Real Bride Maddy wears Mimosa by Alena Leena
Maddy’s journey to finding her wedding dress began long before she had even stepped foot in a bridal boutique. It started with a Pinterest board that became her go-to for inspiration, pinning every gown, floral arrangement, and décor piece that caught her eye. Each pin was like a puzzle piece, slowly coming together to reveal her vision of elegance, simplicity and timelessness. Then, as if by fate—or perhaps a testament to her algorithm—she stumbled upon Mimosa by Alena Leena which led her straight to The Veil Collective.
Crafting Maddy’s Vision
Despite Maddy’s well-defined sense of style, with Pinterest boards filled with florals, fabrics and décor ideas, her vision remained clear. She dreamed of a sleek, minimalistic gown that accentuated clean lines and a slimming silhouette, all tied together by one defining feature: a bateau neckline. Yet, she approached her bridal journey with an open mind, knowing that she might fall in love with a different style—after all, it’s not every day you see yourself in a wedding dress.
With Braeside Estate setting the scene for their special day, Maddy and her fiancé, Jayden, chose a sit-down dinner after being charmed by the venue’s dining area that oozed grandeur with its feature stone wall and stately floor-to-ceiling curtains. Their colour palette was crisp and timeless—pure white, with Maddy insisting "the more, the better!" which evoked a sense of sophistication. Rather than traditional floral centrepieces, they opted for second-hand candles they sourced from a bride from popular Facebook group Wedchat by Wedshed, which added a warm, romantic glow to the setting.
Maddy and Jayden personalised their wedding with modern, memorable details that delighted their guests. They steered from tradition with a piñata cake, perfect for smashing after the ceremony, and served Krispy Kreme doughnuts for dessert—an easy, crowd-pleasing treat on the dance floor. Instead of a guest book, they invited their loved ones to gift them a recipe or date idea, creating a keepsake they could cherish for years to come.
The Consultation
When Maddy arrived for her initial bridal consultation, she wasn’t exactly brimming with excitement. After two underwhelming appointments earlier that morning, where none of the dresses made her feel like a bride, she was feeling a little deflated. That’s when she met Jess V, her stylist and the point in which the trajectory of her journey began to shift.
Having admired Mimosa on her Instagram feed, Maddy's emotions heightened when it finally came time to try her on. It was here that she experienced the magical bridal moment everyone talks about—tears welled up in her eyes as the relief and realisation washed over her that this gown might actually be the one.
But the appointment didn’t end there, and neither did Maddy’s journey. Jess encouraged her to try on a few more gowns from her lineup, with Mimosa still in the running as the favourite. The goal was to both confirm her decision and see if another gown could potentially surpass that special feeling. Each dress Maddy tried on was stunning, and she felt beautiful in every one of them—even those that didn’t perfectly align with her vision.
Despite her excitement, Maddy couldn’t help but question whether she was being too impulsive in making such an important decision, especially since she had found Mimosa on her very first day of bridal shopping. Determined to make the right choice, she continued her search, always keeping Mimosa at the forefront of her mind for comparison.
Not long after, Maddy returned to say "YES!" to Mimosa!
Maddy & Jayden’s Wedding Day
On their wedding day, Maddy felt nothing short of extraordinary. The dress was everything she had hoped for—comfortable, beautiful, and perfectly her. Compliments poured in all day, and the sight of her in Mimosa even brought her husband to tears as she walked down the aisle.
Not only did Maddy look incredible as she danced the night away, but Mimosa proved to be the perfect blend of comfort and elegance, effortlessly maintaining its beauty as she took a swing at their piñata cake.
Maddy's Tips
Maddy’s advice to future brides is simple: keep an open mind. She recommends trying on a variety of different styles, even those you wouldn’t usually gravitate towards, to truly discover what you do (and don’t!) like in a dress. After all, there’s nothing more uncomfortable than lingering doubt when it comes to your dress choice so it's worth exploring every option to ensure you find the right one.
Reflecting on the Experience
Looking back on her journey, Maddy feels nothing but gratitude for how effortlessly everything came together. From the moment she entered the boutique to the day her gown was collected, each step of the process was seamless, leaving no room for stress and anxiety. The entire experience was a testament to her meticulous planning and the expertise of those who helped her along the way.
Maddy’s Dream Team
Photography & Videography - @aleishaedwardsweddingc | Venue - @braesideestategc | Celebrant - @paulredferncelebrant | Florals - @wallflowerbrisbane | Wedding Gown - @alenaleenabridal @theveilcollective | Hair - @isabellajanehairmakeup | Makeup - @helenachapmanmua | Bride - @maddysheehy