7 Fashion-Forward Brides Share Their Best Wedding Advice Ever

Emily Algar

Beauty editor at RUSSH Magazine

We got married… on January 19, 2024, at an estate and organic vineyard in the Hunter Valley. Initially, we had wanted an overseas wedding, but didn't want to compromise guests so created an Italian summer dinner party close to home. It was relaxed, intimate and fun – full of love.

I wore… Danielle Frankel – I was travelling and visited the New York showroom and I ended up buying the first style I tried on.

One thing we did differently was… we spent very minimal time on photos – we wanted to be at the wedding as opposed to somewhere else taking pictures. But I loved our wedding photography. India Hartford Davis shot it, it was her first wedding (she's an editorial fashion photographer) but they were perfect.

If I could share one thing with future brides, it would be… we were initially on the fence about having a wedding (my husband is quite private and doesn't love being the centre of attention) but someone else who was married said to me the only time you get all your friends and family together is when there's a wedding or a funeral. That sentiment really stuck with me!

Beck Wadworth
Influencer and brand strategist

We got married… on 26th April, 2024 (ANZAC weekend), at my parents’ family home and vineyard in Marlborough, New Zealand. The location was so meaningful – Mum and Dad transformed the property over the past 25 years from an old apple orchard into the most divine garden and vineyard, and it truly set the scene for the day with its autumn tones.

I wore… a custom Kenny & Harlow gown that was refined, elegant, and classic with a long train and veil – exactly what I had envisioned. Later, I changed into a custom Wynn Hamlyn dress designed for the dance floor.

If I could change one planning decision, it would be… I would have slowed down a little more in the days leading up. With just under five months to plan, I thrived in the fast pace, but I think giving myself a little more breathing room to savour the build-up would have been wonderful, especially the day/night before!

To any future brides, my advice is… be present and soak it all in. It’s so easy to get caught up in the schedule, but the moments that matter most – like walking down the aisle with my dad, or our relaxed first-look with friends cheering us on – are fleeting. Take a deep breath, look around, and really imprint those memories. On a practical note:
1. Make sure your rehearsal is at the same time as your wedding
2. Trust your vendors
3. Delegate
4. Have a co-ordinator or wedding planner run the day so you can let go and enjoy.

Sarah Leaf
Owner of fashion PR agency LEAF

We got married… in August, 2019, in Sydney. Given it was a winter wedding we wanted everything to feel cosy and intimate – from the beginning our brief was to create an evening that felt like we were just enjoying a great dinner party with our friends and family. Low on formalities, but good food and wine aplenty!

I wore… something simple and timeless that had a faint echo of vintage 1940s styles but still felt contemporary. I worked with Sydney-based bridal designer L’eto on a custom piece.

One planning detail that mattered most was… it was very important to me that my wedding day didn’t feel like work. As a publicist, I have a lot of experience in event production, so the task of planning and organising a wedding didn't phase me in the slightest. However, due to my work … I [also] didn't want a complex bump in or to manage multiple suppliers on the day. For me, working with a venue that didn't require additional hire (chairs, tables, tableware, external food and beverage providers) kept things simple and stress free.

To any future brides, my advice is… invest in the things that matter! Guests, and probably you and your partner, won't remember the signage or place cards in years to come.

Sara Crampton
Founder of The UNDONE

We got married… at his parents’ macadamia farm in the hinterland of Byron Bay on October 28, 2017. It’s a place we get to return to again and again and it feels very special to experience it in this way. My mother-in-law spent so much time in the garden in the lead up and planted jasmine and other white flowing plants almost as soon as she found out we were getting there. Each year, about a week before our wedding date the star jasmine starts flowing and there is the most beautiful scent in the air. It always reminds me of this time.

I wore… Jasmine Hill Bridal. They specialise in demi-couture and I flew down a few times for fittings. I love a minimalist style but for my wedding I really wanted to feel like a bride. So my dress was beaded in tiny pearls and sequins in an off-the-shoulder style with a tulle-like frill on the arms.

