lovestruck by salt magazine - summer 15.16

A WEDDING FEATURE WITH

70 KEEPING IT REAL Ben and Lisa Everingham wanted a no-fuss, elegant wedding – and that is precisely what they got. 76 FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE Newlyweds Naomi and Emily Keast have already demonstrated enduring, unconditional love. 78 TO HAVE AND TO HOLD Fashionable, must-have products for the loved up. 82 KEEPING IT REAL The proposal might have been rudely interrupted, but Hannah and Josh Appel’s wedding was sublime. 86 MAGIC MAKER For gown creator Olga Avershyna, sewing is almost as natural as breathing.

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IMAGE COURTESY OF WHEN ELEPHANT MET ZEBRA, WHENELEPHANTME TZEBRA.COM

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KEEPING IT REAL

WORDS FRANCES GILLIES

Lisa Pullos & Ben Everingham 12th September 2015

IMAGES COURTESY OF LYNDAL CARMICHAEL LYNDALCARMICHAEL.COM.AU

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the O P A L S C H L E I F E R E I

OPALS

JEWELLERY

ART

GIFTS

BEN AND LISA EVERINGHAM live a busy life on the Sunshine Coast – what with Ben’s own property business as a buyer’s agent and Lisa’s work as an interior designer, as well as two little girls, aged 3 and 1, to keep them on their toes.

So when the couple decided to tie the knot after seven happy and eventful years together they knew they wanted their wedding to be a no-fuss event.

“I just really didn’t want to be a bridezilla,” Lisa says of her number one priority for her wedding day, which they celebrated with 104 of their dearest friends and family in September.

“And I didn’t want our family and friends to have chores on our wedding day. I wanted it to be a fun and relaxing day for everyone.

And it was – it was just perfect.”

When it came time to choose a wedding venue on the Sunshine Coast, Lisa instantly fell in love with The Lakehouse’s stylish interior fit-out and lakeside position at Mountain Creek, 10 minutes drive from Mooloolaba. Its aged timber flooring, stone fireplace and vintage antler chandeliers all suited Lisa’s favourite aesthetic.

“I just love the Bohemian, beach-luxe feel of The Lakehouse,” she says. “It suited our vision for our wedding. We also loved having the option to get married in the gardens and then to move inside for a sit-down dinner in such a beautiful interior space. We loved everything about our wedding day.”

With an afternoon ceremony outside in the majestic tropical gardens by the lake, the weather proved the only unpredictable aspect of the day.

“The rain managed to hold off for the ceremony, but the wet weather actually worked in our favour – the photos that were taken in the gardens are so lush and green. I love them!”

But Lisa says the highlight of their day was having their daughters, Summer, 3, and Harper, 1, involved in the ceremony as flower girls.

Lisa’s two brothers escorted their gorgeous blonde-haired nieces down the aisle. Even a scraped knee didn’t stop Summer from doing her job. >

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“Summer fell over just as we were walking up to start at the aisle and was crying for me to hold her as blood dripped from her knee,” Lisa recalls. “But then she suddenly got her game-face on and gave a big smile. She walked down the aisle perfectly and threw rose petals around. It was so cute.”

The adoring parents have been inseparable since they met at a Brisbane nightclub seven years ago when Ben was 26 and Lisa 19.

Lisa moved to the Sunshine Coast from Brisbane one year later to live with Ben, who is originally from Sydney.

“We were pretty serious from the start. We fell head over heels in love,” she says. Asked why they work so well together, Lisa believes it’s a case of opposites attracting. >

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ABOUT THE VENUE The Lakehouse Sunshine Coast at Mountain Creek offers bespoke waterfront weddings in a divine American Hamptons-inspired space.

Couples celebrate nuptials with ceremonies on the timber pontoon or waterfront lawn, followed by drinks on the all-weather deck. There’s even a vintage rowboat available for wedding day photographs.

