How did you meet your other half?

My soulmate and I met online on a dating website - me in Victoria, Australia, and Shawn all the way across the world in Virginia, USA. When Shawn’s picture popped up in my OkCupid inbox, I was instantly drawn to him. From his sweet smile and soulful greenish eyes to the fact that he had actually read my profile (we are both metalheads ), it felt like I hadn’t just found a match… I had found my person.

We were both online looking for love, and somehow, across oceans, time zones and algorithms, we found each other. What started as messages quickly turned into hours of video calls about music, movies, family, dreams and the future we both hoped to build.

Our international love story didn’t just cross oceans — it crossed the International Date Line, where yesterday and tomorrow blurred and something beautifully real began. Late-night calls soon became boarding passes and departure gates. Plane by plane, mile by mile, we proved that what we had was always meant to go the distance.

In 2020, our love finally stepped off the screen and into real life in Shawn’s home state of Virginia — because, as the saying goes, “Virginia is for Lovers,” and it couldn’t have been more true for us! At the airport, Shawn was waiting for me with a bouquet of red roses and a balloon, and I greeted him with a very me-style “Rawr, I’m heeeeere!” before we finally wrapped our arms around each other in the tightest embrace. In that moment, all the distance between us seemed to disappear. After loving each other from opposite sides of the world for so long, finally being together felt completely natural — like coming home to my forever person!

What’s your wedding venue and what really made you choose to get married there?

We got married at the beautiful Chateau Wyuna in Mount Evelyn, Victoria

The mountains already held such a special place in our love story. Shawn proposed to me along the Shenandoah River, surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, USA. Shenandoah is our favourite place in the world and somewhere filled with so many treasured memories for us.

So when it came to choosing our wedding venue, it felt incredibly meaningful to find somewhere nestled amongst the mountains here in Victoria too. Located within the stunning Dandenong Ranges, towering trees and that cozy, romantic winter atmosphere we both love, Chateau Wyuna felt like a beautiful continuation of our love story - from the Blue Ridge Mountains where we got engaged, to Mount Evelyn where we became husband and wife.

How long before the wedding did you start the planning (venue, dress and etc)

The official wedding planning began in November 2025, when Shawn flew over for his next visit after our engagement earlier that year. During his stay, we toured four wedding venues and found our perfect match nestled in the Dandenong Ranges at Chateau Wyuna in Mount Evelyn

It was officially 272 days of planning —a little countdown that even made its way into our wedding newspaper.

How did you come across Bella E La Bestia Bridal?

After visiting just one other bridal boutique, the search continued on Google and Instagram for the perfect wedding dress. That’s when I came across Bella E La Bestia Bridal, and I instantly fell in love with the wedding dresses I had seen. They were exactly what I had been looking for — romantic, ornate and beautifully princess-like.

What kind/type of wedding dress did you have in mind before you start shopping?

I love all things cozy, wintery, warm, fuzzy and snowy. I always knew I wanted a winter wedding. And with that, I had always imagined myself in a full, romantic wedding gown with beautiful lace and long sleeves — something dreamy, ornate and princess-like that felt perfectly suited to a cozy winter wedding. I wanted a dress that felt timeless and romantic, and gave me that magical fairytale feeling I had always dreamed of.

How was the dress shopping experience at BELB?

Beyond amazing! Bella has such an incredible eye for detail and takes so much pride in her designs. I tried on a few of her sample gowns in store, and the very first dress she chose for me, based on my vision, gave me that instant bridal “YES!” moment. I was absolutely ecstatic!

I still told myself I should try on a few more just to be sure, but nothing else compared. I kept coming back to that first gown, and I just knew it was the one.

Did you buy the dress you had in mind or something different? If so, what made you change your mind?

Yes, with a little bit of both! I fell in love with the original romantic lace design almost instantly, but it originally had off-the-shoulder straps, while I had always dreamed of elegant long sleeves for my winter wedding.

Bella completely understood my vision and transformed the gown into something uniquely mine, custom-made to my measurements. I had envisioned long lace sleeves with princess-style V-peak detailing at the wrists to complement the shape of my engagement ring, and Bella beautifully accommodated my idea and brought it to life so seamlessly. She then added pearls, extra beading and other intricate touches that made the gown feel even more magical.

After several fittings, every detail came together perfectly. It still had everything I had originally fallen in love with about the gown, but with Bella’s custom touches, it became my true dream dress — fit for a Snow Princess!

What’s your favourite moment on your wedding day?

It’s so hard to choose just one! One of my absolute favourite moments was seeing my husband’s “WOW” reaction when he lifted my veil for the first time

But exchanging our vows was incredibly special too — standing together in front of our loved ones, promising our lives to each other and declaring our eternal, undying love. It was such an emotional and meaningful moment, and one I’ll treasure forever.

How did you feel in your wedding dress on the day?

Like a real-life Snow Princess! I felt absolutely magical. With the long lace sleeves, sparkling details, beautiful full skirt and my dreamy, shimmering veil, everything came together exactly as I had imagined for our winter wedding. I felt elegant, romantic and completely myself… like I had stepped straight into my own fairytale.

Do you have dress shopping tips that you would like to share with other brides-to-be?

I think it’s important to have an idea of the styles you’re naturally drawn to, but most importantly, choose a dress that feels uniquely YOU. Don’t feel pressured to chase trends or choose what you think a bride should wear! Your wedding dress should reflect your personality, your style and how you want to feel on your wedding day.

Do you have any regret (even disappointment) or anything you wish you knew earlier for your wedding?

No regrets at all! Looking back, I’m genuinely so happy with the choices we made and how everything came together. Our wedding felt completely true to us, every single little detail was perfect and I wouldn’t change a thing.