The Special Couple: Kristi + Luke

The Wedding Date: 26th October 2018

THE FIRST SIGHT & PROPOSAL

We met through Facebook! Turns out we actually grew up in the same suburb and went to the same primary school.

We had been to Kiama in NSW a few years back for our anniversary and went for a bush walk/adventure through the national parks. It started to rain quite heavy so we went looking for shelter when we stumbled across the most beautiful lookout! It became one of our favourite spots. He took me on a surprise weekend getaway and we ended up going back here where he proposed. It was perfect! He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. To say I was excited was an understatement! I couldn't contain myself I was so happy and excited I couldn't stop screaming

THE VENUE

The inspiration for our wedding mostly came from our location. I knew I wanted to get married outdoors so we went looking for outdoor wedding venues. Bendooley Estate in Berrima was our first stop and I instantly fell in love with their beautiful gardens and ceremony location. Bendooley Estate is the venue dreams are made out of! I wanted to really focus on the beauty of the gardens that we kept the theme pretty minimalist with focus on the natural beauty. With a minimalist style in mind, white roses and white flowers along with a lot of greenery was a perfect match.

THE BRIDAL LOOK

I always knew I wanted a very natural look but once we chose the venue at Bendooley Estate I knew I had to have the wedding dress of bride's dreams! I had to have the dress of my dreams to match the venue of my dreams. I struggled to find that dream dress as I wanted to really know all of my options and what style suited me best. I was almost about to give up on finding my dream dress when the amazing girls at Eternal Bridal in Sydney tempted me to try on a Galia gown! It was wayyy out of my price range but my mum and I just thought "lets just try it for fun" and before she even did it up I was in love! The fabric, the glitter, the elegance, the beauty omg it was all too much to handle and it made me feel like the most beautiful bride. I knew I just had to have it! Finally, I had found the perfect, most beautiful, dreamy dress to match my dream location. Knowing how beautiful the dress was and how special our location was I just wanted to keep the minimal and natural feel with my hair and makeup The dress was so beautiful on its own it didn't need too much else going on. I wore pretty simple earrings and that was it for jewellery. And a long simple veil topped it off perfectly.

THE DRESS

I probably tried on around 14-20 gowns. I tried on atleast 6 on my first visit to Eternal Bridal and was not 100%. I did really really like a Hayley Paige gown but I still wanted to see what was out there. I went to a few stores in double bay and was extremely dissapointed by there collection. I also visited Karen Willis Holmes but I still could not find the "one". I had nearly given up but thought lets go back to Eternal as you guys had one of the best selections I had found with beautiful designers and I thought you might have new collection since my last visit. I was on a mission to find my dress so I tried on another good 6 or 8 dresses until the Galia Queen, Katherine, tempted me with the most beautiful Galia gown, Georgia!!! I knew this was the one as soon as it went on. I was overwhelmed with excitement! I got not stop dancing, smiling, screaming.. I just did not want to take off this beautiful dress!!! I still cannot get over how lucky I was to be able to wear the Georgia gown.

THE BEST THING ABOUT OUR DAY

I would love to say marrying my best friend, but I honestly have to say wearing my Galia gown was beyond incredible!! I felt like the prettiest girl/bride to ever have lived!!

KRISTI'S ADVICE

Enjoy every moment leading up to your big day

Kristi wore ‘Georgia’ from Galia Lahav Haute Couture. See more gowns from Galia Lahav here

KRISTI'S ETERNAL BRIDAL EXPERIENCE

To the Sydney girls at Eternal Bridal I cannot thank you enough. You made me feel so welcome and so special on my first visit to you. You were the first store I visited as a bride looking for my dream dress and you made me feel more special and so important than anywhere else I visited. I was so comfortable around the girls helping me with my fittings (and I didn't feel judged even when my big ass couldn't fit into some of the dresses!) You all were so lovely and kind and I cannot thank you all enough for making my dreams come true

Wedding Cake: Cakes for Mates