Real Bride Story: Juliette wearing Monique Lhuillier Bliss for her Sydney wedding
Bride & Groom: Juliette & Nick
Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier Bliss from Helen Rodrigues Bridal
Photography: Alex Marks Photography
Venue: Elanora Country Club
Floral: White House Flowers
Planning & Styling: Honey Lane Events
Videography: La Lune
Bridesmaid dresses: Hello Molly
How They Met
We first crossed paths by pure coincidence while traveling in Central America. I was with a group of girls, and he was with a group of guys, all of us from Sydney with a few mutual connections. Although there was no spark at the time, I did find myself intrigued by Nick, though that was as far as it went. Two years later, Nick randomly reached out to me on Instagram. I wasn’t sure if it was a message fueled by liquid courage or something more genuine, so I declined. A year after that, he messaged me again, this time asking to meet for a drink at a more reasonable hour. I agreed, and we ended up having our first date at Balmoral Beach — and the rest is history.
The Proposal
On a cold morning in May 2023, we went for a walk to grab coffee and headed to one of our favourite lookout spots near home. The park, typically full with people and dogs, was completely empty that day — just the two of us, in that perfect moment. It couldn’t have been more special.
Wedding Day Vision
I’ve always been drawn to old-world class and glamour. As a little girl, my favorite thing to watch was my parents’ wedding video — my mum looked like a real-life princess. I wanted to bring that same timeless elegance and beauty to our day, and White House Flowers and Honey Lane Events did an incredible job bringing that vision to life, especially considering the last-minute weather challenges!
Wedding Day Inspiration
Over the years, I had saved various ideas and setups I liked on Instagram, and Pinterest was great for helping me map out my mood board. Once I identified the look and feel I wanted, the challenge was bringing it all together — it felt very overwhelming. Without Honey Lane Events and the amazing Mel at White House Flowers, I honestly would have been lost.
The Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier Bliss from Helen Rodrigues Bridal
As soon as I walked into my first appointment with Helen, I spotted my gown in the front window, and I just knew it was the one. I think it had only just been placed on the mannequin seconds before I walked in, so it felt like fate. When I tried it on, it just felt so me, and without a doubt, I knew it was the one. I loved the details on the sleeves, the perfect fit at the waist, the long train, the hidden pockets, and the tulle underlay that gave the dress volume and made it flare out from the waist — just like the princess dress I had always dreamed of.
The Experience at Helen Rodrigues Bridal
“I knew right away that I would find my dress at Helen Rodrigues. It didn’t even get as far as the front window before I had found the one. Helen was exactly what I needed in that moment—calm, knowledgeable, and can-do with every request. Despite managing so many brides, she made me feel like I was her only one, which is a true testament to her amazing service. Helen even attended every alteration appointment to ensure the dress was perfect. You don’t get this level of service everywhere, and that’s part of the beauty and honour of being an #HRBride. ”
Wedding Day Journey
As a true Capricorn, I like to be very organised, but I had never planned such a large event before, so I didn’t even know where to start. We knew we wanted to get married within the year, so I had to be proactive in finding a venue. I reached out to several options in Sydney, but I found it difficult — there was either no wet weather plan, not enough capacity, or a strict curfew. Elanora Country Club is a very special place to our family, and with my husband, father, and brother all being members, I knew it was a place that would remain in our lives for a long time. They were so accommodating with our requests, and it had everything we wanted in a venue. I'm so glad we chose to marry at Elanora — it ended up being the best decision, especially since it could easily accommodate us in case of last minute wet weather.
Biggest Decision
I think making the call early on the weather was crucial, and it ended up being the smartest decision we made. Having that certainty meant less stress for everyone, but in the moment, every decision felt like a race, and each one came with its own pressure. Thankfully, the rain stopped when we needed it to, and we were able to get some great photos.
Wedding Day Highlight
Getting ready at home with my family and bridesmaids was definitely a highlight of the day, but my most memorable moment was walking down the aisle with my Dad. I felt incredibly emotional in that moment, seeing all our family and friends standing in a room to celebrate us and I think all the buildup of the day just hit me. All I could think was, "Wow, this is actually happening." It felt almost like an out-of-body experience.
What would she change?
I honestly don’t think there’s anything I would have done differently. Although, when I was getting ready with the girls, I think we all got a bit too relaxed and excited, thinking we had all the time in the world. Then, all of a sudden, it was a race to get ready! That definitely created a bit of chaos, but honestly, it wouldn’t have been my wedding without a little chaos!
Advice for future #HRBride’s
Be authentic and trust your instincts. It’s definitely challenging when you’re constantly looking at other weddings for inspiration, and while it’s great to get ideas, try to bring it all together in a way that feels true to you and your vision. I also think it's important to remember that this is one of the very few moments in your life when both you and your partner’s worlds collide with family and friends. Don’t forget the significance of this and make the most of celebrating with your nearest and dearest.
Are you a bride-to-be? Find Your Dream Gown at Helen Rodrigues Bridal
Whether you're looking for a classic wedding dress or something truly unique, Helen Rodrigues Bridal offers a luxurious, personalised experience for every bride. Book your appointment today and make your wedding day unforgettable.
