As a wedding dress designer, I often guide brides through the nuances of choosing between two beloved silhouettes: and what is the difference between fit and flare and Mermaid wedding dresses. Each style celebrates the feminine form in its unique way, but understanding their distinctions is crucial for selecting the perfect gown that not only flatters but also feels right.
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Wedding dress train lengths
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Our bridal shop may be located in the south eastern suburb of Hallam in Melbourne, but many customers drive to see us from Pakenham.
You may ask why Pakenham brides would make the trip; the 25-minute drive down the freeway will reveal a true gem on the bridal scene. Wedding dresses in Pakenham seem to be hard to come by, or at least the size & uniqueness of the range that we have available.
Our bridal shop may be located in Hallam, but many customers drive from Pakenham and around Victoria to visit and enjoy the Leah S Designs experience.
Leah S Designs is proud to boast that we have what we think is one of the most extensive ranges of wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, and deb dresses in Australia.
At Leah S Designs, our goal is to make purchasing your wedding gown one of life’s treasured memories, not a NIGHTMARE! We have been in the business for many years and have an excellent reputation for customer service and satisfaction. With us, you can reap the rewards of a highly trained staff of designers, dressmakers, and consultants.
It is also worth mentioning that we have a wide range, but we also have a UNIQUE range with sizes 6 to 34 in-store to try on. Many of our dresses cannot be bought anywhere else in Pakenham, let alone in the rest of Australia, and many wedding gowns are in stock.
So, you could spend hours, or maybe days roaming around the Pakenham area looking for the perfect gown that suits you, OR, you can browse our Bridal collection, call us for more information, and make an appointment to come to visit and breathe a sigh of relief!
Our trained bridal stylists will help you navigate the whole process from purchasing a gown to accessories and alterations right up to the wedding we are there.
Leah S Designs first started designing and selling wedding gowns in Pakenham nearly 20 years ago. Since then we have moved our bridal and deb design hub to Hallam. This large bridal store offers all the services a bride to be could need. Check out the history of Leah S we aren’t here just to sell you a dress but to hold your hand all the way through.
We love outdoor weddings, but they’re not for everyone. An outdoor wedding can evoke otherworldly feelings, creating a romantic, picturesque scene. But it can also be a bug and rain-fueled disaster that leaves you overwhelmed and disappointed. Here are four signs you shouldn’t have an outdoor wedding.
No matter how hard you try, you can’t control the spring storms and the autumn’s rapid temperature shifts. Suppose you’re getting married any time in the four seasons in a day in Melbourne when the weather is ever-shifting and unpredictable. In that case, an outdoor wedding could make you vulnerable to the whims of an emotional Mother Nature.
If you’re extra sensitive to temperature—always complaining of being too hot or too cold, prone to sweating, or annoyed by sudden temperature shifts—an outdoor wedding could be a recipe for misery on the big day. Do yourself the favor of a comfortable, climate-controlled room instead.
You can’t control the great outdoors, and even in the best of circumstances, an outdoor romp in a fancy dress can wreck the dress. Outdoor weddings can be rustically beautiful, romantic, and evocative of fairy tales. But if you want a glamorous shindig complete with a fancy ball gown, jewels everywhere, and glammed-out decorations, an outdoor wedding might be for you.
No matter how much you look forward to your outdoor wedding or how picturesque the setting will be, you need a backup plan. Sudden monsoons, swarms of bugs, and other ugly natural events can destroy your big day. Without a backup plan, you’ll be left saying your vows in the mud and rain. If you cannot afford to set up an indoor alternative or don’t have the energy or inclination to plan for the worst, move your ceremony indoors, where you can better control the setting.
When you envision your walk down the aisle, you’re probably more focused on the dress than what’s underneath it. A wedding is a romantic undertaking, and your new spouse is going to be just as eager to see what’s under your dress. The Lingerie you wear on your wedding day should be something special. Here are five tips for choosing wedding day Lingerie and foundation garments to bear in mind when making your selections.
You’re going to be wearing your wedding day outfit for a long and exhausting day, so don’t buy a bra that pinches. Bras should be comfortable and suitable for your wedding gown. For example, if you have chosen a backless dress, you may not be able to wear a bra.
Continue Reading…Be prepared with your emergency bridal kit. Most brides have at least one terrifying dream before they get married. Whether it’s showing up to the chapel in the wrong wedding dress, fainting at the altar, suffering the worst hair day on record, or getting in a fight with mum, we all have our own unique fears and insecurities. No wedding is perfect, and something is bound to go wrong. Reasonable expectations can help you manage this with style and grace. Rather than being reduced to a sobbing puddle of tulle.
