What's your wedding style? V

If you're just joining us check out the rest of our 'What's your Wedding Style' series here. Mini snippets of colour and inspiration with stationery to match!



We've gone all girly today's with a feast of pretty botanical invitations. Flowers feature heavily in wedding invitations, and the use of vintage style etchings is a style I'm particularly fond of. I like the unexpected addition of the ochre/pale gold in this board. Whilst the pink and burgundy go well with the grey, the goldy tones give it a lighter dimesion. Who says you can't mix gold and silver right? There are no rules when it comes to colour as long as you do it right!! And that basket of wraps - who wouldn't be thrilled to turn up to a wedding and have that to snuggle up with in the evening... I know I would!

Real Wedding: Chris + Cath Part II

Continuing on from our gorgeous couple Cath & Chris featured yesterday, those beautiful bouquets you see were created by the amazing Sue from Flowers at Pink. Cath had waited a long time to have the wedding of her dreams, and it was particularly special with her grandmother able to fly out from the UK for the wedding. Her stunning gown was designed by Rosemary Smith, and that fantastic looking cake was created by Rob's Patisserie. And Cath's gorgeous look is thanks to makeup artist Steph Lai - not to mention to damn good genes!

Real Wedding: Chris + Cath Part I

Get ready to feast your eyes a bridal beauty......I mean seriously how gorgeous is this bride! Captured by photographer Hannah Richards, Chris & Cath worked with Gayle Garmaz from Exquisite Weddings to plan this gorgeous wedding at Cassels in the Waitakere Ranges. Catherine was very hands on with the wedding, with her own 'team' dedicating hours to painting bonboniere boxes, tying ribbons and crystals onto them. More details to come shortly.

Wedding Season is officially open!

This, folks, is what my long weekend looked like! Yes wedding season is in full swing!

Board#20: Country Charm

Happy Tuesday.....hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend.....I was positively euphoric to wake up to streaming sunshine on Saturday!! Mmmm we're back to rain right now, but it was glorious while it lasted!

This board evolved into something completely different to what I originally had in mind, but I think I prefer it! A little bit vintage, a little bit rustic and a lot pretty..... my kind of wedding. Outdoors, long banquet tables, handpicked posies, vintage china.....I'm particularly fond of the beautiful shell coloured glass with the silver cake stand - such a lovely and delicate combination. Would love to do an invitation suite in it. Anyone?



Top from left: photo by Lara Robby, bouquet from Ink & Peat, photo by Union Photography, Cocktails by Jose Villa
2nd row: Silver Tableware by Rinne Allen via Design Sponge, Tandem Invitation Suite by Ruby & Willow, Horseshoe by Union Photography, Table Setting by Elizabeth Messina via Oh How Charming
3rd row: Photo via Green Wedding Shoes, Flowers of Chair by Jose Villa

What's your wedding style? IV

Phew, have made it to Friday..... it's been THE busiest week with no end in sight right now. Don't get me wrong, it's fantastic to have all this work on but with a long weekend ahead and with the promise of some sun, I really want to have a whole day off and get out amongst it! Which means I must. be. super. productive!! And hey another reason to celebrate....we've made it to 100 posts! Our first milestone!



I've think neutral colours like taupe, sand, and donkey grey look gorgeous with all colours but it's particularly nice paired with tones of blue. For this as well as the duck-egg blue you often see it with, it's nice to have a bolder shade thrown into the mix as well. To see more style boards like this click here. This vintage style invitation is a new addition to our Signature Collection - just hasn't quite made it onto the website yet!

Real Wedding: Claire + Greg Part II

More gorgeous images of Claire & Greg's wedding from Simeon Patience. Honestly this is one talented pair, between the two of them they have their hands in several businesses, check out their combined talents at their Jewelry businesses Meadowlark and Grey Fromont, and Claire's design businesses here and here. Greg surprised Claire with the fabulous 'True Love' sign you see in the photos - perhaps another business venture in the making?? The day was overseen and expertly co-ordinated by Gayle from Exquisite Weddings and the pretty florals were made by Sue from Flowers at Pink - both part of the Magnolia Rouge team of course!

