A little chat with stylist Laura of Weddings of Desire

It’s no secret that renowned stylist Laura, of Weddings of Desire, is a lady in demand.

With her extensive experience in styling and planning she has become hot property with brides-to-be, including high profile clientele that is soon to include the future Mrs Hawkins, Emma Clapham.

Laura exudes effortless elegance, which comes through in her natural flair for styling some of the most beautiful wedding days we have seen.

We sat down for a little chat with Laura to hear all about her business and gather some incredible wedding day styling tips.

How and when did Weddings of Desire begin?

It was six years ago that it all began. I was planning a wedding and when I looked at the overall vision of how I imagined the day, I realised I couldn’t really find what I wanted. So Weddings of Desire was born. It began as a blog where between looking after my son, Ethan, I would share stories about weddings, inspiration and some of my thoughts when it came to weddings.

Did you ever dream of becoming a wedding stylist?

I actually had no set plan at all – it was just a passion of mine that I’ve been lucky enough to turn into a business.

How did your blog turn into a wedding styling business?

I had a really great following when it came to my blog and soon enough I was being contacted to work alongside companies like David Jones and Madison magazine. I would guest post for them and was flown to Sydney for events like the Johanna Johnson runway show. As my following grew I had the opportunity to work on styled shoots that were published on well-known blogs. My first client came from a styled shoot, and from there it all cascaded into an established business as people became aware of my work. It’s been really organic in that sense. I’ve also worked really hard to build wonderful relationships with wedding suppliers that have supported me and I have also supported them through my work.

 

What sets you apart from other wedding stylists?

I don’t follow trends – I always work to my client’s brief and take into account their personality. Even when it comes to social media, I really try to limit what I follow as what’s always worked best for me is sticking to what I know and styling for who my client is.

So, what (or who) does inspire you?

I spend a lot of my time really getting to know my clients and they are what inspire me. If anything, my other tendency is to look at the US market in terms of decor. There’s a lot available in the market there that translates beautifully to Australian weddings – think incredible outdoor celebrations with a similar climate and landscape to what is on offer here.

When you think of your favourite style – how would you describe it?

Timeless luxe, with a fun and relaxed vibe.

Why is having a stylist important?

In this day and age we have access to so much inspiration in the form of blogs, Instagram and Pinterest. It can be really overwhelming and brides then find themselves in a situation where they don’t know where to start, or their vision is not coming together. I can help a bride that has a style they love, but there is confusion in how to execute it, budget constraints or just the narrowing down of ideas.

Or, I can help the bride that is time poor and doesn’t necessarily know what they are looking for in their event styling. My clients are paying for my expertise and experience in pulling together a cohesive and stylish event, to bring their vision to life – whether it be making a space feel warm, a large area feel intimate, or helping create a look that complements their personal style.

How do you work through the styling process?

I work from a template that I have designed that allows me to check through the styling and planning process with my client. There’s a set procedure to ensure that an event is connected in every aspect – from invitation design, colours of flowers, to the look and feel of the linen. Once we choose an element, like the florals for the day, this help dictates the rest of the look of the event.

 

Why might a bride invest in your planning services?

My planning skills once again only add to the cohesion of the day. I know that there are certain vendors that suit my clients so I will ensure that the right relationships are being built and nurtured throughout the process. It also allows a bride to know that their planner has a clear vision of how they want their day to be, without executing every element themselves.

What are some of the biggest trends in weddings right now?

People are definitely after a personalised wedding experience and something that differentiates their day. They love adding fun elements  with a little bit of luxe – a favourite idea is pop-up coffee shop that serves French pastries or Italian desserts. The possibilities are endless.

You have so much experience, so do you have any top tips for our brides-to-be?

Your vendors will make your day what it is. Go with your gut feeling, your connection and your trust in a vendor and allow the day to unfold. While I definitely understand working to a budget, sometimes you need to look at the overall picture and invest in the people that are right for your day rather than in things that ultimately might not matter.

To secure the styling services of Weddings of Desire, enquire here.

Imagery – Stefani Driscoll Photography
Hair and MUA – Rebeccah Vivian Hair and Make up – Blondie