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In some cultures, rain on your wedding day is a sign of good luck. Not only did Charlie and Sara have rain, their day was extra lucky because they also had strong winds gushing through their Ontario woodland wedding venue. This made for some very romantic, wind-swept photos, lots of laughter and great stories to share.
For her wind-proof wedding day ensemble, Sara wore a simple, soft silk gown, statement earrings, black leather jacket and our chapel length AMORA wedding veil. With the sheer tulle of the veil catching in the breeze and her dazzling smile – we were truly blown away by Sara’s chic wedding day look.
Sara and Charlie’s ceremony and reception took place at Wheatfield Estate in Canada, surrounded by pine and spruce trees. The couple highlighted the beautiful, natural surroundings with simple decor and styling.
“I love the way our planner executed the tablescape; taupe linen napkins, white dish wear, gold cutlery, black name tags and candle holders, and of course the gorgeous floral arrangements as the centrepiece,” enthuses Sara. “I have always loved toffee-coloured roses and these were the highlight of our floral arrangements for me!”
Sara was limited when choosing a wedding dress, as Ontario, Canada, was in strict lockdown. This meant she needed to buy her dress online and luckily she came across Australian, online bridal brand, Grace Loves Lace and fell in love with their Dove gown.
“I loved the crossed straps and the V-back. I particularly liked that the V-back was not too low, it hit the mid back, which was flattering but not too revealing,” says Sara. “I opted for the 40 cm train (you can also customise it to have no train or an 80 cm train). The material is so soft and comfortable too, and it is double-layered so it is not see-through.”
To elevate her simple dress, Sara wore statement earrings by Australian jewellery designer, Christie Nicolaides. To complete her wedding day look, Sara looked to another Australian designer for her veil.
To adorn her simple, low bun, she wore our chapel length AMORA blusher veil. As Sara is 1.2 metres (4’11”) tall, the Tania Maras team customised the length of her veil to ensure the proportions were perfect for her. Best of all, the veil stayed firmly in place throughout the day.
“The veil comb stayed in so securely, even during my super windy wedding day, and was very comfortable. My hair stylist said it was one of the best veil combs she’d ever worked with,” says Sara. “I also wanted a blusher because my photographer has a knack for doing gorgeous bridal photos with the bride and groom both under the bride’s blusher, and I needed to have some of these photos! When the veil arrived I was so happy with the material. It definitely exceeded my expectations.”
“The best thing I did for myself was to hire a wedding planner. No matter how organised you are, there are always an overwhelming number of details to manage, and for someone who is not in the wedding industry, it is very hard,” explains Sara. “This was made even worse during the pandemic because the gathering guidelines kept changing and so I had to re-plan my wedding a few times. My wedding planner (Perfectly Designed Events) was truly a godsend. If you have the means to hire one, do it! I would also encourage couples to hire a professional live-streamer for the ceremony, if they are forced to have a smaller wedding than they originally wanted, due to COVID. We were able to share our livestream link with all our extended family and friends (who could not attend), and it was very well-received. This also lessens some of the guilt and stress about not being able to invite everyone you wanted.”
From the English-inspired gardens filled with colourful blooms to the arch bridge spanning the lake and highland cattle roaming the property, it’s easy to understand Gerrie and Michael’s attraction to the historic Mona Farm for their wedding venue. Located in Braidwood in rural NSW, the couple created a whimsical garden party, with romantic floral dreamscapes, jazz music, Negroni cocktails and dancing under the stars to round off the day.
With golden hair, blue eyes and red lips, Gerrie’s beauty was further elevated with her unique wedding-day styling. Her dress featured sheer, voluminous sleeves and delicate floral lace embellishments. Tania Maras worked with Gerrie to create a bespoke veil to complement her ethereal dress, along with a golden hair comb to adorn her low-set bun.
Gerrie and Michael decided to have a long weekend destination wedding, with plenty of time to enjoy the picturesque surroundings with their guests.
“We fell in love with the stunning grounds and English-inspired gardens, as well as the luxury accommodation, artwork and sculptures,” Gerrie enthuses. “Mona Farm does away with some of the hassles of a fully DIY wedding, but still allows a very bespoke experience, and the events management team there are first class.”
The ceremony was filled with memorable and personal elements, with one of Gerrie’s oldest friends, Nicci, as celebrant, a reading of a favourite poem by Gerrie’s brother and a rendition of The Lark Ascending by the Brioso String Quartet in memory of Michael’s Dad.
