Chinese Whispers anyone?

A proposal with a difference......too cute! The look on her face is priceless. Anyone else out there got an original proposal story??

Happy Friday everyone, have a fab weekend!

Board#13: Rich & Opulent

2 boards in one week you ask? I know.....I'm outdoing myself :-) This is sooo different to the board earlier in the week, but no less gorgeous! Perfect for a winter wedding, the rich warm colours are so luxurious and decadent! I picture it with mulled wine, a roaring fire, candlelight, pretty gold details and a yummy hearty spread!

AmberSky Jewelry

Jewelry doesn't have to be an expensive addition to your wedding outfit. Etsy is a great place to find some unique pieces at prices that won't break the budget. I recently came across AmberSky's shop and she has pretty vintage style pieces....here's a selection of my favourites.

Board#12: Seafoam & Coral

This is my favourite colour scheme at the moment, it's so fresh and pretty and unexpected. So many different shades of coral to play with and the seafoam tones compliment it perfectly. Perfect for a spring or summer wedding, imagine how much fun you would have dressing bridesmaids in these colours - perhaps using both, or in different shades of the one. Different styles of dresses would look great too.

Let them eat cake

Wedding cakes are such a traditional part of a wedding. For some couples it is not a big must have, for others it can be the center piece! Your wedding cake can also be practical as well as visually stunning. Instead of just serving with coffee you can use your cake for dessert – ensuring that it will be eaten and can also save you a few dollars on your dessert costs.
It is always fun to style your wedding cake to enhance your theme. Or you may find the cake you love will be the first part of your styling process. Which ever way you go – cakes can be a lot of fun. From traditional white fondant icing with beautiful hand decorating that replicates the beautiful details of your gown, to the funky fun styling of a mad hatter’s cake. You can certainly make it memorable.
Grooms love to be involved in the cake tasting process but often the rest of detail is left to the bride. A good cake maker can help you figure out just what size of cakes you will need for your guest numbers, let you taste the marvels of their different flavours of cake, replicate a style you have seen or creatively design your unique cake style.
Family or friends may also be able to make your wedding cake – just make sure that they can confidently do this or you may find yourself the week of the wedding in a panic with a cake that is undercooked, over cooked or just not what you had in mind. I have a few rules for cakes: no guys, no flies, no fridges (unless specifically required). A whole book can be written on the demise of wedding cakes from collapsing on route, attack of the local ants, to little Johnnies fingers.
Jenny Nichols from For Heavens Cakes is a delight to work with and as you can see from her cake images very diverse in her styling. Check out her website for more samples of her work.

Bridal Shower venue

I recently came across Smith, a cute little bar in the Britomart area of downtown Auckland, and it got me thinking it would be a great place to do 'high tea'....something I used to do at The Ritz once a year when living in London...oh so posh! It's a lovely way to spend an afternoon with your girlfriends, and is a great way to celebrate a bridal shower or refined hens do! And how gorgeous is that decor? I love all the frames on that green wall and those chairs look like you could get stuck in them for hours! Check out www.smith-bar.co.nz.

Have a nice weekend everyone - apparently we're in for some sun for the first weekend in ages! Woohoo!

Fiji by Night...

So further to my Fiji by day wardrobe earlier in the week, here's my selection for those warm evenings dining under the stars!!!
This has got me thinking about honeymoon wardrobes which are always fun to pack for. If you're heading for warmer climates you'll definitely be needing a couple of different swimsuits to swan around the pool in....and then of course some fabulous sarongs and kaftans to throw on as you saunter over to the cocktail bar! Not to mention the accessories (accessories maketh the outfit!). Then of course you'll need a few outfits to take you through into the wee hours, some easy dresses to throw on for dinner and pretty metallic flip-flops to show off your newly tanned feet. Bon Voyage!

It's all in the details...

Now this is my kind of wedding; rustic, organic, full of character and personality, and stylish to boot!! And it just goes to show that you really don't need to be super elaborate to create something fabulous. Who would have thought that simply using lemons could be so incredibly effective. Photography by the incredible Jose Villa, who has managed to capture the detail oh so perfectly.

