As a Melbourne wedding dress shop, we always feel passionate and grateful to help our brides find their dream wedding dresses and be a part of their special moments. One of our beautiful brides, Hayley, recently tied the knot at the stunning Jack Rabbit Vineyard in Geelong with her now-husband Jorge and we are so happy she is here today sharing some interesting stories from her wedding day as well as wedding dress buying tips.

The couple's love story began at Taco Tuesday, where they struck up a conversation and Hayley used to give Jorge a ride home. Their love story actually started with a funny ultimatum given by Jorge “kiss me or drink my frappe.” Though Haley cheekily said nay to neither of them, we all know the rest is history.

Jack Rabbit Vineyard wedding dress photo

The Wedding Venue

As a Melbourne bridal boutique, we feel like Jack Rabbit is the perfect combination of ocean and vineyard. Located in the picturesque Bellarine Peninsula, Jack Rabbit is a one-of-a-kind vineyard wedding venue that offers panoramic ocean view as well as stunning greenery. “It’s a vineyard with a beach view. My dream,” Hayley said.

As a Geelong wedding venue, Jack Rabbit offers a stunning ground with ocean backdrop for wedding ceremonies, and its stunning sceneries turn into unlimited onsite photo opportunities afterwards. The reception at Jack Rabbit boasts a modern and contemporary vibe featuring plenty of natural lights through large windows as well as a deck for your first dance as husband and wife.

The Wedding Planning

Hayley started her wedding planning roughly 8 months before the date and wedding dress was the first thing she bought. From a Melbourne wedding dress consultant’s point of view, I always recommend that brides-to-be start their search for the perfect wedding dress at least 8-12 months before their wedding date. This is because wedding dress making, as well as final alterations, can take time, and it's always better to have some buffer time to avoid any last-minute stress.

The Favourite Moment on The Day

“The first dance with my husband,” Hayley said. Hayley also remembers another favourite moment from her wedding day was how amazing she felt in her perfect wedding dress: “My wedding gown was just perfect. I didn’t want to take it off.”

Things that You Wish to Know Earlier

“I should have been more organised earlier so the weeks building up weren’t so stressful,” Hayley laughed. She also advised all bride-to-be to be aware and plan enough time for their wedding dress alteration as it was something she overlooked. She emphasized the importance of planning enough time for wedding dress alterations to avoid last-minute surprises. Hayley was fortunate enough to have our Melbourne bridal boutique help her with last-minute alterations, but she suggests planning ahead to avoid any unexpected issues.

Finding Her Dream Wedding Dress

Hayley came across Bella E La Bestia Bridal from a mutual friend who also happened to buy her dress at our Melbourne wedding dress shop. For her dream wedding dress, she had a pretty “set” idea that it needs to be with fitted lace style. “When I visited the bridal boutique, I did try other wedding dress but my mind was set.” It didn’t take long for Hayley to lay her eyes on Norah and after trying on, she instantly knew it was her dream wedding dress.

Featuring a uniquely designed neckline as well as beautiful long train, Norah is a stunning fit & Flare wedding dress embossed with spectacular lace details.

Bridal Gown Shopping Experience with Bella E La Bestia Bridal

“My overall wedding dress shopping experience with Bella E La Bestia Bridal was super easy and relaxing I’ve already done a review otherwise I’d do another haha,” Hayley said.

Wedding Dress Tips for All Brides to Be

When it comes to main tip on finding the perfect wedding dress, Hayley suggests all brides-to-be to be brave and confident. “Try every wedding dress style. You might surprise yourself. Don’t let anyone pressure you into getting something you might regret. It’s your day. Your vision. You’ll be the one wearing the dress, so you have to be the one to love it,” Hayley said.

We’d Love to Throw You Some Ideas

Are you shopping for your dream wedding dress? Or just looking for tips and inspirations for the perfect wedding gown? We would love to throw you some ideas, contact us to book a free appointment, our Melbourne wedding dress is just located 15 minutes away from Melbourne CBD in Maribyrnong. Our friendly team at Bella E La Bestia Bridal look forward to your next visit.