Sometimes, you just make your own dress dreams come true.
When Australian filmmaker, wedding videographer, model, and overall internet cool girl Alex Preisz started her long search for *the* wedding dress, she originally imagined finding a vintage piece she could adjust to her vision. But what ended up happening is even cooler: With celebrity looks as inspo, Alex took matters into her own hands and created her very own one-of-a-kind wedding look.
We’re so lucky to have Alex sharing all the details of her New South Wales, Australia wedding to visual artist (and now husband!) Jamie Preisz. In an exclusive interview with us and PrintLocker, she’s dishing on everything from her wedding day to the process of bringing her original gown to life—and we’re thrilled to share it with you!
As the founder of the wedding videography business Houndstooth Films, Alex brought years of industry experience and creative inspiration to her and Jamie’s big day. Together, the couple handcrafted countless details—from the ceremonial platform to the décor—making their celebration deeply personal and uniquely their own.
Captured by the brilliant Marigold Wedding Photography, these wedding photos tell the story of a super-in-love couple who curated + created so much of their celebration by hand—a true inspiration to all of the DIY dreamers out there.
We here at GWS are totally obsessed with this one and cannot wait to give you a peek!
“I always knew my wedding dress would be unique,” Alex shares. “I thought I’d find a vintage dress and rework it with a tailor, but after searching through stores, my vision became so clear that it had to be made from scratch.”
If she looks familiar, you might have seen her on TikTok! Throughout the design process, Alex shared her progress with her 100,000 TikTok followers offering a glimpse into how her vision was coming to life.”
Alex teamed up with friend + stylist Fleur Egan as well as couturier Olivia Deur, and, over the next eight months, this glorious, structured bodice, two tone rope-trimmed masterpiece of a wedding dress came to be.
“I wanted the fabric to feel soft against my skin but structured enough to hold its shape in the bodice,” Alex shared. “Fleur’s expertise played a key role in selecting the right materials.”
What was it like to put on her dress for the first time? “It was surreal putting on something I’d envisioned for months,” Alex said. “Seeing it all come together felt magical.”
Embroidered wedding suits are having a major moment, and we could not be bigger supporters of this funky formalwear look. And we love that Jamie had his crew rocking embroidered groomsmen suits, too!
Love Jamie’s suit from Addicted Bespoken? Use code GREEN25 at check-out for 25% off your suit from Addicted Bespoken.
The Ceremony
Instead of going with a traditional wedding venue, Alex + Jamie hosted their wedding at an Airbnb in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia.
Love that Jamie rocked his retro orange tinted pair of men’s sunglasses throughout the whole day!
We are 100% obsessed with this bridal cape meets bridal jacket meets wedding veil look. The fabric for this embellished + embroidered hooded layer—sourced on Etsy—was originally white, but Alex dyed it this beautiful buttery yellow.
“We dyed it very cautiously at first,” said Alex of the veil. “There were meters of material hanging in the garden to dry, and when we saw it was too light, we did the process again with more confidence. It’s always better to start light because the process can’t be reversed.”
The two tied the knot in January, which, in the southern hemisphere is a summer month. “We spent Sydney’s colder winter months working on DIY projects for the wedding,” Alex said.
“We worked so well together,” said Alex of her planning journey with Jamie. “I remember running around Bunnings looking for timber to build the stage. One night, during a thunderstorm, we rode on Jamie’s motorbike to his art studio and spent the night painting signs and decorating our backdrop. Our friends even came in and added their own personal touches to it.”
“If there wasn’t an element of handmade or upcycled creation, it wouldn’t have been authentically us,” Alex shared.
“We pride ourselves on being thrifty, and Jamie is incredibly resourceful, In an industry full of trends, the only way to make your wedding truly unique is to do something personal and authentic.”
The Reception
Accessories really are everything. Jamie’s bolo tie completed this classic Country Western “Nudie Suit” look so perfectly.
After their wedding, the couple relocated to Portugal, using the money they saved through their DIY wedding efforts to fund the move.
“We could have spent more on the wedding, but relocating to Europe with our cat felt more important. It was an easy decision,” Alex explained. “The wedding proved how well we work together as a team, and we’ve kept that energy going. We’re still creating things together in Portugal, just like we did for our wedding—sourcing materials, visiting second-hand markets, and dreaming up new ideas.”
For this creative duo, their wedding was the perfect mix of personal expression, heartfelt love, and playful whimsy.
We love this joyful doc-style photo for lots of reasons including the super-fun peek at the vintage 60’s wedding shoes that Alex and stylist Fleur Egan found on Etsy.
Our Advice
From the bride: "Don’t be afraid to go all out—even if your ideas seem a little unconventional. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by Pinterest but stay true to your vision. Grab a piece of paper, sketch what you want, and figure out how you can bring it to life—whether it’s something you can make yourself or find second-hand."
Biggest congratulations to Alex + Jamie! We are totally enchanted by this eclectic Australian wedding. Best of luck in Portugal! All the best from GWS!