For many newly engaged couples, pets are more like furry children than animals. If you love your canine or feline companions, why not include them in the happiest day of your life? Here are a few easy ways to include your pets in your wedding.
Hi and welcome to my latest blog post, it’s where you get to meet the wedding dress dream team at Leah S Designs. From myself the designer, to the stylists, to the girls of Ginger Pins alterations. Learn about what each of us does in store everyday. We are not too serious here, so I won’t leave out the fun things, like what each of our favourite foods are and our ultimate holiday destinations. Enjoy.
Georgina has been working at Leah’s designs for the past 6 years as a Stylist and has recently become the Store Manager.
I have a personal passion for the Plus Size Perfection collection. I love all of the dresses but mostly the brides that come to visit us. There is nothing quite like the transformation of self that can come from finding the right wedding dress.
The perfect dress can delight your figure, body and soul. I love boosting someones confidence and even if they don’t purchase a dress, everyone leaves with a smile on their face. It also helps that we have over 50 styles of size 18+ dresses to choose from. Every thing from a simple wedding dress style to an elaborate long sleeve wedding dresses.
Whats your most satisfying client experience?
When we helped a woman who came in with a tight budget. The bride had to move the wedding forward as her father had been diagnosed with a terminal disease. Fortunately we found the most gorgeous dress; she loved it and dad loved it too. The whole room was in tears, including me!
Georgina’s advice for brides before coming in to choose a wedding dress is to have a vision in mind of what type of bride you want to be. If you’re not sure think of your location and be open to our suggestions and don’t be afraid to think out side of the box try on styles from bohemian wedding dresses to mermaid styles.
Keep in mind that the gorgeous Pinterest photo of the dress on your phone might not be the perfect dress for you. Some popular theme’s at the moment are Vintage, Rustic, Glam, Country, Modern. Also, season if your wedding is in January or February look at summer wedding dresses to keep your cool.
Favourite cocktail – Fruit tingle | Favourite dessert – Good quality home made chocolate cake | Favourite holiday – Christmas | Heels or flats? Flats for work, heels to parrrrty!
What is your ultimate Leah S Designs look?
If you would like to know more about me, I have my own story here.
I couldn’t help myself and have created a real diva look for my ultimate wedding day look, it would be for a glam wedding!
Favourite tea – peppermint | Favourite dessert – Loukoumades or Dandy Donuts | Favourite holiday – Hamilton Island | Heels or Flats – Heels baby!
Leah’s ultimate look
Julie’s specialty is making people feel comfortable and beautiful. I love when the bride sees them-self in a dress they didn’t think would suit them, they have a twinkle in their eye. It gives me chills and then warms my heart.
What is the most satisfying customer? Recently a bride visited who is getting married in two years, she just looked so special in her dress, she couldn’t say no.
Julies advice to Brides is to have an open-mind, and when you find the dress, stop looking. You don’t want to have dress regret. Also make sure not to take too many people with you, the crowd can be very overwhelming and opinionated.
Favourite cocktail – Espresso martini and dry gin martini, one after the other| Favourite dessert – Creme Brul’e | Favourite holiday – Disneyland | Heels or flats – Flats
Let’s create you ultimate Leah S Designs wedding day look
I love the Plus Size Perfection collection and love styling with the accessories. I’m all about the complete look. It makes me feel good to make the brides feel good.
What is the most satisfying experience you have had with a bride?
I love to turn an unpleasant wedding dress shopping experience elsewhere in to a positive and enjoyable experience here. Jennie’s advice to brides to be is stay faithful, be yourself, never change yourself and be grateful to be alive.
Favourite tea – Green tea | Favourite dessert – Tiramisu | Favourite holiday – Greek Islands | Heels or flats – Heels
Let’s create your ultimate Leah S Designs wedding day look
I started in fashion when I was 16 years old, working sewing in production in a factory. That would have been about 1977. Afterwards I worked in ladies wear retail, I started making clothes for friends and then friends of friends and realised they were mostly in size 18 and above. This was back in the 80s and 90s.
It was a natural progression to start a plus size bridal collection in collaboration with Leah Ann.
What was needed was a pattern that was cut and styled for an Australian figure, styles that were current and on trend. How do you get ideas for designs? Easy – I just ask our brides what they are looking for. I’m very proud of what I have created and love every day making dreams a reality.
What’s your ultimate wedding day look?
Favourite Cocktail – Espresso Martini | Favourite dessert – Pavlova | Favourite holiday – Beach | Heels or flats – both.