The main function room caters for up to 150 people seated or 250 guests cocktail style. The rustic interior aesthetic complements a luxurious interior palette of nude, grey, charcoal, slate, black, white and ivory that works with any colour scheme. thelakehousesunshinecoast.com.au

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I WANTED IT TO BE A FUN AND RELAXING DAY FOR EVERYONE. AND IT WAS – IT WAS JUST PERFECT.

”

“Ben is a high achiever,” she says. “He is obsessed with business and loves being challenged. I think I’m more grounded and make sure he has family time. We work well together.”

And as for the magic in their relationship, Lisa says they share a passion for travel and adventure. The couple often travels with their girls to Sydney to visit family and prior to having kids holidayed in Bali to surf and New Zealand to go white water rafting.

Needless to say, there wasn’t a lot of honeymoon time allocated for poolside lazing for this active couple. On their 10-day honeymoon sans children in Hawaii, among their adventures was taking a door-less helicopter ride to enjoy the island’s natural scenery.

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FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE

WORDS LUCY EMLYN-JONES PHOTO ANDREA SPROXTON PHOTOGRAPHY

EMILY KEAST LOOKS at her wife and brushes away tears.

“Please don’t cry,” says Naomi, her partner of nearly 10 years.

“Every now and again we get sad because we don’t know what’s going to happen. Some days when all I want to do is sleep, Emily gets me out of bed. I don’t think I could do this without her. She means everything.”

They say life offers no guarantees – just choices. So, despite limbs that lose feeling, laws that haven’t changed and sideways looks, every single day Emily and Naomi Keast choose to get up and face the world together.

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Every single day they choose love. And from the outside looking in, it’s a beautiful thing to behold.

It’s Sunday and the household has settled into a familiar relaxed rhythm. In Warner, one of the last Brisbane stops before the road that leads to the Sunshine Coast, Emily and Naomi’s five-weekold daughter Peyton sleeps in the bassinette by her mothers’ sides, the general hum of the house of no bother. Mere metres away, their two-year-old son Jhett absentmindedly munches on a piece of watermelon, content with the colourful program that has been turned on. Like any other family home, precious pictures adorn the walls and amongst those proudly hung memories is a pair of stunning brides in strapless white gowns.

“We loved our dresses,” says Emily. “No one could believe we hadn’t seen each other’s before the wedding because they looked so alike. We went to the same place at different times and I remember saying to her [Naomi], your dress better not be bigger than mine because I’m the princess! But I think it was.”

“I went there thinking I would get a mermaid cut and came out with this big poof,” says Naomi.

For this couple, the road to marriage has been unconventional yet unwavering in their commitment to one another and their choice to live a life that is entirely their own. High school sweethearts (just), the former Kawana High students met during the final months of Year 12 with constant communication turning an instant connection into an enduring relationship. Together they rode the waves of confusion, becoming comfortable and certain of whom their heart chose, even if it meant putting themselves outside their inner circle of family and friends.

“We still feel judged,” says Emily.

“I will never look someone in the eye and watch their face when I tell them. I will always look down or away and wait for their reaction,” says Naomi.

With one holding a degree in nursing, the other in teaching, Emily and Naomi left their hometown a little bruised and battered, seeking a fresh start in Brisbane. It was here a life together became tangible and the young couple wasted no time planting roots and planning for always.

“I proposed to Emily on her birthday,” says Naomi.

“We always wanted to get married but never had the intention of doing it until the law changed. My mum saw the My Wedding Wish competition and thought we should enter – she was adamant about it. So, we did and everything fell into place.”

With marriage celebrant Lynette Maguire at the helm, My Wedding Wish brings together several Sunshine Coast wedding suppliers who devote their time and services to giving a dream day to extraordinary couples who have been dealt an unfair hand.

The same year she asked Emily to be her wife, Naomi found herself sitting on the couch losing all feeling in her right leg, a symptom which got progressively worse and saw a young body start to fail. A reluctant visit to the doctor would lead to MRI scans that revealed lesions on the spine and eventually the brain, and at the tender age of 22 Naomi was diagnosed with RelapsingRemitting Multiple Sclerosis.

