It’s that time of year again! The April bridal market has taken place in New York and my screen has been full of breathtaking bridal gowns with exquisite detailing, dramatic colours and incredible design!

As per my October coverage, today I’m rounding up my favourite designs, but to save your sanity, I’ve only chosen gowns from designers available in Australia!  Although these gowns are on the runway now, they won’t be hitting stores for another few months, so take it as a taste of what’s to come!

Vera Wang

I never expect anything subdued from designer Vera Wang and her latest runway was a continuation of her bold, intense designs pairing the traditional creamy white with bold, black dramatic lines.

Available at Vera Wang Australia

Images via Instyle

Caroline Herrera

I’m always so taken by the work of Caroline Herrera. Chic designs with that little something extra that lifts them from ordinary to breathtaking. I adore the texture of this season’s collection, lace, glittering skirts and beautiful necklines.

Available at Anna DaFonte

Photo by John Aquino for WWD

Amsale

Classic fuss free elegance from designer Amsale this season. Simple, clean lines with clean, chic fabrics. I love the train detail- seperate, giving the illusion of floating behind the main skirt.

Available at Angela Wilson

Photos by Dan Lecca via Wedding Wire

Marchesa

Beautiful lace was also a feature at Marchesa but the designer didn’t sway from the couture, fashion forward bold shapes they’re known for with unexpected skirt shapes and daring details.

Available at Helen Rodrigues

Photos by Dan Lecca via Wedding Wire

Anne Barge

The creamy, champagne hues from Anne Barge are so decadent and warm when paired with the soft, dreamy lace. A beautiful collection that is completely wearable and a little twist on tradition.

Available at Basilica Couture

Photos by Dan Lecca via Wedding Wire

Rivini

Dramatic detail, texture and alluring shapes with exquisite detailing with beading and lace.

Available at Di Kelly Bridal Couture

Photos by Thomas Iannaccone for WWD

Oscar de la Renta

Oh lace, so much beautiful lace on show at Oscar de la Renta and colour- pretty pastel blues and pinks topped off this utterly feminine collection.

Available at Helen Rodrigues

Photos by Dan Lecca via Wedding Wire

Reem Acra

The runway of Reem Acra was all about volume- big, ballgowns, big, fluffy peplum layers and long, dramatic veils!

Available at Anna DaFonte

Photos by Dan Lecca via Wedding Wire

Monique Lhuillier

Oh so much to love from Monique Lhuillier! Beautiful laces, illusion necklines, soft, drapey peplums and capes- beautiful long, unexpected capes! Monique also showed off a beautiful range of shorter gowns with jackets and capes that work wonderfully for registry office weddings.

Available at Intique & Co & Helen Rodrigues

Photos by Dan Lecca via Wedding Wire

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Good morning Dotties! Did you have a lovely faux long weekend? While I love long weekends I do like a normal week, I’m a creature of habit and a lover of routine so I’m looking forward to getting stuck into a very big week!

Our Monday morning wouldn’t be complete with a big spotlight on the fabulous members of Ms Polka Dot’s Directory. We’re always adding new vendors who are passionate about what they do and pretty darn talented at it too! From Favors & Decor Accessories, Photography, Wedding Planners delicious Cakes and plenty of Stationery & Paper Goods.

Hop on over and take a peek at Ms Polka Dot’s Directory, you never know which awesome vendors you might find!

You know I love a good photograph, so I am honoured to introduce you to this week’s vendor of the week David Ferguson Photography. From moody shots taking in the most incredible of backdrops, to unexpected laughter, poignant tears and candid moments- David has a talent for capturing them all! Based out of Queensland, David is  keen traveller and is available to shoot weddings all over Australia and the world. So if you fancy David’s style, give him a buzz – so he can capture beautiful images for you like those above!

We asked David from David Ferguson Photography five questions in five minutes -

What is your favourite after five drink?

I think it’s a little old fashioned these days but a tom collins. I don’t have enough of them but love them when I do. I’m not even sure what is in them but when made well, are just divine.

Your favourite weekend getaway?

Anywhere and anytime with, Emelia (the love of my life). Weekends are rather sacred when we get one together

Favourite restaurant?

I love Oscars down at Burleigh Heads. Every time we are down there we have the coconut prawns. Mmmmm.

What can we find you eating for breakfast on a Sunday morning?

In the winter I’ll be watching cartoons and sharing a plate of eggs with my little boy Max. In the summer we may be on the deck in the sun after a morning surf or at Fratelinis.

Your favourite wedding story?

I have lots of lovely stories but my favourite is my own….

I was renovating a house for my parents in Tasmania and got friendly with the people that lived over the road, John and Steph. I became really great friends with them in the 6 months I was there. I went back home for a few months and returned to my parents house again for Christmas. John and Steph’s daughter was also home for Christmas, I knew they had a daughter but very little else about her, not surprisingly we really hit it off. She was about to go to Europe so rather than let her go and hope she would come back again I decided to drop everything that I was doing and would chase her all the way to the other side of the world. We travelled all around Europe, were engaged in Paris at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and after a few months travelling returned home. We married on my parent’s farm in the garden, a beautiful wedding. I literally married the girl next door and my friends are my in-laws. It makes Christmas very easy We have now been married for 5 years this September and have a little boy, Max, who is simply awesome!

Image of David and Emelia Ferguson on their wedding day by Florent Vidal

Visit David Ferguson Photography’s  page to find out more about our Vendor Of The Week. David Ferguson Photography is a member of Ms Polka Dot’s Directory

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Photo by Lisa Michele Burns

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Monique and Jeremy

I can’t believe in all the time we’ve been posting engagement shoots on Polka Dot Bride, I don’t think we’ve posted one at the iconic Brighton beach boxes! Now’s the time to change it with the fun sunset engagement photos by Kirralee Ashworth of Monique and Jeremy!

Kirralee tells, “The two New Zealanders have been together for many years and have spent a lot of their relationship traveling and living overseas. Monique told me that, after they spending three months traveling around Europe in a tiny campervan together, she knew their relationship would last forever! ”

“Monique and Jeremy selected Brighton beach boxes – a special place for them being at the beach and such an iconic Melbourne location.”

“It was in September when Monique and Jeremy became engaged, while having a holiday in Perth. During their romantic get away they decided to take a casual bike ride. Every beach they passed by on this particularly hot day, was not quite the right one for Jeremy, and they kept cycling on. Eventually Jeremy found the perfect beach setting, and asked Monique to marry him! This special beach has been marked on a map so they can return in years to come. He presented her with a ring box where there was a beautiful brilliant diamond! This was she was able to design her dream ring.”

Bride, Engagements | Comments 3