Inside Model Dominique Elissa’s Bridal Wardrobe: Style, Stories & Sentiment

The Australian model and wellness influencer gives us a behind the scenes look at the details and cherished moments of her multiple Sicilian wedding weekend looks

When it comes to bridal style, Australian model, podcast host, and Selfdom founder Dominique Elissa Faludi never subscribed to the idea of one look defining it all. Instead, she embraced a style journey told in chapters — from the carefree spirit of her seaside Sicilian bachelorette, to the heart of the celebration inside a 14th-century castle, and through to the final moments of the weekend.

For Dominique, fashion wasn’t just about the gowns she wore, but equally the intention, emotions, and memories along the way. Her choices embodied a love of range and duality: playful and bohemian one moment, timeless and romantic the next — a balance of experimentation and staying true to herself. Some of those choices were also quietly guided by the memory of her late mother, who passed away earlier this year after walking Dominique down the aisle in an intimate hospital ceremony. That presence was gently reflected in her bridal style, shaping decisions like the wedding dress she ultimately wore.

Each chapter of Dominique’s bridal journey shaped a style narrative as layered and personal as her own story. Now, she pulls back the curtain, sharing the inspirations, stories, and lessons tied to every look and moment.

I don’t feel like I have just one style; I’ve always loved exploring different designs, textures, and looks. That’s why each of my bridal outfits throughout this journey felt so different, and I loved embodying that duality through fashion. I was so lucky to work with incredible designers during this whole process, who brought each visions to life. And I wouldn’t have changed a thing. Honestly, planning a wedding in under three months suited me perfectly because I change my mind so often, and it made the whole journey feel even more true to who I am.

The Bachelorette

For my bachelorette, we kept things really intimate in Sicily. My best friend Roberta is from this little town there, so we spent the day on her family friend’s boat and ended the night at a tiny fisherman’s village restaurant that felt so authentic. The girls completely surprised me, though—they had secretly worked with Tom so that the whole party rocked up afterwards. It turned into this almost ‘welcome, welcome dinner,’ which was such a fun way to kick off everything.

I wore the most effortless crochet dress from Bec + Bridge. It felt perfect for the setting and matched the relaxed, celebratory mood. The halterneck silhouette and intricate openwork gave it that perfect balance between easy, beachside comfort and standout, fashion-forward detail. It felt breezy and relaxed for a day on the water, but still polished enough to carry into the evening with a veil and bold earrings. Joanna Luhrs did my makeup, which tied it all together. It was one of those nights that felt relaxed but still so special!

The Welcome Party

For my welcome dinner, I wanted to have a little more fun and really experiment with my look. I wore a Grace Loves Lace dress that felt playful and a bit ‘out there’ in the best way. I was inspired by the Boho Bride moment we’re seeing right now, especially with Chloe’s effortless style, and I loved bringing that vibe into the night. Accessories are always my thing, so adding the bandana was the perfect finishing touch—it pulled everything together and made the look feel so me. I’ve always loved being a little experimental with my fashion, but for my wedding dress I knew I wanted something super timeless. That’s why the welcome dinner felt like the perfect moment to play. My Grace Loves Lace dress gave me that standout, boho-inspired vibe I’d been dreaming of—fun, a little different, and so true to me.

Our welcome dinner was everything I first envisioned for our wedding—low-key, by the water, a pizza party with the best energy. It was the perfect way for everyone to meet before the big day, and honestly, I never wanted the celebrating to end. My biggest takeaway would be to have fun and not stress about the little things. You can’t control everything, so you may as well just enjoy it. Make the effort to really connect with your friends and give them time—it makes the whole experience so much more special.

The Ceremony

Six weeks before leaving for Europe, I actually changed my wedding dress. I had been working with Australian couture house J. Andreatta, where Jess, the creative force behind the brand, was absolutely incredible through it all. I had wanted something really different from the first dress I wore in March, and I even went shopping alone as I didn’t want outside opinions. And without Mum here, I didn’t have the heart to bring anyone else. But after just two toiles of that dress, I felt Mum’s energy so strongly and knew it wasn’t the one.

From there, I went back to my original dress—the one Mum loved and adored—and with Jess’s magic, we made it fuller, more princess-like, and more elevated. It ended up being everything I dreamed of. With the castle as our backdrop, I wanted that true princess moment, and Jess brought it to life so beautifully. I wanted to feel timeless, elegant, and completely myself. More than anything, I wanted to feel connected to my mum and know she would have loved the dress as much as I did.

Because we were getting married in a castle, I was also chasing that magical, princess moment—but still in a way that felt elevated and true to me. J. Andreatta does the most incredible corsets and fittings, and that made me feel so feminine and supported in the dress—it was everything I could have dreamed of. My veil was also by J. Andreatta, and I paired the look with Roger Vivier shoes and Tom’s mum’s earrings—a meaningful touch that made the day feel even more connected to family.

One thing I’d tell other brides when deciding on a dress is that it should feel right. When you know, you just know. And once you get that feeling, stick with it—don’t second-guess yourself. I also think it’s so important to change up your social media algorithm at that point, because ‘Wed-Tok’ can be super harmful when you’ve already made your final choice. Protect the magic of that moment and trust yourself!

The Second Look

For my second look, I wanted something that truly matched the magic of the castle setting—a lace moment that felt both romantic and timeless. I chose a J. Andreatta gown, and while it was originally designed without the tie-up detail at the front and back, we quickly realized it was a must to keep everything secure for the first dance. I also loved the sheer detailing; it gave the dress a dreamy, ethereal feel while still being perfect for dancing and celebrating all night. It struck the perfect balance between elegance and fun, and I couldn’t have imagined a better second look.

One of my favourite moments was when the power went out during the wedding. Instead of stressing, everyone at the tables just leaned into it and started singing Aerosmith’s ‘I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.' It turned into the most fun, unexpected moment and brought so much energy to the night. It really showed me how incredible our friends and family are—and especially my husband, who led the whole thing and made it unforgettable.

For our recovery, we went to this really sweet little restaurant in Santa Flavia. It happened to fall on my mum’s birthday, so I’ll be honest I wasn’t really in the mood for a big celebration that morning. But being surrounded by so much love and support from everyone who came together for us made the day feel really special. I kept it chic yet laid-back in a sleek Rat & Boa dress paired with a Lack of Color hat — an easy, understated look that felt just right for the moment. We laughed, shared stories, and just soaked up the wedding memories all over again. It was the perfect way to round out such a beautiful week of events and honestly, it left me wishing I could do it all again.