Bridal party races to save dress just hours before the wedding

They thought everything was going to plan. And it was. Until someone spilt a cup of coffee all over the bride’s white dress...

Newlyweds: Bridgette Taylor and Geoffrey Stevenson, picture: Ange Photography

It’s the stuff of bridal nightmares … the morning of your wedding and someone spills something nasty all over your dress.

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Unfortunately it came true for former Australian swimmer and beauty queen Bridgette-Rose Taylor, when an ironing board collapsed just hours before the ceremony, knocking a cup of coffee over the train of her designer gown.

Getting hitched: Bridgette-Rose Taylor and Geoffrey Stevenson, picture: Ange Photography

The dress was quickly thrown in the shower in a bid to remove the stain, but when it didn’t work the dry cleaners were called in.

“Luckily the dress was returned clean and dry within three hours but it was quite a morning,” says Bridgette-Rose.

Lady chums: Bridgette-Rose Taylor with bridesmaids, picture: Ange Photography

The 29-year-old, who once competed professionally in backstroke in a number of swimming championships as well as being crowned Miss International Australia in 2014, tied the knot with pilot Geoffrey Stevenson, 31, who she met on dating app Bumble.

Chums: Geoffrey Stevenson and groomsmen, picture: Ange Photography

The couple, of Mermaid Waters, on the Gold Coast, chose Brisbane’s Greek Club for their ceremony and reception. Among the 140 wedding guests was Olympic swimmer (and Bridgette’s good friend) Stephanie Rice. Friends and family enjoyed a variety of canapes followed by a three course meal and wedding cake.

Big cake, picture: Ange Photography

“The best thing about The Greek Club is the portion sizes,” laughs Bridgette-Rose, who also starred in season two of TV dating show The Bachelor, vying (unsuccessfully) for the affections of real estate agent Blake Garvey.

Blushing bride: Bridgette-Rose Taylor lost Blake Garvey but won Geoffrey Stevenson, picture: Ange Photography

Her wedding dress took more than eight months to create and was designed by Euphorie Studios at Ipswich, west of Brisbane – the same designer who made her Miss International gown as well as the dresses for the six bridesmaids, flower girls and mother of the bride.

Stunning: Bridgette-Rose Taylor, picture: Ange Photography

How did Geoffrey propose?

Geoff popped the question at the front door of my apartment, which was where we first met
in person.

Bling: Geoffrey Stevenson put a ring on it, picture: Ange Photography

Hen’s night?

A wine tour on the Vino Bus, followed by dinner and drinks at Mr Mista, Fortitude Valley.

Buck’s night?

A pub crawl through several Melbourne breweries, followed by a night on the town.

First dance?

Perfect by Ed Sheeran, sung by a four-piece band.

Honeymoon?

An overwater bungalow in Tahiti, New York and cruising through the Caribbean.

Lovebirds: Bridgette-Rose Taylor and Geoffrey Stevenson, picture: Ange Photography

Best advice for other couples?

Plan ahead. My mum acted as my event planner and kept the ball rolling.

Funny moments?

We were having photos taken at the top of Kangaroo Point cliffs and two busloads of tour groups pulled up with about 100 people. They asked for a group photo with us and the next minute we were swamped by tourists having
a group shot.

Cliff top romance: Bridgette-Rose Taylor and Geoffrey Stevenson, picture: Ange Photography