“I was very lucky with my shopping experience and only had to go to one shop – Raffaelle Ciuca and try on 5 dresses before I found the one. I took my mum and my twin sister who was also my maid of honour with me to help me pick my dress. I already had a picture in my mind of what I wanted so when the bridal consultant pulled out the “one” and I tried it on, I just knew that was it- I didn’t need to see anymore.” #RCREALBRIDE EMILY RC – How did you and your husband meet? Andrew and I met seven years ago on a night out at the local club. He bought me a drink and asked me to dance. We spent the night dancing away and getting to know each other over drinks. We went our separate ways but not before we exchanged numbers. The next day he called to ask me out for dinner.. and from then on we started dating and the rest is history. RC – The proposal? Andrew proposed to me at our home 2 days before Christmas in 2013. He gave me my Christmas present early knowing I couldn’t wait another two days for it. He brought out a big bag that contained a large jewellery box and when I opened it, it was empty. As I looked up to him to ask if it was a joke he was standing there with the engagement ring box open and asked me to marry me. It was so unexpected it took me a few minutes to register that he was actually serious. It was a perfect moment and the princess cut diamond ring he chose is stunning. RC – Is there a particular reason as to why you chose your venue? We got married at Dreamers in Mount Beauty, a stunning resort located in the foothills of Mt Bogong, Falls Creek snowfields and Alpine National Park. Although we now live in Melbourne we always talked about getting married back closer to home. I fell in love instantly with the venue and our ceremony was held by the onsite romantic rustic wedding chapel by the lagoon and our reception in the garden wedding reception pavilion. RC – Your favourite part of the wedding? It’s really hard to pick a favourite part of the wedding as I loved everything about my day, to me it truly was perfect but the parts that really stand out to me are when I was walking down the aisle and getting to see my soon to be husband- and also walking back down the aisle to greet all of our guests after we were just pronounced husband and wife. We felt so much love and happiness from everyone that it was truly both an overwhelming but amazing feeling. RC – How the dress made you feel? Elegant, beautiful, sophisticated. It was everything I had ever wanted in a dress. People wouldn’t stop commenting on how beautiful it was. The fit and flare low back gown was a perfect fit for my rustic and garden themed wedding. RC – Your bridal shopping experience? I was very lucky with my shopping experience and only had to go to one shop – Raffaelle Ciuca and try on 5 dresses before I found the one. I took my mum and my twin sister who was also my maid of honour with me to help me pick my dress. I already had a picture in my mind of what I wanted so when the bridal consultant pulled out the “one” and I tried it on, I just knew that was it- I didn’t need to see anymore. RC – Tips for brides-to-be! Have pictures/photos available to show the bridal consultant styles of dresses you have seen and love – this really helps rather than trying to explain a certain fit/design. Don’t be afraid to try on other styles and fabrics that you may not have originally considered – it may just be the one you end up choosing Try not to sweat the small stuff- things can and do go wrong. But that the end of the day the only person that will know is you. And sometimes things actually work out better than you planned. Try to take a few moments to stop and take in the day- it goes so quickly so just relax, enjoy it and have lots of fun.