Real Bride Story: Lauren wearing Monique Lhuillier
Bride & Groom: Lauren & Nate
Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier Dolce Vita from Helen Rodrigues Bridal
Photography: Cassandra Ladru
Venue: Museum of Modern Art, The Rocks, Sydney
Floral: My Violet
Planning & Styling: After The Rock
Accessories: HR Signature veil from Helen Rodrigues Bridal, Jimmy Choo heels, Vintage earrings (from my great grandmother), Engagement ring 7.7c yellow diamond from Solow & Co NYC (solowco), wedding band from Tiffany & Co, Lady Dior bag
Hair & Makeup: Dominic Pelli and Serena Wylie
Videography: Auburn Hour, Natalie Hind
Bridesmaid Dresses: Leo Lin
Cake: By Gigi
Entertainment: Dan Fontaine Music, Luxe Strings, Don West Music, Niki de Saint, Reigan, Gary on Sax
Content creator: On The Day Socials
Furniture: Take Me Hire, Van Alter, The Look Sydney
Production: Slave International
The Meeting
We met playing pool at an arcade bar in San Francisco. We were both with friends and my friend and I had just lost a game and were about to leave. He ran after me and asked me to stay and play. We have been playing pool ever since.
The Proposal
Nate proposed in Mendocino California, just north of San Francisco, the first place we ever went on vacation together. He booked a 4 day trip that started in San Francisco where we ate at our favorite dim sum spot, and then soon after drove up the coast to Mendocino where we stayed at a quaint, seaside bed and breakfast. During the trip we went hiking through the redwoods, went canoeing through a river and saw baby seals, ate at local restaurants and went on frequent walks on the cliffside. It was only at sunset on the last day that he led me up the road, to a gorgeous cliffside location and proposed! Afterwards we ate at a family run Italian restaurant, and dined on lasagne and cannoli!
Wedding Day Vision
I am very old school! I love the conservative bridal look, the fairytale wedding scape, but I also love a production. The most enjoyable weddings I have been to felt like an interactive experience, so I really wanted to recreate that. Nate and I had been to a wedding in Nice, France, in 2023 at the Rockefeller villa, and I was so inspired by the grandeur and theatrical nature of that wedding that I really wanted to infuse that into our special day. Our wedding website was designed to feel like a shakespearean ball invitation, and our wedding included a carefully curated selection of music and performance that ran throughout the entire day to keep our guests in awe and entertained. We included a magician and a fortune teller just to create those moments of delight and surprise, and of course the incredible Dan Fontaine orchestra which made everything feel very James Bond / french riviera-esque. I wanted our guests to feel like they were at a ball, basking in the glamour, whilst wining and dining all night long!
Where did you look for wedding dress inspiration?
I’ve always been inspired by royal gowns/looks, and so I knew that I wanted to be covered from the neck down with a high tight bun and pearl earrings. I’m a classically trained cellist so the “classic” look has always been my style! I also wanted a gown that hinted at my cultural heritage (spanish and italian) whilst also not overwhelming my petite frame. Monique Lhuillier was an obvious choice for me - her gowns are so intricately designed, and very classical with a fresh feel. My dress has gorgeous roses on it which I felt were very modern yet classical and I was so obsessed with the Bolero - it just added another layer of artisan / hand crafted beauty to an already stunning dress. The dress was light which was so important since I’m small but it truly made me feel like a princess.
The Wedding Dress: Dolce Vita by Monique Lhuillier from Helen Rodrigues Bridal
The team at Helen Rodrigues was like walking into my family’s home. Helen is so affectionate and kind, giving me close, long held hugs every time I saw her. She was honest and caring, and never pushed me in any direction, rather, asked me questions and gave me advice. I felt heard and loved, cared for and looked after. Finding a dress can be daunting but with Helen it only took me 3 hours! The team made me feel so beautiful and confident in my dress and their attention to detail is absolutely next level - which really deepened my level of trust in the team.
“From the moment I walked into Helen Rodrigues Bridal, I felt like I was coming home. My sister recommended Helen’s boutique for its curated and personal experience, and she was absolutely right. Helen and her team greeted me with such genuine warmth and affection; every visit started with a long, heartfelt hug from Helen herself.
In what can often be a daunting process, Helen was a guiding light. She was honest, caring, and never once pushed me. Instead, she took the time to truly listen, asking thoughtful questions and offering advice that made me feel seen, heard, and deeply cared for. Her team’s incredible attention to detail gave me complete trust in their expertise. This supportive and loving environment made all the difference—I found my dream Monique Lhuillier gown in just three hours!
The dress itself was everything I had envisioned for my classic, fairytale wedding. It was light, intricately designed with gorgeous roses, and the stunning bolero was a nod to my Spanish and Italian heritage. It was perfect for my petite frame and made me feel like a true princess.
The team at Helen Rodrigues didn’t just sell me a dress; they gave me an experience of being cherished and made me feel beautiful and confident for one of the most important days of my life. I am so grateful for their part in our love story.”
Wedding Day Highlight
The highlight of my wedding was being able to share the day with my grandparents (91 and 93 years old). My grandparents immigrated to Australia in the 50s and without them, I wouldn’t be the woman I am today. They are my role models and I feel so lucky to have had them by my side on one of the most important days of my life. Seeing them walk into the room the morning of the wedding, and that first embrace, is a moment I will never forget. My grandparents worked so hard for everything I have and have been my rocks through life. My relationship with Nate and everything I do is modelled by them, and I only hope to lead a beautiful life like they have.
Advice for future #HRBride’s
Be true to who you are. It’s easy to question what you like, your style and your aesthetic as a bride - especially with all of the content available at our fingertips through social media. It’s so important to always take a step back and remember what this day is really about - it’s a celebration of love, the beginning of an important milestone in your life and an acknowledgement of a new beginning. It’s one of the only moments in life that you might bring together family and friends in one place, and important to savor and soak up every minute of your day. Be yourself, move slowly, be happy, and hug everyone.
Whether you're looking for a classic wedding dress or something truly unique, Helen Rodrigues Bridal offers a truly personalised experience for every bride. Book your appointment today and find your dream gown.
