Ethical Bride’s Dream Eco-Friendly Wedding Dress

For their special day, Michelle and Kurt chose to share it with their close friends and family in Australia (where they are both originated from) on the couple’s peaceful sanctuary. The ceremony was held place by the river, with a cocktail hour and lawn games in the garden, and their wedding reception in a marquee on the other side of the cottage. 

The rustic chic wedding theme, was centered around the their beliefs regarding sustainability and passion for the environment, and their wedding paid tribute to nature in the most beautiful way.  

Sanyukta Shrestha, designed a stunning wedding gown for our ethical  bride Michelle, using the finest eco-friendly and sustainable materials to create a wedding two-piece attire that would complement the natural beauty of Michelle and match perfectly her taste and personality. Sanyukta created a Bespoke skirt from hemp-silk and a beautiful top from bamboo and fair-trade lace. 

WHERE DID YOU MEET

My husband’s name is Kurt. We first met through mutual friends at a housewarming party in 2011, but didn’t start dating until about a year afterwards.

THE PROPOSAL

Kurt surprised me by organising a trip to Edinburgh to celebrate New Years. When we arrived in Edinburgh he was adamant we climb Arthur’s Seat even though a snow storm had blown through just before we arrived. About halfway up the climb, overlooking the city of Edinburgh, he proposed. He then took me out to dinner to celebrate at a beautiful manor restaurant in a private dining room.

MOST MAGICAL MOMENT

Besides saying “I do” in front of our most treasured family and friends, the cocktail hour and lawn games were the highlight, as we were able to mingle with friends and family who we haven’t spent much time with since moving to the UK 3 years ago. 

THE DRESS

As soon as I tried on a dress made out of hemp silk I was in love! Although that dress wasn’t the one for me, I knew I had to have something made of the same material as I loved how it moved and felt. After telling Sanyukta that I liked the idea of a skirt and top combination, she quickly showed me the most gorgeous hemp silk skirt and bamboo lace top which was everything I had hoped for! It was also very important to me to have a dress that reflected my own and my husband’s beliefs regarding sustainability and supporting a business with a transparent and ethical supply chain. My wedding dress reflected my style, personality, and beliefs about natural and sustainable products but most importantly it was effortless to wear and totally matched my “rustic chic” wedding theme. 

FAIRTRADE

I was aware that eco-friendly clothing could be an option for my wedding dress, but I was not convinced that I would be able to find one that also reflected my personality and style. Lucky for me Sanyukta’s designs are eco-friendly, luxurious and gorgeous!

YOUR ADVICE FOR OTHER BRIDES

Be open to your initial reaction when you try on a dress, it may surprise you!

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW, SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING BLUE

Old – A pair of earrings Kurt bought for me several years ago and a pair of sling back shoes that I have had for at least 15 years, they were super comfortable!

New – My Wedding Dress 

Borrowed – I wore my mother’s wedding ring, which was originally my grandfather’s wedding ring (on my father’s side). It is a beautiful ring with my grandmother’s name engraved in it and their wedding date in 1929. I plan to continue to wear this ring until it is time to pass it on to the next generation.  

Blue – both my bridesmaids who chose their own dresses wore blue (navy blue and light blue)

Credits: 

Photographer: http://www.redmoose.com.au/

Hair and make up: http://www.lisafowler.com.au/

Bridesmaid dresses: bridesmaids’ own dresses, criteria was: knee length or longer, not white or black

Flowers: https://www.laurenalycefloraldesign.com/

Entertainment: https://www.garethhudsonmusic.com/#

Groom’s suit: http://www.cliftonsuits.co.uk/

Event hire: http://www.thepartyhireco.com.au/