“When I was given a referral to be tested for MS I thought, ‘old people have that, I don’t have that’,” says Naomi. “At first I just wanted to know what was going on, what was going to happen to me. When I was diagnosed I was almost relieved to finally know and be able to start treatment.

“Fatigue hits me every single day. That’s the hardest part, always feeling tired. But the kids are growing and I don’t want to waste time.”

“Diagnosis came before kids. We always wanted a family and wondered how we’d cope,” says Emily. “But we can’t let it hold us back. We don’t let it define us.”

Life isn’t always fair, but Lynette and other generous souls of the Sunshine Coast helped tilt the scales back in Emily and Naomi’s favour – even if just for one day. On December 4 last year the sweet sounds of Angus and Julia Stone’s The Wedding Song brought both brides down the aisle of Ilkley’s AnnaBella the Wedding Chapel for an intimate and elegant commitment ceremony. With their first anniversary in sight, the happily married pair admits when you marry your best friend, the one who makes your heart laugh, life continues in much the same way as it did before.

“We’ve been together so long it doesn’t feel different, except now I can say wife,” says Naomi. myweddingwish.com.au

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD

E TO HAV AND TO HOLD Here’s our pick of fashionable, must-have products for that loved up occasion.

WORDS LAYNE WHITBURN

Mira mira on the wall, who’s the most radiant bride of them all? Make any bitter queen envious of your natural beauty complemented by a gorgeous Mira Mandic design. Every gown is handmade to match each bride’s unique beauty and personality. There’s no such thing as one size fits all, because no two reflections are the same in that little mirror on the wall. But there’s one thing Mira Mandic gowns have in common: the Australian label holds a strong French influence capturing the essence of ‘joie de vivre’. Meaning? The joy and love of life – and the life of love and joy. Like this exquisite version of the ‘Helena’ gown, contrasting a feminine A-line tulle skirt with a sophisticated deep v-neckline and edgy low back complete with fine Italian lace overlay and a dreamy long train. Whatever your dream dress may be, let Mira Mandic be the seven dwarves to your fairy tale ending. miramandic.com.au

Dress: Helena Gown from Couture 2015 collection Price: POA. Depending on individual fittings. Ranges from $5000-$9000.

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The average woman falls in love seven times a year.

Six times are with shoes. So while marrying the man you love, stand pretty in your second love. Grace Loves Lace’s newest collection of shoes will have you falling in love six times again, combining bold straps with simple lines to make your toes sparkle. Need some extra vim? Pump up the bling with a Grace Loves Lace anklet. Infused with gypsy beading and chunky jewels, this killer shoe and anklet combo really is a match made in foot heaven. graceloveslace.com.au

My mother once told me to never spill a secret. But this one’s worth whispering. Secrets on the Lake’s gorgeous tree houses nestled in Montville’s lush hinterland are the perfect getaway for newlyweds.

Nothing says honeymoon like scattered rose petals, a private love swing, steamy spa bath, toasty fireplace and romantic picnics.

These private tree houses are the cosiest nest for lovebirds to escape the world and simply relax in each other’s company. Everything you need is right under your wing, and we’re not just talking your significant other. Only five minutes away from Montville’s main street of restaurants and shops, you can also dine in at Secrets Café overlooking Lake Baroon. But shhh, it’s best kept a secret. secretsonthelake.com.au

$699

BLUE-TIFUL BLING Lose yourself gazing into a charming blue as deep and mysterious as the ocean. No, we’re not talking about your lover’s eyes. Instead, lay your eyes on this 14k white gold engagement ring from Opals Down Under. With an exquisite 0.81ct Queensland boulder opal surrounded by 26 diamonds, this beauty is sure to make any set of eyes sparkle. Speaking of a set, sprinkle an extra dose of sparkle with the matching wedding band laced in another 44 diamonds. This gorgeous combo is the yin and yang of ring bling. $7620. 11 Ballantyne Court, Palmview, 5494 5400 or opalsdownunder.com.au

