Amy’s Wedding Gown Preservation on Hamilton Island
On a harmonious, aptly sunny and likewise breezy Australian November day, Amy wore a custom-designed, light champagne wedding gown for her nuptial proceedings. The setting was the panoramic coast of Queensland, Australia, where the rich naval views beautifully accentuated the wedding’s natural color scheme.
When was your wedding date?
27th November, 2010.
What was your wedding location and venue name?
Hamilton Island Outrigger.
Who is the designer of your gown and where did you purchase it?
It was a custom-made dress from Judith Penak Couture.
When did you know that your gown was “the one”?
None of the off-the-rack dresses suited me or were what I was looking for. I love Portia deRossi’s wedding gown so I ultimately decided to have a dress made that would be similar to it. It was a 3-month long journey going through the process of creating the gown and getting fitted (and changing things that I didn’t like etc), but in the end, it turned out exactly how I had imagined it.
What is your absolute favorite memory from your wedding day?
The best memory was walking down the aisle with my Dad towards my husband with a big smile on his face and seeing all the colourful boats sailing on the water in the sunshine behind him — it was like the weather and the island had turned on the most perfect day, just for us.
Why did you want to get your gown cleaned and preserved?
Because it is the most expensive and the most beautiful dress I will ever have in my life. One day, if I have a daughter and she wants to wear it, I will know it has been preserved. But either way I want to be able to show my children my wedding dress.
What made your wedding ceremony feel extra special?
Our wedding was a running affair with everyone coming to Hamilton Island to stay for a week — by the time it got to the wedding all our guests knew each other, and were happy to party the night away together. Everyone was carving up the dancefloor with no shoes all night and it was just so much fun.
Why did you decide to get your gown cleaned by a member of the Association of Wedding Gown Specialists?
I wanted to use someone who had a great reputation but was not going to cost a fortune! I am very happy with how my dress turned out.
Photography credit: Rodney Hobbs