Introducing RUSSH’s Bridal Little Black Book – the definitive guide for brides who see their wedding as more than a ceremony, but a canvas for style, intimacy, and self-expression. This is not a checklist, but a curated constellation of tastemakers shaping the modern wedding landscape: visionary jewellers who bend tradition into art, florists crafting arrangements with both poetry and consciousness, the beauty saviours whose practices and techniques bring out the best in us, and the photographers and videographers who are there to capture it all. Consider it a resource with soul – an edit that reflects the RUSSH ethos of beauty with substance, for those who dream in detail and plan with intention.
Whether you’re chasing quiet elegance or a spectacle of scale, the Bridal Little Black Book is designed to inspire a day that feels entirely your own: directional, deeply personal, and forever memorable.
Jewellery
Michael Hill Jewellers
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Located: Online and in over 200 stores across Australia and New Zealand.
Best known for: When it comes to engagement rings, Michael Hill has long been a name synonymous with romance, craftsmanship and a touch of modern sparkle. Their collections range from timeless solitaires to artful halo settings, each piece designed to balance enduring elegance with contemporary wearability. Whether you’re drawn to the precision of lab-created diamonds or the heritage of natural stones, the brand caters to every kind of love story. Beyond engagement, Michael Hill is a destination for wedding bands, fine jewellery keepsakes and thoughtful gifts — the kind that become heirlooms as much as accessories. With boutiques across Australia and a seamless online presence, they’ve perfected the art of making once-in-a-lifetime decisions feel effortless. Think of Michael Hill as a trusted confidant in the jewellery journey: guiding you to a ring that feels less like a trend and more like forever.
Wedding Dress Designers
Prea James Bridal
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Located: Online and stocked in select Australian and international boutiques.
Best known for: Prea James is for the bride who wants timeless elegance with a contemporary edge. Known for clean silhouettes, fluid draping, and a less-is-more approach to luxury, the label embraces understated glamour that feels effortless yet unforgettable. Each gown is crafted with exquisite fabrics – think silk satins and organza – designed to move as naturally as the bride herself. With both made-to-order and ready-to-wear options, Prea James bridges the gap between couture craftsmanship and modern wearability. This is bridalwear that whispers rather than shouts, appealing to women who want to feel like the best version of themselves rather than a character on their wedding day.
Lillian Khallouf
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Located: Atelier in Alexandria, Sydney, with by-appointment service.
Best known for: A name synonymous with meticulous tailoring and architectural precision, Lillian Khallouf brings her fashion design pedigree into the bridal space with gowns that balance structure and sensuality. Each piece is custom made, ensuring a one-of-a-kind experience for the bride who values exclusivity and craftsmanship. Her aesthetic leans toward sculptural silhouettes, crisp lines, and unexpected detailing – think couture with a fresh, contemporary pulse. Khallouf’s bridal work celebrates individuality, with a strong emphasis on personalised service and technical mastery. For brides who see their wedding dress as a work of art – an heirloom moment rather than a fleeting trend – Lillian Khallouf offers a singular vision that feels both elevated and enduring.
WED Studio
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Located: Atelier in London, with select online and international stockists.
Best known for: WED Studio brings a fashion-forward lens to bridalwear, reimagining the modern wedding wardrobe with a cool, contemporary sensibility. Rather than conforming to tradition, their pieces explore separates, mini dresses, and unexpected silhouettes designed for the bride who wants to break the mould. Founded by designers Amy Trinh and Evan Phillips in 2019, WED Studio has a strong focus on craftsmanship and sustainability, with pieces created in limited runs, championing quality over quantity. Think elevated tailoring, minimalist lines, and playful touches that feel as suited to a rooftop afterparty as they do to a ceremony aisle. For brides seeking versatility, individuality and a distinct sense of style, WED Studio delivers a refreshing departure from the ordinary.
Christopher Esber
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Located: Online.
Best known for: Celebrated for his ability to merge sensuality with sharp design, Christopher Esber brings his ready-to-wear savoir-faire into bridal with gowns that exude quiet confidence. Esber’s bridal approach is stripped-back yet luxurious, focusing on fluid fabrics, architectural cut-outs, and a sense of ease that speaks to modern femininity. His pieces often blur the line between bridal and high fashion, appealing to women who want a wedding look with longevity and relevance beyond a single day. Worn by style insiders globally, Christopher Esber’s bridal aesthetic is understated but impactful – perfect for the bride who wants to make a statement through subtlety, not excess.
