knew I had found my dress. I had tried on other gowns prior to this but fell in love with the cut and fabric of the Suzanne Neville gown. I knew I wanted to feel like a woman - sophisticated and elegant. I had always loved more structured pieces and this gown made me feel beautiful.
What was your planning journey like for you? How far out did you start planning?
We got engaged in November 2019 and married March 2021. I began planning in January 2020 shortly before Covid when we locked in our venues at the Cathedral and the Calile Hotel. I found doing so really dictated what type of bride and overall look I wanted for our day.
I really enjoyed the planning process and loved working with my vendors in particular, Helen, also my florist Amber (Mrs Gibbons Florist) and Kate, the wedding coordinator at the Calile Hotel to plan the process. I highly recommend working with vendors you trust to bring together your vision for the day. I also had so much fun with my photographers Nick & John from ImageHaus on the day - they made Alex and I feel so comfortable.
What was the biggest decision you had to make?
Probably our bridal party as we have so many dear friends that choosing was really hard but I am so happy that we had our siblings be a special part of our day. Alex and I each have a brother and sister so it worked out perfectly and having our photographs taken together is one of my favorite moments.
What was the highlight of your wedding day for you?
It’s so hard to choose but the ceremony really stands out for me. Alex and I have been together so long I was worried I would not fully grasp what was happening, but as soon as I saw him standing at the altar it really sunk in - it was such a happy moment (despite the tears). I also loved when we had a moment just the two of us after our photographs, it was nice to just be in the moment together.
Is there anything you would do differently?
Not really anything but if I had to say it would be our guest list in that I wish we had invited more people. It was difficult finalising our numbers with the Covid restrictions changing so often and not wanting to possibly be in the position of uninviting people.
I also wish I had made sure I put my veil in properly - it was a little tricky as I didn’t notice until I was at the church!
Is there any advice you would give other #HRBride’s?
Stick to what is meaningful to you and your partner. It’s easy to get caught up in trying to keep everyone happy and to lose focus on what the day is really about. Trust that, in doing what is important to you both, the day will be perfect.
