We get it – you want your big day to be seamless, soft and special from the very first minute. The room you get ready in should feel like an oasis – a soothing sanctuary that evens out nerves and dials up the romance. Why not bring someone in to make sure every little detail is just right? Join Melbourne Wedding & Bride’s Hannah McDonald as she speaks with Lisa Larosa, owner of Mine and Your Event, to discover the secrets to creating the perfect, minimalist space for your wedding day preparations.
Lisa has built her business, Mine and Your Event, around creating flawless, picture-perfect wedding spaces, specialising in bespoke styling. “From the morning set-ups to the reception, I create elegant and meaningful spaces that reflect each couple’s vision,” she says. Styling the preparation room is a distinct art – one that balances considered logistics with refined aesthetics to support the bride and elevate the space.
Lisa insists that this balance is all about planning and prioritising. “I make sure the space not only looks beautiful but also works for the couple, their guests and how the photographer will shoot the space. Is there enough room for them to move? Can they capture the props in the space? That
means leaving room for movement, keeping key areas accessible and styling in a way that enhances the day rather than getting in the way. Functionality and beauty co-exist; it’s just about thoughtful placement and purposeful design,” she elaborates.
Photography by Melki Studios.
PREP ROOM PROCESS
A minimalist design is an effective way to achieve balance – embracing divine touches that subtly enhance emotion, beauty and joy while avoiding unnecessary clutter. Lisa expands on the logistical details required: “When a couple wants a minimalist wedding morning, I begin with the basics: three plinths, one mannequin and a rack. Once these key elements are in place I add florals, a mirror, plates, a curtain backdrop or all four depending on the space and the couple’s vision. Starting simple ensures the styling feels balanced.”
The process of creating the calming haven you will remember forever is based on attuned collaboration and expert guidance. “I generally meet with the couples and go through what they’re thinking for the space and what inspiration they have seen. This gives me an insight into their style and how they want their space to look and feel. I also ask questions like, where is your dress from? Do we need to cover any walls? Have you seen any styling you like? What colour schemes have you seen? Do you like florals? Then I show them the options of how the plinths look with florals or no florals and how the mannequin looks against the plinths. Visually it helps the couple see it to understand how it will work in their space.”
SIMPLY ELEGANT
As Lisa reflects on her design philosophy, she explains her gracefully effortless approach. “When creating an elegant look, I focus on balance and simplicity. For me, it’s about layering textures, soft tones and thoughtful details rather than just filling the space with too much. I always make sure every element has a purpose. Whether it be the florals, draping or table styling, the overall look needs to feel refined, timeless and never overdone.”
Lisa holds dear a tried-and-true rule: less is more – allowing it to guide her every decision. “I believe a room doesn’t need to be crowded with props to feel styled. Instead, I work by adding just a few key pieces that elevate the atmosphere like soft draping, curtain backdrops, statement florals, a mannequin and plinths. The ‘less is more’ rule helps eliminate cluttering but helps create harmony within the space,” she describes.
When articulating her approach to styling a space with intention, she emphasises the gravity of both restraint and purpose. “To style a space without cluttering it, I focus on selecting a few key pieces that make a statement rather than filling the room. I work with the natural features of the space, such as how the room looks and what works within the space. Typically, I use soft textures and choose simple yet elegant florals that will enhance the space. Every element has a purpose, which keeps the look clean, balanced, effortlessly refined and not cluttered,” she notes.
IT’S IN THE DETAILS
The art of devising a peaceful, luxury backdrop for such an important event is underpinned by the little things that often go unnoticed. Lisa argues, “nothing feels more effortless than a base of white with soft touches of colour. Green and white florals with bud vases and roses always bring a timeless freshness. Also, I love layering textures like ripple plinths, sand candles or textured tea lights. These elements together create a soft, romantic and elegant look.”
When you’re swept up in wedding chaos, it’s hard to focus on the small details that make or break a space, such as the way the light hits the room. This is where the experts come in. “When entering any space, I ask, ‘Where does the morning sun come into this room?’. It’s because natural light makes such a big difference. It brightens the space, enhances all the details and creates a soft, natural glow. Without it the space feels dark, dull and hidden. Your photos will reflect this, and the beauty of the room won’t be shown. With the morning sun it will enhance all the details and the dresses sparkle just that little bit more,” Lisa promises.
Room styling gurus like Lisa make your perfect space their business – devising the precise balance of functional finesse and minimal, romantic details. The outcome: a room that’s pure swoon.