This week we interviewed #rcrealbride Rebecca who married the love of her life Tristan in our Francesca wedding gown by Maggie Sottero 7th January 2017 THE FIRST SIGHT Tristan and I met early in 2010 in Tamworth at the Good Companions Hotel. We shared great conversation that night but because I was afraid of getting hurt, I left without saying goodbye. Later, I discovered that he had searched literally all the pubs in town that evening trying to find me. A few months later when I next went out, as fate would have it, he was again at the same venue. Tristan went out of his way to ensure I would accidentally bump into him again and quickly secured my number so that I couldn’t disappear again. A few days later he took me out on a date to a lovely restaurant. He took me out a few times after that and I remember having dinner with him one night when he casually referred to me as his “girlfriend”. THE PROPOSAL After five and a half years of being together and our journey taking us to numerous different locations around Australia, Tristan finally popped the question following a picnic on a little beach whilst holidaying on the Great Ocean Road. THE VENUE Before we got engaged, Lyrebird Falls had actually popped up on my Facebook feed and I thought it looked absolutely stunning. So 2 weeks after Tristan proposed we went for a look. We looked at a few other places in the Dandenongs as I was keen on a wedding setting with a naturally beautiful backdrop. I loved the idea of a forest wedding and to be honest my heart was already set on that venue. When I saw Lyrebird Falls in person it was exactly what I had imagined. THE FAVOURITE MOMENT When my florals arrived to where we were getting ready. My flowers were something I had envisioned long before we got engaged and when they showed up I was absolutely chuffed with them. From that moment, I was so excited for the day ahead. Walking down the isle with my Mum and Stepdad by my side and seeing Tristan smiling back at me. I felt so incredibly lucky to be marrying the man of my dreams. Eating wedding cake and drinking champagne together with my new husband after the night was over in my wedding dress (I just didn’t want to take it off) and reading all the beautiful cards from our friends and family. THE DRESS I wore Francesca by Maggie Sottero. I always knew I wanted a lacy, vintage inspired dress, with buttons down the back. Francesca was the first dress I tried on and I immediately fell in love with its gorgeous illusion back. It was everything I had wanted and more. It truly made me feel like a princess. FINDING THE ONE I first went dress shopping during the Christmas holidays, approximately 1 year before I was to be married. My mum was down for the holidays and I really wanted to pick my dress out with her. Because she lives in country northern New South Wales, this was the best opportunity to go shopping together. Initially I was a bit disheartened, as most bridal boutiques were closed for the festive season. However, I was thrilled Raffaele Ciuca in Brunswick was open (which was recommended to me by a work friend) as well as another boutique close by. I went to Raffaele Cuica in Brunswick first and Francesca by Maggie Sottero was the first gown I tried on. I also tried on quite a few others during my appointment. I decided that even though I loved Francesca, that I shouldn’t just commit to the first dress I liked. Later that week, I made another appointment for Raffaele Ciuca in Armadale. My stylist was Maria and I told her I had been to Brunswick earlier in the week. I informed her that I had tried on Francesca previously. I was stoked when they also had this dress in stock for me to re-try. Maria also pulled together some dresses that I liked the look of. I re-tried Francesca first and my love was confirmed. After that, I tried on about 2 other lovely gowns but, I just felt like I wanted to put the first dress back on and I kept comparing each dress to my first choice. I knew then that Francesca by Maggie Sottero was the one! ADVICE Listen to your heart and don’t overthink your decisions. If you love the first dress you try or have your heart set on a supplier don’t question it. Listen to your venues recommendations. We were absolutely thrilled with our celebrant who made our ceremony so “us” and our amazing florist whom we wouldn’t have found without them.