Finding the Wedding Dress of my Dreams
“Helen and her team at Luxe Bridal Samples were such a delight - they completely understood what I wanted from my gown and helped guide me to the dress of my dreams. I could not recommend them highly enough.”
Bride & Groom: Tess & Thibault
Gown: Monique Lhuillier from Luxe Bridal Samples
Venue: St Joseph’s Church, Subiaco/ Fraser’s Kings Park
Photography: Flossy Photo
Videography: Orriss Films
Floral: Poppy’s Flowers
Hair & Makeup: Christie Manuel & Kim Daene via The Pretty Parlour
How did you and your husband meet?
My husband is from France, and we met while he was on exchange at my university in 2013. He was actually supposed to go on exchange in the US, but there was a mix-up at the last minute, and he ended up coming to Australia instead. And I’m very happy that he did - we always say that it was fate.
How did he propose?
Just before Christmas in 2018, Thibault organised a beautiful day of treats for me - a spa treatment and lunch, then a trip to Wendy’s Secret Garden (a lush little oasis just next to Sydney Harbour), where he proposed in the rain. It was gorgeous.
What was your vision for your wedding day?
We wanted our wedding to be classic, formal and elegant - and hope that when we look back in 50 years time, it would still feel timeless. We also put great emphasis on quality over quantity, which helped dictate many of the choices we made for the whole day.
We wanted to celebrate our different cultures in little ways - Thibault’s brother did a reading in French at our wedding mass (the same reading Thibault’s parents had at their wedding 30 years ago), and we had the traditional French wedding cake, a piece montee, for ours.
Where did you look for your wedding inspiration?
I referenced classic brides (notably, the unmatchable Princess Grace of Monaco) for how I wanted to look on the day. Instagram and Pinterest were other endless sources of inspiration - I had a Pinterest board for every minute aspect of our wedding! I gravitated towards traditional and formal details, within a simple colour palette.
What drew you to your gown from Luxe Bridal Samples?
I’d always admired the Helen Rodrigues Brides I’d seen, so her boutique was at the top of my list when it came to finding my gown. I actually had quite a different idea in mind for my gown (for some reason I thought I’d opt for something with capped sleeves) but as soon as I tried on my beautiful Monique Lhuillier dress, I knew it was perfect. The long-sleeved, lace bodice with the button detailing at the back and on the sleeves now seems so obviously perfect that I don’t know why I didn’t realise from the get-go! It was elegant, formal and timeless - just a dream.
What was your wedding planning journey like for you? How far out did you start planning?
The whole process was relatively stress-free- given we wanted a classic and elegant wedding, that helped narrow our choices quite considerably across the board. We were engaged for just over a year, which felt like the perfect time frame - long enough to organise things without being too rushed, while also maintaining excitement and momentum.
What was the biggest decision you had to make?
I’d say my dress! It seems embarrassing to admit it, but I’d dreamt about my wedding since I was quite young, and so choosing the gown was so important. But despite the stress I had anticipated around my gown, I knew when I tried mine on that it was perfect. I felt so, so beautiful in it - I wish I could wear it again!
What was the highlight of your wedding day for you?
As wonderful as our reception was, I keep replaying our ceremony in my mind. Seeing Thibault at the end of the aisle, and then looking out at our guests’ smiling faces - so many of whom had travelled so far just to celebrate with us - was such a magical moment.
Is there anything you would do differently?
Besides trying to be less stressed (on both the wedding day itself and throughout the planning process), there isn’t anything I can think of! It was such a perfect day for us both.
Is there any advice you would give other #LuxeBride’s?
I’d say try and enjoy the process as much as possible! It’s easy to get caught up in the stresses of wedding planning, but especially in the weeks and days before the wedding, try and relax and celebrate with your friends and family as much as you can. These moments will be ones cherished forever.
