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Most weekends you’ll find Melanie at a wedding, surrounded by lipsticks and eye shadows as she uses artistry to create beautiful bridal looks. With years of wedding day experience, she knew a thing or two when it came to planning her own special day.
And special it was. Melanie and Matthew married at a clifftop in Bali, overlooking the breathtaking Indian Ocean and they finished the day with a dazzling reception under the stars. Melanie sparkled in a sequin gown and our Bordeaux ponytail veil, a perfect look for a balmy beach-side wedding.
Melanie, Matthew and their guests ventured to the limestone cliffs on Bali’s Bukit Peninsula for the ceremony. The clifftop was later transformed into a glittering reception party with crystal chandeliers, fairy lights and floral displays, all in neutral tones with a touches of soft pink.
“I can’t recommend The Ungasan as a wedding venue enough, it was breathtaking. No photos do it justice, once you walk in you are blown away. Both our ceremony and reception were held there and as a special touch, we had a personalised neon sign made with words from our first dance song – ‘sipping bubbly’. It looked amazing and they ended up keeping it as a permanent sign in their bar!” says Melanie.
After 14 years of being makeup artist, Melanie had stored many ideas and inspirations for her own day and knew exactly what she wanted for her hair and makeup. She loves her job, and now has her own first-hand bridal advice to pass on to her clients.
“I love being part of the bride’s morning. Everyone is always in a good mood and I get to share those special moments with the bride, her bridal party and family. After being a bride I now understand when people say ‘the day will go so fast’ and to make the most of every moment. It really does fly! I now relay that information to my brides as I’ve recently experienced it.”
At Tania Maras we love the work of Australian bridal designer Karen Willis Holmes (KWH) and have many of her gowns featured in our photo shoots. Melanie also shares our love for this remarkable designer and wore a KWH sequin wedding gown, Anya, on her wedding day.
“Once I tried this dress on, I knew it was the one! I loved the delicate spaghetti straps and stunning beads from head to toe. The dress was fitted with a long beautiful train and I had a removable skirt added for a whimsical look for the ceremony. Picking your dress is a feeling not a decision, and I definitely had that feeling when I stepped into it.”
When it comes to picking a gown, Melanie shares her top tips;
“Make sure your dress is comfortable! If the dress has a bustle, get one of your bridesmaids to learn how to put it up before your wedding – this was the best decision I made. Also if you need any alterations made, get them done as close to the wedding as possible to ensure it fits your body perfectly.”
Melanie wore our chic Bordeaux veil which is designed to be worn around a ponytail and features crystal details along the top.
“I found the beautiful veil on Pinterest! I had tried on normal veils but felt it didn’t suit my personal style. Once I tried the Bordeaux veil wrapped around my ponytail, I felt way more relaxed and at ease. It was beautiful!”
Melanie’s wedding also sparked an exciting new business venture for Melanie and her sister. Just like many wonderful ideas, the idea came about as a solution to a problem.
“When I was searching for my bridesmaids’ ‘getting ready’ outfits, I couldn’t find anything that I liked. So if planning a wedding wasn’t enough, my sister and I created our own linen sets to wear on the day. They were perfect! Breathable and comfy linen that we ended up wearing the rest of the holiday. One of the highlights was walking around The Ungasan wearing our own label The Bridal Thread, it felt like a dream!”
The duo launched The Bridal Thread in December 2019, and offer a range of fresh and modern linen/cotton sets, as well as earrings and wedding themed postcards.
“I’m a very creative person which is why I love being a makeup artist and I’ve also ran my own business for the past 14 years. My sister is creative too, she’s a copywriter with many years of digital marketing experience. We make the perfect team as our strengths complement each other.”
“My best piece of advice is to hire a wedding planner! It’s worth every cent to save you time and reduce stress leading up to the big day,” says Melanie.
Delicate and small bridal hair pins can make a powerful statement. We love to recommend our smaller pin sets for brides who want versatility with styling or where their wedding gown just needs a small detail to complete their bridal look.
