Board#7: Smoky Lavender

Sorry ... a wee bit late posting the board this week but I've been crazy busy with photo shoots, and web updating trying to get all my new work up on the site. It's going to have a whole new look and I'm really excited about how it's going so far. Will post some photos later in the week.

I've had a bit of a thing for purple lately, there's so many different hues and it accents perfectly with a lot of different colours. Try it with a chartreuse or olive green for a something a bit different. I particularly love it with a charcoal, especially when using two different shades like a muted lavender and a deeper beet colour. Telling your Bridesmaids you're dressing them in lavender may not go down too well to start with but with the right shade and amazing accessories it would look stunning! And just think of where you could go with the flowers..... so many options!























Top row from left: Vintage Brooch via Courtney Lambert, Photo in field Simply Bloom
Row 2: Bridesmaid & Hydrangeas by Meg Smith, Mini Cakes from Martha Stewart, Photo from Sweet Paul
Row 3: Potted Lavender from Earth Friendly Weddings, Duvet Set from Wallace Cotton, Savon Marseille Soap

Autumn Weddings

I loved Kate's gorgeous autumn mood board. What a great time to have a wedding when the day's are crisp and clear, the nights are cold and the leaves are turning. There is always the chance of rain though, but that can easily be offset by having a venue with a fire place and using warm autumn colours.

As for flowers, I especially love the spicy scent of chrysanthemums at this season. Church arrangements of golden chrysanthemums, berried branches and autumn leaves look and smell wonderful and brighten up the gloomiest interior. You could tie in your bridal bouquets by using berries and red throated, yellow cymbidium orchids and maybe red roses. Rich and warm and perfect for the time of year.

Real Wedding: Justine + Brad

What better way to brighten up a winter wedding than infusing a vibrant yellow throughout the day, from the invitations, to the flowers & bridesmaids dresses, and considering the weather on the day in question was somewhat challenging, I'm sure it was much appreciated. Justine mailed me when they were living in France to start on the invitation process. They wanted to pay homage to their Samoan heritage by bringing in colour and using tropical flowers for their theme. The Auckland Museum was the beautiful setting for this wedding, and all these stunning photos are courtesy of the fabulously talented Steve Sharp from Shots Photography. The event was wonderfully coordinated by Exquisite Weddings, Flowers by Orlando, and the gorgeous dress from Jane Yeh and the cake from Celebration Cakes.



How did you meet?
We met as teenagers travelling on the train to the city where our high schools were situated.
Tell us about your proposal:
My husband surprised me at the Sky City grand hotel which was totally unexpected as we were only there to use up the vouchers he received free from work! He proposed on the balcony of our room which was lovely.
Tell us about finding your wedding dress:
I had an initial plan of what I wanted my wedding dress to look like so it was simply requiring the best dressmaker to turn my dream wedding dress into reality.
What was the design inspiration for your wedding?
Our ethnicity of Samoan culture inspired much of our day as well as our love for summer which we tried to incorporate into our winter wedding day.
Describe your wedding flowers:
Yellow singaporian flowers chosen by my husband.
Describe your wedding cake:
We had a 10 tier white chocolate cake which represented our 10 years of dating. It was decorated with white & yellow frangipanis and grey ribbon.
Favourite detail of the day:
The reception setting with the floral arrangements. So effective especially in the Museum dome.
What advise would you give out to someone planning their wedding?
Start as early as possible.
Were there any special traditions that you included?
My last dance with my father as well as the traditional samoan dances each of us performed with our families.
Most memorable moment?
My husband’s speech.
What’s next for you as a couple?
We are now focusing on our careers which includes having to live our 1st year of marriage in separate countries however we are so happy (and relieved) we had the wedding day of our dreams.

We wish Justine & Brad all the best for their future, and hope they'll be living in the same country sometime soon!

Board#6: Autumnal Affair

Autumn or Fall (for you US readers!!) has to be my favourite season. I LOVE the colours and the coziness of it all. Unfortunately in Auckland it's rather short lived and we don't get the full effects of it the same as you would further down south or overseas. I was lucky enough to spend some time in New England one October and got to experience the change of colours in all it's full glory and it's certainly a site to behold. There's so much fun you could have with this theme, especially with dressing up your tables; get creative and use fruit for your centrepieces or as placecard holders; line your aisle with leaves rather than petals.....have fun with it!






















Row 1 from left: Wreath from Martha Stewart Weddings, Jewellry from Etsy, Leaf Aisle by Karen Tran
Row 2: Invitation from Kate Holland Design, Red Shoes by Elizabeth Messina
Row 3: Flowergirls from Martha Stewart, Place Cards from Kate Holland Design,
Row 4: Bride & Groom photo by Meg Smith, Invitation from Kate Holland Design

Calling all DIY Brides....

