A casual Instagram search for “wedding dresses” is how Jenna first discovered The Veil Collective, long before she was ready to start shopping. Suddenly, her feed was 90 percent bridal gowns, veils, and aisle-bound inspiration. Amid the scroll, The Veil Collective stood out. Chic, curated, and effortlessly fashion-forward. Jenna wasn’t quite ready to dive into dress shopping herself, so she sent the page to a friend who was. That friend had the best experience, and just like that, The Veil Collective was quietly filed away on Jenna’s must-visit list for when her moment arrived.

When her time came in August 2024, Jenna booked an appointment during a whirlwind day of bridal shopping in Brisbane. It was her third store of the day, and by then she had settled into the rhythm of trying things on, even styles she never thought she’d consider. She walked in with a clear vision. Long sleeves, detailed fabric, a slim silhouette. Strapless was firmly off the list. But dress after dress, that original vision began to unravel. What looked good on paper didn’t spark anything in the mirror. Surprisingly, it was a strapless neckline and a structured A-line that lit her up the most. And as much as she loved intricate lace, she kept circling back to Mikado. The sheen, the structure, the way it caught the light. It was hard to forget.

While browsing the gallery, one particular gown caught her eye. It was impossible to miss, with a bold floral detail spilling off the side like it had a personality of its own. Jenna and her maid of honour pulled it out on a whim, thinking it would be fun to try on. “I didn’t think I was cool enough to pull something like that off,” she later admitted. But the moment she stepped into it, the silhouette suited her perfectly, the fabric felt luxurious and looked sculptural. And that dramatic flower, which once seemed over the top, suddenly felt like the perfect statement.

Still, she didn’t rush the decision.

After leaving the boutique, Jenna kept returning to the photos and videos. That gown lingered in her mind, even though Diva wasn’t actually her favourite dress of the day. But over the next two weeks, she kept thinking about it. It had that bold, one-of-a-kind feel she’d been searching for, and the more she revisited it, the more it started ticking all the boxes. Two weeks later, she said yes. And when she returned in April 2025 to collect her gown, it felt more “her” than ever.

On June 10th 2025, Jenna walked down the aisle in Diva by Romanova Atelier. The split skirt, the structured silhouette, the bold floral. Every detail worked in harmony. She felt confident, beautiful and completely at ease in her decision. Her husband was floored and her guests were in awe. It was everything she had hoped for and more.

Now, looking back, her only complaint is that she won’t get to wear the dress again.

Her advice to other brides is simple. Don’t rush it and give yourself time to reflect. Let the dress sit with you for a few days or even weeks. Because when you know, you truly know. And when the right gown finds you, even if it’s the opposite of what you pictured, it’s worth every step of the journey.

Jenna’s Dream Team

Real Bride Jenna wears Diva by Romanova Atelier

Real Bride Renée wears custom Santolina by Alena Leena