“Fit and Flare vs. Mermaid Wedding Dresses: Understanding the Differences”
As a wedding dress designer, I often guide brides through the nuances of choosing between two beloved silhouettes: and what is the difference between fit and flare and Mermaid wedding dresses. Each style celebrates the feminine form in its unique way, but understanding their distinctions is crucial for selecting the perfect gown that not only flatters but also feels right.
Defining fit and flare wedding dresses.
The fit and flare gown is a staple in bridal fashion due to its incredibly flattering design. It hugs the body tightly through the bodice and waist, beginning to flare gently just below the hips. This flare can vary from the upper thigh to just above the knee, allowing each design to complement the bride uniquely. This style is famous for its versatility and comfort—qualities every bride appreciates. Continue Reading…
At Leah S Designs, we know that finding the perfect venue is just as important as finding the perfect dress. From cozy home weddings to dazzling destinations, our brides have some fabulous taste! Here’s a fun look at the top choices for 2024.
Popular Oversea’s Destination Weddings
Looks like this year, its all about the destination wedding, With Fiji winning (by far) over any other location and venue.- Fiji
- Imagine tying the knot with your toes in the sand and a backdrop of crystal-clear waters. Fiji is the go-to spot for a tropical paradise wedding. Plus, with all-inclusive resorts, you can kick back and enjoy with out the hassle.
- Bali
- Bali’s mix of exotic charm, rich culture, stunning landscapes, and kinda close flight times, makes it a top pick. Whether you’re dreaming of a beachside ceremony or a wedding surrounded by lush rice terraces, Bali’s got you covered.
- New Zealand
- For dramatic backdrops, New Zealand is unbeatable. From vineyards to mountains, this place offers everything from rustic to elegant settings. Perfect for the couple looking for a touch of adventure!
- Samoa
- We love our Samoa brides returning home for their weddings. Other wise, If serene beaches and vibrant culture sound like your thing, Samoa is calling your name. Its natural beauty and warm hospitality create a uniquely romantic atmosphere.
- USA
- The USA offers a smorgasbord of wedding options. Whether you’re dreaming of Hawaii’s beaches, Vegas, or the bustling streets of New York, the possibilities are endless.
What being team bride really means.
Being on the journey for the perfect wedding dress alongside your friend, can sometime entail more than meets the eye. Here’s a quick guide to help you navigate a bridal store and be the ultimate supportive guest.Let the Bride Lead the Conversation
Always keep in mind that this day is all about the bride and her dream dress. Refrain from expressing your opinions until she has had the chance to voice hers. What suits you might not align with her vision, so let her take the reins.Mind Your Words and Wondering
Avoid wandering around the shop and pulling out dresses without the bride’s initiation. Respect her bridal dress choices, if she needs help, that’s what the consultant is for. Additionally, refrain from talking about the bride’s size or body features in front of others. Be conscious of the bride’s budget and steer clear of suggesting dresses that may surpass her financial limits.Words to Steer Clear Of
Eliminate negative comments or anything that could make the bride feel self-conscious. Phrases like “You look fat/pregnant” or expressing harsh disapproval will ruin the day.Constructive Phrases to Utilize
Continue Reading…Unveiling the Essence of Bohemian Bridal Style .
We hope you enjoy our guide on how to get the bohemian bride look. When it comes to bridal fashion, there’s a trend that has been capturing the hearts of free-spirited brides worldwide – the Bohemian or boho Bridal Style. This enchanting aesthetic draws inspiration from nature, art, and a carefree way of life. If you’re a bride seeking a look that combines grace with an effortless, down-to-earth vibe, then Bohemian might just be your perfect match.
Understanding Bohemian Bridal Style.
Bohemian bridal style is characterized by its emphasis on natural elements, flowing silhouettes, and a sense of non-conformity. It’s all about embracing and expressing your inner free spirit through your wedding day attire. Here are some key elements that define a Bohemian bridal look: 1. Flowing Bridal Fabrics Bohemian brides often opt for lightweight, ethereal fabrics like chiffon, lace, and soft satins. These materials drape beautifully, allowing movement and creating a dreamy, romantic effect. If you are having a garden wedding, the fabrics should be soft enough to show movement in the breeze but not too lightweight that they are see-through in strong sunlight. Continue Reading…How to tie a lace up the back wedding dress.
Are you at a loss on how to tie the back of a wedding dress, or just need a refresher on how to do it again? Lacing up a wedding dress with a corset back can be intricate, but with patience and some help, you can do it. Here are step-by-step instructions to guide you through the process: Continue Reading…5 Things to Do at Your Final Fitting
Whether the search was long and painful, or you knew right away when you found the gown of your dreams, these 5 things to do at your final fitting will ensure your gown is perfect—and perfectly you. It’s too late to turn back and start anew with another dress, so if there’s something you don’t like, you need to speak up. Here are five ways to test the fit of your wedding gown. Continue Reading…6 Mantras to Repeat as You Plan Your Wedding day
Remember, it’s normal to feel a mix of emotions on your wedding day. Allow yourself to experience them. But try to focus on the positive aspects and enjoy the celebration. These 6 Mantras to Repeat as You Plan Your Wedding May be of help.- The marriage matters more than the wedding. No matter what happens on my wedding day, I have a lifetime of wedded bliss to look forward to.