Real Wedding: Claire + Greg Part I

Greg Fromont & Claire Hammon recently got married in the Auckland Domain on a beautiful late winters day (a spot of luck considering how much rain there has been!) I love how they have totally infused their creative personalities into their day, and put their own unique stamp on it. Greg is a very talented jeweller who made both their engagement and gorgeous wedding rings. The stunning photos were shot by Simeon Patience.....what a great job he's done of capturing their joy! Check back for more gorgeous pics soon!

The long and short of it

Whilst the majority of brides still opt for a longer length dress, wearing a cocktail/knee length one will certainly ensure you stand out. From pretty ballerina style dresses, to vintage 1940's inspired looks, to modern sheaths, a short dress is fun, playful and very hip! And remember even if you see a longer dress that you like the details of, there's no reason why you can't have it adapted into a short version....just ask your dressmaker and see if it's possible.



Photo credits clockwise from top left; Dolly Couture, via LuckyMe, Watters, Simeon Patience, via Green Wedding Shoes Blog, via LuckyMe

Board#19: Candyfloss & Sugar

Happy Monday everyone! Hope the weekend was a good one whatever it held!
Inspired by the gorgeous photo shoot of the 'bride & her balloon' (top left) in the latest edition of Wedding Style Guide, I've gone uber pretty with today's board. Sugar and spice and all things nice! I love this softest shade of pink in all it's subtle prettiness. Think peonies, magnolia, roses, dahlias....flowers are endless. I'd want garden tables set with vintage china, bud vases, and the inevitable cupcakes! Too sweet!



Top row from left; Wedding Style Guide, Magnolia by Janne Peters, White Dress by Pictures by Tracy via Courtenay Lambert
2nd row; unknown sources
3rd row; Peony photo via Courtenay Lambert, Jim Helm Wedding Dress, Flowers by Pictures by Tracy

What's your wedding style? III

It's Friday (yeah!!) which means it's time for another installment in our "What's your Wedding Style" series....if you missed our earlier ones check them out here and here. So surprise, surprise it's more yellow....in keeping with my 'colour of the moment'! I've said it before, yellow really can go with almost any colour if you pick the right shade, but it's uber popular with grey, white and black at the moment. Rather than use a bright sunshiny yellow it's nice to tone it down a little and use a more buttery shade.



I've paired it with a contemporary design featuring a vintage lace pattern combined with a repeating pattern in a pale grey. Yellow envelopes add a very modern touch, and a custom drawn map completes the look. For the reception, escort cards feature again to make a striking visual display.For more stationery like this and other designs go here.

Real Wedding: Anna + Marc

We have a treat for you today with another pretty wedding shot by Nicole Marsden. Anna & Marc were incredibly lucky to have her father's boutique vineyard as their location; Dolce Vista in the beautiful Hawkes Bay. For more on this lovely relaxed wedding, the lovely bride Anna has shared some words below with us.