Instagram, The Lane and Wedshed were Gerrie’s go-to sources for wedding dress inspiration, before deciding on the Cecilia dress from Liz Martinez.
“I fell in love with the voluminous sleeve trend early on but wanted to find something that was still elegant and timeless,” she says. “The intricate and delicate floral lace appliqué on Liz Martinez designs is just breathtaking, and I chose a nude lining for the dress to accentuate the white lace detail.”
Gerrie chose the AUDREY veil, for its light and modern design, which wouldn’t distract from the intricacy and volume of her bridal gown.
“I wanted the back of the dress to be visible and the delicate nature of AUDREY means it streams out narrowly behind you and also catches the wind beautifully,” she says.
Instead of a metal comb, the Tania Maras team attached metal loops, to allow Gerrie’s veil to sit seamlessly under her low-set bun.
“I wanted to wear the veil attaching underneath my hair bun rather than over the top,” explains Gerrie. “Tania and the team came up with a different attachment to a comb so it was easier for my hair stylist to secure the veil. They were also incredibly helpful with explaining the difference between all the veil styles and helping me to achieve the look I was after.”
The abundance of shimmering crystals, pearls and floral elements in the MARION headpiece beautifully complemented the embellishments on Gerrie’s dress.
“Do away with any traditions that don’t resonate with you and your partner, and invest in those aspects of the day that are most important to you,” advises Gerrie. “Think about your guests’ comfort throughout the day when planning – is there enough seating, heating, food, bathrooms, etc. We would also really recommend investing in a photographer, videographer and photo-booth – it’s not something we initially planned, having all three, but we’ve really enjoyed seeing different aspects of the day captured for us to remember and revisit.”
From the moment Alicia and partner Victor drove up to the gates of Milton Park Country House they immediately fell in love with this fairy tale venue. Located in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Milton Park boasts beautiful, rambling gardens, ornate water features and sculptures and the oldest Weeping Beeches in Australia. These giant, dome-like trees make for the most magical photos (see above and below).
Once the wedding venue was decided on, Alicia needed equally special accessories to match the beautiful location. Her pick of the bunch were our rose AURORA earrings and floral lace RIVIERA veil, to tie in with the magical, garden theme.
An embellished veil captures the mood of a springtime wedding like no other accessory. Adorned in florals, lace, pearls, crystals, or all of the above, an embellished veil will instantly elevate the simplest wedding gown and perfectly frame a dramatic gown. Our exquisite veils are designed and handcrafted in-house so we can design and create a wedding veil to suit your wedding gown without drawing attention away from the beautiful details on your dress.
To help find her dream dress and accessories and narrow down her ideas, Alicia took to Pinterest and Instagram. However, it was conversations with other brides and her mum that proved to be the greatest help. The best wedding dress advice she received was from her mum, who said to “pick something you feel like you in.” Alicia knew she wanted a backless dress, and a style that was timeless.
“I had gone to Karen Willis Holmes to look at a completely different dress. By chance, I picked out this one and tried it on. I had tried so many different styles and this was the first time that I felt like a bride but also like myself. I knew it was the dress for me because I couldn’t wait to show my now husband.”
Before she decided on her dress, Alicia had been admiring the Tania Maras veil collection. When she picked her dress she knew the embellished RIVIERA veil, featuring hand-beaded organza flowers, floral lace and a scattering of pearls, would match perfectly. We customised the veil for her, to incorporate blusher layer.
“I loved how beautiful and intricate the RIVIERA veil was but loved the idea of a blusher as well. There’s so something so classic yet dramatic about blushers,” Alicia enthuses.
She finished off the look with the AURORA earrings, a feminine design with statement roses and cascading pearls.
“My dress was quite simple so it gave me room to play with elaborate accessories which is my usual style. I picked the RIVIERA veil and AURORA earrings in particular as I feel like they matched our garden theme beautifully.”
From the ceremony to the reception, the couple personalised their wedding with many special touches.
“The priest that married us was the chaplain at my husband’s work so it was an honour that he was able to marry us in the gardens. We both wrote our own vows and that would have to be one of my favourite parts of the entire day,” says Alicia. “My husband and I are both South American so we had cultural dances during the reception from each of our home countries which was really special.”
As Alicia and Victor’s wedding was affected by the pandemic, they came up with a novel (and practical) favor idea for their guests.
