On Monday we started to roll out our end of year round-ups than with Best of 2019: Wedding Cakes followed by Bridesmaids Dresses, Styling Ideas, Grooms Style, Bridal Bouquets and now Bridal Gowns (according to your clicks, likes and comments throughout the year across our blog, Instagram and Pinterest pages).
It was getting a bit same-same these past few years, seeing dozens and dozens of brides wearing the same gown over and over, so we’re so jazzed to see such a diverse mix of bridal gowns make the list this year. There is everything from cult bridal go-to’s like Karen Willis Holmes and Grace Loves Lace to new entries from up and coming Aussie labels Prea James Bridal, L’eto Bridal to custom made creations by Christie Nicole Bridal. One of our fave boutiques Hope X Page made the list too (where her bride mix and matched a few designers) as well as some coloured numbers from well known high street labels.
Whether you’re shopping for gowns, separates or something bright and fun in 2020 this is a fab list to start from, also be sure to click here for all of our go-to bridal boutiques, couture designers and bridal designers Australia wide. But before you get shopping, pull up your Pinterest board and get note-taking, because right here, in no particular order, are our top ten bridal bouquets of 2019…
ELLE & CARINA, HOBART, TAS
Ok ok, you got us, technically there are 11, not 10 gowns on our best of 2019 list. But can you blame us? Who could possibly choose between these two stunning Karen Willis Holmes bridal gowns! Karen is the undisputed queen of chic and contemporary beaded and embellished gowns here in Australia and its gowns like this that make it easy to see why. You can check out the latest from the KWH brand with their Luxe, Bespoke, Curve and Wild Hearts collections and click here to read all about Elle and Carina’s day (and the lovely things they have to say about their gown shopping experience), with photos by Fiona Vail. Planning a Tassie wedding? Click here for a list of our favourite local vendors.
ALICE & AARON, CANBERRA, ACT
Alice blew us away with her chic Rime Arodaky ensemble. Photographed by Across The Forest (who split their time between Sydney and Canberra for anyone looking for an amazing photographer) their wedding day is packed with inspo for your own day of good times (including a rad hair and makeup recommendation). Across The Forest are not only photographers, they also have an amazing range of wedding invitations on offer, yep, this is one talented husband and wife duo.
JOSEPHINE & TIM, PERTH, WA
We were stoked when of our fave West Oz lens ladies, the wonderful Alexandra Cohen, shared this gorgeous wedding with us earlier in the year. The bride, Josephine, looked stunning in her J’Aton Couture gown – we loved it so much we put it on the cover of issue 22 (available for purchase here). For more of Alexandra’s seriously stunning photos click here and here.
ADRIANA & TOM, KANGAROO VALLEY, NSW
We love it when a bride mixes things up a little and it’s boutiques like Hope X Page that give brides the freedom and confidence to do so, given they stock such a huge range of affordable gowns designers and separates. Bride Adriana mix and matched with pants and a top from Alexandra Grecco and Oui The Label respectively. This wedding was photographed by Heart and The Sea, you can see the whole day here.
ELLA & JEY, MELBOURNE, VIC
Bride Ella nearly broke the internet with this stunning red gown from cult Melbourne boutique Christine Accessories, a must stop destination if you’re looking for high street designer gown rather than one of the traditional white variety! This low key day was photographed by Motta Weddings. You can check out more of his stunning photographic work here.
Before we even spied a shot of this short and sweet custom creation we were smitten kittens with the cape – a cape guys! Christie Nicole Bridal is one of Sydney’s leading designers when it comes to having a one off gown created specifically for you and your body type. So if you can’t find your dream gown in store, or you simply want to wear something that is unique to you, then be sure to drop this talented lady a line. You can read more about Bronte and Blakes wedding day, with photos by James Simpson Photo, right here.
BEC & MAX, PRIVATE PROPERTY, NSW
Let it be known that we worship at the alter of Prea James Bridal. This young South Coast designer has taken the wedding world by storm these last few seasons with her oh-so unique take on contemporary bridal. From bridal gowns to separates we’re sure there is something in her latest collection for everyone. You’ll find her stocked at Mrs Fray in Canberra and Hope X Page in Sydney. This wedding was photographed by Redmoose Photography, check out the whole shebang here.
HANNAH & BEN, KANGAROO VALLEY, NSW
Those sleeves! How can you not love those sleeves! This has to be one of our fave Grace Loves Lace gown of the season (and call us crazy, but we think this is something you could hem to the ankles and wear again and again which we love). This super chill Kangaroo Valley wedding was photographed by Scott Surplice Photography. Check out more of his work here, here and here on the cover of issue 25.
SARAH & DOM, PRIVATE PROPERTY, QLD
This stunning blush pink layered gown by Aje is the stuff dreams are made of – so its easy to see why y’all tapped that like button so many times since we shared this gorgeous wedding (photographed by Queensland fave Tennille Fink) with you. For more of Tenille’s gorgeous photos be sure to click here.
MICHAL & JOEL, AUDLEY, NSW
Our love for the gorgeous Anya and the label she created, L’eto Bridal, knows no bounds. This woman is a true creative genius and brings such a magical touch to everything she does. We were smitten kittens with her first collection and her second collection (which is where this gorgeous design you see above came from) took things to a whole other level – and don’t even get us started on our love for her brand new third collection, oh my! You’ll find her gowns stocked exclusively at her Northern Beaches showroom and Mrs Fray in the ACT. This beautiful day was photographed by Tom Coburn at Audley Dancehall & Cafe.