Smaller is sometimes more appropriate depending on the look you’d like to achieve. A delicate piece can feel more balanced and proportional when paired with a simple sheath gown or a heavily embellished wedding dress.
If versatility with styling is on your wish list, smaller pins can be rearranged into a row or scattered around an updo for a look that’s effortless and romantic.
Feminine and whimsical, the WHISPER hair pins feature flowers in various stages of bloom. They were inspired by the beauty of wild flowers and the carefree styling of freshly picked flowers woven into loose hair. Available in soft blush, champagne, white or ivory tones. They are ideal to scatter across a romantic updo or half up hairstyle.
Echoing nature’s handiwork, the JUNIPER hair pin was inspired by the berries on the evergreen juniper plant. This minimalist hair pin features scattered pearls and is the perfect accent when a subtle detail touch is all you need to finish romantic and tousled hair.
This individual hair pin can be reworked onto a small comb upon request. If you would prefer a bolder look, it can be customised as a set of three to scatter along a half up hairstyle.
Echoing nature’s handiwork, the JUNIPER hair pin was inspired by the berries on the evergreen juniper plant. This minimalist hair pin features scattered pearls and is the perfect accent when a subtle detail touch is all you need to finish romantic and tousled hair.
This individual hair pin can be reworked onto a small comb upon request. If you would prefer a bolder look, it can be customised as a set of three to scatter along a half up hairstyle.
Shop this look: TEAROSE hair pin
A fresh take on decadence, the LAURETTE wedding hair pins make opulence feel effortless. These hair pins are simple, dainty and sweet – the perfect set to wear in a loose updo as you fade into night with your beloved.
Designed to frame a romantic updo, these organically chic hair pins were inspired by the beauty of overgrown wild roses. LAURETTE is hand constructed with sumptuous florals and shimmering pearl buds in natural ivory tones. This enchanting floral set is glamorous and chic.
The MEADOW hair pins were designed to scatter into romantic and loose hairstyles to evoke a mood that’s equal parts relaxed and ethereal.
Each piece has been designed to be intentionally mismatched for an organic and whimsical feel. Style these hair pins neatly in a row or spread them along your romantic half up hairstyle for a look that’s carefree and high style.
The MAYBELLE floral hair pin is a beautifully uncomplicated and compact piece. A miniature bouquet of flowers featuring a touch of ‘something blue’. The empire blue crystal details spray from beneath a perfectly formed clay rose.
Although it may be small, it is mighty. It brings together the essence of our Secret Garden collection in a way that’s understated and relaxed, and still bursting with old world regality.
An enticing and whimsical take on traditional hair pins. The set of 3 BRIAR-ROSE bridal hair pins are small and dainty, yet their exquisite detailing offers the perfect just picked from the garden look.
These classic and pretty pieces are a sweet serendipity of shimmering pearls, clear crystals and life-like flower buds. You’ll be proud to wear them again after the wedding day to anniversaries and dinners with your beloved.
Inspired by the beauty of a wild and overgrown garden, the MARQUISE bridal comb is majestic yet strikingly simple. It evokes a sense of magic and serendipity, the perfect piece to achieve a polished, paired back aesthetic.
The ARIES bridal hair comb is a beautifully balanced piece, handcrafted and designed for the modern romantic seeking a subtle yet detailed comb to finish her wedding day look. Absolutely exquisite, it features an organic floral silhouette bursting with intricately hand-woven details in ivory, silver and gold.
We love to work with brides to customise our accessories to suit their bridal looks. We can create additional pieces to add to a set to better frame your wedding hairstyle, or we can rework some design elements so the beading matches your gown.
Feel free to send us photos of your wedding dress, bridal hairstyle and links to your favourite styles from our collection. We can then get back to you with ideas and recommendations.
Bespoke and ready-to-wear bridal accessories and veils. Designed and handcrafted in Canberra, Australia. Our online store is open 24/7 with worldwide delivery available including express options. The Fyshwick showroom is by appointment only. Virtual appointments are available for interstate and international brides.