- I do not have to be perfect to be good and worthy of love. A perfect wedding will not solve all the problems in my life.
- I am good and strong, and the stress of today will quickly give way to the triumphs of tomorrow.
- I love myself, my family, and my partner. Love is the most important thing (Note that this sort of mantra, known as loving-kindness meditation, can also work wonders for reducing anger. And as all brides know, anger is sometimes part of the wedding planning package).
- There is no such thing as a perfect wedding. I can enjoy even an imperfect wedding day.
- There is no such thing as a perfect bride. I am perfect and good enough just as I am.
Four Wedding Day Hair Accessories You’ll Love.
If you’re like most brides, you’re probably overwhelmed by the endless arrays of hairstyles you see on Pinterest, on television, and in wedding magazines. Maybe you’re not sure how you’ll pull off princess hair—especially if your hair is short or notoriously unruly. Continue Reading…Five Tips for Writing Your Wedding Vows
In an era of customizable everything, more and more couples are writing their vows. Though the thought is romantic, the actual act can be overwhelming and deeply frustrating. If you’re ready to write your own vows, we’ve got you covered. Follow these can’t-miss five tips for writing your wedding vows tips. Discuss Your Guidelines Most couples share their vows beforehand, but if you want to keep it a surprise, agree to some basic guidelines governing length and content. If one partner’s vows take five minutes to recite while the other’s take 50 seconds, it creates a strange disparity. Writing your wedding vows is a beautiful and personal way to express your love and commitment to your partner.
Here are some ideas and prompts to help you brainstorm and create heartfelt vows:
Continue Reading…The Four Best Wedding Traditions
In an increasingly conscious world, many brides are abandoning wedding traditions, and often with good reason. Some women point to gender equality and opt not to take their partner’s name. Others alter their vows to reflect their values. But some wedding traditions can continue to comfortably co-exist even alongside the most modern of couples. Here are the four best wedding traditions you should consider keeping. Continue Reading…How to find the right wedding veil: Navigating Away From a Tulle Tantrum
Why do wedding dresses have a train?
Wedding dress design is steeped in tradition. Many design principles that originated centuries ago still apply now. The wedding dress train or tail is one of those traditions. Historically, trains have been a part of wedding fashion for centuries. In the past, longer trains were reserved for royalty and the upper class, as they were a sign of wealth and social status. Even today, wedding dresses with trains evoke a sense of tradition and timelessness.
Continue Reading… Changing gowns for the reception.
Do I wear a second wedding dress? The tradition of brides changing into a going away outfit or second simpler style for the reception after the ceremony has been around for centuries. However, in recent times, there has been a shift in the practice. Today, many brides opt to remain in their gown for the entire wedding celebration, while others change into a different outfit for the reception.
Continue Reading… Can I wear a coloured wedding dress.
Leah S Designs is now designing wedding dresses in black, blush pink, latte, and champagne. Leah loves coloured dresses now, after 14 years of making dresses in white and ivory. We spoke with her to uncover more about the gorgeous coloured wedding dresses currently available on her website. Leah started incorporating colour in the gowns about six years ago, creating an all purple dress. Now, her coloured range has expanded to over ten different styles! If you would like to give your wedding a unique touch, go with a dash of color in your outfit. Leah believes that champagne with ivory gives off an especially couture look and feel.
New to bridal skirt style lingo?
It’s like learning a new language, isn’t it? Since when are the words trumpet and mermaid used in the same sentence? A-line, ballroom, trumpet, box pleat, mermaid, fit and flare, circular, column, and waterfall are some of the skirt styles. In this blog post, I will focus on the A-line style, one of our all-time favorite styles! A-line is the most popular wedding dress silhouette sold at Leah S Designs. Perfect for your shape if you are an hourglass, pear, apple, or rectangle, it might not work if you are a triangle shape, works for four figures out of five, so that’s a winning skirt in my book! Continue Reading…Wedding dress trains and hemlines.
Wedding dress train lengths
- Sweep train
- Chapel train
- Cathedral train
- Royal train
- Reveal skirts
- Detachable train
- Train-less wedding dresses
Popular wedding dress styles
We are here to help you navigate through what seems to be endless choices of wedding dress styles, what silhouette will suit me what neckline I should choose. The endless options can keep you awake at night if you let it . So we hope this guide to wedding dress styles and shapes helps with your choice. Continue Reading…This is a must read before you go shopping for a gown with bridal sleeves.
- Long wedding dress sleeve
- Cap or short sleeve
- Flutter bridal gown sleeve
- Removable or detachable sleeves
- Off the shoulder wedding dress sleeve
- Lace sleeves
- Removable ruffle for strapless gowns.
- Wedding dress jacket or bolero.
Budgets, and what to expect when shopping for your wedding dress.
If your like me, you want the dress you are dreaming of and of course, value for your mula. I expect you are savvy when shopping. You girls are smart and have done your planning and research but what’s wrong with being even more prepared with my wedding budget guide below. When you first started planning your wedding, did you do a budget plan? I really hope you have, I will assume so, these are the average break down in percentages of what to spend on what .Wedding budget example
Continue Reading… 10 Things You Need To Ask Before going Wedding Dress Shopping
You have visualised it in your head, devoured the bridal magazines and collected screenshots of your dream dress from Pinterest. Now it is time to hit the stores! Finding the dress for your wedding day can be an overwhelming task. So to make sure you do not miss anything we are here to arm you with our list of questions and tips.1. Do I need to make an appointment?
