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Bespoke Wedding Gowns
Bespoke Wedding Gowns
I really liked Emma’s ethical approach to her wedding, she worked very hard to ensure that all the products and services for their wedding were locally made and/or ethically produced. The search for a handmade wedding dress led her to the doorstep of our studio.
Emma had tried on a few wedding dresses before visiting us but it was our ‘Eleanor’ gown that stole her heart. The intricate beaded lace and the epic soft silk chiffon skirt were the finer details Emma was looking for in a handmade wedding dress. We started on Emma’s dress six months before her wedding, she had four or five fittings before picking up her handmade wedding dress two weeks before her wedding. We even helped Emma decide on the perfect veil for her dress, a gorgeous fingertip length veil that ensured all the detail of her gown could still be seen!
Emma & Luke wed at the Perth Uniting Church in the CBD before heading to the Perth Hills for their reception at Darlington Estate Winery.
You guys honestly made me feel incredible. I tried so many dresses in stores and they were all just missing the little bit of glam that I wanted, and the lace we used NAILED that!! The dress turned out better than I ever dreamed, even though I was nervous about committing to a product I couldn’t see at the beginning. You guys totally set me at ease, the process was so fun and I felt so beautiful on the day, I still get comments about how incredible my dress was! You’re truly masters of your craft and I have so much satisfaction knowing that I truly felt amazing and that no one else in the world has the same dress as me. Highly, highly recommend getting dresses made by you two geniuses!
Images by Ben & Ebony
Catherine and Phil travelled home to Scotland to get married at Menzies Castle. Their special day was filled with traditional Scottish festivities such as drinking whiskey and dancing! Their loved ones travelled near and far to enjoy this magical day, as it turned out they even jagged some spectacular weather in September.
Catherine came to us with a few ideas in mind and tried on one of our samples which she really liked the style of. We sat down and I drew up a design that ticked all the boxes – lace, buttons, cap sleeves, v-neck… after giving the go ahead and four fittings Catherine picked up her blush pink wedding dress. We always like to help our bride put together the finishing touches so when Catherine came to us with an idea for a veil, we were happy to have a play! The veil has since been named the ‘Catherine’ veil and complimented her lace and blush pink wedding dress perfectly.
Enjoy Catherine’s comments about her special day below.
Photos by Eilidh Robertson Photography
“Buttons! As you know they were one of my ultimate must haves of the dress, I practically planned the dress around the buttons and they were just perfect!”
“I was obsessed with my veil! The ‘Catherine’ veil, it came out better than I could have imagined, the material was absolutely amazing, I refused to take it off the whole day because I was so in love with it, it matched my style and accentuated my hairstyle.”
“This was us post the ceremony taking a drink of whisky from my home town of Pencaitland (tiny village of 2000 people) this is traditionally drunk out of a quaich, Symbolic of the sharing between the couple, it’s an ancient vessel used by two families or clans, to celebrate a bond, with each leader partaking of the offered drink. As you can see in the picture, I don’t like whisky very much!”
“This 17th century Scottish castle, home to the Menzies clan. The weather was incredible and owed to some of the amazing shots we got on the day. I didn’t pray for sunshine as I didn’t want to be disappointed so it was an absolute pleasure to be gifted with the sun on the day!”
“My little flower girl who wanted to carry my dress all day, she took her job very seriously! When I was 14 her Mum asked me to be a bridesmaid so I thought it only fitting to have her daughter as a flower girl, she was over the moon.”
“The dress was so lightweight and perfect for all the dancing that went on, I don’t think I sat down for a single song! We also had ceilidh dancing which is tradition Scottish dancing and so much fun when everyone has had a couple of drinks and think they know how to do the dances.”
Being a ‘hills’ gal, I love nothing more than a Perth Hills wedding!! Marissa and Liam worked with stylist, Jessica Butcher of The Butcher, The Baker, The Stylist & Creator, to transform their family packing shed in the Perth hills into an elegant space with a touch of rustic charm for their nuptials and cocktail reception.