How did you meet?
Wandering the streets of London – well actually our local during our respective OE experiences.
Tell us about your proposal:
We were holidaying in our favourite destination – Vernazza, Italy – and after starters in the light of the sun setting over the sea Marc got down on one knee and proposed – much to the excitement of the other diners. It was so romantic and unexpected!
Tell us about finding your wedding dress:
I spent a couple of days scouring all sorts of shops with my sister finding not much. I did find a wonderful, but traditional (and therefore expensive) wedding dress that made me look like a princess – but I felt that when wearing it Marc could have been marrying any bride. I wanted unique – something that felt like me – something relaxed that fitted a wedding in a boutique vineyard – and I found the perfect one – an off-the-rack number from Annah Stretton and on the day I couldn’t have been happier with it.
What was the design inspiration for your wedding?
Simplicity all the way – relaxed, inexpensive and reduced impact on the environment. We spent money on the things important to us – food and wine for the big party with friends and family, and the photographer for capturing the great memories. We choose to have the ceremony & reception at my Dad’s vineyard, Dolce Vista, in sunny Hawkes Bay. Being surrounded by nature with the grapes and the backdrop of Te Mata Peak meant we needed very little theming. We decked out his tractor shed in Calico with black tablecloths and candles as centrepieces. Hand-painted place markers were the pièce de résistance.
Describe your wedding flowers:
Our simplicity plan included flowers. Without a bridal party and the wonderful natural setting of the vineyard it was only the bridal bouquet that I purchased the day before from the local florist and arranged myself – simple, elegant orange calla lilies created splash of colour to brighten our day. I think Nicole our photographer used them so well in our photos – they look great with the hint of colour!
Describe your wedding cake:
Our wedding cake was a last minute decision – what with starters, dinner, dessert and plenty of great wine who needed more. But I was so glad we did get it – it was a tower of profiteroles covered in dark chocolate – perfect with coffee at the end of a perfect day.
Favourite detail of the day:
Celebrating our love and commitment with our family and friends!
What advise would you give out to someone planning their wedding?
Do it your way – weddings seem to bring out the very best (and worst) in people – remember this is about you two and it is important that both of you are happy with any decisions made. If you receive unsolicited advice just thank them kindly and do what you want. So many people remarked that ours was the most personal service they had ever been to and well done to us for making that happen – sure they have to compliment your day but I really think ours was that little bit more special. Also enjoy every second because the day goes too quickly!
Were there any special traditions that you included?
Hardly any – when looking at the budget and planning we discovered many traditions are just that – traditions. We kept it simple. My Dad ‘gave me away’ and I wore the ‘some thing old…’ but everything else was unique to us!
Most memorable moment?
Walking down the isle with dad and seeing Marc standing there beaming!
Any other significant vendors?
Our celebrant, John Taylor, was superb. He was a very calming influence during planning and supported our choices for a personal ceremony. Despite the lack of a practice run he made the day run smoothly and made the ceremony relaxed and humorous.
Nicole Marsden, our photographer, was excellent. Again she was relaxed, professional but most importantly not in the way – she got amazing natural shots without holding up proceedings or posing us. Honestly I don’t know how she got around the place to quickly – but again great to be able to totally rely on such a vital person on the day.
What’s next for you as a couple?
We have had a busy year – holiday with friends and family from aboard as our honeymoon, enjoying being Mr & Mrs, house hunting and most recently falling pregnant with our first child!

Thanks for sharing your day with us Anna and Marc, we wish you all the best for your future together and impending family!!

More cupcakes!!!

Further to yesterdays cupcake yumminess, whilst doing a local search I was delighted to find a couple of suppliers offering some fantastic looking treats. First up we have Cupcake Parlour, based in Christchurch they offer a complete assortment of goodies, and will tailor them to suit your day. And if you're not close to Christchurch never fear...they deliver nationwide! Check out their website more images to tempt you.
Next we have Snob Designer Cupcakes, based in Auckland, who on top of making gorgeous cupcakes offer them in a bouquet! What a novel idea, love it! It would make my day to have one of these delivered to me!



Photos: Top left and right, bottom left: Cupcake Parlour
Top middle, bottom right, Snob Designer Cupcakes

Cupcake Craze

You have to have been hiding under a rock if you've missed the cupcake explosion that's happened in the past couple of years. Having always been a staple at kids party they are now a chic addition to any wedding dessert platter, or even as a favour offering. Have them iced to match the colours of your wedding, have the monogram you've used for your stationery added to the wrapper, or get some beautiful filigree cupcake holders. They make for a fantastic visual display, not to mention a tasty treat. As it's morning tea time now I would definitely appreciate one appearing in front me RIGHT NOW!!

Coming up soon, some local New Zealand suppliers to get your cupcakes from!

Board#18: Preppy Green & Blue

Happy Monday everyone!! FINALLY the sun decided to make an appearance after what's felt like a few long weeks in gloom! And it was glorious.....now perhaps can we say spring is here?