“We thought it would cute to offer personalised hand sanitisers with our wedding date, as wedding gifts,” says Alicia.
“It’s okay to have a plan but in today’s day and age accept if things change,” says Alicia. “It’s the most magical day and if things aren’t exactly what you thought they would be, that’s okay. The fact that you’ve married your ‘person’ is all that matters,” says Alicia.
For Blake and Aaron, the three most important elements for their wedding-day celebrations were; the company, ambience and food. Although the pandemic meant they couldn’t have their wedding at a villa in Mexico, which they originally planned, their day was still every bit as special in their home town of Atlanta, Georgia. With a handful of friends and family, a relaxed garden atmosphere and an award-winning restaurant catering, Blake and Aaron fulfilled their wedding-day dreams.
In this relaxed, urban setting, Blake’s bridal look took centre stage. Wearing a bias-cut dress, with her golden hair styled in loose waves and adorning our CARMEN Juliet cap veil, Blake mastered styling a simple dress with an embellished veil for stunning results.
Even before they were engaged, Blake and Aaron both had similar ideas and values for their wedding day.
“We talked about our ideal wedding – we were so aligned it felt like another sign he was the one,” says Blake. “The biggest factor was size. We both imagined a wedding that was small and only had the humans there that would be by us throughout our marriage.”
As they couldn’t travel to Mexico, and they didn’t want to postpone for a year, their ceremony took place at Staplehouse restaurant in Atlanta.
“We were Staplehouse’s first wedding, which felt extra special,” says Blake. “The restaurant has won many awards including Best New Restaurant in the United States, so goes without saying, the food is memorable. The space has a beautiful garden in the back – we knew it was our perfect venue.”
When thinking about her wedding dress, the words that came to mind were ‘organic’ and ‘timeless’.
“I wanted a look that would carry me through my years and one I felt myself in,” says Blake. “Material and cut were of highest priority for me – I wanted a beautiful fabric and a slim cut that I felt beautiful in, with a sensual flow. The crepe silk fabric was perfect for my body, dress cut and style of wedding.”
To help with costs, Blake purchased a sample dress, as she preferred to spend more on a lasting accessory.
“Accessories are easier to pass down and truly help make your look complete and unique.”
Blake’s eight-year-old niece (pictured below) has already claimed her embellished CARMEN veil.
“It makes me so happy to know she will always have that piece of me and our love,” says Blake.
With its enveloping Juliet cap silhouette, lace leaves and hand beaded flowers, Blake also fell in love with the elegant CARMEN veil.
“The idea of a Juliet cap scared yet excited me – I knew I wanted something different, and it was the perfect way to bring in a look of traditional and timeless, while still feeling uniquely me,” she says. “Feel and materials are my number one consideration. My dress was crepe silk and felt like butter on my skin all night. My Tania Maras veil was so soft and made me feel so beautiful, I wore it most of the night!”
“Know you will be stressed, but remember what the purpose of your wedding is,” says Blake. “And that purpose could differ depending on the couple. For us, it was a sacred joining of families in the presence of God; for others, it could be a celebration party of love with all their friends, and others could feel an elopement of just the bride and groom would be most genuine. And get a wedding planner, even just a day-of planner. Despite size or location, do it.”
When Angelica first watched the wedding scene from The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, she immediately knew that she had found her wedding day inspiration. From the garden paths, to the hanging Wisteria and lush greenery, Angelica and Norman’s nuptials had all the romance and magic of the famous Twilight wedding, sans the vampires and werewolves!
Angelica was adorned in our CATALINA cathedral veil, featuring fabric flowers, intricate lace and beaded details, which was right on theme for her special garden wedding.
With careful planning, time and a big dose of creativity, Angelica and Norman achieved their wedding day vision. Nature was an important factor when it came to the décor and events during the day.
“I wanted the wedding to feel whimsical and like we’re immersed in nature but elegant at the same time,” says Angelica. “I loved the look of green moss on wooden tables and knew that had to be a key element in bringing that earthy feel. I wanted to see the space fill with greenery but pop with white flowers just like you see in the movie! Of course it’s quite expensive to do all that so I simplified it a bit and searched all over Central Florida for a venue where I could add these details, where it wouldn’t get too expensive, and it would all complement the space.”
During the ceremony they had a Tree Unity ceremony where Angelica and Norman’s mothers added the soil (representing their foundation) in the couple’s new pot (home) and then the couple planted their tree (their new family) and then they watered it, which represents new beginnings.