This concept of rustic elegance followed through to Marissa’s custom made wedding gown. We designed a two piece wedding dress that would transform her look from ceremony to reception. Marissa wore a strapless, a-line lace wedding dress with a dramatic detachable tulle skirt, the tulle skirt featured a hand beaded lace clasp. We also made a single tier lace edge veil to complete Marissa’s bridal look. For the reception, the tulle skirt was removed and replaced by a silk sash to compliment the lace skirt, making it easy for Marissa to move around her cocktail reception and dance the night away!
We are particularly chuffed as we made not only Marissa’s wedding dress but also her sister’s wedding dress. Marissa and Nicci are inspiring business women, running not one but two (and soon-to-be three!) businesses in the Perth Hills! They run the iconic Perth hills restaurant Embers and gift store Ebbe Collective. Both are well worth a visit!
Photographer: Amanda Alessi // Stylist: The Butcher, The Baker, The Stylist & Creator // Hair: The Pretty Parlour // Florist: Blooms of Eden
Oh how I love an Autumn wedding! Sally and Ryan exchanged vows in the forest at Dwellingup. They decked out the ceremony location and the reception hall, Nanga Bush Camp, with the most incredible flowers and custom signage. The groom, a talented musician, even dedicated a song to his new wife at their reception. It was a very special day for these two lovers with every detail carefully thought out.
I really like the way Sally incorporated the setting of her Autumn forest wedding into the styling for the day. When Sally came to meet with us, she knew from the get-go that she wanted a long lace wedding dress with sleeves. However, she didn’t want it to be too formal (because they were getting married in the bush) and they had planned to go with relaxed, bohemian styling for the whole event. So we discussed using an earthy colour for the base of the dress and using a really soft bohemian lace so it would feel relaxed and comfortable. Sally’s lace wedding dress with sleeves ended up with a mushroom base which complimented and accentuated the ivory lace perfectly. Sally’s bridesmaids wore a gorgeous rustic orange silk which also worked really well with her gown, the setting and the bouquets that Sally had selected.
Images by Emanuel Rudnicki
We were so lucky to be apart of the recent Wedding Upmarket styled shoot, our pieces were set against the creative styling of some of West Australia’s best wedding vendors. The shoot featured recently engaged couple, Anni & Tim, there is nothing better than a real life couple who are obviously in love! The styled shoot has also recently been featured on Australian bridal blog Nouba, click here to check it out.
Wedding Upmarket is on this weekend, Saturday 6th May from 10am to 3pm, at The University of UWA. You will find a bunch of hand-picked local vendors that will inspire you to start planning your wedding!
Our new collection will be available to view on the day and will also be worn by models roaming the venue. If you are wondering what my thoughts are on finding the perfect dress you can ask me on the day or you’ll also find my advice on the Wedding Upmarket blog, click here to take a look.
For now, I’ll let the photos do the talking and get you excited about the upcoming Wedding Upmarket!
Images Fields & Skies Photography | Event Wedding Upmarket | Location Tropical Grove, UWA | Styling & Stationery Marielle Studio | Flowers A Little Bohemia | Food Caviar Catering | Furniture M Events & Hire |Heart Strings Hire & Style | Bryan Was Here | Tableware Hire Society | Lighting Synapse Events | Cake Posh Little Cakes | Bridal gowns Elvi Design | Groom’s suit Suited for Him | Hair The Pretty Parlour | Makeup Kristy Ellis | Crown Halo the Label | Ring Bespoke By Briarne | Videographer The Bride Atlas | Celebrant Kiss Me You Fool |
When Steph visited our studio she was feeling completely overwhelmed by her wedding dress options. She had always wanted a tea length wedding dress but was struggling to find any at the ‘off-the-rack’ bridal shops in Perth. We had a chat and went through all of her options. Ultimately, she wanted a dress that she would feel comfortable in and that would be flattering.
Let me tell you, a tea length wedding dress is one of the most flattering designs a bride could ask for. Here are five reasons why-
When Steph picked up her tea length wedding dress, there was no other dress I could have imagined her in, it suited her personality and figure perfectly. She even had pockets in her dress so she was stoked! Nathan & Steph were married by the river in South Perth before heading to the Old Swan Brewery. I just love these photos of Steph twirling and that big grin she has in each photo.
