“I realised the story wasn’t finished”: Honeymoon Studios founder on the bridal label’s new chapter

“It still looks like the Honeymoon people know and love, but under the hood, it’s a smarter, softer version of itself.”

When Melbourne designer Andria Kiefer was searching for her wedding outfit, she quickly realised the options outside of traditional ‘church wedding’ attire were limited. Looking for something relaxed, contemporary and down-to-earth, Andria was met with a sea of saccharine ballgowns and frothy, eggshell-white tulle.

With experience as the former founder of women’s clothing brand, Limb the Label, Andria did what only a designer could do – she created the pieces she wanted to see. Launched in the early 2020s, Honeymoon Studios quickly became a favourite for modern brides everywhere, loved for its thoughtful mix of tailored separates, romantic accessories and unique range of dresses, from fluid slips to sculptural minis.

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“When I first launched Honeymoon, it was just me in a tiny studio, cutting fabric and dreaming up outfits that didn’t scream traditional bride,” Andria tells me. “I wanted to make something soft, romantic and a bit cheeky but still timeless.” Working out of its Northcote studio and showroom (aptly named ‘the Honeymoon Suite’), the brand fostered a real community of brides who wanted to feel like themselves, not a Pinterest board.

But as any small business owner knows, meeting growing demand isn’t easy and after a few years of growth in every direction, Andria began to feel the inevitable effects of burnout. “Honeymoon Studios was growing fast and I was doing everything – design, fittings, emails at midnight, packing orders, putting out fires. Eventually, I realised I was too burnt out to keep going the way I had been,” she says.

Following careful contemplation after a particularly busy wedding season, the brand announced a short hiatus, with reduced studio hours and limited orders. “Pausing felt terrifying… but necessary,” Andria tells me. “I needed a beat to figure out what I actually wanted – both for the brand and for myself.”

“It was emotional. I’d built Honeymoon from scratch, so the thought of stepping away felt like letting go of part of myself. But once I did, I could see the bigger picture more clearly. I stopped just surviving the day-to-day and started dreaming again,” she continues. “I realised that Honeymoon didn’t need to disappear, it just needed a better structure… One where I didn’t have to carry everything on my own shoulders.”

What she discovered in those months of pause, was that the brand’s story certainly wasn’t over. “Even when I said we were closing, brides kept reaching out. The love didn’t stop and neither did the ideas. I realised the story wasn’t finished, it just needed a rewrite. So we shifted the set-up, made things more sustainable and found a new rhythm that feels exciting again. The spark came back.”

With renewed energy and a whirring creative mind, Andria chose to reopen Honeymoon Studios and subsequently, the doors to its Northcote Honeymoon Suite. “From the outside, it still looks like the Honeymoon people know and love but under the hood, it’s a smarter, softer version of itself. We’re making decisions with more intention. And more space to breathe.”

Importantly, Andria is no longer running a one-woman show. “Grace, who started as an intern while studying fashion, is now helping me run the day-to-day and she’s incredible. We’ve streamlined production, updated timelines, and restructured our fittings so the experience is smoother for everyone.” As she said in the brand’s recent announcement post, “The Honeymoon isn’t over.”

Future brides, this means an opportunity to find a wedding look that truly feels like you. The Honeymoon Suite is now open and taking appointments so you can browse the range, try on samples and have a team member recommend your perfect size. And the best part? While appointments can be made for any future date, all slots scheduled in the next two weeks will be completely free.

It’s a huge victory for a small business and one that means everything to Honeymoon’s ever-growing fanbase. “[I want to say] a big thank you to every bride who’s worn Honeymoon, to our little team, and to the friends who helped me figure out what came next,” Andria says.

“I’m really proud that we’ve found a way to keep going without burning out. That, to me, feels like the biggest win. I’ll never forget the friends who sat with me while I cried, the brides who kept emailing ‘please don’t close’, and the team who’ve helped me turn the page.”

To book your appointment with Honeymoon Studios, head here.