Academy Awards 2011

This years Academy Awards were, as the fashion commentators suggested, the year of bold colours, brave choices and standout pieces. Previous years have seen a more subtle approach to Oscar dressing however that idea was abandoned by many stars who chose beading, lace and solid colours for maximum impact. Cate Blanchett was my choice for best dressed. Her Givency Haute Couture gown, straight of the Paris runway, was perfect and exactly the kind of unique creation you'd expect her to choose. The colour looked simply divine against her fair skin and short blonde bob. Mila Kunis also opted for a lilac shade gown by Oscar favourite Elie Saab. The gown, featuring lace inserts and a train was again straight off the couture runway. Australia's own Jackie Weaver chose a custom made Collette Dinnigan gown. The heavily beaded bodice and full skirt was perfect for the first-time nominee. I also loved the simplicity of Michelle WilliamsChanel Haute Couture gown. Never one to go overboard, the gown oozed sophistication and fitted her like a glove. If you'd like to see more of the spectacular gowns that made the red carpet this year visit www.harpersbazaar.com.au.

top ten vintage wedding items on etsy: february 2011

{each photo links to its shop}

as usual, plus two to grow on.

Peachy Keen

I came across this glorious mood board on Snippet & Ink and thought it was oh so pretty. Peach is the perfect colour if you're after an alternative to pink - still soft, still pretty and a little more male friendly! Think of the deserts you could choose with peach in your theme. Delicious! Visit www.snippetandink.com for an abundance of theming and colour ideas.



Posted by Emilie Harrison

Angelic Events

In our summer issue, on sale now, we did a Meet & Greet on the lovely Jessica Aguilera, Creative Director of the dynamic event design company Angelic Events. Specialising in wedding and corporate event planning, Jessica's talents extend to theming, centrepiece design and floral art. Here's what she had to say when we spoke with her.

How did you get started in the industry?
My career beagn in the corporate world in the early 90's working in event management. Wanting a change I moved into weddings and corporate events and saw an opportunity to service the industry with a higher level of attention after my own experiences with suppliers. It was then I discovered my true passion - styling

Describe your signature decorating style?
New York contemporary and French elegance with a splash of vintage

What's the most valuable skill you bring to a couple's wedding?
Creativity and organisation

What aspect of wedding planning or styling is your speciality?
Creating the vision and telling the couple's story through the design we have incorporated for their wedding day

What is it about weddings that you love?
I love seeing my client's special day come together just as they expected. Seeing the love and happiness captured amongst friends and family on such a memorable day makes it all worthwhile

if you'd like to speak to Jessica further about your upcoming event visit her website at www.angelicevens.com.au.





Posted by Emilie Harrison

The Glass Ceiling

I went to a local pub for dinner last night, the Benjamin on Franklin and was struck by the installation in the dining room. Suspended from the ceiling were over 1500 pieces of clear pressed glass including compotes, cake stands and bowls. The effect was quite stunning...





Pressed glass is easy to find in bric-a-brac stores or on sites like Etsy and eBay if you'd like to consider your own dramatic installation. A collection en masse on a sideboard would look equally as impressive.

Posted by Jane Cameron

Kendall and Jebb

The Barossa Valley makes such a beautiful backdrop for weddings. Kendall and Jebb certainly made the most of all the picturesque scenary for their recent wedding there. They held their ceremony and cocktail reception at Jacob's Creek Visitor Centre where they enjoyed stunning food, amazing wines (of course) and lots of dancing into the night.















Photographer Archie Five Photography
Bride's Dress Rachel Gilbert
Bridesmaids' Dresses Love Affair
Groom's Suit The Suit Co
Ceremony & Reception Jacob's Creek Visitor Centre
Florist Viva The Flower Store
Cake Heidelberg Cakes
Stationery Emma Kate Creative

Posted by Emma Henderson

White Wonder

At some point or another we've all stared in wonder and amazement at the gowns created by Vera Wang. We've also stared in wonder and amazement at some the price tags on her gowns however beautiful they may be. For those of you who adore the gowns but don't, as much, adore the prices you'll be thrilled to bits to learn Vera is now, in conjunction with David's Bridal in the US, launching the Vera Wang White Collection. With prices starting at around USD$700 they really are at a fraction of the cost. Fingers crossed they'll be available in Australia sooner rather than later! Visit www.davidsbridal.com for all the info.