Every bridal shop works differently and that’s why a quick call to ask for an appointment can save you a lot of time later. At Leah S Designs, yes you will need to make an appointment especially on the weekends. Either book on our home page, by email or by giving us a call. You can set all your appointments on the same weekend, so it will be easier to have your pick with all the designs fresh in your mind.
Budget Wedding: Keep It Simple and Save Money!
Let’s face it, planning a wedding and saving money usually don’t go hand in hand. From booking the venue to sourcing party favors for your guests, money plays a vital role in the success of your big day. Beware that seemingly small budget wedding can spiral out of control. If you need some tips on how to plan a budget wedding, read on. According to Easy Weddings Australian Wedding Survey 2016, Aussies spent on average $30,985 on their wedding days. If you don’t have a cool $30k lying around, don’t worry just yet! There are plenty of ways to reduce that final figure. Here is some helpful tips I’ve learnt from some of our own brides to apply to save money on your big day.How to organize a budget wedding.
- Reduce the size of your bridal party So it’s your dream to have your three besties, sister, cousin and nail technician standing with you at the altar. If you’ve done your research you’ll know having a large bridal party means more money spent on hair, makeup, bridesmaids dresses, shoes, gifts and accessories. For those who can’t possibly see themselves with a smaller bridal party. Maybe suggest the idea of splitting the costs with your bridesmaids. I’m sure most of them will be willing to pitch in, even if it’s just for the dress and shoes.
How to save money on catering
- Swap single serve dishes for share plates The traditional entree, main, dessert menu can certainly set you back a pretty penny, especially for those planning on having a rather sizeable guest list. Consider serving tapas style dishes that each table can share. This usually makes things easier for the catering company and might also encourage your guests to interact with one another.
Leah S Designs servicing Pakenham area.
Our bridal shop may be located in the south eastern suburb of Hallam in Melbourne, but many customers drive to see us from Pakenham.
You may ask why Pakenham brides would make the trip; the 25-minute drive down the freeway will reveal a true gem on the bridal scene. Wedding dresses in Pakenham seem to be hard to come by, or at least the size & uniqueness of the range that we have available.
Our bridal shop may be located in Hallam, but many customers drive from Pakenham and around Victoria to visit and enjoy the Leah S Designs experience.
We are located just 25 minutes from Pakenham.
Leah S Designs is proud to boast that we have what we think is one of the most extensive ranges of wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, and deb dresses in Australia.
At Leah S Designs, our goal is to make purchasing your wedding gown one of life’s treasured memories, not a NIGHTMARE! We have been in the business for many years and have an excellent reputation for customer service and satisfaction. With us, you can reap the rewards of a highly trained staff of designers, dressmakers, and consultants.
It is also worth mentioning that we have a wide range, but we also have a UNIQUE range with sizes 6 to 34 in-store to try on. Many of our dresses cannot be bought anywhere else in Pakenham, let alone in the rest of Australia, and many wedding gowns are in stock.
Save time and money.
So, you could spend hours, or maybe days roaming around the Pakenham area looking for the perfect gown that suits you, OR, you can browse our Bridal collection, call us for more information, and make an appointment to come to visit and breathe a sigh of relief!
Our trained bridal stylists will help you navigate the whole process from purchasing a gown to accessories and alterations right up to the wedding we are there.
Wedding dresses Pakenham area.
Leah S Designs first started designing and selling wedding gowns in Pakenham nearly 20 years ago. Since then we have moved our bridal and deb design hub to Hallam. This large bridal store offers all the services a bride to be could need. Check out the history of Leah S we aren’t here just to sell you a dress but to hold your hand all the way through.
Four Reasons Not to Get Married Outside
We love outdoor weddings, but they’re not for everyone. An outdoor wedding can evoke otherworldly feelings, creating a romantic, picturesque scene. But it can also be a bug and rain-fueled disaster that leaves you overwhelmed and disappointed. Here are four signs you shouldn’t have an outdoor wedding.
You’re Getting Married in Melbourne
No matter how hard you try, you can’t control the spring storms and the autumn’s rapid temperature shifts. Suppose you’re getting married any time in the four seasons in a day in Melbourne when the weather is ever-shifting and unpredictable. In that case, an outdoor wedding could make you vulnerable to the whims of an emotional Mother Nature.
You’re Sensitive to Temperature
If you’re extra sensitive to temperature—always complaining of being too hot or too cold, prone to sweating, or annoyed by sudden temperature shifts—an outdoor wedding could be a recipe for misery on the big day. Do yourself the favor of a comfortable, climate-controlled room instead.
You Want a Glamorous Wedding
You can’t control the great outdoors, and even in the best of circumstances, an outdoor romp in a fancy dress can wreck the dress. Outdoor weddings can be rustically beautiful, romantic, and evocative of fairy tales. But if you want a glamorous shindig complete with a fancy ball gown, jewels everywhere, and glammed-out decorations, an outdoor wedding might be for you.
You Can’t Afford a Backup Plan
No matter how much you look forward to your outdoor wedding or how picturesque the setting will be, you need a backup plan. Sudden monsoons, swarms of bugs, and other ugly natural events can destroy your big day. Without a backup plan, you’ll be left saying your vows in the mud and rain. If you cannot afford to set up an indoor alternative or don’t have the energy or inclination to plan for the worst, move your ceremony indoors, where you can better control the setting.