Whilst 'preppy' was never really a big style phase in New Zealand, elements of it are certainly seen throughout many a wedding. This board mixes a few strong looks from the preppy genre - all in a fresh crisp green combined with a strong navy. Monograms have always been and remain to be a popular part of your wedding identity. Have one especially designed for you and carry it through all your papers good on the day. It doesn't have to be a traditional one, mix it up with modern typography or vintage initials. Add in something that's special to you, from image of your pets to your favourite sports and you can create your own 'coats of arms' as such. The colours and feel of this board definitely lend itself to an outdoor summery wedding, crisp appletinis served over ice, fresh fruits, perhaps a bit of a lunchtime picnic wedding?



Top from left: photo by Leo Patrone, Blue Jug unknown, Green Dresses & Ring Cushion via Martha Stewart Weddings
2nd row: Green & Blue bottles via Project Wedding, Golf Clubs by Thayer Photo
3rd row, Birdsong invite by Ruby & Willow, photo by Julie Harmsen, mongrammed towels from Pottery Barn, Blue shoes via Brides Cafe

What's your wedding style? II

If you missed the first of our "What's your wedding style" series click here. The featured invitation this week is a retro style, mixing typography with vintage graphics to give maximum impact. Escort cards in the colour palette make for a striking display at the entrance to your reception, and the motif is carried through for continuity. I love this style and using different shades of the two main colours gives a great effect throughout.



I love, love, LOVE chartreuse green paired with grey and white, especially when you add in a touch of a paler shade of the green as well to give a bit of depth. It's so fresh and lush. Definitely a nice option for an outdoor summer wedding but would work equally well in a fabulous urban location.

Check this out....

This is hilarious!! By the husband of Broke-Ass Bride. Very clever. Check out her website and don't miss photos of her amazing wedding!

Wedding snapshot

Busy busy day today getting jobs out the door and drafts to client but I just had to share this adorable photo with you by Karen Wise. I love it!
Check back in tomorrow for the second in our What's your Wedding Style series. Click here if you missed the first one. Have a happy day!

Real Wedding: Angela + Nick

We have the pleasure of another pretty wedding sent in from Nicole Marsden today. Angela & Nick got married at The Terraces in Taupo which is such a beautiful venue. The classic and elegant florals were provided by Bloomin Flowers in Taupo, and the cake made by Coral Sherrard was simple and elegant matching the overall feeling of the wedding perfectly. The bridesmaids were decked out in lovely blue strapless dresses and Angela's dress is from Alfred Angelo. Jeannie Mae did all the invitations and reception stationery and the most valuable part of the day according to Angela? Her fabulous celebrant Belinda de Lautour. In Angela's words "She helped make our day run very smoothly and kept our ceremony traditional, yet relaxed." so for any of your Taupo/Central North Island brides still on the hunt for a celebrant, check out her website.
I will hand it over to the Bride who has kindly given us some further details about her elegant day below....



