Both Brides Rocked Bold + Colorful Veils For Their Beyond-Vibrant Wedding

“There is D.I.Y., then there’s D.I.Y.!” says photographer Jackson Grant of Australian couple Nicola + Alex’s jaw-droppingly vibrant wedding. “Nic n’ Al chose the latter, with basically everything done themselves.”

The colorful celebration was indeed a massive undertaking for the couple—just wait till you see the reception tent filled with hanging installations of hand-tied fringe—but clearly it was all 100% worth the effort. 

“We planned our wedding ourselves without stylists, planners, or coordinators,” brides Alex + Nicola share, “and while family and friends helped along the way, we poured an incredible amount of time and energy into making the day perfect.”

The vibe these brides created is one of unstoppable, contagious, colorful joy, and we are so obsessed. After all, why not go for the electric blue and vivid red wedding veils? Why not make your wedding day as sparkly as you feel?

One of our other favorite elements? The way Jackson Grant shot the day’s guests! Forget your typical static cocktail hour group poses or documentary-style captures — Jackson leaned into a fun + editorial flair that showcased the brides alongside their friends + fam (AND the incredible DIY decor) in unforgettable, full-page-spread-worthy shots.

To prepare their guests for the day’s color-rich aesthetic, the couple introduced a chic-yet-zany “Mardi Gras meets Met Gala” dress code, and the fits that resulted have left us absolutely speechless.

“The vibrant outfits and setting perfectly reflected our love,” say the newlyweds, “and paid tribute to our beautiful rainbow community.”

The brides’ besties kept the getting ready vibe luxe + low-key with these matching b+w satin short PJ sets in anticipation of all the color to come.

If you need some pre-wedding style inspo for your own bridal crew, check out our new collection of the 24 Best Bridesmaid Pajama Sets!

Ready to STUN

“We found our wedding day attire together because, in true lesbian fashion, we couldn’t imagine missing out on sharing such a special moment,” say Nicola + Alex. “Breaking from tradition, we went dress shopping side by side, each with a clear vision of what we wanted—and were lucky enough to find both of our dream gowns at Karen Willis Holmes.”

“With our guests dressed in bright colours, we decided to honour the tradition of wearing white so we’d stand out, but still join in the fun through bold accessories—vibrant veils, statement jewelry, and colourful makeup that made our looks uniquely ours.”

We LOVE these glam + gorgeously bold jewel tone bridal party looks!

Jackson’s playful, editorial take on pre-wedding portraits is so out-of-this-world creative.

A Romantic, Rainbow Ceremony

The only thing better than this two-tone pink welcome sign situation is the fact that Jackson pulled some of Alex + Nicola’s guests into the pic and captured so much more than just the signage.

What a beautiful DIY rainbow backdrop!! Check out our list of 37 Epic DIY Wedding Backdrop Ideas to inspire your own creative ceremony ideas.

SO sweet that these two exchanged personal vows in front of all of their loved ones. We’ve got a super helpful wedding vow writing guide you need to see if you’re planning on sharing some of your own words on your Big Day, too.

First of all, these heart-shaped sunnies! Second of all, very into the way that the ribbons tied on the guest seating added color + fluttery motion to the ceremony setup. Like at this folk festival-inspired wedding!

How fabulous is this rainbow sequin flower girl dress?! Twirling around in these sparkles at Nicola + Alex’s wonderland of a wedding would for sure be a Core Memory for any kiddo.

So sorry: we’ll never be over these colorful wedding veils!

Our Musical Choices
Processional
Alex - "For You" by Seinabo Sey | Nicola - "Iris" by Chris Lanzon
Recessional
"You’ve Got the Love" by Florence and the Machine
First Dance
"The Feels" by Labrinth 

The crisp white satin of Nicola’s structured-bodice elegant wedding dress + Alex’s amazing two-piece wedding dress really does look beyond-bridal against all this glorious color.

Picture Perfect

The face gems! Festival-worthy, sparkly wedding makeup was definitely the move for these bold brides.