Five Tips for Choosing Bridal Lingerie
When you envision your walk down the aisle, you’re probably more focused on the dress than what’s underneath it. A wedding is a romantic undertaking, and your new spouse is going to be just as eager to see what’s under your dress. The Lingerie you wear on your wedding day should be something special. Here are five tips for choosing wedding day Lingerie and foundation garments to bear in mind when making your selections.
Prioritize comfort, No 1 tip for bridal lingerie
You’re going to be wearing your wedding day outfit for a long and exhausting day, so don’t buy a bra that pinches. Bras should be comfortable and suitable for your wedding gown. For example, if you have chosen a backless dress, you may not be able to wear a bra.
Continue Reading… Why do I need emergency Wedding Day items
Be prepared with your emergency bridal kit. Most brides have at least one terrifying dream before they get married. Whether it’s showing up to the chapel in the wrong wedding dress, fainting at the altar, suffering the worst hair day on record, or getting in a fight with mum, we all have our own unique fears and insecurities. No wedding is perfect, and something is bound to go wrong. Reasonable expectations can help you manage this with style and grace. Rather than being reduced to a sobbing puddle of tulle.
Easy Ways to Include Your Pets in Your Wedding
For many newly engaged couples, pets are more like furry children than animals. If you love your canine or feline companions, why not include them in the happiest day of your life? Here are a few easy ways to include your pets in your wedding.
Put Them in the Wedding Party
Continue Reading…
Wedding dress dream team bridal stylists
Hi and welcome to my latest blog post, it’s where you get to meet the wedding dress dream team at Leah S Designs. From myself the designer, to the stylists, to the girls of Ginger Pins alterations. Learn about what each of us does in store everyday. We are not too serious here, so I won’t leave out the fun things, like what each of our favourite foods are and our ultimate holiday destinations. Enjoy.
Georgina
Georgina has been working at Leah’s designs for the past 6 years as a Stylist and has recently become the Store Manager.
I have a personal passion for the Plus Size Perfection collection. I love all of the dresses but mostly the brides that come to visit us. There is nothing quite like the transformation of self that can come from finding the right wedding dress.
The perfect dress can delight your figure, body and soul. I love boosting someones confidence and even if they don’t purchase a dress, everyone leaves with a smile on their face. It also helps that we have over 50 styles of size 18+ dresses to choose from. Every thing from a simple wedding dress style to an elaborate long sleeve wedding dresses.
Whats your most satisfying client experience?
When we helped a woman who came in with a tight budget. The bride had to move the wedding forward as her father had been diagnosed with a terminal disease. Fortunately we found the most gorgeous dress; she loved it and dad loved it too. The whole room was in tears, including me!
Georgina’s advice for brides before coming in to choose a wedding dress is to have a vision in mind of what type of bride you want to be. If you’re not sure think of your location and be open to our suggestions and don’t be afraid to think out side of the box try on styles from bohemian wedding dresses to mermaid styles.
Try different styles
Keep in mind that the gorgeous Pinterest photo of the dress on your phone might not be the perfect dress for you. Some popular theme’s at the moment are Vintage, Rustic, Glam, Country, Modern. Also, season if your wedding is in January or February look at summer wedding dresses to keep your cool.
Favourite cocktail – Fruit tingle | Favourite dessert – Good quality home made chocolate cake | Favourite holiday – Christmas | Heels or flats? Flats for work, heels to parrrrty!
What is your ultimate Leah S Designs look?
- Wedding Dress – Alina Wedding dress.
- Veil – PK005 cathedral with face veil 108 inches long – ivory – the veil has to be longer then the train of the dress.
- Earrings – Halo earrings.
- Hair piece – Cinderella hair comb.
Leah
If you would like to know more about me, I have my own story here.
I couldn’t help myself and have created a real diva look for my ultimate wedding day look, it would be for a glam wedding!
Favourite tea – peppermint | Favourite dessert – Loukoumades or Dandy Donuts | Favourite holiday – Hamilton Island | Heels or Flats – Heels baby!
Leah’s ultimate look
- Wedding Dress – Mischa fitted wedding dresses
- Veil – Chantilly lace trim veil.
- Earrings – Storm chandelier earrings.
- Hair piece – The crown.
Julie
Julie’s specialty is making people feel comfortable and beautiful. I love when the bride sees them-self in a dress they didn’t think would suit them, they have a twinkle in their eye. It gives me chills and then warms my heart.
What is the most satisfying customer? Recently a bride visited who is getting married in two years, she just looked so special in her dress, she couldn’t say no.
Julies advice to Brides is to have an open-mind, and when you find the dress, stop looking. You don’t want to have dress regret. Also make sure not to take too many people with you, the crowd can be very overwhelming and opinionated.
Favourite cocktail – Espresso martini and dry gin martini, one after the other| Favourite dessert – Creme Brul’e | Favourite holiday – Disneyland | Heels or flats – Flats
Let’s create you ultimate Leah S Designs wedding day look
- Wedding Dress – Divine A-line wedding gown
- Jewellery – Pearl drop earrings and Pearl bracelet
- Veil – LS005 with sparkling sequins
Jennie
I love the Plus Size Perfection collection and love styling with the accessories. I’m all about the complete look. It makes me feel good to make the brides feel good.
