HR Real Bride Kelly wearing the Ruby veil by Peter Langner, Venus Pearl Crowns by Keren Wolf & Czarina by Jennifer Behr
Helen and her team were so wonderful to work with and the entire process was seamless. Helen is so meticulous and has such an eye for the smallest detail and is invested in every part of your dress and your day. From my very first conversation on the phone to the day I picked up both of my dresses Helen and her team could not do enough for me or be more accommodating. My Mum and I looked forward to every visit and Helen became more like a friend. Thank you so much Helen for making this experience so special!
Bride & Groom: Kelly & Rohan
Gown: Suzanne Neville custom ‘Petunia’ top with the ‘Monet’ skirt & Zarina from Helen Rodrigues Bridal
Photography: Jenna Fahey-White
Venue: Marquee at Maleny Manor
Floral: Mondo Floral Designs
Planning & Styling: CL Weddings & Event
Hair & Make-up: Evalyn Parsons & Lilly Rathie
Videography: Phoebe Galloway
Accessories: HR Bridal Accessories Peter Langner Ruby veil, Keren Wolf Venus Pearl crowns, Jennifer Behr Czarina headband, Jimmy Choo shoes & Rene Caovilla shoes
Bridesmaid dresses: Self Portrait
Celebrant: Carly Slade
How did you and your husband meet?
Rohan and I met through a mutual friend. We had both lived in the US at different times and our friend overlapped us both. When she was back in Brisbane she organised for us to all go out for a drink suspecting Rohan and I could be a match. She was right!
How did he propose?
Rohan proposed at 10:30am on a Monday morning on bended knee. He wanted to catch me off guard so I wouldn’t get suspicious (he succeeded!) He planned the rest of the day with a private boat and champagne followed by a romantic lunch just the two of us and a dinner in the evening with our family to celebrate.
What was your vision for your wedding day?
We wanted something sophisticated and upmarket but also relaxed. I had always wanted a marquee wedding as I loved the idea that you were starting with a blank canvas. I knew that I wanted the floral design to have a real wow factor. I was so thrilled with the final design and styling and how it all came together on the day.
Where did you look for your wedding inspiration?
I mostly looked at Instagram for inspiration. I went down a lot of rabbit holes throughout the planning of this wedding and I had a very comprehensive collection of saved posts!
What drew you to your gown from Helen Rodrigues Bridal?
I knew of Helen Rodrigues and her reputation and that she kept a range of global designers and timeless gowns, so she was top of my list when I first started looking. I liked the idea of a one shouldered dress and I also knew I wanted a full skirt. I had seen the original Petunia gown on Instagram and loved the detail and I was thrilled when Sophie & Helen told me that the dress could be customised and I could pair it with the skirt from the Monet gown.
While I waited for the QLD/NSW border to open I did my homework and tried on a lot of dresses and styles with the Petunia still in the back of my mind, suspecting it was probably my dress. I deliberately made my Helen Rodrigues appointment last and fell in love with the dress instantly.
What was your wedding planning journey like for you? How far out did you start planning?
We booked our venue in mid-October and we were married mid-May and thankfully we were not impacted by COVID. It was not a stressful experience, in fact I loved every minute of it! I loved planning and designing the day with Rohan and also my Mum and I were so lucky to work with such wonderful vendors and suppliers.
What was the biggest decision you had to make?
If it had been a normal time without COVID, Rohan and I would have loved to have been married in New Zealand. I think the biggest decision for us was whether to wait things out or to push forward and get married in Australia. Ultimately we realised that it was about having our friends and family around us and getting married and not about the location and in the end we absolutely adored our venue and the day was perfect.
What was the highlight of your wedding day for you?
The ceremony was very special for both of us, we loved our celebrant, and she created a ceremony that reflected us perfectly. It was relaxed, funning in parts and also quite sentimental. The speeches were also a highlight for us. We all laughed and cried in equal measure. We had a gin bar set up after the ceremony which set the scene and a whisky bar for later in the evening. We had wonderful feedback from all of our guests on those so I was really happy we went with them.
Is there anything you would do differently?
I really don’t think there would be one thing I would change. It was such a beautiful, special day that we will cherish forever.
Is there any advice you would give other #HRBride’s?
I would tell other brides to just start locking things in as soon as you can and don’t put off organising the little things. I made it my goal to have most things booked and organised early so that I could enjoy the last month leading up to the wedding without too much pressure or stress.