What I like best about working at Leah S Designs is sharing in such a happy time with the bride, and when they find the one I get to be a part of that excitement and the moment. When they try wedding dresses on.
What is the most satisfying experience you have had with a bride?
My first sale was very exciting when Courtney brought her mum in to look at the dress she had chosen and the mother-in-law burst in to tears. Then they were arguing over who was going to pay for the dress (don’t argue with your mother in law, just let her pay).
What is your advice for brides to be before looking for their wedding dress?
Do some research to see what you like and not so much, so at least you’re coming in with an idea.
Favourite cocktail – Cosmopolitan | Favourite dessert – anything chocolate | Favourite holiday – Canada | Heels or flats – Heels
Let’s create your ultimate Leah S Designs wedding day look
Ginger Pins is a bridal alterations and dressmaking service where we specialise in bridal and deb dress alterations as well as formal wear. Located within the Leah S Designs building.
What’s an average day in the life of Ginger Pins?
On a daily basis Amy and Maria discuss with brides and debs how to get the perfect fit from their chosen gown. How we can achieve exactly what they are looking for, and what elements they can add to customise their dress and make it truly theirs. Our team then work in the workroom to cut, trim, sew and alter each gown to the individual, ready for the next fitting. We trim hems, attach belts, nip and tuck to finalise their ultimate dress.
What are your inspirations behind your flower girls dress collection?
We wanted to try something new and create a range that was cute (obviously), accessible and that offered to coordinate with some of the Leah S Designs wedding dresses.
What’s your favourite Leah S Designs dress to alter?
There are far too many gowns to choose a favorite to alter – each gown has it’s easier and slightly more tricky areas to adjust.
Favourite cocktail – Cosmopolitan| Favourite dessert – Ice cream, always | Favourite holiday – anywhere, any time | Heels or flats – Flats
Let’s create you ultimate Leah S Designs wedding day look
Faye has been sewing for around 45 years and been doing bridal alterations for 10 years. Honestly she’s the best machinist I have ever met, and I can say that because everyone knows its true! She does the alterations no one else wants to do. Faye believes her main job at Ginger Pins is to make each bride look beautiful and that their wedding dress expertly fits. She loves to create art with the sewing machine and sees every new project as a challenge.
Favourite tea – English Breakfast | Favourite dessert – Baked Alaska | Favourite holiday – New Zealand | Heels or Flats – Kitten heels
Other than Amy, Katherine will be the lady to help you with your fitting, she will help you in to your dress and then mark what needs to be altered. Katherine will also help with any other follow up fittings but usually two or three fittings is all that is needed. She finds that the most common alterations are bridal gown hem shortening and taking in straps. Bridesmaids dresses sometimes also need adjustments.The team at Ginger Pins can also help you with your everyday alterations like shortening pants or sleeves.
Not every one gets to grow up on a sewing machine, so Katherine completed a three year course with the Melbourne school of fashion to hone in her skills. Katherine has now been sewing and creating for 14 years and still loving it.
I asked what unusual alterations have been done lately?
One of the dresses that was being worked on was a white dress that had pockets added with black trim, hem line with black ribbon and a black lace up the back. Another was a bride that came in with three internet wedding dresses to be altered. None of them could be fitted or look the way she wanted them to, so she actually ended up purchasing one from our Melbourne bridal store Leah S Designs. There are always stories when it come to a bridal store. The people you meet and the happiness you give through a garment are one of the reasons that makes working with brides so satisfying.
Favourite tea – Coffee | Favourite dessert – The wafers from Aldi (lol, they are so good) | Favourite holiday – Greece | Heels or Flats – Flats
There is nothing better then seeing my wedding dress designs photographed in amazing locations over Eastern Europe with stunning wedding photography.
Recently we were lucky enough to have one of our favorite photography duo Lowina and Derek from Black Avenue Productions head over to Europe on a wedding photography escapade!
Join us for their adventure’s photographing our Leah S Designs bride Anna and Melitta. Can you believe they captured 12 weddings in two weeks!
Lowina @Black Avenue Productions:
It all started when we were invited to shoot Ben & Judit’s wedding in Hungary, and decided to stay for three weeks and take on more couple photo sessions while we were there. How can you say no to an extra long working holiday!
Derek @Black Avenue Productions:
Judit, the bride is originally from Hungary. She wanted to get married in the biggest church in Hungary and have something truly memorable to impress friends and family.
So we decided to stay a week in Prague and Vienna. These breath taking locations were a mecca for an art and music lover like me.
