As we celebrate this beautiful journey from 'Yes!' to 'I do,' we’re reminded that every bride's story is unique, just like her dress. At Pearls & Lace, we’re honoured to be part of so many love stories, helping brides find a gown that truly feels like 'the one. Sanija attended with her beautiful mum and sister in law and fell in love with Rosalie. A sparkly fit and flare lace wedding dress from Essense of Australia with beaded back detail. Fitted to perfection, this fit-and-flare wedding dress is covered in glamorous details from the top of the beaded back detail to the bottom of its shaped lace train. Sheer lace straps grace the shoulder to meet the flattering V-neckline of the fitted bodice. 3D floral lace details are placed to highlight the hourglass silhouette shape and lace train for a natural floral edge finish.
Let's hear all about it...
Sanija, firstly tell us about your dress?
I've always had a vision of my dream dress. For years, I kept a screenshot on my phone of a stunning full lace gown. Unfortunately, I lost that screenshot over time, but the image remained etched in my memory.
As women, we often critique ourselves—thinking, "I don't like this, I don't like that." I knew I wanted something that would cover my arms but wasn't fully sleeved since it was a summer wedding. I was convinced that dresses with thin straps wouldn’t look good on me. Yet, when I tried on a style I had previously dismissed, it surprisingly caught my heart.
During my first wedding dress shopping experience, I tried on four dresses before finding "the one." The moment I slipped it on, I knew it was perfect! Lace! Pearls! Sparkle! A low back! A long train! It had those thin straps I thought I could never pull off, but suddenly, I felt beautiful in my own skin—this dress was truly made for me. There were joyful tears shared with my future mother-in-law and sister-in-law, and in that moment, I confidently proclaimed, "YES to the dress!"
I rarely opt for anything with a low décolleté, but a while back, during a conversation with my then-fiancé, he mentioned how much he would love to see me in a dress with a bit of décolleté since I usually shy away from it. So, I decided to surprise him! I’m thrilled to say that he absolutely adored the dress!
I must mention that the team at Pearls and Lace was absolutely incredible and truly professional, which made the entire experience of choosing dresses so much smoother and enjoyable. Their expertise really made a difference!
The designer of this exquisite gown is Essence of Australia.
How did you style your dress?
I accessorized my dress with stunning pearl earrings set on a delicate silver leaf, perfectly complementing the intricate lace leaves and flowers adorning my gown. To complete the look, I chose a headpiece that harmonized beautifully with the earrings—also featuring silver accents, pearls, and a touch of sparkle.
All my accessories were sourced from Pearls and Lace, and they added just the right finishing touches. My elegant updo showcased the hair piece wonderfully, striking a balance between sophistication and my personal style. I wanted to embody an elegant look while still feeling authentically me!
I always envisioned my wedding bouquet filled with beautiful peonies. However, due to the season, they weren't in bloom. So, I opted for classic white roses instead, which turned out to be beautifully simple and elegant. My bridesmaids carried mini versions of my bouquet, and we used the same flowers for the groomsmen's boutonnieres as well as for the arm corsages for both mothers.
Tell us about your bridal party?
My lovely bridesmaids donned beautiful satin dresses in shades of blush/ burnt pink with gold heeled sandals, and I must say, they looked absolutely radiant. When I saw them all together in their final looks, I was overwhelmed with emotion. I wanted every detail to match perfectly, from their earrings to their hairstyles. I couldn’t be prouder of my girls!
I have this vivid memory etched in my mind of them sitting in front of me, the sunlight streaming through the window and illuminating their radiant smiles. They carried themselves with such grace as bridesmaids, and they truly looked stunning.
My handsome husband was wearing a cream suit paired with black trousers, while his groomsmen complemented him in sleek black suits adorned with cream waistcoats. The whole group looked incredibly sharp and polished, embodying that same simple elegance we aimed for.
And our son Cameron looked adorable in a matching suit alongside his daddy. It was a heartwarming sight to see them coordinated!
What would your advice be for other brides to be?
Planning our wedding was incredibly overwhelming. The final days were filled with stress and chaos, and my fianccé and I found ourselves picking at each other more than usual. We were both just anxious to ensure that everything went according to plan and that our guests—some travelling from as far as New York and Latvia—had a wonderful time. We wanted everything to be perfect.
To all the future brides out there, I wish you could take a moment to step back and breathe. Let someone else take the reins for a bit.
A few weeks before my wedding, while getting my nails done, I met a lovely girl who had just married a few weeks prior. She shared something her mom told her: "No one knows what you have planned, so if anything goes wrong, only you will know." That advice struck a chord with me! She was absolutely right, and I want to pass that wisdom on to other brides as well.
Most importantly, remember to savour your day. The saying "it goes by so fast" is completely true! Enjoy every moment because you won’t have the chance to relive it.
What was your most memorable moment of your special day?
One of my favourite moments of the day was when my husband and I took a little time for ourselves, away from the hustle and bustle of our guests, our son Cameron, and the cameras. We found a quiet spot and simply sat together, checking in with each other, asking, "How are you? Are you having a good day?" It was such a beautiful moment to pause, take a breath, and truly soak in the reality that we were now a married couple.
Ladies, make sure to cherish those moments and spend as much time together as possible on your special day! It’s a day meant for both of you to share and enjoy together, and those quiet moments are truly priceless.
Wishing all future brides a joyful journey through their wedding planning and preparations. As I've mentioned before, ''it goes by so quickly.'' Happy planning!
Thank you so much Sanija for your kind words.
Hoping your future is everything you’ve dreamed of and more
