Real Bride Josephine's Stunning Elie Saab Look: A Picture Perfect Moment
“Helen Rodrigues doesn’t only stock the most exceptional bridal designers available in Australia, she also offers an unparalleled experience while remaining real and down to earth. Helen and Sophie were considered and calm (and a bit of fun too!) during my dress selection, trying and fitting process.
With my Mum unable to visit and see the dress in person due to the border closures at the time, it was special to have such a warm connection with Helen. With decades of experience, Helen gave me so much confidence with her authenticity and thoughtfulness throughout the process. I loved my dress and it fit perfectly.”
Bride & Groom: Josephine MacMillan and Samuel Reiser
Planning & Styling: Catherine MacMillan and @toryjwaller
Gown: Ellie Saab
Accessories: Jennifer Behr and Aquazurra
Bridesmaids dresses: Héxie
Venue: Ceremony, St Augustine’s Church. Reception, Family residence in Brisbane
Photography: @marcusbell
Videography: @studioimpressions
Floral: @hacienda_flowers
Catering: @cheznouscatering
How did you and your husband meet?
We’re high school sweethearts. We met 11 years ago, at a mutual friend’s 18th birthday.
How did he propose?
Sam proposed after we’d been for a morning swim at one of our favourite spots in Sydney, Camp Cove.
What was your vision for your wedding day?
Growing up with a big, close family, I always imagined getting married at home. Being together since high school, my family would often joke about Sam and I having our wedding on the tennis court and then we made it happen! During our relationship we spent time living in Hong Kong together, with separate travels in China, France and South Africa - we wanted our day to represent how much we love home, as well as our appreciation for the places we’ve been.
Where did you look for your wedding gown inspiration?
Bridal style is really unlike any other. I like to be fairly understated day to day and had originally found a simple silk dress during lockdown. We were fortunate to ultimately not be affected by any COVID restrictions around our wedding date. With the larger day we were able to plan to share with our friends and family, I looked for a dress that would complement the occasion.
I was also inspired by the bridal looks of my mother and grandmother. There is a family tradition of having bridal wedding day photos taken in front of my great grandmother’s dressing table. When I was imagining myself in a wedding dress, I kept coming back to how elegant they looked and I was hoping to channel the same as the next generation.
What drew you to your gown from Helen Rodrigues Bridal?
I’ve always admired the architecture in Elie Saab’s designs and some of the exceptional women that have been drawn to wearing them throughout history - I was looking for something elegant but modern, that suited my shape. I thought the detail in the bodice of my gown ticked all of these boxes and more - I never expected to wear a dress with such length in the train and volume in the skirt but I felt so incredibly special in it. I thought if there was a time to go all out and embrace a true gown - this was it!
What was your wedding planning journey like for you? How far out did you start planning?
We were only engaged for 9 months before we got married - after 11 years of being together, our families were keen to start planning straight after the proposal! Having the reception at home, there was a lot to consider in setting it up as a venue. Sam and I are based in Sydney and sometimes it was challenging not being there on the ground at home in Brisbane to feel it all coming to life. I’m lucky my Mum is really creative, has amazing attention to detail and she was the ultimate project manager.
What was the biggest decision you had to make?
Due to heavy rainfall in the weeks leading up to our wedding date, a week out we made the call to move the ceremony to St Augustine’s Church, just down the road from home. We were so fortunate they were still free that day! A number of logistical changes flowed but all of our suppliers were fantastic and the church looked exceptional. It was also special to us both as Sam’s parents were married there too. The weather on the day turned out to be perfect but the venue change ultimately took away any stress we might have had in the days leading up.
What was the highlight of your wedding day for you?
Sam’s vows - he blew me away. He can be very practical, having studied engineering and commerce and working in finance, but he loves to be creative when he can be. He put so much thought into his words - they were poetry. The whole day was so full of love!
Is there anything you would do differently?
Just little things. I only had my hair trial the week of the wedding…I probably could have thought about what I really wanted a bit more. I’d schedule make-up top ups with my bridesmaids during the night too - I was giving so many people kisses, at one point I barely had any left on! I’d also plan out the photos a bit better to have more with guests.