Other special elements were the wisteria decorations that were hung in the dining pavilion to add to the Twilight wedding vibe and the backdrop at the sweetheart table which Angelica’s Maid of Honour/sister DIY-ed.
Angelica had a specific off-the-shoulder, A-line lace dress in mind, however it was in a travelling trunk show and she was unable to try it on. So she began trying on similar styles in bridal shops.
“I had tried about 20 dresses already and I remember not thinking much about my dress when I first picked it up to try on. But once I had it on and saw myself in the mirror, my first thought was ‘wow, I feel like a bride’. I walked out to show my mum and sister. They thought I wasn’t going to like it but once I told them I felt like a bride they started crying, and so did I! It was off-the-shoulder like I wanted, it wasn’t A-line, which I actually loved, and the lace cut-outs were the perfect touch of unique and sexy that I was hoping for! It was a simpler dress so I knew my veil had to stand out somehow.”
With beaded lace and handcrafted flowers, the CATALINA veil caught Angelica’s attention and admiration.
“I loved the CATALINA veil because it has these beautiful fabric flowers that pop out and cascade down the top portion of the veil,” says Angelica. “It was the perfect amount of detail for my dress and my hair since I wanted to style it up. In every picture with the veil you can see the flowers stand out perfectly.”
“Talk specifics about the visions you have for your special day and give yourself enough time to make it happen,” suggests Angelica. “Don’t rush your timeline for anyone else and keep what you two want at the forefront. It’s good to keep others in mind but this is your day so do what feels right to you. A wedding is no small task and sometimes it’s nice when people want to help but it gets overwhelming real fast so try to keep things between the two of you and your vendors, that way you prevent unwanted input and headaches. Don’t lose focus on the fact that this is about you and your significant other. And remember to enjoy the process. It can be hard sometimes but take a step back, breathe and enjoy the fact that you are planning your wedding!
Sophie is a much-loved bridal stylist in the wedding industry and we’ve called upon her talents on many occasions for photoshoots and creative campaigns. Sophie is our trusted stylist for pulling together beautiful bridal looks to showcase our unique accessories.
It’s not often that someone in the Tania Maras Bridal family ties the knot, and when they do, we celebrate by creating a beautiful veil for them!
We were honoured to contribute to Sophie and her partner David’s special day. We made a Morning Mist crystal veil for Sophie, to add a touch of sparkle to her classic ballgown by Australian designer, Georgia Young Couture.
“Tania is not only an incredible designer but has now turned into a beautiful friend,” says Sophie. “She captured the look I was going for straight away and knew that the Morning Mist in a cathedral length would complement the vision I was trying to achieve.”
Bridal stylist Sophie is currently the Co-Founder and Style Director of two businesses – wedding dress directory service, Love Find Co and creative marketing studio, Engaged Creative.
“Engaged Creative takes up 99% of my working week and I love it as no day is different – between having strategy sessions with our clients, being on set for editorials or rebranding up and coming wedding vendors, I absolutely love everything to do with Engaged Creative and what it has evolved into,” enthuses Sophie.
Having worked in the fashion and bridal industry for close to 10 years, Sophie was well prepared when it came time to plan her own dream wedding, which took place at the scenic Ooralba Estate in Kangaroo Valley, NSW.
“I really wanted my wedding to be a reflection of Dave and myself! Our biggest point throughout planning our wedding was that we wanted everyone to just have the best time. The inspiration and key design elements that I tried to incorporate was modern, attainable and chic. I would spend hours in Pinterest researching different design elements and pinning different parts of the wedding.”
With the wealth of talent here in Australia, Sophie was determined to support local bridal designers.
“We have so much talent here in Australia and it’s an incredible experience being able to see your gown from start to finish with a designer who designs and produces here,” says Sophie.
She worked with two designers for her two looks, wearing a classic ballgown for the ceremony and a sparkly dress to dance the night away in!
“Originally I wanted a gown that was quiet heavily embellished however after trying on a number of different looks something more classic with no beading felt way more me! I wanted a gown that I could look back in 30 years time and it would still be a classic,” says Sophie. “I was lucky enough to work with Georgia Young Couture for my first gown who created a one shoulder ballgown and then the incredible Karen Willis Holmes who’s gown allowed me to have a bit more fun with sparkles and allowing me to dance up a storm!”
