Real Bride Jess wearing custom Inbal Dror
“ 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!”
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!
