A Spring State of Mind

Like a lot of people, I sure am looking forward to spring this year. I think that's clearly obvious when you see the cover to our new issue, due out in Australia next Wednesday, the 8th of September. Bursting with colour, it really is our prettiest yet. So, keep your eyes peeled next week, our new issue is full of all the inspiring theming ideas you have come to expect together with the best real weddings from around the world.



I'll post some sneak peeks a bit later in the week to keep you in that spring state of mind.

Posted by Jane Cameron

Island Adventure

The uber-lovely Collette Dinnigan celebrated the launch of her 2010 Resort Collection on Saturday 21st August with a show at Audi Hamilton Island Race Week. The Hamptons High Tea collection was unveiled at the Long Pavillion at luxury resort Qualia during an invitation only event. The collection, channeling silver screen vintage glamour, offered elegantly suggestive shapes with full skirted dresses of silk and pure cottons, ruffled swimsuits and cheeky playsuits. This year Collette is celebrating her 20th year in business so we wish all the lovely people at Collette Dinniagn a very happy 20th birthday!

I spent the weekend just been in Sydney wedding dress shopping with my dear friend Amie who is getting married next year. I'm super excited to be her bridesmaid and it so happens we've fallen madly in love with a couple of Collette Dinnigan dresses that would make amazing bridesmaid dresses. We paid a visit to Collette's Paddington boutique and if you haven't poppped in before I suggest you do. Simply beautiful! The only problem you'll face is narrowing down your favourites. Her pieces are all simply divine! Visit www.collettedinnigan.com.au for boutique and stockist details.










Photography by Andrea Francolini

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Our Wedding: "After I Do"

I'm starting a new job this week so life is a bit crazy but I thought I'd post the next recap from our wedding. You've seen "before I do" and "I do" so now it's time for the after glow! 

During the entire ceremony the sun started to creep out a little bit at a time revealing more of the mountain in the background.  By the time the ceremony was over the mountain was almost fully exposed.  We did some of the portrait and posed shots and also tried to find some cool spots around our venue to take some pictures before the cocktail hour.





Me and my maids





Keith with his bros and Dad





It's not a party without the jump shot



Or the totem pole








One of my favs



Here comes the sun...





And there's that mountain








And now it's time for a cocktail - this was me finishing up pictures, kicking my heels off and heading back up to start the party!




More to come...

All images {via Gabriel Boone}

Real Wedding ~ Debbie and Clay

Debbie and Clay are such a beautiful, happy couple! We couldn't wait to share their late summer wedding on Pawley's Island in SC, photographed by Heather Forsythe. The event was designed in a palette of cobalt, navy and white, accented by natural tones, green and antique silver. Debbie wore a gorgeous fit and flare gown by Jane Wang with a sweetheart neckline, crystal embellishment at the bust and a full mermaid skirt. She added Something Blue satin pumps by Manolo Blahnik a cathedral length veil and glittering button earrings. Her bridesmaids wore floor length gowns in navy with vivid cobalt sashes, while the groomsmen wore three piece suits in soft gray. Clay wore a tailored navy pinstripe suit paired with a white button down and silver tie. Debbie and Clay exchanged vows at a small historic chapel on the island where wreaths of white lilies and hydrangea were hung from the iron gates trailing blue velvet ribbon.

The reception was held on the vast lawn of a private property beneath live oaks draped in Spanish moss. A brilliant white tent was decorated with sheer white fabric draped in panels along its perimeter, while white garden lights were strung from the trees. Crystal chandeliers hung above the dance floor and birdcages decorated with white feathers, branches, flowers and berries decorated the cocktail tables. Guest tables were set with white garden chairs and covered in burlap with an overlay of white linen. Our talented friends at Blossoms created tall tree-like centerpiece arrangements wrapped in burlap at the base and hung with small glass vases filled with fluffy hydrangea. In a nod to her name, the bride had a cupboard full of Little Debbie snacks on display for guests to enjoy throughout the evening with a sign above it that read, "Clay's Second Favorite Little Debbie." Incredible Edible Cakes created an exquisite five tier white wedding cake with crystal embellishments and a topper of white feathers. After Debbie and Clay cut their cake, Debbie changed into a short reception dress with a tiered bustle and a pair of cobalt blue Christian Louboutin Bow T Dorcet d'Orsay pumps. To see more of Debbie and Clay's fun celebration, visit the Heather Forsythe Photography blog, where you can also get a glimpse of the couple's adorable engagement session!

