A flamboyant suburban councillor marries a beauty therapist from the NSW south coast - it’s a classic Sydney love story, save perhaps for the helicopters, marching bands and suite of Lamborghinis.
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Much attention thus far has been paid to the stylings of Councillor Salim Mehajer, Auburn’s 29-year-old deputy mayor and a high-flying property developer. But what of the bride?
Company records show the new Mrs Aysha Mehajer, previously April Amelia Learmonth, maintains a registered business called On Point Medical, with an address listed in Drummoyne. The business entity is also linked to her previous work in the suburbs around Wollongong, where she spent quite a few years honing her skills as a beautician.
According to a former colleague, April worked at MC’s Beauty Studio in Figtree, before leasing the business while the owner took a break between 2006 and 2011.
The studio has fielded numerous phone calls from old clients over the past 48 hours, a staffer said.
The former colleague also confirmed that as well as ditching the name ‘‘April’’, Aysha Mehajer has undergone a physical transformation. Strawberry blonde hair and freckles had been replaced by flowing brown locks and unblemished skin.
‘‘She looks fantastic. She was a lovely girl and a lovely girl to work with,’’ the former colleague said. But those trying to track down old photos of April would likely hit a brick wall.
‘‘I don’t think she’ll let them leak because they look nothing like her. A lot has been done.’’
After leaving MC’s Beauty Studio, records show Ms Learmonth ran a business called ‘‘April’s Indulgence’’ in Corrimal, north of Wollongong, until late last year.
The lavish wedding had been in the works for some time, delayed due to the imprisonment of the groom’s father, developer Mohamad Mehajer, who was convicted of defrauding the National Australia Bank to the tune of $3 million.
When the big day finally came, Aysha was dressed by luxury Melbourne-based bridal outfitters, World of Nektaria. In the 48 hours since the ceremony, Nektaria has been busy uploading photographs of the bride to its Facebook and Instagram pages, including a screenshot of The Sunday Telegraph, which featured the wedding on its front page.
How much for the gown? Nektaria isn’t the sort of store that lists prices on its website - nor, it seems, the sort of store that answers phone calls. But it does have three categories of bridal gear named ‘‘Luxury Modern Bride’’, ‘‘White Label Collection’’ and ‘‘Hollywood Glamour’’.
As for the happy couple’s future plans, it appears stardom rather than styling is on the cards. In an interview with breakfast radio’s Kyle Sandilands and Jackie ‘‘O’’ Henderson on Monday, Cr Mehajer revealed his ambition to leave Auburn for Tinseltown.
‘‘Kyle, you’ve got to hook me up with Hollywood, mate,’’ he said, a reference to Sandilands’ connections in Los Angeles. ‘‘I want to be the next superstar.’’
Responding to the furore over the lavish wedding - which upset some residents near his Lidcombe home - Cr Mehajer said he had obtained all the correct paperwork and would not be fazed by any police or council investigation.
"They can investigate all they like, I’ve got nothing to hide,’’ he said.