Photos by Zoe Theiadore
It is a gown that is available to purchase as is with no changes, sometimes you have the option of adding length. An ‘off-the-rack’ bridal store will take your measurements and then order the gown in the size closest to your measurements. ‘Off-the-rack’ gowns are usually purchased somewhere between 6 months to 18 months before your wedding, when the gown arrives (sometimes as close as one month before your wedding) you will then need to organise alterations so the gown fits you. Alterations are an additional cost which can range from $500 to $1,500.
Deva opted for a custom wedding dress after looking at a few dress shops in Perth and even travelling to Melbourne to see what was available. Deva was after a wedding dress with sleeves which can be hard to find ‘off-the-rack’.
When we met with Deva we designed a custom wedding dress with a soft tulle skirt that was light and easy to move around in, we then sourced a unique lace for Deva’s bodice with lace sleeves ensuring this was a one-off design!
Deva and Alex were all smiles on their wedding day, with the odd tear during their heartfelt ceremony. They married at the Sunken Gardens at UWA before moving on to Perth City Farm, where I believe they partied on until the wee hours.
Images Emanuel Rudnicki // Flowers Rose & Bud // Celebrant Kristy Wright // H&MU The Pretty Parlour
Ashleigh considered all of her options before going down the path of a custom made wedding dress. What appealed to her was the fact her gown would be unique, made to fit her and feature all the things her heart desired! We designed a super sweet wedding dress with pockets, a silk georgette soft skirt and a delicate hand lace appliqué bodice.
Ashleigh travelled to Perth from Kalgoorlie for her fittings. To cater for our country bride, we worked around her planned trips to Perth for her fittings making the process as easy as possible.
Ashleigh and Ruben married at Hay Shed Hill, one of my favourite in Margaret River. It was a very personal affair, the bride and groom spent the day getting ready together and even walked down the aisle hand in hand. Ruben even serenaded his bride during the ceremony (what a romantic!!).
Images by Merge Photography
I spent so many hours researching; pinning, Googling, looking up different wedding dresses on Etsy and eBay, even binge watching the TV show “Say Yes To The Dress”! I thought I had a good idea about what I wanted based on what I liked the look of in pictures. I came extremely close to actually buying a wedding dress I really loved the look of online – but just didn’t want to take the chance of buying it then it not suiting me.
I tried on a few dresses at a store in Bunbury just to see what styles suited me, and found that a style I thought I liked didn’t in fact look the best on me. It’s strange because I’m not a fashion forward person or fancy brand lover (I practically live in Kmart clothes!), but I knew I wouldn’t find a dress that had everything I wanted in the one dress, and thought that if there’s one item of clothing to make a fuss of then this is it. So I decided to take the plunge, and approached Elvi about making my wedding dress. I showed Sandra photos of what I liked, the dress I nearly bought and pictures of me in other dresses, and she drew up the perfect dress the first time – and it included pockets! And I wasn’t going to find that in a store dress!
We got married amongst the vineyards at Hay Shed Hill Wines in Wilyabrup, located in the beautiful South West of Western Australia (close to Margaret River). The location was one of the easiest decisions to make, and the first thing that we booked. Many happy childhood memories include me stayng in the share houses at the Margaret River Vineyard Estate where my late father had a lot of grapes. We would spend many school holidays with family friends there, and Ruben and I have many fond memories there from the early days in our relationship. The Margaret River area is a very special place for us both, as we got engaged there as well.
For us it helped having lots of time to plan. We got engaged in July 2015 and married in April 2017, so had over a year to organise everything. We just chipped away at it to be honest, so it didn’t seem like a mad rush. Book the bigger things first, especially the venue and photographer as they can book up fast and well in advance! I know it sounds cliché, but do your research, ask friends and family if they know anyone personally that is involved in weddings (for example our wonderful celebrant was recommended by a family friend). It helped having a handy man fiancé and a crafty Mum – we handmade a lot of things, which helped saved money but is time consuming. Ruben says get a place that has festoon lights already hung, haha!
I really don’t think you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a good time and have a wonderful wedding! Enjoy it and have fun – it’s true what they say – it comes and goes so fast!