What is the most satisfying experience you have had with a bride?
I love to turn an unpleasant wedding dress shopping experience elsewhere in to a positive and enjoyable experience here. Jennie’s advice to brides to be is stay faithful, be yourself, never change yourself and be grateful to be alive.
Favourite tea – Green tea | Favourite dessert – Tiramisu | Favourite holiday – Greek Islands | Heels or flats – Heels
Let’s create your ultimate Leah S Designs wedding day look
- Wedding Dress – Taylah wedding dress
- Jewellery – Silver Infinity earrings, bracelet
- Veil – Short lace trim veil
Lyn
I started in fashion when I was 16 years old, working sewing in production in a factory. That would have been about 1977. Afterwards I worked in ladies wear retail, I started making clothes for friends and then friends of friends and realised they were mostly in size 18 and above. This was back in the 80s and 90s.
It was a natural progression to start a plus size bridal collection in collaboration with Leah Ann.
What was needed was a pattern that was cut and styled for an Australian figure, styles that were current and on trend. How do you get ideas for designs? Easy – I just ask our brides what they are looking for. I’m very proud of what I have created and love every day making dreams a reality.
What’s your ultimate wedding day look?
- There is no single dress, each dress is its own ultimate look on the right bride. For myself it would be a coloured ballgown wedding dress possibly in blush.
Favourite Cocktail – Espresso Martini | Favourite dessert – Pavlova | Favourite holiday – Beach | Heels or flats – both.
Melissa
What I like best about working at Leah S Designs is sharing in such a happy time with the bride, and when they find the one I get to be a part of that excitement and the moment. When they try wedding dresses on.
What is the most satisfying experience you have had with a bride?
My first sale was very exciting when Courtney brought her mum in to look at the dress she had chosen and the mother-in-law burst in to tears. Then they were arguing over who was going to pay for the dress (don’t argue with your mother in law, just let her pay).
What is your advice for brides to be before looking for their wedding dress?
Do some research to see what you like and not so much, so at least you’re coming in with an idea.
Favourite cocktail – Cosmopolitan | Favourite dessert – anything chocolate | Favourite holiday – Canada | Heels or flats – Heels
Let’s create your ultimate Leah S Designs wedding day look
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- Wedding dress – Black wedding dress Venice
- Jewellery – vintage and glam like the Lottie earrings and the bailey bracelet
- Veil – no veil but a black tiara.
Ginger Pins
Ginger Pins is a bridal alterations and dressmaking service where we specialise in bridal and deb dress alterations as well as formal wear. Located within the Leah S Designs building.
What’s an average day in the life of Ginger Pins?
On a daily basis Amy and Maria discuss with brides and debs how to get the perfect fit from their chosen gown. How we can achieve exactly what they are looking for, and what elements they can add to customise their dress and make it truly theirs. Our team then work in the workroom to cut, trim, sew and alter each gown to the individual, ready for the next fitting. We trim hems, attach belts, nip and tuck to finalise their ultimate dress.
What are your inspirations behind your flower girls dress collection?
We wanted to try something new and create a range that was cute (obviously), accessible and that offered to coordinate with some of the Leah S Designs wedding dresses.
What’s your favourite Leah S Designs dress to alter?
There are far too many gowns to choose a favorite to alter – each gown has it’s easier and slightly more tricky areas to adjust.
Favourite cocktail – Cosmopolitan| Favourite dessert – Ice cream, always | Favourite holiday – anywhere, any time | Heels or flats – Flats
Let’s create you ultimate Leah S Designs wedding day look
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- Wedding Dress – Simple wedding dresses
- Jewellery – Pearl earrings and Pearl hair pins
- Veil – Long cathedral veil
Faye
Faye has been sewing for around 45 years and been doing bridal alterations for 10 years. Honestly she’s the best machinist I have ever met, and I can say that because everyone knows its true! She does the alterations no one else wants to do. Faye believes her main job at Ginger Pins is to make each bride look beautiful and that their wedding dress expertly fits. She loves to create art with the sewing machine and sees every new project as a challenge.
Favourite tea – English Breakfast | Favourite dessert – Baked Alaska | Favourite holiday – New Zealand | Heels or Flats – Kitten heels
Katherine
Other than Amy, Katherine will be the lady to help you with your fitting, she will help you in to your dress and then mark what needs to be altered. Katherine will also help with any other follow up fittings but usually two or three fittings is all that is needed. She finds that the most common alterations are bridal gown hem shortening and taking in straps. Bridesmaids dresses sometimes also need adjustments.The team at Ginger Pins can also help you with your everyday alterations like shortening pants or sleeves.
Not every one gets to grow up on a sewing machine, so Katherine completed a three year course with the Melbourne school of fashion to hone in her skills. Katherine has now been sewing and creating for 14 years and still loving it.
I asked what unusual alterations have been done lately?
One of the dresses that was being worked on was a white dress that had pockets added with black trim, hem line with black ribbon and a black lace up the back. Another was a bride that came in with three internet wedding dresses to be altered. None of them could be fitted or look the way she wanted them to, so she actually ended up purchasing one from our Melbourne bridal store Leah S Designs. There are always stories when it come to a bridal store. The people you meet and the happiness you give through a garment are one of the reasons that makes working with brides so satisfying.
