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Dec 29, 2020
Unique Wedding dresses Melbourne and beyond
- Brooke Tyson Ritual
- Suzanne Harward
- Alex Perry
- KYHA Studios
- Paolo Sebastian
- Jaime Lee Major
- Mariana Hardwick
- Le Louvre Bridal
Looking for the most unique wedding dress Melbourne has on offer? Whether you’re looking for unique wedding dresses boho, long sleeve, white or colourful (check out this incredible Suzanne Harward songbird gown), on this page you’ll find some of the most brilliant modern wedding dress designers.
I’ve been lucky to photograph love and ceremony on all continents, which means seeing so much of the worlds most unique wedding dresses and bridal designers on brilliant lovers in all kids of places: these are 7 of the best unique wedding dresses and wedding dress shops in Melbourne that i’ve had the pleasure of working with.
Be sure to read to the bottom to discover the final 5.
Melbourne unique wedding dresses: a dress comparison chart
| Wedding dress designer | Wedding Dress Style | Wedding Venue location | You might also like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brooke Tyson Ritual | Ethereal | New Zealand | About Phaedra |
| Suzanne Harward | Cutting edge classy | Collingwood | Paolo Sebastian |
| Alex Perry | Unique brutalist | Collingwood | Le Louvre Bridal |
| KYHA Studios | Sequinned glory | South Melbourne | Mariana Hardwick |
| Paolo Sebastian | Fairytale | Adelaide | Suzanne Harward |
| Jaime Lee Major | Detailed majestic | Melbourne | About Phaedra |
| Mariana Hardwick | Wispy classic | Thornbury | Suzanne Harward |
| Le Louvre Bridal | Classic Melbourne | Richmond | Alex Perry |
| About Phaedra | Inimitably natural | Footscray | Brooke Tyson Ritual |
| Bluebell Bridal | Classical | Melbourne CBD | Le Louvre Bridal |
| Raffael Ciuca | Melbourne classic | Brunswick | Mariana Hardwick |
| Anna Campbell | Romantic classy | Armadale | Suzanne Harward |
| Gwendolynne | Vintage inspired | Fitzroy | About Phaedra |
| Cathleen Jia | Romantically creative | Moorabbin | Le Louvre Bridal |
When you look at how Australian and New Zealand designers have to fight for a place at the table with smaller markets and at a geographical disadvantage to the rest of the world, it’s no surprise then that some of the most brilliant and forward-thinking designs have actually come from this corner of the globe as they place tradition a gentle second, and innovation first, pushing the craft of design past the edges.
And so, incidentally, these designers are all from Australia and New Zealand!
As an art-lover, a beautiful and thoughtfully designed gown is captivating to look at and brilliant to photograph.
This is a run-down of 5 of the most beautiful gowns i’ve had the pleasure of photographing: from the wedding dresses long sleeve genius Alex Perry has designed, through to wedding dresses boho designers like Paolo Sebastian have created.
1. Unique Short Wedding Dress: Brooke Tyson Ritual
Looking for wedding dresses boho and beyond? Check out Brooke Tyson. Brooke Tyson Ritual is what happens when you have a curious kiwi, captivated by the world of cinema and nostalgia and with a childhood spent playing dress-ups, cast her hand to the fine art of bridal couture.
Brooke Tyson’s Ritual gowns shown here are the Flora gown, and the Luna gown, photographed on Franc on film (find a film wedding photographer here), on a volcano in New Zealand. You can also view a full feature on Brooke Tyson Ritual here. If you’re looking for wedding dresses long sleeve or medium sleeve, the Flora gown below might be just what you’re after. It’s flowy long sleeves create brilliant shape and coverage, while still being light enough to move comfortably in.
These unique wedding dresses styles might be unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.
Find Brooke Tyson Ritual online:
2. Unique Wedding Dresses with colour: Suzanne Harward
Suzanne Harward is a designer i’ve had the good fortune of working with several times, and you can see a feature on 3 of the best Suzanne Harward wedding dresses here too.
Suzanne Harward is an icon of the Australian bridal design scene, with a rich long history while always staying two steps ahead of the trends. Check out the impossibly brilliant songbird gown.
If you’re looking for unique wedding dresses australia and beyond, it’s hard to go past Suzanne Harward.
Incredible unique wedding dresses: Suzanne Harward songbird gown.