Floure Studio
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Located: Studio in Enmore, Sydney, with stockists across Australia and internationally.
Best known for: Floure Studio specialises in ethereal, romantic bridalwear with a distinctly modern sensibility. Their designs often feature delicate draping, featherlight fabrics, and sculptural details that create a dreamlike presence while remaining thoroughly contemporary. With a focus on individuality, each gown is designed to reflect the bride’s personality, offering both bespoke creations and collection pieces. Floure Studio champions slow fashion principles, ensuring every piece is handcrafted with intention and care. The result is bridalwear that feels as poetic as it is wearable – gowns that capture movement, emotion, and memory in equal measure. For brides seeking romance without cliché, Floure Studio strikes the perfect balance between artistry and modern design.
Skin and Wellness
Herbario
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Located: Melbourne.
Best known for: A haven for those who prize ritual, Herbario marries herbal skincare with holistic science in a quietly luxurious spa setting. Opened in 1988 by Vito and Valli, this clinic has become a discreet favourite for deep detoxification, toning, and lift through their signature Face Detox and Muscular Stress Treatment. It’s perfect for brides wanting a glow that feels both grounded and graceful.
Melanie Grant
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Located: Sydney, Melbourne and select appointments internationally.
Best known for: Melanie Grant is the go-to for stars seeking bespoke skincare that blends results and sanctuary. Her custom Skin Health Facial combines Augustinus Bader, Biologique Recherche, LED, lasers, and meticulous tailoring. The outcome? A bridal complexion that’s cinematic in its clarity and calm.
Rationale
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Located: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide.
Best known for: Where science meets luxury, Rationale transforms cult-status formulations into elevated, salon-worthy experiences. Their treatments are designed to restore balance, resilience, and radiance, combining advanced technology with indulgent care. More than just facials, these experiences are tailored rituals that refine, rejuvenate, and reveal skin at its most luminous – perfect for those seeking results-driven beauty that feels as good as it looks.
Crown Spa Sydney and Crown Spa Melbourne
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Located: Sydney and Melbourne (at Crown Hotel).
Best known for: When your approach is “pamper first, results second” – think Crown Spa. Held within Crown in both Sydney and Melbourne, the spa pairs opulent interiors with indulgent treatments by La Prairie. It’s a perfect choice for the bride wanting relaxation first, radiance second – relaxation so deep it becomes part of the look.
Makeup
Jo “Jo My God” Luhrs
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Location: Sydney (Australia-wide and internationally).
Best known for: Jo Luhrs, known as Jo My God, offers a bridal makeup service that is modern, fresh, and completely tailored. Her work emphasises glowing skin and refined detailing, striking the perfect balance between natural and polished. Brides value her ability to enhance their features in a way that feels authentic, timeless, and camera-ready.
Alex Perrin
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Location: Waterloo, Sydney (Australia-wide and internationally).
Best known for: Alex Perrin is known for creating radiant, skin-first makeup that feels fresh, refined, and timeless. Her style enhances natural beauty with a featherlight touch, resulting in looks that are luminous in person and flawless in photographs. Brides love her ability to deliver elegance without heaviness.
Leah Baines
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Location: Sydney (Australia-wide and internationally).
Best known for: Leah Baines brings a tailored, versatile approach to bridal beauty. From glowing minimalism to softly defined glamour, she ensures each bride’s look feels personal and polished. Her calm, professional presence makes her a sought-after choice for wedding mornings.
Isabella Quinn
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Location: Melbourne.
Best known for: With a signature style that balances softness and structure, Isabella Quinn creates makeup that feels both modern and timeless. Brides turn to her for sculpted yet effortless looks that highlight natural features and translate beautifully across the ceremony, photos, and dance floor.
Zoe Martin Makeup
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Location: Sutherland, NSW (mobile bookings available).
Best known for: Zoe Martin specialises in luminous, detail-driven makeup that leaves brides feeling confident and radiant. With extensive experience and a focus on flawless complexions, her artistry is about creating a long-lasting glow that feels true to each bride’s personal style.