How did you meet?
We met while working for Fisher & Paykel in Auckland – a true ‘office romance’.
Tell us about your proposal:
We were away in Europe for a 5 week holiday. Nick knew how excited I was about going to Paris and while we were sitting in the ‘Champ de Mars’ (the beautiful park underneath the Eiffel Tower), Nick got down on one knee and proposed. It was the most romantic day ever. I was so shocked that he had managed to keep it all secret from me – even asking both of my parents for their permission & choosing the engagement ring all by himself before we left NZ.
Tell us about finding your wedding dress:
I spent 2 days with my chief bridesmaid, my sister & my mum darting between the different bridal dress shops in Auckland. I’m sure I was driving them all mad, as I couldn’t find one dress that I liked! The very last shop we went into, I finally found the one I had been dreaming of. I fell in love with it as soon as I put it on.
What was the design inspiration for your wedding?
We wanted an ‘elegant but fun’ summer wedding. We choose to have the ceremony & reception at the Terraces Hotel in my hometown of Lake Taupo. Our colour theme was silver & blue & we followed this theme through with all of our stationary, bridesmaids dresses & centrepieces.
Describe your wedding flowers:
It was so exciting choosing all of our flowers. We were so lucky to work with the absolutely amazing team at Bloomin Flowers in Taupo. We loved the idea of using beautiful white roses – this helped keep with our ‘elegant’ theme. My bouquets, along with the bridesmaids were white roses, with a little greenery underneath & a few diamante spread amongst the flowers. For our centrepieces, we used tall vases, sitting on a round mirror, with roses in the middle and silver ribbon weaved up the sides of the vase.
Describe your wedding cake:
Our wedding cake had 3 tiers, with 2 layers of chocolate cake and the top layer made of fruitcake – all covered in white icing with silver beading. We carried through with the rose theme and had 3 white roses, made beautifully of icing, sitting on the top.
Favourite detail of the day:
We loved having all of our family and friends together in one place; it was so incredibly special to us both.
What advise would you give out to someone planning their wedding?
Choose your wedding theme early in the planning stages – that way you will find everything will flow easily from there onwards. Don’t worry too much about all of the small details – everything will come together on the day. The day goes so quickly so enjoy every second!
Were there any special traditions that you included?
Although we got married in a garden setting, we still had traditional wedding vows and my mum & dad both gave me away – that was a very special moment. We were lucky enough to have a wonderful celebrant – Belinda de Lautour. She helped to keep our ceremony very traditional, yet relaxed.
Most memorable moment?
Walking down the isle with my mum and dad and seeing each other for the first time.
What’s next for you as a couple?
We have had a very action-packed year with a fantastic honeymoon in Fiji straight after our wedding. About two months following that, we made a big lifestyle change and moved out of the hustle & bustle of Auckland and up to Kerikeri, in the beautiful Bay of Islands. It has been such an exciting year for us both & right now, we are just enjoying all of our amazing changes!

Amsale Bridesmaid Dresses

I've recently discovered these gorgeous dresses from Amsale and whilst unfortunately for you New Zealand brides there isn't a stockist here, but the good news is that they're not too far out of reach. You can get them from Angela Wilson in Paddington, Sydney - and I know many a bride who has popped over for some inspiration in the planning process - great excuse for a pre-wedding girls weekend! The collection is quite extensive in a fantastic array of colours. I love the feminine ruffles and the drape of the fabric. The top two are my absolute favourites! The deep midnight blue is to die for and the other one.....well it's green! Say no more.

Check out Amsale's website for the full collection - plenty of wedding gowns on there as well.

Board#17: Seafoam and Buttermilk

Oh how I love this colour combo....so pretty....and of course I just had to continue with my love affair with yellow! I'm hoping that if I 'think yellow' long enough, that big ball of it in the sky might make an appearance sometime this month (yup it's been that dire!). I think these colours lend themselves quite well to a whimsical affair, especially with those fantastic pinwheels! I love how the seafoam shade just tones the yellow down from being all together too sweet....a touch of grey in there would also be nice. And of course pitchers of lemonade - you can't go wrong!



Top row from left: Photo by Stephanie Williams, Invite by Ruby & Willow, photo from Martha Stewart Weddings
2nd row: Lemon Centrepiece by A Hana Design, Pinwheel Photo by Dana & Jeremy Photography, Bedroom Photo by Chris Everard
3rd row: Peony bouquet and yellow flowers by A Hana Design, Dress by Jane Yeh

What's your wedding style? I

This is the first of a new weekly series of mini-inspiration boards. With scrumptious colour palettes and a snapshot of prettyness I'll run these in conjunction with stationery that's been designed around it or at least in these colours. Hope you enjoy - and if you have a particular colour scheme you'd like to see please email me and we'll see what we can magic up!!

Bliss out

I'm just a wee bit over all this rain we've been having lately and I'm dreaming of warm sunny afternoons lazing around in a garden that looks like this... (mine one day hopefully!!) It would definitely involve a refreshing Pimms drink or two, a good book/magazine, and possible the addition of a recliner to REALLY relax! Ah bliss!