Wedding dresses designer in style: Suzanne Harward
3. Long Sleeve Wedding Dress Melbourne: Alex Perry Bridal
Looking for a long sleeve wedding dress or a unique wedding dress with sleeves? Alex Perry isn’t necessarily a name synonymous with bridal design – and this isn’t even a piece from his bridal collection – but that didn’t stop the forward-thinking Liv from adapting one of his other pieces for her wedding to Adam. Wedding dresses designer Alex Perry has brought something unique and modern to the table (whether he intended to or not).
These two marvels are featured on Together Journal, where you can see even more glorious images of their day, her incredible sense of style, and that inimitable long sleeve wedding dress by Alex Perry.
Find Alex Perry Bride online
4. Modern Boho Wedding Dress Melbourne: KYHA Studios
Looking for wedding dresses boho in style? KYHA studios is right at the front of incredible, innovative boho wedding dresses. Founded by Kyha Simpson after tying the knot and wanting to bring something new to the industry, KYHA Studios.
Designed and handmade in Melbourne, KYHA Studios are one of the early frontrunners of doing things differently, and as a result have inspired an industry-wide shift in risk-taking designs. See more of this Kyha Studios wedding dress.
Wedding dresses boho in style: KYHA Studios (Boho wedding dress Melbourne)
5. Unique Wedding Dress: Paolo Sebastian
I hope i’m not the only one who, based on the brand name, initially thought Paolo Sebastian was some kind of lavish octogenarian European designer with over half a century of brilliant work under their belt.
Nope – it’s the work from the genius mind of an impossibly young designer, Paul Vasileff, straight out of Adelaide, Australia. Designers like Paolo Sebastian push the edges of classy couture that leans in to the future of the genre.
Paolo Sebastian gowns blend a nod to tradition offset (speaking of offset… take a peep at the new wave of Offset portraits) with something resembling the top end of the Disney playground of fantasy designs.
Hannah wears Paolo Sebastian. The Royal Mail Hotel wedding of Hannah and Ben, alongside the inimitable Humdrum Films, is featured on Farewell Fiance. See more of this over on Paolo Sebastian Wedding Dress, and at this Hindmarsh Island wedding.
Wedding dresses boho in style: Paolo Sebastian
6. Wedding dresses Perth: Jaime Lee Major
Check out these unique wedding dresses Perth has available. Jaime Lee Majors designs are from another planet. The Fremantle / Perth designer made a name for herself cutting cloth for every celebrity under the sun, beginning initially with an epic gown for Kimbra right around the time of her career take-off.
Since then, Jaime Lee Major has used her progressive, artistic inspired approach to design gowns that push bridal to the very edge. Check out this incredible piece from the Fremantle wedding of Sarah and Dave. See more over on the feature on Jaime Lee Major.
If you’re looking for wedding dresses Perth or nearby, Jaime Lee Major is your designer.
Find Jaime Lee Major online
Jaime Lee Major on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaimeleemajor
While you’re here, take a peep at these incredible modern wedding jumpsuits.
7. Wedding dresses Melbourne: Mariana hardwick
Looking for unique wedding dresses lace and elegant? Mariana Hardwick is an iconic Melbourne wedding dress designer. Check out this incredible gown on Elisha at Zonzo Estate. This lace wedding dress is light, flowy, and elegant.
If you’re after wedding dresses vintage in vibe but with an elegant modern twist, Mariana Hardwick is hard to go past.
Find Mariana Hardwick
Mariana Hardwick website: https://marianahardwick.com.au/
While you’re here, take a peep at this Mariana Hardwick wedding dress on Elisha at this Zonzo Wedding showcase.
8. Wedding Dress Melbourne Designer: Le Louvre Bridal
Looking for wedding dresses vintage in style? You must check out this Le Louvre classic, unchanged for nearly a century. Melbourne bridal designers Le Louvre have been around for 95 years, but that doesn’t mean that this classic Le Louvre Wedding Dress, worn here by Bianca, looks like anything other than one of the most incredible designs on the planet.
If you’re looking for wedding dresses vintage in style, this sleeved gown is one of the most unique designs you’ve ever seen and hard to go past. Maybe you’ve seen these two in Together Journal? If not, pick up a copy of issue #19 to see more of this incredible unique wedding dress on Bianca.
Wedding dresses elegant in style: Le Louvre
Le Louvre Bridal website: https://www.lelouvre.com.au/
Unique wedding dress Melbourne: 5 frequently asked questions
You can buy a wedding dress from any of the 7 incredible wedding dress designers on this post.
A good wedding dress might cost anywhere from $2000 to $20000. There can be hundreds and hundreds of hours involved in creating a wedding dress, so we recommend making an enquiry with all of the incredible Melbourne wedding dress designers on this page to find out yourself.