The weather was perfect last Wednesday for our rooftop photo shoot. Our theme was Summer in the City for our deb dress collection and the landscape of Melbourne sure didn’t disappoint. The photo shoot featured our signature looks for this season. Bridal lace, soft chiffons and tulle skirts.
I just have to share with you all our video of the Plus size Perfection Bridal at Montsalvat campaign filmed at Monsalvat estate. Its the exclusive look at the behind the Scenes at the Plus size perfection photo shoot. Photographing the latest “Its a love story” campaign.
Shown on Location at Montsalvat in the leafy green suburb of Eltham Victoria.
“With a talented team we got the day rolling with our model Sophie Shepard hair and make up. While the stylists and Photographers double checked locations and lighting. After a sleepless night it was time to get to work, lucky for us there was nothing to worry about with an exceptionally talented team of Sophie, Lyndel and Daniel from Lost in Love photography, Janice wu and Michael our videographer after viewing the first images Lyn and I did a little jig of excitement. The first dress we shot was the Andrea dress with the soft and flowing skirt.
We moved on to the other wedding dresses such as the Anastasia, the Gwyneth, the Odessa and the Felicity dress. My favorite shot from the day is the Odessa and the Felicity, although its a tough choice. What do you think? Gorgeous, am I right!
Andrea plus size gown at Montsalvat.
Sophie wearing the Odessa gown.
Felicity gown at Montsalvat photo shoot.
I love the feed back from this campaign from being featured in the wedding blogs Wedded Wonderland, Inspirati, and Confetti daydreams. Our photo’s from the campaign have been pinned on pintrest in excess of 5,000 times.
Photography // Dewina Dandot Photography
Flowers // Florium Creations
Hair and Make up // Peggy Stasinos
Location // Lysterfield Lake
Do you want to know more about our team? scroll down.
Lets talk about the dress – The Vera wedding dress comes in white, ivory and black in sizes 6 to 36 and is priced at $1,399. Want to try on? I know you do! To make a booking Phone: (03)97032198.Our team decided we wanted to show a campaign with a real size model. Don’t you think Rachelle (our stunning size 12 beauty) make’s size an non issue.
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Continue Reading…Join us for Tara and Aidan’s beautiful real wedding in the beautiful bush in Victoria. Tara wore our Flure wedding dress in ivory for a simple bohemian bridal look.
Our Flure style has a lace bodice low feature lace back with fabric covered buttons enhancing the lace back feature. Flure has a slightly gathered chiffon skirt giving the gown a pretty bohemian feel.
Taras bouquet featured feminine full pastel blooms that were complimented with silver foliage. A great choice to tie in with Aidan”s suit colour and the bush surroundings too.Continue Reading…Most of us have been to at least one wedding where the flower girl throws a fit and makes the wedding day more stressful for the bride. Whether it’s stage fright or they’re simply not having a good day, there are many factors that come into play when involving young child in a wedding. Luckily there a few things you can try to avoid any fits during the ceremony!
Last week we teamed up with our in house wedding dress alterations team Ginger pins. This is the cutest photo shoot we have ever done, don’t you think? Amy has created the most gorgeous collection of Flower girl dresses. We can’t wait to show them off to you all.
Flower girl dresses come in children’s sizes 2 – 8 in white and ivory and are made in Melbourne.
Prices start from $150 to $220.
Some times simple is the best, with this traditional option available in white or ivory.
Flower girls have long played an important part in weddings. But when did having a flower girl become so normalised in the wedding world?
It’s hard to be certain as to when this tradition began, but some have estimated that it dates back to Ancient Roman times. Young ushers would carry wheat and other goods to bless the newlyweds with fertility and good fortune. In the medieval ages they were said to carry garlic in order to ward off evil spirits. Flower girls were also used in weddings to symbolise the Bride’s loss of innocence.
Things are much different in today’s modern world of course! While flower girls no longer hold such a strong symbolic importance in the wedding festivities, they have become part of a long standing tradition. And it doesn’t hurt that they’re cute as can be!!
Come in to the Leah S Designs building at 3/167 Princes Highway, Hallam and have a look at this adorable collection of flower girl dresses today! For more information you can contact us at (03) 97032198.
This styled shoot featuring on easy weddings.comPhotographer Dewinta Dandot was looking to create a colorful bohemian vibe for the day. Using Forest greenery to achieve a boho vision. Moody, earthy with a bright colour.Continue Reading…
Morgan and Toms wedding was featured in Real Weddings on Easy Weddings.com
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A little about your wedding journey
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