Martina Liana Style 967

Real Martina Bride Rebecca + Emily

Real Martina Liana bride Rebecca married her bride, Emily in a beautiful converted barn in the English countryside. Rebecca had an amazing experience at Accapella Bridal Wollongong who helped her find the dress of her dreams, Martina Liana Style 967. Rebecca and Emily have the most incredible love story. Try not to cry has Rebecca tells you all about falling in love with Emily and the dress of her dreams! Their personalized wedding was an ode to their life together and the epitome of romance. Congratulations Rebecca and Emily!

Martina Liana Style 967

The Proposal

Emily and I were on a European winter holiday with our 4 best friends in January 2018.

Traveling through Prague, Munich, then on to Innsbruck in Austria – the town where we fell in love. 

Everyone on our trip knew Emily’s plan for the day. I however, had no idea. 

So, I was a royal pain in the bum, unintentionally stalling her plan at every opportunity. “I need to go to the bathroom” “oh I’m hungry, can we stop for some breakfast?” “My hands are cold, let’s pop into this shop and buy some mittens” etc etc. We had planned to go up into the snow-capped mountains for the morning to show our friends the view from the top. As we get to the top, there is yellow hazard “caution” tape restricting the path and signs warning us of avalanches. Emily steps over the tape and says “it’s fine, we will just get a quick picture of the view and come back”. My best friend is filming the whole thing behind me. We are trudging through the snow, then Emily asks me to stand with her to pose for a picture. I look back at everyone else who are all standing there taking pics/videos of what’s about to happen. Emily gives me a kiss and says “you know how much I love you? And how I want to spend the rest of my life with you?” Gets down on one knee and asks me to marry her! 🙂 The engagement ring belonged to her grandmother, a ruby stone and diamonds that she had re-set for me. Such a beautiful moment! I was shaking from adrenaline for a good hour afterwards!

Martina Liana Style 967

The Dress

I loved the idea of lace, pearls, beading but nothing white. I was told to keep an open mind and try on everything, which is what I did. Most dresses I own are classic cuts, fuller skirts, bought in at the waist. So, naturally I thought that could be the style I ended up with. Accapella Bridal in Wollongong was the first store I tried gowns on. It was also where I found my Martina Liana Style 967. Connie, the shop owner asked “would you consider something a little bit sexy?” As she bought the gown over. At first glance I thought nope!! I was worried it would feel too tight around my bum and thighs and I’d struggle to move in such a slim fit. But Connie assured me that I’d be comfortable with the jersey lining that provides stretch and comfort. When I stepped out of the fitting room, my Aunt said “Yep! That’s the winner!” Mum liked it and my grandmother thought it was too revealing. But, when I stood on the pedestal and looked at myself for the first time I burst into tears. Never had I imagined that this style would make me feel so beautiful. The detail, sparkles, and absolute comfort! It was a total surprise to me. 

We left the store with the style written on the back of a business card and invited to attend the trunk show a few months later to view the new season styles. So, I went back a few months later with my bridesmaids and tried on the new styles. Then at the end the 967 – my sister and best friend started to cry and said “that’s the one” . My mum still wanted me to try other styles and give me the “full experience” of wedding gown shopping. So, we continued to go from store to store, dress after dress, but I couldn’t get the Martina Liana gown out of my mind and the reaction it gave me and the way it made me feel. 

There were lovely shop assistants and nasty ones along the way. One lady asked me “do you want to be comfortable? Or look good? Because you can’t have both” which I thought was strange, especially considering my experience with Connie.

We came to a compromise with another dress (my second choice) that as long as it had a sparkly bodice, I’d consider the full skirt. As fate would have it, I was standing on the pedestal about to say “yes to the dress” (my second choice/compromise) when I noticed the Martina Liana gown on a mannequin. Just to be sure, I asked if I could try it on once more. Again, tears when I saw myself in my dream dress. I decided that was it! I went back to Accapella Bridal and bought the gown from Connie, as she was the one who introduced it to me.

Martina Liana Style 967

The Wedding Details

When Emily and I decided to have our wedding, we knew that travel would be involved one way or another. I am Australian, Emily is British. I am a Flight Attendant for Qantas, Emily was a Contiki tour manager before we met. (Well when we met, I was on a Contiki tour with my best friend of the UK and Ireland, and Emily was our tour guide! The rest is history). 

So, because we reside in Australia, we decided to have our wedding in the UK. 

We incorporated “travel” in our invitations having the world map as a feature, an old suitcase containing Aussie treats and snacks for the British wedding guests to try, handwritten luggage tags as name placement tags on our tables, the florist even surprised us with adding blue gum leaves into the arbor for our ceremony amongst the cream roses and baby’s breath. We chose to be quite minimal with our decorations. We had a beautifully converted barn/stables in the English countryside, so a rustic feel – full of warm coloured fairy lights, cream roses, baby’s breath, and ivory cheesecloth lining the timber tables. A big dance floor with D.A.N.C.E light up letters. Emily and her bridesmaids/bridesmen wore navy 3 piece suits and beige ties. My bridesmaids wore beige dresses that featured sparkly jewelry. 

I chose to wear a porcelain handmade hair clip to match the design of my dress and simple pearl earrings. We had the most perfect day.

Martina Liana Style 967

I’ll never forget walking down the aisle and seeing Emily’s face/reaction to seeing me for the first time. Everything and everyone else was a blur. Tears in her eyes, she just kept shaking her head and saying “wow….just wow, you look incredible” I’ve never seen her look at me quite in that way before. It was like we were the only two there.

Martina Liana Style 967

Martina Liana Style 967

Photos by Tanya Alexanda

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