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HAIRY TALE ENDING True love is a lot like a beard. It will never go, and only grow (whether you like the face fuzz or not). No, you cannot change the universal force joining two soul mates. And if your soul mate just so happens to have a beard, well you can’t change that either. So if your man’s prouder of his beard than a lion of its mane, just let it go. Or should we say, grow? Go organic with D+T Organic Beard Care: these brand-new handmade oils, balms and waxes are the first range of men’s grooming products that are 100 per cent organic, natural and vegan. Even better? They are made in our backyard right here on the Sunshine Coast. So whether you love or loathe his fuzz, at least have it looking lush. dandt.com.au

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E TO HAV AND TO HOLD

Spice up your wedding album amongst a truly romantic and tranquil backdrop at Spicer’s Tamarind. Surrounded by exotic gardens, this calm and secluded venue is the perfect spot for an intimate wedding. Because saying ‘I do’ should be intimate, so share it with those closest to your heart. And keep the intimacy all day long with pre-dinner canapés and cocktails for guests to enjoy in beautiful surroundings. So while the bridal party is filling the wedding album with memories, guests can make new memories continuing on to the reception. Your onsite wedding coordinator will ensure the occasion flows as beautifully as the newlyweds look. And nothing flows as gracefully as guests floating into dreamland inside a Spicer’s Tamarind luxury villa. Want to live your wedding dreams? You know where to go. spicersretreats.com/spicers-tamarind-retreat

If you’ve found true love, it’s as rare as ... well, diamonds.

Buderim’s Diamonds of Distinction specialises in these sublime gems, such as these stunning pink Kimberley Argyle diamond drop earrings. New owners Adrian (born in Germany’s world famous gemstone cutting and jewellery capital) and wife Sonja Schulz both have a passion for creating unique and exclusive handcrafted pieces using traditional and modern goldsmithing techniques. Their philosophy of “quality, integrity and style” puts them a (diamond) cut above the rest. 29 Main Street, Buderim. 5445 5709 or diamondsofdistinction.com.au 18ct rose and white gold with two pink pear-cut diamonds, POA.

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16 Sunshine Beach Road, Noosa Junction (above surf-shop) P 07 5449 2460 E info@noosajunctiondental.com.au www.noosajunctiondental.com.au

Committing to the love of your life is easy. But the commitment of a tattoo? Now that might give you cold feet. So save the vows for your future husband and give your feet that bohemian sparkle without the lifetime commitment. Feet, arms, back, hands – anywhere really. There are no worries with this temporary declaration: when it comes to accessorising the sun-seeking, ocean-adoring, gypsy bride, Glo Tatts have it covered. Literally. If you crave the perfect bling without the sting, go Glo. glotatts.com

So you got him to agree with the extravagant cake? Yay! And he is even wearing a suit. Phew. He really must love you. So please, oh please show him your love too by not putting him through the ultimate test a man can face: the tying of a tie. Luckily the married duo at Wood & Beau know a thing or two about tying the knot. Combining her fashionista style and his old school barber background and what do you get? Wooden bow ties, that’s what. No bending, twisting or folding required – just straight up timber precision. That’ll surely keep your man looking wood. Oops, we mean good. woodandbeau.com.au

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KEEPING IT REAL

WORDS LAYNE WHITBURN

Hannah Ward & Josh Appel 6th September 2014

IMAGES COURTESY OF SHUTTER & LACE, SHUTTERANDLACE.COM.AU

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DIAMONDS OF

D IS TINC TI O N

A LITTLE BIRDY once told me it was good luck to be pooped on. Well, lucky but yucky.

Each to their own when it comes to strange legends.

So what does a green ant bite represent? Well, for Sunshine Coast lovebirds Hannah and Josh Appel it may just be their good luck charm.

And a charming view it was on the top of Point Arkwright: despite only having eyes for each other, the loved up duo cuddled up on a picnic blanket enjoying the salty air, tuna sandwiches and most of all, each other’s company. Oh, and the company of a green ant.

Just moments before Josh worked up the courage to get down on one knee, poor Hannah was bitten on her knee instead.

