When filmmaker Alexandra Preisz got engaged to visual artist Jaime, she decided to document the entire planning process on TikTok, especially when it came to her dress. Her series quickly went viral, with the bride-to-be sharing every step of the design, fabric sourcing and fitting process with her followers. While she initially envisioned reworking a vintage gown, she wasn’t able to find thew sort of thing she wanted, so with the help of her stylist friend Fleur Egan and couturier Olivia Deur, she set about creating something entirely original instead.

Speaking exclusively to Rock n Roll Bride and PrintLocker, Alex writes. “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. I wanted the fabric to feel soft against my skin but structured enough to hold its shape in the bodice. Fleur’s expertise played a key role in selecting the right materials.” The dress was trimmed with a two-toned rope, while hand-embroidered details adorned the veil cape. Alexandra’s shoes, inspired by the 1960s, were another Etsy find and they hand-dyed her cape veil.

Describing their wedding theme as “a magical mess of beautiful madness and unbound creation”, it wasn’t just the bride’s gown which made this wedding a marvel. The entire day was pulled together with the help of loved ones. The film photographs were all shot by friends and the couple handcrafted the ceremony platform and all the signs, backdrops and decorations. Jamie created the invitations and they hand-sealed every envelope with wax.

“We worked so well together”, Alex continued. “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 to the wedding, it wouldn’t have been authentically us. 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.”

After their wedding, the couple moved from Australia to Portugal, funding their relocation with the money saved from their DIY efforts. “We hoped to spend less, but even with our DIY projects, costs were high”, she explained. “The price of alcohol, furniture hire, and the marquee added up quickly. We rented a property on Airbnb, not a wedding venue, so we had to bring in everything ourselves. We could have spent more, but relocating to Europe with our cat felt more important. It was an easy decision.”

When asked what advice she’d give to other couples considering a DIY wedding, Alexandra said, “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.”