Favourite tea – Coffee | Favourite dessert – The wafers from Aldi (lol, they are so good) | Favourite holiday – Greece | Heels or Flats – Flats
Melbourne wedding dress designs travel Europe.
There is nothing better then seeing my wedding dress designs photographed in amazing locations over Eastern Europe with stunning wedding photography.
Recently we were lucky enough to have one of our favorite photography duo Lowina and Derek from Black Avenue Productions head over to Europe on a wedding photography escapade!
Join us for their adventure’s photographing our Leah S Designs bride Anna and Melitta. Can you believe they captured 12 weddings in two weeks!
Q: Why Europe?
Lowina @Black Avenue Productions:
It all started when we were invited to shoot Ben & Judit’s wedding in Hungary, and decided to stay for three weeks and take on more couple photo sessions while we were there. How can you say no to an extra long working holiday!
Q: What made you choose eastern Europe for wedding photography?
Derek @Black Avenue Productions:
Judit, the bride is originally from Hungary. She wanted to get married in the biggest church in Hungary and have something truly memorable to impress friends and family.
So we decided to stay a week in Prague and Vienna. These breath taking locations were a mecca for an art and music lover like me.
Q: Can you tell us a little about the couples you photographed?
Lowina @Black Avenue Productions:
Anna & Libor got married a few days before Judit’s wedding shoot, however we couldn’t make it to their actual wedding day as we had already committed to other shoots. So they booked us for post-wedding photos instead.
It was an early 6am start, the couple wanted the Prague Old Town Square and Charles bridge locations and to get the best photos we had to get in early before the crowds.
I love pre and post wedding shoots as you get more relaxed photos with less stress for the couple.
Anna wore our Daisy one of our A-line wedding dresses and we think she looked absolutely beautiful. She said it was very comfortable to wear.
With her natural beauty, I only put on a light touch of make up and a bit of lip balm and she was ready to go.
Continue Reading… On to our real weddings.
I don’t know about you but this has been a special year for me, I had baby number two and then back to work after maternity leave. Juggling a baby, and the store has been made easier with my amazing staff. OK, with a run down of some of our most popular posts on face book. Thank you to all the brides that took the time to email, facebook and to tag us on instagram. Each time I see your photos it is so exciting seeing you again on your wedding day.Tarryns springtime real wedding
Continue Reading…Wedding And Debutante Photo Shoot.
The weather was perfect last Wednesday for our rooftop photo shoot. Our theme was Summer in the City for our deb dress collection and the landscape of Melbourne sure didn’t disappoint. The photo shoot featured our signature looks for this season. Bridal lace, soft chiffons and tulle skirts.
Why we no longer allow photo’s in our bridal store.
In this day and age, camera phones are a way of life, I also love taking photo’s with my phone and it feels great looking back at memories. I know exactly where you are coming from, when you want to take photos trying on dresses to look a back on. This is why it was such a controversial decision to make. Ultimately I have made the decision not to allow photography in our store. Most of my brides are amazing and understand straight away.I’m going to give some examples below,
of why we are no longer allowing photos in store. Imagine if you were selling, say a dress from your home. It’s a gorgeous dress, you designed it yourself and people are coming over to have a look at it. Try it on, maybe purchase it for an event. Continue Reading…Perfection Bridal at Montsalvat
I just have to share with you all our video of the Plus size Perfection Bridal at Montsalvat campaign filmed at Monsalvat estate. Its the exclusive look at the behind the Scenes at the Plus size perfection photo shoot. Photographing the latest “Its a love story” campaign.
Shown on Location at Montsalvat in the leafy green suburb of Eltham Victoria.
“With a talented team we got the day rolling with our model Sophie Shepard hair and make up. While the stylists and Photographers double checked locations and lighting. After a sleepless night it was time to get to work, lucky for us there was nothing to worry about with an exceptionally talented team of Sophie, Lyndel and Daniel from Lost in Love photography, Janice wu and Michael our videographer after viewing the first images Lyn and I did a little jig of excitement. The first dress we shot was the Andrea dress with the soft and flowing skirt.
We moved on to the other wedding dresses such as the Anastasia, the Gwyneth, the Odessa and the Felicity dress. My favorite shot from the day is the Odessa and the Felicity, although its a tough choice. What do you think? Gorgeous, am I right!
Andrea plus size gown at Montsalvat.
Sophie wearing the Odessa gown.
Felicity gown at Montsalvat photo shoot.
I love the feed back from this campaign from being featured in the wedding blogs Wedded Wonderland, Inspirati, and Confetti daydreams. Our photo’s from the campaign have been pinned on pintrest in excess of 5,000 times.
Magic by the Lake Campaign
Join us for some pure romance at our Lysterfield lake wedding, showing off Leah S Designs wedding dresses. In this Collaborative shoot we have taken a spin on the traditional white dress and gone to the dark side. I love how the darker florals and the Vera wedding dress in black contrast with the winter lake.Photography // Dewina Dandot Photography
Flowers // Florium Creations
Hair and Make up // Peggy Stasinos
Location // Lysterfield Lake
Do you want to know more about our team? scroll down.