Moments like this are never forgotten because no love story is picture perfect, but it is the imperfections that make it real. Real love. No sugarcoating. Just pure and raw emotion straight from the heart. So while a love story may not be perfect, there are always those ‘perfect’ moments that make it magic.

But Hannah and Josh got their perfect day, the perfect part in their real love story. And no love story is complete without two lovebirds, an old tree and some K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Nestled under the lush branches at Harry’s on Buderim, Hannah and Josh shared their first kiss as man and wife. But it wasn’t just the smooch that gives Mr and Mrs Appel butterflies while reminiscing.

“Seeing Han walk down the stairs and across the grass with her dad, it seemed so surreal,” Josh says. “Her smile when she got closer to the aisle is something I’ll never forget.”

Just as Hannah will never forget the moment she laid eyes on her handsome groom.

“The first moment I saw Josh standing at the end of the aisle,” Hannah says. “I knew that this was the moment I had waited for all my life.”

The celebration of that promise was the party Hannah and Josh had prepared for.

“We chose Harry’s firstly for the atmosphere,” Hannah says. “We wanted our reception to feel warm and inviting and Harry’s was the perfect venue for this, with its history and the wooden floors, which made a perfect dance floor!”

So with a ‘perfect dance floor’ ticking the box, it only seemed correct to dress accordingly. Hannah ditched her lacey Jadore dream dress for something a little more rock n roll. Rocking a shorter white-lace swing, the night rolled on as smoothly as the groomsmen’s dance moves.

Hannah says the entire day and night flowed brilliantly. Harry’s on Buderim owners Aletta and Tony ensured everything ran to a tee.

And every appetite was dancing with joy too. They say food is the key to a man’s heart, well with food so delicious, it was a room full of hearty love. >

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WEDDING DAY ROLL CALL VENUE AND CATERING Harry’s on Buderim, 11 Harry’s Lane, Buderim. 5445 6661 or harrysonbuderim.com DRESS Jadore jadore.com.au HAIR Kasey Saville MAKEUP KJ Artistry kjartistry.com CELEBRANT Jarrad Bayliss jarradbayliss.com.au FLORIST A Sculpted Leaf asculptedleaf.com.au

PLAYLIST FIRST DANCE These are the days – Paul Kelly AISLE SONG Departures (Blue Toowong Skies) – Bernard Fanning

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WE’RE SO LUCKY WE FOUND EACH OTHER IN THIS CRAZY WORLD.

”

ABOUT THE VENUE Location, location! Harry’s on Buderim’s 120-year-old timber cottage is nestled among Buderim’s tranquil rainforest.

Surrounded by lush greenery, it is tucked away from the hustle and bustle, yet remains in the heart of the Sunshine Coast. The cottage remains true to its heritage, creating an inviting and simply romantic ambience. harrysonbuderim.com

“We had never eaten there prior, however we like to go there now on special occasions because the food is superb,” Hannah says.

“We still have guests commenting about how good the food was that night, even a year later.”

So whether it was the food, the dancing, the rustic atmosphere or the lush Buderim greenery, it truly was a day to remember. Not just a year later, but for a lifetime.

And for the newlyweds, a year may have passed, but a lifetime of happiness still lies ahead.

“We’re so lucky we found each other in this crazy world and being able to live your life everyday knowing you’ve married your best friend is the best feeling in the world!” Hannah says.

It may have started with a green ant bite, but as it turns out it was a bite of love. Mr and Mrs Appel were lucky enough to find love, friendship and marriage in this wild old world.

And call us crazy, but that’s a real love story.

OPE NI N G H O U R S LUN C H W E D - SU N

•

D I N N E R W E D - SAT

AVAI L A B L E FOR W E D D I N G S & F U N C T I O N S

Family owned and operated

by Anthony and Aletta Lauriston 11 HA R RY ’ S L A NE BUD E R I M ( O F F L I N D SAY ROA D)

|

P 54 45 6661 |

www.harrysonbuderim.com

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MAGIC MAKER

CREATIVITY

SEWN IN WORDS FRANCES GILLIES PHOTOS ANASTASIA KARIOFYLLIDIS

AS A CHILD growing up in the Ukraine, Olga Avershyna learnt to sew as instinctively as most children build Lego.

