Belle Amour: Wedding Ideas Less of the traditional. More of the original.

I feel I have to warn you up front that the following amazing dresses can’t be found at shops in the UK. But that’s not stopping you from having one. You’ll just have to factor in a trip to Sydney to be fitted for it!

Colourful couture

The reason I had to blog the following dresses? Because, rather than just the traditional white, these gowns come with a bold and beautiful splash of colour!

Culture Bridal Couture is a group of highly experienced couture seamstresses headed by owner Lisa Merton. Every couture gown they create is individually designed and custom-made for the bride. Due to this their website is full of gorgeous gowns in a range of styles (all well worth seeing) but it was those with a Japanese influence that stood out for me as something entirely different to what I’d seen before.

Lisa let me know that all the Japanese gowns are ‘made from real vintage kimonos and obis, so each piece I create is totally unique, as each vintage kimono and obi is also a one-off fabric…It’s a great way of using colour in wedding gowns, as the vintage kimonos, obis and rare textiles I buy from Japan are all so individual, and feature amazing and often unexpected colour palettes, quirky prints and diverse themes.’

The Japanese fabrics are then paired with beautiful silks to create the following stunning gowns:

I absolutely adore the dress directly above with the huge black bow. I’d love to see a Japanese-inspired wedding… A gown like these, parasols, paper lanterns, origami paper cranes made from Japanese papers hanging from the ceiling, sake and sushi and guests struggling with chopsticks… amazing!

Turning Japanese

And don’t think you have to be Asian to enjoy a Japanese wedding. As Lisa says ‘many of my brides that wear my Japanese designs are not actually Asian, but are just in love with all things Asian and in particular Japan. Sometimes a bride may be Australian and marrying her Asian groom, or vice versa, or one of the couple may have Asian heritage in their family.

Often both bride and groom are Australian but have some connection to Asia which they want to highlight in their wedding theme, or at least in the gown.’

And sometimes it’s simply because the ‘bride wants to wear colour!’

So perhaps you met in Japan or you had a great holiday there or you both enjoy Japanese films or you just think it would make a great looking wedding (it would) this is one theme that is certain to create a unique and memorable day!

Real weddings

Here are some of Culture Bridal Couture’s beautiful brides:

Fitted fast

Normally a Culture Bridal Couture gown takes 4-6 months to make but they are willing to literally drop everything for an international bride flying to Australia especially to have her gown made by them. If a bride can visit for a month then one fitting a week is enough to ensure her dress is finished for her departure. Alternatively two visits for a period of at least a week each can also be arranged.

This fast service would mean Lisa along with her entire team would be working solely on the gown, overtime being factored in if necessary, to ensure the dress will be getting on the plane with the bride!

Shopping & sightseeing

Of course with these dresses being custom designed and made for you, plus having to factor in a trip to Australia, it won’t be the cheapest dress you could buy. But if you combine the fitting of your dress with a holiday or visiting friends and family you may have out there then it doesn’t seem as extravagant. And I’ve been to Australia and can certainly recommend it (Ramsay Street especially!)

Go down this route and you’ll be flying home having had an amazing holiday seeing some amazing sites with one stunning dress that a team of experts have put their time and effort into especially for you. That’s pretty special!

Debs

Vendor Details:
Culture Bridal Couture website
Culture Bridal Couture blog
Contact Culture Bridal Couture
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