As Sophie’s first gown had no embellishments, she wore our Morning Mist veil, featuring a scattering of crystal details which sparkled as she walked down the aisle. Her hair was styled in a low bun that was heavily curled, so she was able to undo the bun and release tousled waves for her second look.
One of Sophie’s favourite moments from the wedding was when she was given a very romantic and thoughtful gift from her husband David. He gave her an album at the end of the night filled with special moments they shared over the last ten years together. From little love notes to menus from special dinners and holiday snaps, David selected mementoes to represent the beautiful times they’ve shared together so far.
“At the end it said that it was an overview of the past 10 years we’ve been together and he cannot wait to fill the rest of the blank pages with me in our life as a married couple.”
“My biggest advice would be to remember that everyone is there to celebrate you and your love story together,” says Sophie. “Very rarely in your lifetime will you have everyone in a room that you love celebrating you so just remember that.”
In the last instalment of our ‘Weddings and Pandemics’ feature, we’d like to introduce you to the lovely Claudia. She’s been working in a lab in Munich, Germany, studying the COVID-19 virus, while also navigating a long-distance relationship and planning a wedding! To thank her for the work she is doing, we gifted her with our MARION headpiece and DAHLIA veil, her favourite pieces from our collection. In return, Claudia shares her story with us. From her lab studies, to a very sweet ‘meet-cute’ story and tips for managing a a long distance relationship, Claudia lifts our spirits with her anecdotes and insights.
Claudia and Andres became friends in high school, initially bonding over a shared interest in the cello.
“I used to play the cello back then, so I carried my instrument around during classes. Most of my classmates were making jokes on what I had inside my instrument case, most of them going for an abnormal guitar,” says Claudia. “One day, in the middle of the hall, I heard someone yelling “look! A cello!” and I couldn’t hide my smile. It was Andres, a guy from my class that I hadn’t talked to before. He rushed over and started walking with me to our next course. He added me on messenger “for school purposes”, but we ended up spending all afternoons talking about whatever came into our minds. We became best friends in no time. One year later, he told me he liked me. As my parents were not happy with the idea of me having a boyfriend in high school, we remained friends but very much in love. Two years later, once we were in our bachelors, he officially asked me to be his girlfriend.”
In total, Claudia and Andres have been in a long-distance relationship for almost 6 years. They have lived in 12 different cities, in Mexico, Germany, Sweden, Russia, USA and the Netherlands. Andres is currently a paediatrician in Saalfeld, Germany, while Claudia is four hours away, in Munich, Germany.
“We are very lucky that Germany allows visiting couples that live apart, so we have continued to see each other a couple of times during the lockdown. Nonetheless, traveling imposes a risk for ourselves and everyone in contact with us, so when we do not see each other as frequent as we want to,” says Claudia.
The couple have found many ways to stay positive and connected during this time a part.
“We talk over the phone, schedule video calls and watch series or movies online (we are masters on synchronizing screens, way before Netflix party!). We make sure we include each other in our daily activities and projects, and use the other as our accountability partner for long term projects, including exercising,” explains Claudia. “We share our post-workout stats from Fitbit, and challenge each other to beat the mark. We are also re-reading the Harry Potter series, which brings back old childhood memories and I am thrilled to share that with him. On days when everything feels overwhelming, we focus on a ‘post COVID-19’ bucket list, talking about the places we want to visit, and the people we want to meet again. Lastly, we plan our days together. Our wedding will celebrate the beginning of no more long travels to see each other, and we can’t wait for that!”
Andres had organised a special getaway to celebrate their anniversary. He asked her to leave work on time for the their special weekend, however Claudia had to stay back late.
“He picked me up and I noticed he was stressed, but I assumed it was because I was late,” says Claudia. “I spent the whole ride talking about work, without realising we were arriving to the Nymphenburg Palace, a gorgeous baroque palace in Munich. We walked through the gardens until we came to an old-looking bench and we sat down. He started recounting our previous anniversaries, each one on a different city, at different stages in our career, and asked me what I would think if in our next anniversary we were soon-to-be husband and wife. At that point, I saw swan on a nearby lake sinking its head under water, and started rambling on how I don’t know what swans, nor ducks, eat. After some laughs, Andres got us back to the conversation, pulled the ring box out, and asked me if I wanted to marry him. We hugged and laugh, and he made me promise that I will not be asking what different birds eat during our wedding ceremony!”
Claudia is drawn to ethereal, flowy fabrics and natural makeup. In line with this aesthetic, she plans on wearing our chapel length DAHLIA veil, featuring soft and floaty fine netting, paired with our intricate MARION headpiece, to her wedding.