The best wedding dress Melbourne has on offer might be anything by Suzanne Harward, KYHA studios or Le Louvre. Incredible designers right on our doorstep.
In my opinion, the best new wedding dress is About Phaedra. You can go to their website here: https://www.aboutphaedra.com.au/
Head up and to see incredible wedding dresses with sleeves by Le Louvre, Alex Perry, and Brooke Tyson.
If you’re looking for a unique wedding dress in Melbourne, check out Suzanne Harward, KYHA studios or Le Louvre. Unique designs available right in Melbourne.
Wedding dress Melbourne: 6 more wedding dress designers you might not know about:
9. About Phaedra – https://www.aboutphaedra.com.au/
10. Bluebell Bridal – https://www.bluebellbridal.com/
11. Raffael Ciuca – https://www.raffaeleciuca.com.au/
12. Anna Campbell – https://www.annacampbell.com.au/
13. Gwendolynne – https://www.gwendolynne.com.au/
14. Cathleen Jia – https://www.cathleenjia.com.au/
Hire me to photograph your wedding (if you want)
Wedding photographer Melbourne – Briars Atlas: Enquire
Jul 9, 2020
How to write a wedding ceremony: Charis White is a Melbourne wedding celebrant with an enormous amount of experience in weddings large and small all over greater Melbourne and Victoria, for every type of couple you can imagine. With all her experience in running brilliant ceremonies, Charis shares her thoughts on how to write a wedding ceremony, how to write your vows, and how to ensure that it’s a smooth experience – especially for the shy and introverted.
How to write a wedding ceremony: tips from Charis White
When you consider how to write a wedding ceremony, what are the perfect elements a great one, and how do you personally service them?
Getting to know the couple well means they will have a great ceremony. At a wedding I did recently, a guest asked if I was a friend of the couples. This is the best compliment ever as it shows I really know them and reflected their story in an awesome way.
Do you recommend a process for couples to think about their vows content?
I ask them if they have an idea about what they want to talk about. If not, then I give them some vow inspiration to look over and guide them along. I also read over the vows and offer advice and guidance.
What are your best tips for couples that are shy at the idea of being vulnerable in front of their community?
I tell them to face each other, that way they are only seeing the face of their bestie. If you are nervous, a reassured look can calm you down. I am also up there with them to reassure them and guide them through the process.
How do you take the inner vibes of your couples and translate that into an overall wedding ceremony that’s meaningful to them and congruent to their vows?
Laura in the incredible Suzanne Harward songbird gown also featured here.
When I meet my couples, we have a chat about their day, their expectations and the overall vibe they want their ceremony to take. Once we have chatted through their story, I send them a questionnaire with more comprehensive questions. I also give my clients the draft to look over, it reassures them.
In terms of their vows (see Jake writing his wedding vows), I cast my eyes over them to make sure they are both semi aligned. EG, if one vow is very funny, then I will go to the other person and tell them to weave in a little humour.
That way they are both balanced.
How do you ensure that aside from the couple, their family and community is entertained or spoken to by the ceremony?
I talk about family and friends in the ceremony. I also love engaging with people prior to the ceremony, especially the oldies and kids.
If there is a way to weave a few friends into the ceremony story, I love to do this and love the relatability of it.
I see a lot of vows written the morning of the wedding. Brave! What is your advice on writing the vows ahead of time or in the moment on the day?
Laura and Walker looking super cinematic. See why we still use Kodak as a film wedding photographer.
My advice is totally against this. Actually, I bully them into giving them to me prior. JK. If the couple wants me to have their vows, so they do not need to carry anything on the day of their wedding. I ask for the vows prior to the ceremony. I then populate them into the final draft.
My timeline on this is at least two weeks prior to the ceremony. Sometimes I get them the morning of.
However, most couples are pretty good with getting them to me on time. I also look over their vows prior to the ceremony.
Long story short – don’t leave your vows until the last minute!
Your top three parting tips for couples looking to hire a celebrant?
Follow your gut, trust the process and believe in your team.
Find Charis White online (and hire her for your Melbourne elopement):
Charis White Celebrant Website
Charis White Celebrant Instagram
See here for how to plan wedding music.
Jun 9, 2020
Suzanne Harward is one of Australia’s brightest design minds. Her wedding dress designs have been at the leading edge for nearly 30 years. If you’re getting married in Melbourne (or anywhere for that matter), it’s hard to go past our own hometown maestros, Suzanne Harward wedding dresses, for world-leading bridal design. In this post, we’ll look at a few of the best Suzanne Harward bridal gowns i’ve seen.