Lets talk about the dress – The Vera wedding dress comes in white, ivory and black in sizes 6 to 36 and is priced at $1,399. Want to try on? I know you do! To make a booking Phone: (03)97032198. Our team decided we wanted to show a campaign with a real size model. Don’t you think Rachelle (our stunning size 12 beauty) make’s size an non issue.
Continue Reading… How to accessorize wedding dresses with colour.
At Leah S Designs we have many wedding dresses in store. Because not everyone wants to or can wear white. We have put together a styled bridal shoot to help. Sometimes blush ore champagne is a far more flattering colour depending on the tone of your skin. Choosing a colour that compliments will liven up your skin tone and not leave you looking tired and drained. We have featured the Katherine gown in this styled shoot. Katherine is available in ivory or latte with a stunning ivory lace overlay. Come into our bridal shop and try on sizes 6 to 34.Accessories used for this styled bridal shoot
Continue Reading… Tara and Aidan’s real wedding
Join us for Tara and Aidan’s beautiful real wedding in the beautiful bush in Victoria. Tara wore our Flure wedding dress in ivory for a simple bohemian bridal look.
Our Flure style has a lace bodice low feature lace back with fabric covered buttons enhancing the lace back feature. Flure has a slightly gathered chiffon skirt giving the gown a pretty bohemian feel.
Taras bouquet featured feminine full pastel blooms that were complimented with silver foliage. A great choice to tie in with Aidan”s suit colour and the bush surroundings too. Continue Reading…Keep calm and flower on!
Most of us have been to at least one wedding where the flower girl throws a fit and makes the wedding day more stressful for the bride. Whether it’s stage fright or they’re simply not having a good day, there are many factors that come into play when involving young child in a wedding. Luckily there a few things you can try to avoid any fits during the ceremony!
- Prepare for a parent to walk down with them: Sometimes the pressure is too much for a little one and having a parent by their side will help them be more at ease! If a parent or even an older sibling is present for their big moment it may make things less stressful.
- Bribe them: Desperate times call for desperate measures, am I right? Sometimes bribing your little flower girl with a treat afterwards may help smooth over any bumps in the road.
- Try to get the child to nap before the wedding a rest can do the world of wonders.
- Get her to help choose her dress: Depending on the age of course! Most little girls will be much more excited about their part in the wedding if they have some choice in their outfit. Including them in picking out their dress will show them how much you value their part in your special day!
- Know if your child is mature enough to be a flower girl, my daughter was asked when she was 2.5 and I just knew she was to young to do it. The timing of the wedding was at nap time and it would have been very stressful getting her to behave. Sadly I declined and every one was very understanding.
Flower girl dresses.
Last week we teamed up with our in house wedding dress alterations team Ginger pins. This is the cutest photo shoot we have ever done, don’t you think? Amy has created the most gorgeous collection of Flower girl dresses. We can’t wait to show them off to you all.
Flower girl dresses come in children’s sizes 2 – 8 in white and ivory and are made in Melbourne.
Prices start from $150 to $220.
Let’s add some colour.
Some times simple is the best, with this traditional option available in white or ivory.
Flower girls have long played an important part in weddings. But when did having a flower girl become so normalised in the wedding world?
History of flower girls
It’s hard to be certain as to when this tradition began, but some have estimated that it dates back to Ancient Roman times. Young ushers would carry wheat and other goods to bless the newlyweds with fertility and good fortune. In the medieval ages they were said to carry garlic in order to ward off evil spirits. Flower girls were also used in weddings to symbolise the Bride’s loss of innocence.
Things are much different in today’s modern world of course! While flower girls no longer hold such a strong symbolic importance in the wedding festivities, they have become part of a long standing tradition. And it doesn’t hurt that they’re cute as can be!!
Come in to the Leah S Designs building at 3/167 Princes Highway, Hallam and have a look at this adorable collection of flower girl dresses today! For more information you can contact us at (03) 97032198.
Dandenong Weddings: in the shadows of the misty mountains you’ll find Lyrebird Falls.
Home to one of Victoria’s favorite Dandenong weddings venues, we were lucky enough to be asked to work with Dewinta from Dewinta Dandot Photography. After arriving at Lyrebird Falls I did a quick location scout, I was sure the cool colors of the rain forest really made our dresses and the floral arrangements really pop!
This styled shoot featuring on easy weddings.com
Photographer Dewinta Dandot was looking to create a colorful bohemian vibe for the day. Using Forest greenery to achieve a boho vision. Moody, earthy with a bright colour.
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When we first met Morgan she was excited but extremely nervous for her big day. After hearing her heartwarming story of how she met her future husband we couldn’t resist re-telling. Let’s give you a sneak peak inside their magical garden weddings.
Five years into their relationship, Tom decided it was time to pop the question and proposed to Morgan at the very bar where they first met.
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The proposal
It was a warm summer night in Melbourne and Morgan had made plans to go to her friends birthday party. After being a little apprehensive about going she finally convinced herself to go. When she arrived at the bar she sat with her friend for a while and then headed to the bar for a drink. Upon her return she noticed her soon to be fiance, Tom was sitting in her seat. Not wanting to make Tom move she sat in the seat opposite him. Tom couldn’t keep his eyes off Morgan, offering to walk her home at the end of the night. Their instant attraction soon turned into a beautiful romance.
Morgan and Toms wedding was featured in Real Weddings on Easy Weddings.com
Bridal designer Leah Ann.