One detail I obsessed over was… the music. When our wedding comes up in conversation with friends it’s the band and the dance floor that people remember the most.

To any future brides, my advice is… think about how you want to spend this day. What can you do for yourself to set the tone? I had only one bridesmaid and it allowed us to be able to spend the morning together relaxed rather than going into hair and makeup at the crack of dawn. We went for a swim in the ocean the day of the wedding, and it’s actually one of my favourite things of the day. It allowed me to feel fully connected to my mind, body and nature. Whatever this is for you, try to find a moment for yourself.

Neridah Twist
Fashion stylist

We got married… at my parents’ house in Northern NSW on January 10, 2025 – the brief was always to make it feel like having friends and family over for a BBQ. Given I live in New York and my husband was born and raised there, it was super important to me to have our wedding on my home soil. We had our ceremony at my parents’ house and then the next night we all gathered at Tommy's Italian restaurant for a family-style dinner. We kind of did everything in reverse – I guess the second night was like the “rehearsal dinner” but it honestly was so great doing it this way. It meant we could all reminisce on the day before.

I wore… a Courtney Zheng dress for the ceremony and then changed into an ALAÏA runway blue mini dress. I'm typically quite minimal so I liked having something a bit more playful. The second night I wore an ALAÏA runway two-piece set with the iconic puffs. That was definitely my favourite outfit of the weekend.

I stayed true to my vision throughout the planning process by… planning it ourselves – we really didn't get much outside input so we were able to just execute exactly what we wanted. Also given the fact it was at my parents’ house it felt really authentic to us.

If I could share one thing with future brides, it would be… I wished I used a planner in hindsight. I am a Capricorn, so I'm crazy when it comes to planning but it's almost impossible to remember every detail. Even if you don’t get a planner, it's important to have one key person on the day that knows exactly what you want and can make certain calls so you don't have to. I didn't do this and I wish I did.

Eleanor Pendleton
Founder of beauty brand Haléau

We got married… over the Easter weekend in April, 2018. I’m half-Filipino, half-Australian, so my husband Mathew and I felt a destination wedding on Boracay Island in the Philippines was the perfect choice.

I wore… a custom Pallas Couture gown featuring the most exquisite shoulder wings in place of a traditional veil.

One detail I obsessed over was… our reception table beneath a canopy of fairy lights. Our reception was hosted on the sand in front of our private villa at Shangri-La Boracay, and with the help of our incredible wedding planner, Amanda Tirol, and florist, Teddy Manuel, that vision came to life. Dining barefoot in the sand, under a glittering rooftop of lights, felt truly magical and intimate.

To any future brides, my advice is… to take a private moment with your partner during the reception. Step away from your guests for just five minutes – hold each other, look at one another intently and let it sink in: you’re now married to your best friend, and everyone dancing, smiling, and celebrating is there for you. Soak it in before returning to the party to dance the night away.

Neada Deters
Founder of beauty brand LESSE

We got married… on a private beach on the west coast of Mexico in late January, 2018. Since my husband is American and I'm Australian, we wanted to find a destination somewhere between New York and Sydney (where most of our friends and family live). The day started with a ceremony on the sand, followed by a cocktail hour with live jazz, a long sunset dinner, and then hours on the dance floor.

I wore… I had always hoped to wear a long Calvin Klein slip but their flagship in New York, which is the only store in the U.S. where you can try on their wedding gowns, was under construction during the six months when I had to choose my dress. After trying on dresses in New York, LA and Sydney, I finally decided to design my own – and had it made from silk we sourced in Paris.

One thing I wish I’d known before I started planning is… I'm not sure I completely understood what booking a private beach entailed; we had to bring in every table, chair, plate, fork ourselves – though it was all worth it and I'm so happy we chose a location that felt incredibly private and unique.

If I could share one thing with future brides, it would be… everyone told me the day would be a complete blur – and they were absolutely right. My advice is to slow down, be present, and soak up every moment.