Real Bride Melissa wearing Pandora with detachable bow by Suzanne Neville
“From the moment I walked into Helen Rodrigues Bridal, I knew I was in good hands! The HR team were professional, pleasant and the 1:1 service ensured that there was always time to try on another gown or ask questions to alleviate any concerns. Once I had settled on my gown, Helen and her tailor made the smallest tweaks to ensure that my gown fit perfectly. I can’t recommend Helen Rodrigues Bridal highly enough!”
Bride & Groom: Melissa & Alex
Gown: Suzanne Neville ‘Pandora’ gown from Helen Rodrigues Bridal
Photography: Blumenthal Photography
Videography: Soda Films
Venue: Curzon Hall
Floral: L Flora
Accessories: HR Bridal Accessories Peter Langner Terry veil, Jennifer Behr Bailey headband, and Aquazurra bow tie pumps
Bridesmaid dresses: Bec & Bridge
Hair: Maria Unali
Make-up: Bernadette Leva
How did you and your husband meet?
At Darlo Bar in Darlinghurst
How did he propose?
Alex and I were having a picnic in Rushcutters Bay. We walked down D’Albora Marinas where Alex organised a boat trip. We sailed around the harbour and he proposed as we arrived under the Harbour Bridge.
What was your vision for your wedding day?
My vision for our wedding day was fresh and modern with a black and white colour theme used in our stationary and followed through in our décor. Our florals for the reception featured lots of greenery with pops of white orchids, roses and baby’s breath to contrast against our black satin overlays.
Where did you look for your wedding inspiration?
Pinterest was fantastic for inspiration around the world and curating images onto my own wedding board. Instagram was also great, particularly when searching hashtags and looking through supplier social media accounts to see their work in action.
What drew you to your gown from Helen Rodrigues Bridal?
I was immediately drawn to Helen Rodrigues Bridal when I saw the range of international designers and gowns available. I knew that I wanted a bespoke gown that was made to measure to ensure it would fit perfectly.
What was your wedding planning journey like for you? How far out did you start planning?
I really enjoyed planning the wedding, right down to the finer details. I started planning about a month after the proposal to ensure I secured the suppliers I wanted. We booked the reception first followed by our photographer, videographer, florist and band.
What was the biggest decision you had to make?
The biggest decision we had to make was settling on our reception venue. Coming from an Italian background, the food and alcohol is the star of the night. It was about striking the right balance between these elements and the beauty of the venue as we picked Curzon Hall; known for its heritage listing as a sandstone castle and Italian and Jewish culinary catering.
What was the highlight of your wedding day for you?
The highlight of the day was entering the reception to the loud cheers of our guests - that’s when we knew it was party time and the stress was over.
Is there anything you would do differently?
Enjoy every moment - the day goes by in a blur!
Is there any advice you would give other #HRBride’s?
Secure your gown and preferred suppliers first, namely your photographer, videographer, florist and band. Knowing you have booked exactly who you want will put you at ease.