Cakes
Vege Mamma
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Located: Sydney, Australia. Delivery across the Eastern Suburbs Mon–Thu; Fri–Sat pick-up; minimum two weeks’ notice recommended.
Best known for: Vege Mamma is for couples who like their sweets with personality. Valentine Fodor’s couture confections are intentionally off-beat – sculptural, “odd and uneven,” and joyfully maximal – yet finished with an elegant hand. Expect butter-forward layers and glossed Swiss meringue, with flavour play that leans seasonal: think vanilla bean sponge with strawberries and lemon curd; espresso-soaked layers with hazelnut and dark chocolate; or rich chocolate with dulce de leche. Gluten-free is available, custom flavours are welcomed, and wedding-day delivery can be arranged by enquiry. It’s an intimate, one-woman studio, so plan ahead – these cakes take time, intention, and a little bit of magic. The result? A centrepiece that feels utterly individual and photographs like a dream.
Butter Butter
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Located: Auckland, New Zealand (by-order custom cakes; limited availability via enquiry).
Best known for: Butter Butter is nostalgia turned showpiece. Founded by pastry chef and cookbook author Petra Galler, the home studio specialises in one-of-a-kind celebration and wedding cakes that are decadent, personality-driven and extremely photogenic. Expect a “more-is-more” approach – lush buttercream finishes, playful detailing, and flavours with a European sensibility and a whisper of Middle Eastern influence – drawn from Galler’s acclaimed book Butter, Butter: Sometimes More Is More. For couples, that translates to highly customised designs, thoughtful tastings at home, and a maker who captures the mood of your day in sugar and butter. If you want a cake that reads as both editorial and inviting, Butter Butter delivers the sweet spot.
World of Crema
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Located: Sydney, Australia (seasonal cake studio; tasting boxes and pick-ups from Ingleside by schedule).
Best known for: World of Crema crafts modern, romantic cakes with a haute-pâtisserie sensibility. Led by Tia De Berardinis, the studio works seasonally – building flavour from compotes, curds and fruits at their peak – and designs each wedding cake as a one-off object, all clean lines and sculptural finishes. Couples can book tasting boxes to explore core profiles (think classic Italian-leaning combinations alongside bright, textural layers), then collaborate on a bespoke design that suits the setting. The ethos is convivial and fashion-forward: cakes that feel at home in a gallery as much as a garden, built to be remembered slice after slice.
Marina Machado Cakes
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Located: Tamborine Mountain, Gold Coast hinterland.
Best known for: Marina Machado approaches cake design as both art and celebration, creating sculptural masterpieces that are textural, organic, and deeply intentional. Each cake is tailored to the couple, with an emphasis on natural inspiration, contemporary elegance, and flavour that lingers long after the day itself. Expect layers of carefully balanced fillings, luxurious buttercream, and the option of curated tasting boxes to ensure every detail is perfect. Beyond cakes, Marina also offers petit fours and dessert tables for couples wanting to extend the experience. These are cakes that become a focal point of the day – beautiful, modern, and unforgettable.
Mali Bakes
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Located: Thornbury, Melbourne.
Best know for: Mali Bakes is where retro charm meets culinary boldness – one of those rare cake studios that manages to look playful and taste utterly grown-up. Think chunky piped daisies, vibrant colour palettes, and designs that could easily star in a Wes Anderson frame, but beneath their joyful exterior are layers of artfully balanced flavours. From yuzu‑pop‑of‑peppercorn to brown‑butter sponge and seasonal fruit-forward fillings, every cake is made from scratch using carefully sourced local ingredients. Whether you're drawn to their curated retro or seasonal bloom designs, or want something entirely bespoke for the aisle, Mali Bakes delivers both visual and flavour dynamism. Instagram-worthy and palate-approved, this is the cake studio for couples who want their dessert to be a statement: delicious, distinctive, and delightfully unexpected.
Florists
Grandiflora
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Located: Elizabeth Bay, Sydney.
Best known for: An icon of the Sydney floral scene, Grandiflora is known for its sculptural arrangements and poetic sensibility. Expect breathtaking bouquets that straddle art and nature, perfect for couples wanting high-impact ceremony or reception florals.
My Violet
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Located: Redfern, Sydney.