“Shortly after the engagement, I created a Pinterest board to explore ideas for our wedding. I was captivated by a headpiece that was very soft and delicate, and saved different pieces similar to that. After looking for more details, I realised all these pieces came from Tania Maras, so I looked for more of their products (the first headpiece I fell in love was the MARION!). I soon followed their Instagram account and started reading their blog. I love how soft and delicate their pieces look!”
As the sun slowly sets, a warm glow is cast on the rugged landscape, and photographer Michael Schultz captures the most breathtaking photos of newlyweds Stacey and Lee at the New Zealand wedding.
Stacey and Lee could be described as ‘modern romantics’, their wedding was special, intimate and unique. The couple were less concerned about the formal traditions of weddings, and more interested in creating a day that was in harmony with their personalities and values, as well as being a relaxed and enjoyable time for their guests.
Stacey and Lee both gravitate towards a clean, simple and modern approach to styling. One of the best ways they kept things simple was having a short engagement.
“We just didn’t have time to overthink things and go overboard,” explains Stacey. “We loved the simplicity of the dreamy bright white reception space and the natural greenery in the courtyard where the ceremony was held, so we only brought in a few black and white elements, some wood tones and lots of clear acrylic.”
The ceremony and reception were held at a small restaurant in Hawke’s Bay. Their New Zealand wedding ceremony took place in the vine-covered courtyard and reception was in a room upstairs. Everyone sat together at one long table, as Stacey and Lee wanted the night to feel more like a big dinner party and less like a formal wedding. This is just one of many ways the couple stayed true themselves when planning their wedding.
“Don’t do anything you aren’t comfortable doing just because it’s your wedding day. We didn’t have a bridal party, we didn’t do speeches, we said our vows in private the morning of the wedding. We were comfortable and at ease and able to enjoy the day with our friends and family.”
From the off-shoulder, A-line silhouette, to the dramatic skirt and pockets (!), Stacey’s wedding gown featured all the details she feels comfortable wearing.
“I stopped looking for dresses as soon as I saw it. It truly was my dream dress. I never thought I would wear such a big, dramatic dress, but I just felt so good in it.”
From there, Stacey set up a Pinterest account and began creating mood boards for hair and veil inspiration. This is how she came across our much-loved Riviera veil.
Although she endeavoured to keep the styling simple, from the moment Stacey saw our embellished Riviera veil, with its abundance of floral laces, 3D hand-beaded flowers and crystal pearls, it filled her thoughts.
“I showed it to my mum and that was it, we placed the order then and there,” says Stacey. “I always feel my best with my hair down and curled, and the veil just fit in with that styling perfectly.”
We especially love how Stacey styled the veil up high on the crown of her head, allowing the lace and floral details to gently cascade down her hair and shoulders.
Stacey’s advice is to trust your instincts when pulling together your bridal look.
“Stay true to yourself, your personal style and what you know you feel good in, and it will all fall into place,” says Stacey.
Arna’s admiration of the ocean can be traced back to her childhood, growing up in a seaside town in the far south of Tasmania. Her father is an Abalone diver and he would bring home shells with mesmerising mother-of-pearl patterns in blue, green and pink tones. Her husband shares similar childhood memories. Jed is from the eastern suburbs of Sydney, close to the beautiful Clovelly and Coogee beaches.
To honour this shared love, Arna and Jed’s wedding took place on the coast of Tasmania, overlooking the tranquil waters of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and Bruny Island. Arna walked down the aisle in a pearl wedding veil, our exquisite pearl drenched Dewberry.
Both the ceremony and reception were held at Peppermint Grove, in Woodbridge, Tasmania. Arna and Jed wanted to create an elegant and warm atmosphere, and styled the venue with lots of candles, greenery and white roses.
“We both are very much family orientated and wanted to bring everyone together in a relaxed environment, which was made naturally easy with our gorgeous water-side venue nestled in a calm cove overlooking Bruny Island,” says Arna.
Wedding dress shopping was both an enjoyable and eye-opening experience for Arna. Once they found her perfect dress, Arna and her mum were sad the experience was over!