I often send out swatch cards for brides wanting to purchase Envelopments stock to make their own invitations and this is one that went out yesterday. I'm so in love with this colour combination, it has to be one of my all time favourites, and easy to use in any style wedding whether it be seaside, vineyard, or garden. The Envelopments range is a fantastic collection of DIY components with more colours that you'll know what you do with! If you want further information on it you'll find more details on my website and there are plenty of examples in the custom galleries as well.

Blog Love

I am loving this blogging world and I'm thrilled that merely a month after launching and having done very little to get it out to the world, we've had our first 'review' by a fellow blogger.....so a big thanks goes to Julia from Paper Ballerinas. For all of you working through a very rainy day today here's a bit of island envy for you! Don't you wish you were here.....

Real Wedding: Penny + Jamie

Penny and Jamie were lucky enough to get married in beautiful Rarotonga. The wedding was held on Aitutaki Island which as you can see made for a stunning venue. The fabulous photography was by Bruce Gabites from Fine Photography, I absolutely love that black & white shot of the two of them walking through the palm trees! Stationery designed by Ruby & Willow and assembled by the Bride herself. And so many little thoughtful touches were added by Penny. She did a great job!



How did you meet?
We met 8 years ago. I was working part time in a surf shop while I was studying at University. Jamie came in one afternoon to buy something and ended up asking me out.
Tell us about your proposal:
It took place on a very stormy and blustery evening at Black Rock on Milford Beach.
Tell us about finding your wedding dress:
I didn’t really look around at too many dresses because I had a very specific idea in mind about the dress I wanted. I met with Faye Marmont of Saranne Fabrics to discuss my ideas and the result was my beautiful, hand made, one of a kind wedding dress.
What was the design inspiration for your wedding?
Jamie and both love to surf, love to spend our time at the beach and love the era of the 1950’s and 1960’s. These things are what make us who we are so we tried to incorporate them all in to our day. I think it worked – it ended up being a little bit like Frank Sinatra meets the Beach Boys.
Describe your wedding flowers:
The Bridesmaids and I carried posies of Frangipani and Gardenia. We also wore Frangipani in our hair. Jamie and the Groomsmen wore Gardenia button holes and both of our Mums wore Gardenia Wristbands. The table arrangements were Frangipani and Gardenia.
Describe your wedding cake:
We had a three tiered fruit cake (We chose fruit cake so it would last in the heat of the islands). The three tiers were covered in white fondant with white satin ribbon. Adorning the top and the sides of the cakes were beautiful hand made icing Frangipani flowers. My very nervous Mum and Dad bought the cakes over in the plane with them from Auckland. They arrived perfectly.
Favourite detail of the day:
Everyone had to catch a glass bottom boat to the island that we were getting married on. All of the female guests were given a white paper and bamboo parasol as they got off the boat to shade them from the hot day. (They also proved handy during a very brief sun shower).
What advise would you give out to someone planning their wedding?
The day absolutely flies so if you can stretch to the extra expense get the day filmed.
Were there any special traditions that you included?
I tied a small black and white wedding photo of both of our parents weddings around my boutique. Both couples have been married for over 40 years. I also carried an American Penny from the year of my birth which is meant to bring good luck and fortune.
Most memorable moment?
Having my brother marry us. And being surrounded by our closest family and friends.
What’s next for you as a couple?
Shortly after we got home from Rarotonga Jamie and I bought a house and 2 acres of land which is keeping is very busy.

Man Flowers!

In Victorian times a gentleman wore a bloom in his buttonhole as a matter of course. Now we save it for a special occasions...like the wedding. It is a way of identifying the bridal party and a nice way to make special male guests feel included. Usually the grooms boutonniere reflects the brides bouquet and the groomsmen match the maids bouquet but you can really do whatever you like. If your man baulks at the idea of a pink rose you can offer him lots of alternatives.

How about feathers instead of flowers? A koru or curly fern frond always works well with strips of flax or grass and looks very masculine. Berries, rosehips or eucalyptus nuts with grass ,vine and leaves could also be the answer. Then there is always the thistle head which looks great teamed with tartan ribbon and a country theme.

I suspect most guys really love to get dressed up, pin on the boutonniere and sashay forth on their wedding day. Here are a few ideas that stray away from the typical.

Board#5: Garden Tea

Pink & Blue isn't a colour scheme you see too often but when you put it all together we think it looks fabulous! Mix up different shades of pink to keep it interesting and textural. Throw some polka dots into the affair to add a touch of whimsy or try bridesmaids in a deep midnight blue. Stunning!

Palette: Pink & Navy
Sweet & girly with a sophisticated tone