Best known for: Beloved by the fashion set, My Violet leans into bold palettes and contemporary styling. Think whimsical textures, surprising colour combinations, and installations that feel editorial yet romantic. Ideal for couples looking to push beyond tradition.
The Beautiful Bunch
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Located: Brunswick East, Melbourne.
Best known for: This not-for-profit studio brings joy and purpose to floral design, creating expressive, seasonal bouquets while offering employment opportunities to young women from refugee backgrounds. Conscious beauty, wrapped in colour and care.
Flowers Vasette
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Located: Fitzroy, Melbourne.
Best known for: A Melbourne institution, Flowers Vasette is renowned for lavish, large-scale installations and abundant seasonal arrangements. Their work transforms spaces, making them a go-to for couples envisioning a dramatic floral backdrop.
Maison Fleur
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Located: Brisbane CBD.
Best known for: Maison Fleur delivers refined European-style arrangements with an emphasis on elegance and precision. Perfect for sophisticated ceremonies and polished reception styling.
The Rose & Radish
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Located: Adelaide Hills.
Best known for: The Rose & Radish is all about artful, garden-inspired florals that balance elegance with ease. With a focus on seasonal blooms and natural textures, their work feels organic, timeless, and deeply personal – whether it’s an intimate gathering or a grand celebration.
The Plumery Florist
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Located: North Perth.
Best known for: A boutique studio focusing on seasonal and sustainable design. Expect mindful yet striking bouquets and arrangements that celebrate WA’s flora while delivering a chic, modern aesthetic.
Sir Botanical
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Located: Fremantle.
Best known for: Lush, garden-inspired florals with a modern edge, Sir Botanical brings wild beauty into structured settings. Their weddings balance free-flowing romance with a polished finish – perfect for couples who love a natural touch.
Photographers and Videographers
Stacey McLean
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Location: Adelaide (available Australia-wide and internationally).
Best known for: Stacey captures weddings with a blend of warmth, ease, and artistry. Her style marries candid storytelling with a refined editorial sensibility, producing imagery that feels heartfelt, effortless, and timeless. Many couples say she becomes more like a friend than a vendor – something that truly transforms the experience and the photos.
Jimmy Raper Photography
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Location: Sydney (servicing Australia-wide and internationally).
Best known for: Jimmy’s approach to wedding photography is as intuitive as it is artful. He captures weddings with a modern, timeless, and editorial sensibility – always focusing on the most beautiful moments as they unfold naturally, without staging. The result is deeply emotive imagery that feels lived-in and lasts beyond the day. His dedication to crafting a relaxed, meaningful experience – not just photos – resonates with couples long after the vows are exchanged.
Dear Vincent
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Location: Australia-wide.
Best known for: Dear Vincent offers cinematic wedding films that go beyond highlights – they’re immersive storytelling experiences. With a deeply personal approach, their work is bold in emotion yet elegant in composition, capturing not just moments on the day, but the way love feels as it unfolds.
Mervé Togan
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Location: Melbourne (servicing Australia and Europe).
Best known for: Mervé brings elegance and emotional depth to her storytelling. Her work is defined by its authenticity, understated artistry, and ability to frame genuine moments with a quietly refined aesthetic. Her clients describe her imagery as deeply personal and universally resonant.
Lou Memphis Studios
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Location: Melbourne (servicing Australia-wide and internationally).
Best known for: Led by Eliza Harrison, Lou Lou Memphis Studios infuses weddings with fashion-forward elegance and emotional clarity. Their photography feels editorial yet entirely personal – perfect for couples seeking beautifully styled images that still feel intimate and authentic.
More Life Films
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Located: New South Wales (Australia-wide and destination).
Best known for: Modern, romantic, and made to feel like you – More Life Films crafts cinematic wedding stories with a light, natural touch. Expect crisp pacing, emotive sound design, and a focus on the in-between moments that define the day. Their ethos: consistent craftsmanship, never cookie-cut; each film is tailored to your rhythm as a couple. Ideal for couples who want something polished and contemporary without losing the warmth of the moment.
Oliver Hartley
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Location: Sydney (servicing Australia-wide and internationally).
Best known for: Oliver works gently and quietly, allowing weddings to unfold naturally while capturing emotion with subtlety. His style is rooted in spontaneity and softness, offering couples an organic, memory-rich image collection rather than posed perfection.
