Real Bride Julia wearing Inbal Dror Pure
“Helen was incredible to work with. She helped me find my dream dress in only one appointment and did an express order to ensure I would have it in time, even squeezing me in right before Christmas for a fitting. She encourages me to try styles I wouldn’t have considered and ensured I felt amazing in my dress in my final fitting. I couldn’t recommend Helen and her team highly enough.”
Bride & Groom: Julia and Dan Lahav
Gown: Inbal Dror from Helen Rodrigues Bridal
Planning: Georgie, After the Rock
Photography: Bayleigh Vedelago
Venue: Bert’s Bar and Brasserie, Newport
Floral: Saskia, Grandiflora
Makeup: Mia Hawkswell
Bridesmaid dresses: Bec & Bridge
Accessories: Prada heels, HR Holly Veil & Berdorf Goodman earrings
How did you and your husband meet?
We met through mutual friends - he crashed my birthday party!
How did he propose?
We were living in New York and he popped the question on a Saturday morning while we were going for a walk through Central Park - I was totally surprised and it was perfect.
What was your vision for your wedding day?
We wanted it to feel relaxed and fun, yet elegant and personal. Georgie and Annie from After the Rock did an incredible job helping us bring this to life in a way that felt really authentic and unique to us.
Where did you look for your wedding inspiration?
Instagram, Vogue Brides Australia and USA, and Pinterest.
What drew you to your gown from Helen Rodrigues Bridal?
When I first put my gown on, I immediately felt comfortable and that I could easily move in it. I certainly didn’t envision myself wearing a style like this, but I knew I would have fun wearing it. I didn’t think I would have tried it on if Helen hadn’t suggested it, and I’m so grateful for her expertise and encouragement.
What was your wedding planning journey like for you? How far out did you start planning?
It was so much fun! Working in PR, I knew a lot of coordination would be required for planning an event in Sydney while living in New York, so the first decision we made was to work with Georgie. This meant that we could really enjoy the process without having to deal with differences in time zones, and it took the stress out as we totally trusted her judgement on vendors we couldn’t meet in person. Georgie and her team made the whole journey really enjoyable.
What was the biggest decision you had to make?
We had planned to get married in November 2020, however due to a family situation we made the decision to move our date forward to January 2020, giving us four months to coordinate everything - all from New York! This meant that big decisions became fast decisions, including choosing Bert’s as our venue without first visiting it. That decision certainly paid off, as it was our dream venue.
What was the highlight of your wedding day for you?
Seeing Dan’s face as I walked down the aisle - I burst into tears!
Is there anything you would do differently?
I would make sure I spent time with every one of our guests. The day goes by in such a quick blur and it is so special to have all your favourite people celebrating with you.
Is there any advice you would give other #HRBride’s?
Surround yourself with vendors who you trust, are professional and friendly - they will make the planning process and day so much easier and enjoyable. I couldn’t recommend the amazing team we worked with more highly including Bayleigh Vedelago, Saskia at Grandiflora, Mia Hawkswell and everyone at Bert’s.
