EMILIE & JOHN
Photos by: Andrew Avi Photographer
Emilie wears our Pretty In Love gown.
HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE WEDDING DRESS SHOPPING?
It was difficult at first. I was struggling to find a dress that was suitable for my body shape and that I could dance all night in. I went to multiple stores but did not find the right fit. After looking for dresses on Instagram I came upon Riva Bridal. I booked an appointment and went to the showroom. I felt super comfortable and relaxed as soon as I stepped foot there. Kim was so lovely and helpful. My family really enjoyed coming along with me too. If I could I would have picked more than one dress to wear.
HOW DID YOU KNOW YOUR GOWN WAS THE ONE?
As soon as I put it on, I felt so comfortable and loved how it fitted my body. It felt so right and I also got a little teary. I went with my gut and picked “Pretty in Love”.
WHAT WAS YOUR WEDDING STYLE AND INSPIRATION BEHIND IT?
I wanted the style to be simple and elegant. I wanted to have little things to remind me of my grand-mother who is no longer with us. Doves and anthuriums were a starting point. We had doves on the wedding invite and on the cake and I specifically asked for anthuriums in my bridal bouquet. At first I wanted the theme to be more green but then I saw burgundy anthuriums in one of my florist previous bridal work and I fell in love with them so we decided to go with burgundy, blush, white and green in the floral arrangements at the reception's venue. It all came together little by little.
HOW DID YOU MEET?
We met at a Latin dance class. It took us four months after we first met before we went on our first date.
HOW DID THE PROPOSAL GO DOWN?
I was living in Melbourne and he was in Canberra at the time. We organised to meet in the middle at Tuileries in Rutherglen. We had actually stayed there for one of our interstate getaways when we first started dating. He proposed in the wedding garden. We were sitting down, I had my camera on self-timer and it captured the exact moment he pulled the ring out of his pocket and asked me “Will you marry me?”.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVOURITE MOMENT FROM YOUR WEDDING?
Definitely all the dancing! We had a bouzouki player and a sega band. My husband and I both really wanted to have a little piece of our cultures at the wedding. It was amazing to see everyone having fun dancing.
WHAT WAS YOUR WEDDING SOUNDTRACK?
For our bridal entrance at the reception, we played "Intoxicated" by Martin Solveig and GTA. For our first dance, it was "If I ain't got you" by Alicia Keys mixed with "Stand by me" by Prince Royce. We had to have a cheeky bachata as we wouldn't have met if it wasn't for us learning this style of Latin dancing.
WHAT ARE YOUR WORDS OF WISDOM FOR OTHER BRIDES?
Do not worry about the things that go wrong on or prior to the big day. All the choices you made will lead to the most beautiful celebration with your loved ones. It goes so fast so enjoy the moment.
WEDDING VENDORS
PHOTOGRAPHER: Andrew Avi
VIDEOGRAPHER: Chris Yee
STYLIST: Sweet Little Sunday
FLORIST: Peony N' Pearl
ENTERTAINMENT: Tommy Tsonis, Group La Faya and Dj Divito
RINGS: Harlequin Jewellers