Queensland Brides

editor’s letter

Lovers, welcome back! Australia’s good fortune in managing the coronavirus has us embracing more weddings, more freedom and more fun this year. Hallelujah! And, while it’s fair to say that flexible expectations and quick transformations are the ‘new normal’ considerations of wedding planning, here at Queensland Brides, we have treasured seeing couples rise against the tides of the challenge to let their love take centre stage. Case in point: this issue’s collection of heartfelt and romantic celebrations, beginning on p.31. Unsurprisingly, COVID-safe trends continue to be at the forefront of modern weddings, and to tell the truth, we love the influx of imaginative options springing up in the wake of the pandemic. From sweet, individual wedding cakes to fun anniversary receptions (the epic marry-now-and-party-later solution to a modified guest list) and…

fashion forward

SHOW-STOPPING SLEEVES Be it an off-the-shoulder silhouette, sheer lace with illusion cutouts or long billowy bells, there is no doubt that a sleeved wedding gown makes a captivating statement (this one is from Erin Clare Bridal). This romantic look has ebbed and flowed in popularity over the years, but there is a definite resurgence for 2021. And the best part? Sleeves can work with any style. Love! JUMP TO IT Playful and cutting edge in equal measure, the bridal jumpsuit can instantly elevate your style status to runway-chic, and it’s easy to see why it’s a favourite choice for brides in search of a twist on tradition. We especially love how designers heighten the elegance by combining dainty lace details and a beautiful skirt overlay. Case in point: the Patsy jumpsuit by Rime…

beauty spot

Softly does it! For delightfully supple skin that looks and feels like you’ve stepped straight from a spa-like treatment, treat your body, hands and feet to the lush Rose & Neroli Luxury Body Scrub by Indagare Natural Beauty. Pure and natural – free from synthetic ingredients and nasties – this divine blend will help exfoliate and polish your skin while also moisturising and nourishing it, leaving you with an all-over skin glow to match your smile on your big day! indagarebeauty.com Essentially yours Move over, maids of honour! The new Alysia Bridger Events Wedding Day Essentials Bridal Box is sure to be a bride’s MVP on the big day. Personally designed by luxury wedding planner Alysia Bridger, this thoughtful collection of beauty and emergency goodies (it even comes with a portable phone charger!)…

the shape of love

THE A-LISTER: EMERALD “Square-cut or pear-shaped, these rocks don’t lose their shape.”Marilyn Monroe, ‘Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend’. The sleek, bold lines of the emerald cut were a firm favourite during the art deco era and resonate with modern A-listers, too. This rectangular shape looks especially stunning on brides with long, slender fingers, packs a punch as a solitaire, or carries a more vintage feel when surrounded by other stones. Good to note: the emerald cut has less facets (faces) than a round stone and tends to show imperfections, so work with a trusted jeweller to track down a stellar stone. WHO WEARS IT? Look to the blinding beauty Alex Rodriguez chose for Jennifer Lopez, the 18-carat whopper worn by Beyoncé, or Amal Clooney’s emerald-cut sparkler from George. Old Hollywood may have…

chemical attraction

A chance seating arrangement in a high-school science class sparked this couple’s slow-burning chemical reaction, which (eventually) grew into a lifetime love. “I’d like to say we hit it off, but we didn’t,” laughs Ellie, who admits to pestering her new class companion for extra stationery and pencils – items she regularly misplaced and James guarded dearly. Furthermore, she would try to peek at his beloved artwork (while James wasn’t looking), declaring that “he always carried an art book with him and I used to steal it and look at all his drawings, which made him hate me even more.” However, what started as antagonising antics from Ellie ultimately proved the turning point in their blossoming relationship: once James began to share his art, they connected and began to spend even…

resilient love

Taylah and Carey had always imagined that their wedding day would be held at luxury private Gold Coast estate Gilston Manor, which just happened to be owned by Taylah’s parents’ close friends – a dream that makes complete sense to us! Of course, COVID-19 was not part of this idyllic vision, and when the couple discovered that hosting a self-catered wedding at the manor was impossible due to restrictions complicating the logistics, they faced the heartbreaking decision of postponing their big day, or bringing it forward – without their dream venue in the mix. “We made a major decision to bring our wedding forward a week and changed locations,” says Taylah, who admits that while the manor was a dream venue, ensuring everyone could attend their wedding was far more…