Credits:
Photography: Heather Forsythe Photography. Gown: Jane Wang from White on Daniel Island. Shoes: Manolo Blahnik. Florist: Blossoms. Cake: Incredible Edible Cakes. Caterer: Bistro. Band: Uneek Flavur.

Hankey Blankeys

I don't know about you, but I think this is a fantastic idea - a blankey made out of hankerchiefs from Made By Mosey in Melbourne. This would make a wonderful keepsake if you asked all guests to your bridal shower to bring along a hankey as a gift. Of course, you'd need to give everyone a colour palette to ensure everything matched, but it would be a lovely way to remember everyone who shared in that day.





There are countless other beautiful and original items including ever-so-sweet mini bunting at Made by Mosey so do have a look.

Posted by Jane Cameron

Real Wedding ~ Mary and Bobby

A cool vintage truck, a field of horses, cowboy boots, girls in cardigans, boys in tweed vests... How could we not love Mary and Bobby's country wedding in Nacogdoches, TX photographed by Heather Beadles Photography? Designed in palette of greens and naturals accented by sky blue and one brilliant red truck, the December event was held at Mary's family farm, complete with a lively barn reception. Mary wore a form-fitting lace gown and brown cowboy boots with her hair pinned to the side in a loose chignon. She added a chic fur capelet for the outdoor ceremony and exchanged it for a ruffled silk bolero during the reception. Her bridesmaids wore knee-length cocktail dresses in pale khaki with powder blue cardigans and waist cinching belts. They carried bouquets of baby's breath tied with twine, while Mary carried a bouquet of white roses accented by pheasant feathers. Bobby wore a khaki suit and his groomsmen dressed in khaki pants, white button downs, brown tweed vests and chocolate ties. The ceremony was held at sunset in front of a wooden arbor framed by topiaries and wrapped in twinkling white lights with a white chandelier hung from its peak.

Everyone moved into the barn for the reception where long Viking-style tables were covered in white linens with burlap runners. Centerpieces were made using aged wooden dough bowls and sugar molds as vessels for votives and and a variety of floral arrangements in a palette of green, white and brown. Sprigs of cedar and pine flourished the walls and the cake table was decorated with a selection of vintage elements including antique mirrors, candlesticks, window frames and shutters. Glass apothecary jars held pine cones and a bird's nest, while sprigs of baby's breath, cedar and pine were placed around the cake, displayed on a cutting from the trunk of a tree. A canopy of white twinkling lights were strung across the wood beam ceiling of the barn and chandeliers adorned with greenery were hung above the tables. Each guest received a Loblolly pine seedling from Mary and Bobby and and at the end of the evening, the bride and groom exited beneath a shower of sparklers and drove away in a red 1951 Chevrolet pickup truck. To see more of Mary and Bobby's wedding, visit the Heather Beadles Photography blog!

Credits:
Photography: Heather Beadles Photography. Event Designer: Moore Solutions. Florist: Puerta Bella Events. Venue: The Hurst Farm.

Trash your dress??

So...I can't ever imagine "trashing" my wedding dress b/c mine was handmade with love by a dear friend.  However, you do only wear a wedding dress once (hopefully) and if you don't care about what happens to it after the wedding then I love the idea of a "trash the dress" session.  

If you do decide you want this kind of photo session then Scott McNamara is your guy.  He and I have had a similar journey cross country - Florida to Oregon.  And no matter the setting he rocks the trash the dress session every time.  I've featured some of his weddings before but this is a truly unique look at his work. 

Since my recent travels have taken me from the Sunshine State of FL, I'll start with a swampy backwoods muddin' photo session from Melbourne, Florida. 






























This next one is my favorite, maybe b/c it's in my new backyard - the beautiful Columbia River Gorge. For all you nature lovers out there - you'll love this one at Oneonta Falls and Gorge!






























Trashing your dress never looked so good.  Check out more of Scott's work at his GORGE-ous blog!

Take a Number

Love these cute Letterpress Number Clips from UK company Present and Correct. At £9.50 + shipping to Australia for a tub of 4, they'd make organising easy.





Posted by Jane Cameron