Let’s dig a little deeper into the story behind these gorgeous gowns. Leah Ann has been a Melbourne-based designer for over 15 years, retailing affordable designer wedding dresses in Melbourne and plus size wedding dresses with the perfect accessories to match! She’s definitely come a long way to achieve what Leah S Designs is today since her humble beginnings, working in a barn from a very young age. Background Leah started off making debutante dresses for her neighbours and friends, but one thing led to another, and now she’s helping to dress women from all over the world. Running a bridal business was never part of the plan at 19 years old, but sewing was always in her blood.Thanks mum! Those craft days were worth while.
My mum, Lyn Sukroo, used to have her own gallery with silk products and has been involved in plus size fashion for over 30 years. As such, Leah spent several years doing piece work for her family’s business and found that sewing came naturally to her. Lyn has since dedicated her time to her daughter’s brand to help her expand by creating the Plus Size Perfection Collection. The Plus Size Perfection Collection, designed for sizes above 16, boasts both international and national recognition and is constantly growing. (TEN new dresses are added each season!)
Continue Reading… Join me, its an icy bridal dress photo shoot today.
Another day another little bit of craziness! Join me for an icy bridal dress photo shoot in the Australian bush lands. I’m going to take you to the other side of the glamorous images we show on www.leahsdesigns.com.au. A photo shoot is a great opportunity to let out some creativity. And escape from the day to day running of a business and get out of the office. I also love designing the dresses, actually the dress designing is number 1 and doing the photo shoots is love number 2. I told myself the night before I would make time to make some videos on the day. The first video was taken at about 6:30 in the morning so I was still in sleep mode. An extra thank you to my in laws Grazyna and Richard for letting me trash their perfect house. Continue Reading…Come on a showroom tour with Leah
I have been wanting to do a video of a bridal showroom tour for ages! Its so easy to get distracted and then it goes on to the back burner. It was a little quiet on Monday morning so I grabbed Georgina and my iPhone and got her to follow me around the show room. Continue Reading…Where it all started for Jacqueline and Josh – Leah S Designs real brides weddings
Josh and I met while performing together in a children’s performing company when we were 18 and 17 and there was a mutual attraction. We became friends and were both accepted into the same university course in Ballarat. We decided with another girl from the company that we would all share a house. However upon moving in together we didn’t get along at all! It was after a year of living together that we realised our ‘hate’ for each other was the cliched story of a fine line between love and hate. We have been inseparable ever since.
A little about your wedding journey
Josh and I became engaged in August 2014 and were so excited to start planning our dream wedding that we dove straight in and got very carried away!. We started planning this huge extravagant wedding and got caught up in all of the latest wedding crazes and trends. As many real brides do. Going to every wedding expo and bought every wedding magazine under the sun. However in February 2015 we found out that we were expecting a little bundle of joy and realised that our priorities with the wedding had gotten way out of hand. We quickly canceled most aspects of that wedding, which lead to a sense of great relief!. We had lost focus of why we wanted to be married and became carried away with the idea of our perfect wedding. Instead of celebrating our love. Continue Reading… 
A little about your wedding journeyPhoto shoot at the Narbethong Hall
I was asked a couple of weeks ago to take part in a Collaboration photo shoot being organised by Narbethong Hall committee. Nicole from Nics button buds took the lead of the team to help show us the hall. All its lovely facilities make it a perfect location for wedding ceremony’s and as a reception venue. After the bush fires in 2009 destroyed the original town hall it was also for a great cause to get on board with.
I love collaborating and meeting new people in similar businesses. And not having to organise every part of a photo shoot takes the pressure off. Even when it means I have to stand back and let the shoot progress with out me being in charge which is actually really difficult.
The day started at 10:00 (love the country start time’s) with hair and make up. Then started by taking some evening style photos in the sitting area in front of the fire, considering it was about 5 degrees it was a good spot to warm up also.
Wedding dresses featured
Poppy wore our Sparkling gold dress for the first photo and the dress is available in gold, silver or bronze. Next arrival style photos in the Teneille dress. Getting out of the cars and a couple out side shots of the Bride and Groom once the sun decided to start shining.
Next dress worn was my new favourite style the Georgie wedding dress. A latte and ivory combination of fabrics that every one was dying to see on and it didn’t disappoint, what do you think?
Continue Reading… Little Lovelies wedding Accessories
What a day we had photographing our latest Little Lovelies jewellery collection. Photographing jewellery is a much more relaxed shoot, no worrying about models, makeup and hair choices and the much more reasonable 10am start time feels good. Lee Bird Studios in Keysborough designed a custom light box to get the upmost sparkle from each piece of Jewellery whilst highlighting the intricate work and letting each individual crystal shimmer. Continue Reading…Leah S Designs on Wedded wonderland
Leah S Designs sister brand Plus size perfections latest photo shoot. “Its a love story” has been picked up by Australia’s top blogger and Instagram king pin Wedded wonderland. Leah S Designs on wedded wonderland. To be featured in a pictorial. Exciting stuff as I have been a lover of the wonderland site for many years, so a big hip hip hooray for Perfection Bridal. Im loving the fact that this is one of the first blog featuring plus size fashion. So we are a bit of a revolution in the fashion world (for a little while at least). Just a word of warning if you check out the wedded wonderland site it will suck you in for hours in to the dazzling wedding world! have fun.
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