When Katrina visited our studio, she had a very clear idea of the style of gown she was after, a lace wedding dress with sleeves. She had seen a design online that she loved but she feared it wouldn’t fit her petite frame. We worked with the idea she had in mind to create a wedding dress with sleeves that suited her body shape. Katrina enjoyed the whole process, especially given that she had the opportunity to choose her very own lace and fabric making it a truly unique design.
Katrina had sheer lace sleeves, an open back with lace detail, a train that was finished with lace scollop and our signature handmade buttons running down her back. The end result was stunning and the gown moved so beautifully!
We were also super lucky to work with Katrina’s sister on her wedding dress, they both got married in 2017. It was very special to be able to share the made-to-measure experience with both of these gorgeous brides! You’ll find a photo of Katrina and Kristy below.
Katrina & Tim had both their ceremony and reception at The Core Cider House. The venue provided the perfect backdrop for lots of beautiful photos by Ali of Fields & Skies Photography.
“Thank you sooo much for my amazing dress 🙂 Everybody absolutely loved it!” – Katrina, March 2017
Wedding Dress with Sleeves: Elvi Design / Hire + Style: Turtle and the Pelican / Florist: Rue Rose Co / Venue: The Core Cider House / MUA: House of Hair / Hair: Inicka Rose Hairstylist Bridesmaids: Show me your mumu
When trying to find the right dress, Molly looked at a few bridal shops and even travelled interstate to see what was available. She ended up deciding on a custom made wedding dress because it meant she didn’t have to compromise on the design or the quality and it would be made to fit her perfectly.
When we met with Molly for her custom made wedding dress, we discussed her ideas and she tried on some of our samples. I then sketched up the design to suit her personal style and body shape. We then discussed the fall and drape of fabrics and decided on a soft, flowing silk georgette in natural ivory (a very flattering shade on most people). Molly wasn’t keen on lots of beading (and to be honest, neither am I) so I found a gorgeous little lace scollop to accent her waist. The lace detail was the perfect feminine touch to her custom made wedding dress. Molly’s gown was finished with handmade buttons down the back.
Molly & Sam wed at The Guildhall in North Fremantle, an elegant venue with rich interior detail. They then had photos around Fremantle before heading back to the venue to celebrate with family and friends.
Photos are by ByJP Photography – James Presneill based in Canberra / Hair piece by Ulyana Aster / Hair & Makeup by Kira De Spain / Bouquets by Prestige Flowers and Co / Venue: Guildhall Event Space, North Fremantle
I chose to get my dress made because I had tried on a number of dresses that were almost there but not quite, and I wasn’t ready to make a commitment to a dress that I wasn’t totally in love with. One dress in particular that I loved was the correct style but covered in beads, and I knew dead-set I didn’t want beading. So I took this ‘Grecian’ theme to Elvi Design and Sandy did an amazing job of interpreting my idea for a Greek goddess style dress and adding some oomph, (not to be outshined by the groom of course!) And I’m so glad I did, because what I ended up with was a custom made wedding dress that was as beautiful as I imagined, fit me like a glove, and is the only one of its kind because it was made just for me.
We got married at the Guildhall Event Space in North Fremantle. A couple of weeks before the One Fine Day fair 2016, Sam and I were having dinner at the Dominion League in Northbridge and discussing how it’s vibe was really cool and that we could see ourselves having our wedding there. We met Ashley (event coordinator) from Guildhall at One Fine Day and while looking through the photos of the space, I made a comment about how similar the décor and vibes were to Dominion League, wherein she told me that actually they’ve got the same owner! It was a sign! The look and the vibe was just what we wanted, what was included in their package was priced well, and the décor meant we didn’t have to do anything extra to add to the space.
There were a lot of things I thought would be super important to me on my wedding day, but when it actually came down to it, the most important thing to me was that by the end of it we were married. I’d spent the last 5 years watching my friends getting together, getting engaged, and getting married, and now it was my turn. I had the dress I wanted, I got to walk down the aisle to the song I had picked, I got to hang out with my closest friends all day. And at the end of it, I got to go home with my husband.