“I had a style in mind and after trying so many dresses in that style, I realised they just didn’t suit me at all,” says Arna. “That’s when I started to wonder if maybe a simple, classic style would suit me better. After some research around the local bridal boutiques, Timeless Elegance said that they had just received some new designs that they thought might interest me and sent me a photo of ‘Lily’. At first I wasn’t sure as it was very figure hugging. I tried it on and it was an instant… “mm, yes!” It’s gorgeous bow fell perfectly over my shoulder without it being too ‘ bow-ie’ and gave the dress some simple interest, it just felt right.”
Arna’s advice to brides-to-be is to start dress shopping early (from when Arna ordered her dress to when it arrived, it was about 8 and a half months) and to not be afraid to try a dress on that isn’t your style – as you might be pleasantly surprised!
A testament to her love of the water, Arna styled her dress with our pearl Dewberry veil – a single tier veil in chapel length, featuring a beautiful sprinkling of crystal pearls.
“I originally wasn’t going to wear a veil… I personally thought it was too old fashioned and unnecessary. However, once I had decided on my dress, I thought maybe I’ll just try a veil on to see what it would look like… I fell in love again!” says Arna. “But I didn’t want just a plain tulle. I didn’t even research veils, I kept thinking about them for weeks until I thought – a pearl veil! I love pearls and so I started googling pearl veils and came across Tania Maras and absolutely fell in love with Dewberry.”
To complement her veil, Arna’s hair was styled side swept with a pearl hair clip and vintage waves.
“Have the wedding you want. It’s great to get other people’s opinions and ideas, but at the end of the day, it’s yours and it truly is one of the best times of your lives,” says Arna. “Take it all in and enjoy the process, it’s a lot of fun!”
“Have the wedding you want. It’s great to get other people’s opinions and ideas, but at the end of the day, it’s yours and it truly is one of the best times of your lives,” says Arna. “Take it all in and enjoy the process, it’s a lot of fun!”
Two weeks before Gwen and Sean’s wedding date their careful planning was given a shakeup. As restrictions came into place, they had to quickly rethink and adapt. Although different to the wedding they originally envisioned, their day turned out even more perfect than they could have imagined. As a last-minute venue swap, the ceremony took place at Gwen’s childhood backyard and was followed by a family-style dinner on farm tables. At Gwen’s childhood home with a handful of their closest friends and family, the wedding was intimate and sentimental.
To complement the magical woodland setting, Gwen searched for a suitably whimsical dress and accessories. A floaty gown with ruffled sleeves and a cluster of delicate WHISPER hair pins scattered to the side of a bun, beautifully captured the garden wedding vibe.
Gwen envisioned her wedding surrounded by greenery or trees with neutral coloured flowers and simplistic décor. Sean described the look they were going for as “modern, chic, woodsy wonder”.
“We ended up getting married in my parent’s backyard next to a creek, with trees everywhere. It was even more perfect that I envisioned, and would have had at our original venue. It was the perfect romantic mood that I was hoping for,” says Gwen. “Our vendors went above and beyond to make sure the backyard transformed into a woodsy wonderland. One of my favourite aspects of the wedding was the little round glass terrariums with LED tea lights hanging from the trees above us, and a chandelier over our dinner table. It was so incredible.”
Although originally picturing herself in simple, romantic wedding dress, Gwen ultimately decided on a design that was a little outside her comfort zone – Alexandra Grecco’s Elodie gown featuring a ruffled bodice and embroidered details.
“When I saw myself in the mirror, I knew this was the one. It had the perfect balance of elegance and romance, but a touch of flirty. The ruffle sleeves are what sealed the deal for me. I love to be different in a subtle way, and this dress did that exactly for me, and I felt so sexy, and comfortable.”
Gwen fell in love with the delicate beauty of the WHISPER hair pins and their styling versatility. They can be scattered across an updo, clustered at the side of a bun or arranged in a row along a half up hairstyle.
“I loved being able to place the WHISPER hair pins in a small bunch in my hair, then a few farther away. It felt so natural, and romantic.”
When it comes to planning your dream wedding and bridal look, Gwen’s advice is to go with your heart.
“It is always so wonderful to have your loved ones opinions, but it is your day. Wear the dress that you felt amazing in, the one you loved. Have the same approach with your accessories. Take your loved ones opinions with a grain of salt, and choose what makes you happy, and makes you feel beautiful.”
Bespoke and ready-to-wear bridal accessories and veils. Designed and handcrafted in Canberra, Australia. Our online store is open 24/7 with worldwide delivery available including express options. The Fyshwick showroom is by appointment only. Virtual appointments are available for interstate and international brides.
