Good afternoon! 😉 One of the pleasures of working in this industry and in particular, with being a Wedding Blogger, are the opportunities that arise to connect brilliant people together, like when acclaimed Australian Bridal Wear Designer Johanna Johnson asked me what wedding boutiques she should be considering stocking in the UK – I was able to recommend the wonderful Luella's Boudoir, based in Wimbledon. Luella's Boudoir is like an Aladin's cave of treasures for Brides to be – a one-stop-shop {they offer a full planning and styling service via Grant Riley Weddings} and generally beautiful place just to be in {every where you look, I mean, every little nook and cranny is filled with wedding day prettiness, all sparkle and tulle and lace and gorgeousness}. I was thrilled therefore when earlier this year, Rachel Attwell of Luella's Boudoir confirmed that her boutique was shortly to become the exclusive stockist of Johanna Johnson.
I just adore Johanna's designs – her dresses and delicate veils and headpieces, that evoke a sense of the art-deco era, were featured on my blog first in February 2010, and her dresses have made several appearances on my blog since then.
In homage to Johanna Johnson and all the loveliness she has bought across the seas for UK Brides, today, I'd like to feature Australian Bride Alana and her Husband Peter, who tied the knot on 2 April 2011 with a ceremony at Old Parliament House Gardens and a reception in the Gandel Hall at the National Gallery of Australia. Alana of course wore a beautiful Johanna Johnson gown, called 'Viva'…
"The sales assistant picked it out for me and i fell in love with it the minute i tried it on. Its completely reflective of my style. I love the low back and beautiful beading as well as the headpiece that is especially made for that gown…"
Love My Dress Wedding Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2011, Beata English
"I wore a pair of open toed satin shoes in Noughat colour. they had small bows on the side and I had worn them once as a bridesmaid at one of my best friend's wedding. They were my something "old"…
Alana's veil was her one item 'borrowed' {as in 'blue'!} for the day…
"I wore a gold and silver headpiece that matched my dress from Johanna Johnson. I wore the veil and headpiece for the ceremony and then just the headpiece at the reception…"
"My mum gave me a beautiful blue saphire and diamond bracelett that my dad had given her years ago. I'd always loved it but the clasp was broken so my mum hadnt worn it in years. My dad had a jeweller fix the clasp and it turned into the perfect 'something blue'"…
"My sister wore a fantastic pair of Jimmy Choo black stilettos with peacock feathers and my other bridesmaid wore a gorgeous pair of black pumps with ribbon detailing…"
"Both my bridesmaids picked their own dresses. They were only required to be black in colour. One was a silk black dress with a low back and beading on the shoulders and the other was a strappless black dress with bow detailing…"
"Instead of doing a traditional dessert, we had a candy bar and guests were able to take lolly bags as favours. The candy bar was hit with our friends and even the oldies!
Peter made some vintage style backdrops using some old wallpaper for our candy bar and gift tables. It was a nice way of tying in our black and white theme. We also had a vintage birdcage which we used as a wishing well.
We just wanted something that was very classic and simple, so the black and white theme suited us perfectly!"
Words of Wedded Wisdom…
"Don't dwell on things. You might not get everything 'exactly' the way you would like but don't dwell on it cause the day will be perfect anyway!"
How glamorous is all this? HUGE thank you to Alana for sharing her style and big congratulations to you and Peter too – I wish you a long, happy and beautiful life together 🙂
Thanks also to Australian Wedding Photographer, Beata English for sharing these beautiful images…
"Our photographer is amazing – Beata English. The moment we met her we knew we had to have her for our wedding. She made the day even more special and had just as much fun as us. We love her! Her website is or you can still see her older work here…"
Johanna Johnson is available exclusively in the UK at Luella's Boudoir. Drop owner Rachel Attwell a line via phone or email to arrange a booking to suit you, where you will be able to try on all the dresses at your leisure.
Much love,
Annabel xXx
♥
Love My Dress Style Guide
Brides dress – Johanna Johnson
Brides veil – Johanna Johnson
Brides shoes – Re-used
Brides accessories – borrowed
Venue – Old Parliament House Gardens + Gandel Hall at the National Gallery of Australia.
Photographer – Beata English
Annabel View all Annabel's articles
Founder of Love My Dress. Passionate Podcaster and Editor. Annabel lives in rural North Yorkshire with her husband and business partner Philip, their two daughters and menagerie of furry hounds. She loves photography, meditation, walking, being outdoors and star gazing. She is fierce when it comes to championing talent within the wedding industry and when she's not working on Love My Dress, she supports her husband Philip in the running of the family's sustainable flower farm and floral design business, Moonwind Flowers. In 2013, she became a published author.