Sewing and crafting clothes was a natural part of her day; the sewing machine an ever-present fixture in her house.

“As a little girl I never thought my sewing experience and knowledge would ever be used. It just ran in the family – my mother and grandmother sewed, so I did too,” she says.

Surrounded by fabric off-cuts, pins, thimbles and old buttons, her childhood fascination isn’t far from her grown-up reality, although these days she plays with far more expensive fabrics – think sumptuous Chantilly lace and fine Indian and Italian silks shipped in from her various quality suppliers around the world.

Now a bridal designer with her own label, Aleks Bridal, Olga didn’t think of sewing as a career or even a useful skill until long after she immigrated to Australia and settled on the Sunshine Coast in 2002. It was while raising her son, now five years old, that Olga found her hands idle, so a friend taught her to make flowers out of silk fabric.

And as they say, from little things, big things grow. It was the attention she received from those simple fabric flowers that led to her launching her own bridal label and becoming an in-demand bridal designer.

“I started making silk flowers in 2010 and took them to a wedding expo in Brisbane. People were commenting on how they loved my work and began ordering!” Olga laughs, still amazed at the strong response to such a simple creation.

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What started as a hobby soon became a serious business venture.

Friends and family began asking Olga to make dresses for their children’s formal events and soon requests came for wedding gowns. She set herself the challenge of learning to sew the most difficult and intricate gowns and, no doubt thanks to her early sewing nous, the end result was beautiful every time. Olga officially began Aleks Bridal in 2012.

“The wonderful thing is that my bridal label has never felt like work. I love doing it,” she says. “Yes, I’m often tired, but I never feel like I have to sew. I love every part of the process.”

Olga’s exhaustion comes from the fact that every dress is a labour of love – there’s nothing cookie-cut about the process and no option for short cuts. Just as a bride agonises over choosing the perfect dress, so too Olga dedicates her utmost focus and skills to creating each piece and custom designing it to her client’s measurements and personal style.

It can take Olga up to three weeks to design a dress for her striking collection, a mix of sweeping trains, dramatic bows, intricate lace bodices, and feather-light tulle skirts. Every part of the process is special to her – from the sketches to the fabric selection, pattern making, sewing, handcrafted beading and embellishments, and final fittings with her brides.

Finding a balance between work and family means she has become a night owl. As Olga’s son is in his first year of school, Olga has only recently been able to work uninterrupted for a few hours during the day. But most nights of the week she will return to the sewing machine once her little one is tucked up in bed. Swept up in the creative flow, it’s not unusual for Olga to finish her working day at 2am.

Recently, Olga secured a business partner, Lena Brown, to handle the marketing side of her label. Olga and Lena’s children go to the same school in Buderim and when they met last year Lena had just relocated from Melbourne and was looking for a creative marketing and business project to build on her past experience.

The two women clicked and Olga happily handed Lena control of marketing, content to focus her energy on creating gowns for her growing list of brides.

Together Olga and Lena worked on Aleks Bridal’s debut at the recent Sunshine Coast Fashion Festival – one of Australia’s top fashion events. Olga was the only bridal designer invited to show at the festival. The invitation required she create 15 beautiful gowns for the show, involving months of preparation.

“I especially love to choose the fabrics. Fabric is my big love and source of inspiration. I source fabrics from overseas – French lace is the best. I am in love with Chantilly lace, which is very popular at the moment. And the Italian and Indian silks are just divine.”

Olga’s dream is to build Aleks Bridal into a significant Australianmade and Australian-designed label. Fans of her creations will soon see her dresses stocked in quality boutiques around Australia.

Her ultimate goal is to expand into a large studio and workshop space and employ dressmakers, photographers and marketers to help bring her creations to life.

“Yes, I have big plans,” she says. aleksbridal.com.au

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