Posted by Emilie Harrison

Sparkle All Night

Nothing better than shoes that sparkle and these little babies from Jimmy Choo certainly do! Paired with a dress in a similar colour you'd have a winning combination. Available online at www.-net-a-porter.com.



Posted by Emilie Harrison

we are today's wedding of the day on weddingchannel.com

{ collage via weddingchannel.com }

this crazy world. we had so much fun with our amazing photographers (max + margaret of unusually fine!), and they asked if they could submit our photos out to blogs before i posted them here, and ... of course!

and that's how we ended up as a wedding of the day on weddingchannel.com. wild.

the gallery the editors put together lists just some of our amazing people and resources, which i plan to write about individually over the next few weeks -- it's hard to express just how thankful i am --

our wedding and everything you see in these photos is the combined effort of so many people -- painstaking and herculean labors, performed by joyous, patient, loving-beyond-words friends and family -- every photo from that day has a story, a labor, and love behind it, and i hope to tell you a few of them that do justice to the photos that max + margaret have made, also with love, by hand.

and -- max + margaret, you know how we feel. thank you.
more stories to come.

Hen Pen

If you're looking for a great way to spend a hen's day, babay shower, engagement, birthday party or any other celebration and you live in Brisbane, on the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast or in Toowoomba and surrounding areas then Enchanted Empire's High Tea could be just what you're looking for. Designed for the lady who wishes to celebrate surrounded by female family and friends, in a relaxed & fun environment, high tea's are perfect option for those hens who wish to include their older relatives in their celebrations. A team of professional Enchanted Empire consultants will design a perfect high tea, in a theme that suits, ensuring that you and your guests sit back and enjoy the decadence and age old tradition that is high tea.
Packages include
• 25 personalised themed invites
• Themed decorations
• Novelty handmade veil for the bride
• Lolly & cake buffet for 25 guests
• A selection of teas & juice
• Set up & take down at location

Prices range from $360 for 10 - 15 guests and $400 for 16 - 25 guests. If you'd like more info on these fabulous high tea's visit www.enchantedempire.com.au.







Posted by Emilie Harrison

Silk Dreams

We all know British designer Jenny Packham for the gorgeous wedding gowns she creates however did you also know she designs super pretty lingerie? Available on Net-A-Porter the collection consists of babydoll's in tulle and chiffon as well as chemises and robes in French lace and silk-chiffon all with matching g-strings. Most definitely worth a peek if you're after something uber pretty for a special occasion. Visit www.net-a-porter.com for all the info.


Rosette-embellished tulle and chiffon babydoll £413


French lace and silk-chiffon chemise £430


French lace and silk-chiffon robe £1,343

Posted by Emilie Harrison

love, actually

{ book love photography print by heatherkingdesigns }

it has been a while, all. first, i've been spending all my free time working on an amazing project for our friend's dad. he's in his early 80s and has written his wife a daily poem for many years, leaving little notes for her as he left the house early in the morning. some are funny, some sad, most rhyme, and almost all are unabashed love poems.

so we're making and printing a book with more than 200 of them, with his photography, and it's just so cool. complicated, but almost done.

his epigram is a quote from obama's speech in tucson, AZ:

"Did we tell a spouse just how desperately we loved them, not just once in a while, but every single day?"

it's so moving to meet someone who actually does this, who can answer a joyous, buoyant YES, i tell her. i write it in a new way, every day.

makes you think: what gesture, what small thing could we do so that when we hit our 80s we still make out and hold hands and make poetry books for our anniversary?

also: making a book is not (too) hard! i hope to write up a post of what i've learned for anyone wanting to make an album or book of their wedding, honeymoon, love stories. more soon.

xo,
j

BHLDN

It is finally here! The people behind anthropologie have just launched BHLDN (pronounced beholden) and there are so many beautiful items there you simply must go and have a look - everything is just so delicate and pretty! Below is a selection of just a few of my favourites.

















Gown prices start at a tiny $600 USD but unfortunatley (unlike anthropologie) they don't ship to Australia. To get around this you could always set up a US postal address with a mail forwarding company like Bongo International.

Posted by Emma Henderson