It’s unavoidable: One of the first discussions I started having once I got engaged excited questions about the dress I wanted to wear on the big day. But what if what you’re looking for is a bit more tricky to put your finger on…somewhat more elusive. It’s a mood, a sensibility - not a style.
Choosing a wedding dress is so different depending on who you are, your shape, your location, your preferences and, of course, personal taste. Let’s be real ladies: when it comes to your wedding there’s just so much focus on your dress, it’s important to begin planning early.
Personally, I never felt like I had a set wedding dress vision in my head. Yes, some brides start with the ‘must-have’ design elements that they want - like a low back, poofy sleeves or long train. But I felt relaxed and open to the wedding dress gods. I knew that the ideal dress would just come to me. I didn’t want to force it, and buy lots of bridal magazines or spend hours pinning my dream gown on Pinterest. Luckily, I did find the right dress for me - thanks to my mum, Helen, who found the ideal bridal designer for me, Juliette Hogan Bridal.
All my life I’ve made a conscious effort to support New Zealand fashion designers, and I felt that it would be really cool to find someone New Zealand based who designed bride dresses with a modern twist (twenty-seven names - please start a bridal line for my ten year vow anniversary - thanks!).
Early on in the wedding planning process, Mum sent me the link to Juliette Hogan Bridal. I loved the fact that Juliette Hogan is a New Zealand fashion designer and her dreamy, romantic vision of strong New Zealand women.
Juliette Hogan Bridal gowns are structured and classic, but also feel relaxed and comfortable to wear. The styles by this New Zealand designer are the ideal blend of minimalism and elegance. You can tell, even from their website, that the fabrics they use are incredibly high-quality. From the thick satins to all-over embroidered ‘shell’ like sequins, I could almost feel the luxurious textures through my laptop. I felt like I’d have a hard time narrowing down my options, rather than picking one which I actually liked.
Another thing I appreciated about JHB was the story she seemed to tell about the brides and women she liked dressing. We were enough as we were. Unlike lots of bridal designs that are modeled on photoshopped goddesses, all bronzed perfection, JHB had lots of pictures of real brides wearing their dresses, as well as pale, freckled, quirky models. Somehow, it felt like Juliette Hogan wouldn’t expect me to get a spray tan and lose 10kg (note: I did not). This line of bridal garments is about making people go “Wow! Doesn’t she look amazing!” rather than “Wow! Isn’t her dress amazing!”
I made sure that to check I really felt right I looked up other amazing wedding dress websites, like Sally Eagle, Charlie Brear, Paperswan Bride, and Ingrid Starnes (later I also looked at Karen Walker Brides after I’d made my selection), nothing ever felt like it was ‘me’ in the way Juliette Hogan instantaneously connected for me personally. It was like it was made for me!
Mum and I decided to go with our friend Gina (my bridesmaid) to Auckland and try on the options.
In Auckland, I got started and tried on a few gowns in the Juliette Hogan Bridal showroom in Morningside. It was a little bit annoying that they only had sample sizes in most gowns (i.e. a size eight) but I remember that I didn’t think that was particularly a big deal at the time. I toyed with tops, sashayed with skirts and sparked in sequins. While I did enjoy all of them (and particularly the ‘Mattie Dress’ initially), there was one dress that when I put it on we just ‘knew’. My mum welled up and I did a little dance. It felt completely comfortable and like I could move around. This was the Cordelia dress.
Like many things in fashion catalogs, I’d have overlooked the Cordelia dress if I hadn’t tried it on. On the hangar, it didn’t immediately strike me but on me - it came to life. Paired with a slip dress underneath, Nancy Ganz shapewear and the Nella veil, I was ready to roll. I especially loved how the lace moved with me and had a bit of stretch in it. I even loved the Penny Suede shoes that were available in the showroom by La Tribe (these were out of stock but we ended up finding a pair in Mount Maunganui at Sisters & Co).
I must admit, when it came to my second fitting in the Cordelia dress, I got a bit of stage fright. It suddenly felt all very final and I wondered whether I’d made the right decision. It wasn’t until we’d received the dress and I put it on with my other bridesmaid, Maria, that my nerves were settled. Her reaction was priceless and she assured me I was looking pretty damn good.
For my bridesmaids, we had a bit of a tricky scenario with both of them being young mums/pregnant at the time. This meant that neither Gina or Maria could easily go shopping with me for dresses. In the end, I was able to find something we all liked which fitted the general theme that things seemed to be traveling in - a classic 40’s style navy wrap dress by Essk from Coco on Willis Street. The staff there were very helpful and allowed us to fly the dress to Cambridge, where Gina was. Gina and Maria also wore La Tribe shoes from Sisters & Co in Blush. I loved how my bridesmaids looked on the day and I especially our gorgeous photos together.
When it came to Matt’s outfit, we opted for New Zealand menswear outfitter, Barkers. Matt wore the All Blacks Shirt with a classic navy suit and a flowered Liberty tie. The groomsmen wore the same as Matt, and looked extremely dashing (all tailored by Topline Tailors of Wellington). Barkers were amazing and got everything done as guests flew in from overseas and rushed straight to their fittings - thanks, Jamie and Robbie - you were incredible!
When we all came together, everything suddenly made sense. Topped with my incredible bouquet of flowers from Juliette Florist, full of Sea Holly, Hydrangeas and Roses, I just was so thrilled with the way that we all looked and how my dress just felt like me. I stayed in it all night, and it held up extremely well. I also rocked my shoes and didn’t take them off until the end of the evening - a statement to how comfortable they were.
The best thing about my wedding dress, and the outfits everyone else wore, is that after we got ready, we could just totally forget them and enjoy the day. I felt completely comfortable and myself in my wedding dress. It was super easy to move in and despite the fact I got some grass stains on it and made a few rips I was totally relaxed. Life is to be lived, and dresses are made to be worn. Certainly, what makes the best wedding dresses, in my opinion, is if you can be yourself.
Photos by Ana Galloway - our amazing photographer.