Psalm

When Psalm first reached out to me, her message said it all:

“Hi! I want to honour my Filipino heritage through my wedding dress. I'm not sure which colour I like just yet – as I'm tossing between white or a creamy beige. My dream wedding dress is a flowy, A-line ballgown with florals – kind of like Belle's dress from Beauty and the Beast! It will definitely have the iconic butterfly sleeves as well.”

From that moment, I knew Psalm’s vision was something truly special — not just a dress, but a tribute to culture, love, and childhood dreams.

Ella & Psalm's Consultation

Born in the Philippines and having moved to Sydney, Australia at just 9 years old, Psalm held on to her heritage deeply. As she prepared to marry Lucas, her Italian fiancé, it was important to her that her wedding day be a reflection of both who she is and where she comes from.

We began our journey together more than a year before her big day. In our first meeting, she was running errands — multitasking like a true bride-to-be — but even amidst the chaos, her kind heart and whimsical vision came through so clearly. She said to me with the sweetest smile, “I just want to feel like a princess.”

During our measurements consultation, I had the joy of meeting Psalm’s dear friend Joyce— someone she’s been close with since high school. She came along to help with the process, and it made the experience all the more meaningful. I demonstrated how to take accurate measurements using my mini mannequin, and it was so heartwarming to see her friend assisting so attentively, making sure everything went perfectly for Psalm.

Getting a glimpse into their friendship during that moment reminded me how weddings aren’t just about the couple — they’re about the community that surrounds them with love. Seeing her again later in the wedding photos brought such a smile to my face. Psalm and her loved ones are truly some of the sweetest people I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with.

But the magic didn’t stop there.

Halfway through our journey, Psalm had an idea. She wanted a second look for the reception — something playful, romantic, and full of movement. Inspired by Dirty Dancing (yes, that iconic lift scene!), we designed a custom reception dress that allowed her to dance the night away with ease and joy.

When it came time to explore fabric choices for Psalm’s Convertible Filipiniana Dress Package, we wanted every detail to reflect her personality — soft, romantic, and timeless. At first, we looked at bold 3D floral appliqués with larger blooms, but Psalm had a clear vision: she wanted something more delicate.

“Can we go for daintier, smaller flowers instead?” she asked — and I knew exactly what she meant.

We shifted direction and sourced floral details that were soft, subtle, and intricate — a perfect match for her dreamy fairytale-inspired vision. The final result was a dress that felt beautifully feminine, uniquely hers, and full of quiet elegance.

To ensure the perfect fit before bringing her dream dress to life, I sent Psalm a toile — a mock-up version of her corset created from simple fabric, made specifically for fittings and adjustments. This step is an essential part of our couture process at Maria Gabriela Couture, and it allows us to refine the structure and fit before working with the final fabric.

Psalm received the toile along with our exclusive MGC Bridal Resources, which include step-by-step instructions, visuals, and guidance to help our brides understand what to expect during each stage. It's important to me that every bride feels supported, educated, and confident throughout the journey — and Psalm embraced the process beautifully.

And then — the most magical part began: the creation of Psalm’s dream dress in our atelier. ✨

With the final fabric, floral appliqués, and design approved, it was time to bring her vision to life, stitch by stitch. Every detail was handcrafted with so much care, keeping in mind her desire to feel like a princess while honoring her Filipino heritage. From the flowy A-line silhouette to the delicate butterfly sleeves, this dress wasn’t just a garment — it was a love letter to her roots, her story, and her fairytale.

And then… it was finally the day.

Psalm stepped into her dress — the one we had dreamed up, designed, and brought to life together over more than a year. Seeing her wear it with such grace and joy brought everything full circle. She truly looked like the Filipina princess she once envisioned as a little girl, now standing confidently in both her heritage and her love story.

Her ceremony look was timeless and elegant, and later, she changed into her Dirty Dancing-inspired reception dress, ready to twirl the night away with Lucas. Every detail, every stitch, every moment was a celebration — not only of their marriage but of identity, culture, and dreams fulfilled.

“Hi Ella!

Lucas and I just had our big day yesterday. And oooooh my goodness, it was beautiful!

The dress was a showstopper. The crowd had a shock when I walked into the church. I received so many compliments! People were saying I looked like a princess, which is exactly what we were aiming for.

Thank you so much for being a huge part of our very special day. Looking at these photos, I can see Lucas and I showing our future kids and them being proud of their Filipino heritage. Again, thank you so much for helping me bring my vision to life! Hope we can work together again one day.

With love,
Psalm'“

From our first message to her final fitting, Psalm was an absolute joy to work with — full of grace, excitement, and love for her culture. Creating her dream wedding dresses was not only a creative honor, but also a personal one. Brides like Psalm are why I do what I do: to help Filipina brides around the world feel represented, beautiful, and seen on their most unforgettable day.

Psalm, thank you for trusting me with your vision. You truly embodied the Filipina fairytale — and I know your story will inspire many more brides to come.