Merely weeks before their adventurous wedding on Stradbroke Island I was contacted to create a very special gown for the beautiful Lisa of 2People1Life. Talk about an incredibly exciting project! Lisa and Alex were to be celebrating their 68th Wedding after touring the world and being married in each country and taking on the soul touching customs and traditions that are present in each culture. To have a hand in creating their Australian wedding was an absolute privilege, this couple has nothing but beautiful love, adoring words and incredible admiration for each other. Their chemistry is simply undeniable and to see such love combined with the awe inspiring scenery and styling created by such a wonderful team and two of our lovely gowns, it truly was a wedding to behold. 

 The ceremony was held at the sacred Brown Lake of the Quandamooka people who have been coming to the brown lake for centuries. With the help of the amazing Burnt Orange Events planning and putting together such an amazing team and creating a custom made alter.

Aunty Evelyn, an elder from the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation, had agreed to come and offer the couple her blessing to be the first people to ever hold a ceremony (with permission) at the lake.
The flowers were something in their own. WOW! Stradbroke Weddings  had beautiful arrangements floating in the calm lake where the couple would dip their toes during their vows that were overseen by the beautiful  Lindsay Carroll, the couples celebrant who presented such a heartfelt ceremony.
With post ceremony picnic treats by  Love My Food,  Cake and sweets by Hansel and Gretel and divine Succulent favours – Fair Light Blessed.

Each of these stunning images were captured by Shane Shepherd Photography and incredibly moving and beautiful video by Goldbear Wedding films. (see below!)

Whilst Alex looked incredibly dapper in his URBBANA Suit, Lisa was made up with fabulous Hair and make-up by The Beauty Case
I created two beautiful shimmering gowns for Lisa, one custom designed to show her beautifully petite figure. A design that would look at home at a beautiful venue as the Sacred Lake where the wedding would take place but also something that would stand out and sparkle in the sunshine.
I created such a gown, working with a beautiful metallic gold lace over a nude underlay creating the perfect amount of depth, grading into beautiful hand-appliqued lace and from here I worked with layers and layers of beautiful silk chiffon that would capture the wind and float beautifully in the breeze. Which it did, for a short time, until the heavens opened up and blessed us with a rather incredible rain storm!  Our gorgeous couple made the most of it, dipping themselves further into the lake.  

The second gown was our Golden Empress Gown – Complete with head to toe sequins, avant-garde shoulder pads with beautifully draped chains and jewels in the back flowing into an incredible train that could rival the most dramatic of gowns. When Lisa put this piece on she transformed from Blessed Lady of The Lake to an incredible Goddess of the Ocean!

As you can see by the exquisite images Lisa (and Alex!) looked divine!

Photography – Shane Shepherd Photography | Videography – Goldbear Wedding films | Planning and Arch – Burnt Orange Events | Planning and ceremony – Lindsay Carroll | Welcome – Aunt Evelyn | Couture dresses – Begitta – Bridal and Couture | Suit – URBBANA | Florals and bouquet – Stradbroke Weddings | Hair and make-up –The Beauty Case | Wedding Picnic – Love My Food | Cake and sweet treats – Hansel and Gretel | Succulent favours – Fair Light Blessed |

Read the whole story about the wedding in Australia on the 2PEOPLE1LIFE Website

PHOTOGRAPHY: Urban Avenue Photography 

What a wonderful experience. I was very lucky this last month to have the opportunity to work on creating a beautiful custom made gown for the absolutely DIVINE Madeline Taylor for the 2012 Miss Universe Australia Finals.

Meeting up with Madeline is always an absolute pleasure, she is so bright, bubbly and animated, not to mention very intelligent!

We arranged to meet over lattes to discuss what she was looking for in her ideal gown; colours, fabrics, movement and of course embellishment! We reviewed inspiration, browsed inspiration and gown images and discussed elements Madeline liked and disliked.

Heading back to the studio I created a moodboard with the beautiful images Madeline loved and then sketched up several designs. Then the hard part: culling down to the select few which most suited Madelines ideas and the event, then putting together all the elements with fluidity, to create the perfect balance of details and style whilst remaining true to the Begitta signature style. Madeline absolutely adored the gown sketches and promptly chose her favourite elements. We revisited a few draping angles and from there I sketched our final, and “oh-so-fabulous”, gown design!

From here the pattern was created then custom fitted to my beautiful client, creating the perfect fit and a svelt base for our gorgeous glamour. Scouring around for the perfect fabrics and colours from retail to supplier, finally the fabric was purchased and the stunning piece was put into production. After hours upon hours of cutting, sewing, hand work and couture techniques the Miss Universe Gown came to life; a gown that is feminine and chic with a touch of flirt in the high split, with meticulous detail combining signature Begitta draping and delicate hand beading and appliqué.

The gown was not revealed until Madeline flew to Melbourne for the Miss Universe Australia Finals on June 5th for the long week of interviews, parades and of course the Crowning Ceremony. Madeline received so many compliments and was a favourite amongst those on the Pageant Scene. She looked absolutely stunning in her Begitta gown, dazzling the crowd; she truly shines like a luminous star.

Having spent hours with Madeline, gushing over fabrics and beautiful trims, designs and pageant videos I truly feel as though I have become a part of her little pageant family. Having Madeline part of every step of the journey to create her dream gown has been amazing and to share her experiences on this path has been so wonderful! She is such an inspiration and a beautiful woman. I’m so very excited to follow her next adventure!