Based in Collingwood, the Suzanne Harward team are responsible for some of the most forward-thinking, design-minded pieces that are not only a joy to photograph (I might have a personal bias), but incredibly decadent pieces for brides.
Most importantly, each and every time I chat with a bride about their choice of gown, they end up falling over backwards in adoration for the team, and it’s pretty easy to see why.
While you’re here, be sure to also check out these other incredible unique wedding dresses.
Suzanne Harward Wedding Dresses featured in this post
I’ve been fortunate enough to photograph several fashion-forward brides over the years and got to photograph the best modern wedding dresses around – which much of the time happens to be a Suzanne Harward.
Here, i’ve picked three of them, that offer a quick look at what the Suzanne Harward team can do a across the whole spectrum: from elegantly classic, to something from another planet.
All photographs below captured by and remain copyright of Briars Atlas.
Suzanne Harward Wedding Dress: The Bluebird Gala Gown
Laura and Walker:
Category: From another planet
Gown: The Bluebird Gala gown also: Songbird gown
Laura’s Suzanne Harward gown knocked my socks off as soon as I walked into their Daylesford bridal prep house. Hanging from a rustic door, it was adorned with the most incredibly bright florals etched into it, with gorgeous soft peach/pink tulle layers.
Laura and Walker were married at the Daylesford convent, a beautiful historic location that made for a perfect contrast to Lauras gown.
I’ve just gotta step in here: how incredible is that speckled light above? You can find that yourself by heading to the Daylesford Convent Gallery.
Treats. Always. Win. Laura and Walker invited their beautiful little scallywag Bonnie along, and she stayed for the entire day and partied well into the evening at the Daylesford Convent.
Want to see more of Laura and Walker? They are featured in print, having been published inside issue #19 of Together Journal. Already got your Suzanne Harward gown and want me to photograph it? You can enquire to hire me here.
Suzanne Harward Wedding Dress: Eden
Iro and Alex:
Category: Somewhere from here to there
Gown: Eden (no longer available)
Iro’s stunningly detailed dress is a masterclass in modern classic design. I like to think that I have this gown to thank for this image landing me as a category finalist for International Wedding Photographer of the Year 2018 – a beautiful moment in bridal prep accomodation in rural Victoria, before her wedding to Alex at their Butterland wedding in Newstead (also featured here on this post about Castlemaine wedding venues).
What they won’t necessarily tell you on the Suzanne Harward website, is that no matter how gloriously decadent their gowns are, they are able to withstand a champagne spray from even the most enthusiastic friend.
Want to see more of Iro and Alex? They are featured here in Together Journal. Already got your Suzanne Harward gown and want me to photograph it? You can enquire to hire me here.
Suzanne Harward Wedding Dress: White Look #5
Tash and Jacob:
Category: Elegant modern classic
Gown: White Look 5
Just when you think that you can’t be beautifully surprised by a new take on subtle classicism, Suzanne Harward come out with this sleek, elegant gem. Natasha and Jacob were married at the Melbourne registry office, and we spent a little time traipsing around some of my most favourite, secret spots in the city, with gorgeous soft light that played off against the simple shapes of the gown.
Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this roundup of the best Suzanne Harward wedding dresses (in my humble opinion – don’t let that stop you poring over their incredible range on their website below).
Where to Find Suzanne Harward Bridal
www.suzanneharward.com
73 Johnston St, Collingwood VIC 3066
All images taken by Briars Atlas.
Book me to photograph your wedding
If you’d like to make an enquiry for me to be your wedding photographer, head here.
Apr 8, 2019
The Suzanne Harward Songbird gown is an impossibly brilliant piece of design by the crew at Suzanne Harward. Featuring embroidered tulle, a circular skirt, and incredible floral and bluebird details from top to bottom.
I photographed the wedding of Laura and Walker held at Daylesford Convent, and this post will feature just images of Laura in her incredible gown. Their dog Bonnie came along for the ride (as in, the entire ride, start to finish, including dance-floor raving at the incredible Daylesford Convent) and what followed was a wild day of rain-dodging and glorious times with their community at one of the gems of regional Victoria.
To see their full wedding in detail, keep your eyes on Together Journal, where it will be featured.
See the Songbird gown also featured here in unique Wedding Dresses.
Enquire about Suzanne Harward Songbird gown
Suzanne Harward website: https://www.suzanneharward.com/
Looking for another incredible wedding gown? Check out this modern wedding dress by Jaime Lee Major.