How cute is this: each bride rocked a pair of Adidas Gazelles as bridal sneakers in their respective veil colors.

“I look back now and am now certain I took some fat chances on the day, which really paid off in my beloved guest-heavy approach 🥹,” says Jackson Grant of his iconic guest photos from Nicola + Alex’s day.

The bridal party’s saturated, single-color looks extended all the way to accessories. Like these wonderfully nostalgic rectangle purple Y2K sunglasses!

Nicola + Alex’s loved ones really did set the bar so high as far as wedding style goes.

Go straight to our fave wedding guest attire ideas for winter, for spring, for summer, and for fall to start planning your own iconic guest look for the wedding coming up on your calendar.

So Sweet On You

The brides’ quick stop at The Soda Pop Shoppe in Windsor, New South Wales may have been an homage to their *super sweet* first date. “We met on Hinge—the app ‘designed to be deleted,'” Nicola + Alex remember. “Nic made the first move, responding to one of Al’s prompts, which quickly sparked a debate over which reigns supreme: Krispy Kreme or Donut King. Our first date became a sweet experiment, sampling both, picnic style, at Bondi Beach.”

“From that day on, we were inseparable, moving at what could only be described as U-Haul speed.”

OMG, this is next level. Nic + Al coordinated their wedding nails to their veil colors, too!

Let the Celebration Begin

“Matakata erected the tents,” photographer Jackson recalls, “and Paella Amore kept the bellies full.”

“Together with friends and family, we handcrafted every decoration,” the brides say. “From countless disco balls to hours spent creating streamer garlands, every detail was a labour of love.”

If this multi-color fringe is striking your fancy, definitely peep this 70’s inspired Chicago wedding and this maximalist technicolor DIY wedding!

Also, you need to visit this nostalgic 90’s wedding editorial shoot for even more bright blue and red queer wedding style inspo.

One of the brides’ biggest inspirations? The FX series Pose and its “glamorous, colourful ballroom culture!”

“We opted for a New York ballroom–style bridal entrance, with guests entering in houses and battling it out on the dance floor,” Alex + Nicola say. “We had multiple DJ sets to give the night a festival feel, and a drag queen MC to keep the energy fierce from start to finish.”

“Many guests later told us the day was “so you guys,” and we think that’s because we broke away from traditions that didn’t fit us.”

Our Advice
Our biggest piece of advice is to stay true to yourselves—don’t compromise your vision of the day just to please others. Your wedding is a celebration of your love, and the people who matter will be excited to celebrate it your way.

We also encourage supporting queer vendors, who bring such creativity, heart, and unique perspectives—you won’t be disappointed!

A beautiful touch is having a close friend officiate or act as your celebrant, which makes the ceremony feel even more personal and intimate.

And if you’re looking to save money, consider skipping the extras like an engagement party or bridal shower (unless your wedding is a long way off). We didn’t have them, and honestly, we didn’t feel like we missed a thing.

On the subject of embarking on a wedding journey without a planner, the brides say: “The truth is, you don’t need professional experience—just determination, time, and a well-curated Pinterest board! That said, if the idea of planning something this big feels overwhelming, hiring a professional is absolutely worth it.”

“For us, it felt like planning a mini festival, and while it was a huge effort, the savings and personal touches made it more than worthwhile. Ultimately, it’s about knowing what works best for you and your circumstances.”

Our Favorite Memory
One of our most unforgettable moments was our first dance to The Feels by Labrinth. It was a rare and beautiful pause in the whirlwind of the day—just the two of us, completely present with each other. Midway through, Nic’s Italian family wrapped us in colourful streamers—an Italian tradition symbolising good wishes and a happy future. As the music shifted, the entire wedding joined in for the Tarantella, dancing in a whirlwind of colour, laughter, and love. It was a moment we’ll cherish forever—pure magic, shared with everyone we love most.

Congratulations, Nicola + Alex, on your dazzling Down Under DIY wedding! SO obsessed with the aesthetic you created and the way Jackson Grant captured it all! GWS wishes you all the best!