The Special Couple: Germaine + Sam

Wedding Date: 8th June 2018

Sam and I met at work. Funny story: I applied for a job in his team where he interviewed and hired me. I remember thinking to myself, "My boss is really funny and good looking!" We worked really well together and made a great team but shortly after, he moved on to another job. It wasn't until some time later when we crossed paths again and were both single that we started exploring the possibility of a relationship. Until today, we still joke about how he was actually interviewing for a wife when he interviewed me!

What was the proposal like?

It was a regular weeknight when he proposed. I went for Pilates in the evening and after the session, Sam came to pick me up to go for a simple dinner. I was tired, hungry and not expecting anything special to happen that night.  So imagine my surprise when we got home, I opened the door and saw our stairway lit with candles and decorated with rose petals, my favourite music playing in the background. Our two dogs—who were dressed in little doggy tuxedos—came to greet us at the steps and Sam went down on one knee to pop the question. I had to say yes quickly as the dogs were starting to eat the vanilla scented candles!

Did you have a wedding theme ?

I didn't have a specific theme, but since the wedding was in Paris we added a few Parisian touches like Ladurée macarons, french truffles, champagne and wine and a french Jazz band. The vision was timeless ethereal elegance as I want to be able to look back at our wedding in twenty years and still be in love with our choices. We used classic and timeless elements like lots of fresh flowers, gold candelabras and a soft pleasing palette of white, gold and pale pink. The salons were so ornately decorated with gilded walls and stunning crystal chandeliers that we didn't need to add much more.

Like most brides, I turned to Pinterest and Instagram and spent hours scrolling through photos, furiously pinning them. I was particularly inspired by Parisian photographers like Audrey Neracoulis and also my photographer Erin & Tara, so it was quite easy to find the look that I was going for - I just stalked their pages and saved all my favourite looks.

The highlight of the day was simply during the dinner reception when Sam and I looked around us and saw everyone having a great time enjoying the food and music. We were so glad that everyone was having fun and felt very loved and honoured that our friends and family flew halfway across the world to spend the week with us in Paris. I also surprised Sam with a video montage of his friends and family telling him how much they adore him, so seeing his face when the video started playing was simply priceless.

Describe the moment you found your wedding dress.

It was happenstance really. I first chanced upon the dress at the Eternal Bridal store in Sydney. I was interstate for work, had knocked off for the day and was walking around before dinner when I saw the dress in the display window. I wasn't sure if I could pull off long sleeves but loved the lace on the skirt, so I went in and asked to try it on.  I walked in without an appointment 10 minutes before the store was meant to shut for the day and I was expecting them to say no, but the ladies in the store were extremely patient and helpful, and I am incredibly thankful for that. 

What made your gown different from all the others you tried on ?

I have tried about 10 different dresses from various boutiques in Melbourne and Sydney. I also tried on many other dresses after trying the Bella, but nothing else compared. It had a different silhouette to what was trending at that time and I liked that it was a refreshing look. The design of the dress made me look and feel like a million bucks by hugging my body in all the right places. I couldn't stop thinking about it from the first time i tried it on. I was initially worried that the Bella might be a little too sexy on its own for the ceremony, but once I added the Aviva overskirt it completely changed the look to a modern ballgown that didn't feel stuffy and i loved it.