Melbourne weddings: Karen Willis Holmes, The Altar Electric say industry rallying as restrictions ease
Molly Monaghan has been waiting patiently since March to pick out the perfect wedding dress. Now she is excitedly ramping up plans for her big day. And she’s definitely not alone.
Melbourne City
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Melbourne brides are flocking to bridal stores and boutique wedding venues are doing a booming trade as couples forced to put off their nuptials due to the pandemic make a dash to the altar.
With wedding parties now capped at 10 – and that number potentially to rise to 50 after November 24 – wedding bells are ringing in Melbourne once again.
One bride waiting since March to say yes will now be able to walk down the aisle in her dream dress designed by Karen Willis Holmes – a perfect match with her unique Cushla Whiting ring.
Molly Monaghan, who visited the High St bridal boutique with her eager bridal party, told The Melbourne City News she was “cautiously optimistic” she wouldn’t have to change her wedding date.
“It’s been difficult having a vision in your head and not knowing what the restrictions will be or how it will impact the day,” she said.
“Definitely having back-up plans and several ideas is a good idea right now and reflect what it is you want to do, who you want there and how best to celebrate.
“I really wanted an Australian designer, it was worth the wait to come in today.”
Australian designer and creative director Karen Willis Holmes said industry was definitely rallying with the easing of lockdown restrictions.
“For everyone (COVID-19) was a shock … our industry is based on people gathering together and of course no one was able to do that,” she said.
“During the first lockdown the Melbourne staff were in the store doing lots of Instagram lives, Tik Toks and having fun with it.
“We had a massive spring clean and have done a lot of work behind the scenes through social media to keep brides up to date.”
Tiny wedding packages at the The Altar Electric, dubbed the ‘hippest little wedding chapel this side of Vegas’, are booming, with Dee Brinsmead saying they have been inundated with people eager to tie the knot within the new coronavirus restrictions.
Inspired by neon vegas lights, the rocking Collingwood venue is at the forefront of “shotgun weddings” for couples who don’t want to wait for the pandemic to be over to get hitched.
Complete with disco balls, polaroid pictures and velvet lounges, the venue specialises in these more intimate sized weddings.
“We run short ceremonies with personal touches and take pride that it’s the prelude to the party,” she said.
“What you get is a fantastic venue and one of the three best celebrants in Melbourne.”
With easing restrictions expected soon, Kickstart My Heart, created by celebrant Nat Sproal and make-up artist Danee Bolan, have unveiled a plan to help couples get hitched in covid-safe style.
The pair have assembled a team of wedding businesses to serve up quality, fun, covid-safe nuptials – kicking off on November 24, when restrictions will hopefully allow for up to 50 guests.
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Contact Grace at grace.mckinnon@news.com.au