Real Wedding: Daniel + Laura

I spotted this oh so gorgeous wedding over on Once Wed, and couldn't resist sharing it with you. Shot by Jose Villa, who has got to be one of the most creative photographers I have ever seen - seriously if I could I'd fly to the US and beg him to reshoot my wedding! - this has all the elements of a sweet country affair. I am loving anything with yellow in it these days, whether it be a warm buttery shade, a rich ochre or happy sunshiny lemony yellow (yes they are real words!). I just love how it 'pops' in a wedding and looks fabulous with so many colours. Reception details to follow soon...
Check out more of Jose Villas work on his website, and his blog which is FULL of fabulous images!

Board#11: Teal & Black

I am loving this combination, it's so striking. Very crisp and classic, yet modern all at the same time. Use different shades of teal to create depth and texture. I guess you immediately think of the sea when you use this colour but it works so well for an inner city wedding as well.






















Row 1 from left: photo by Tec Petaja, Vintage Stamps via 100 Layer Cake, photo from Martha Stewart
Row 2: photo from Martha Stewart, bride & car photo by Katie Moos
Row 4: Headband and Bird Necklace from Etsy.

Fiji by Day....

So my lovely husband has just surprised me with a trip to Fiji in a couple of weeks and I'm in a bit of a dither over what to take to wear! It's always a bit more challenging heading for instant sun when you've been hidden away beneath layer upon layer for months, and heading out to find a few new summery things is near impossible at this time of year. However I did have fun dreaming and came up with the below 'virtual' wardrobe for my Fiji days! This is of course taking into account the toned, tanned, size 8 body that I'm picking up at duty free on my way through.....

Now if only I could click my fingers and this would all be delivered to my front doorstep!
Check back in later in the week for my al fresco dining/evening selection!

Love Images by Gary Hewlett

Gary Hewlett is the fabulous talent behind Love Images, and as you can see from the below images he know's his art! With a wide variety of styles, Gary will tailor the photography to suit you, whether it's a contemporary 'reportage' style you're after or something more traditional. To see more of Gary's work check out his website or his blog.

Photo Booth

I am so in love with this uber-cool photo booth created by Sasha Souza that I saw posted on the amazing Elisabeth Messina's blog. How fabulous are these photos? You could have so much fun with this, coordinating it to work it with the colours/theme of your wedding. There are so many amazing vintage style fabrics you could use here. Photo Booths are a becoming a very popular thing to have at your wedding but this is definitely the most original I've seen. And best of all it wouldn't be too hard to DIY.

Real Wedding: Hema + Nizar

Whilst yesterdays wedding was very crisp and classic and timeless, today's is a complete feast of yummy colour! This gorgeous wedding shot by Susanna Burton, was held at The Wharf. Hema's stunning sari was made by Roop Darshan, Nizar was dressed by Suits on Broadway, and the flowers were by the Flower Factory.


How did you meet?
Nizar and I met in at Auckland University in 2001 through mutual friends who later became our best man and maid of honour.
Tell us about your proposal:
We were on holiday in Queenstown in November 2007 and had decided to drive to Wanaka one day for lunch. Little did I know that on that beautiful sunny day against the backdrop of Lake Wanaka and the mountains that Nizar would ask me to marry him.
Nizar: I had actually told Hema that I wouldn't even consider proposing until we had been going out for 2 years and since the trip to Queenstown was only just over a year into our relationship I was hoping to surprise her. I picked Lake Wanaka because it is so beautiful and I wanted somewhere where we had never been before. We packed a picnic lunch and about midway through the lunch I started getting serious talking about the future and just popped the question right there and then. Hema was very surprised to say the least...and luckily for me she said "yes"! :)
What was the design inspiration for your wedding?
We found an elegant scroll pattern that we used for our invitations this set the scene for the style we wanted. I was also very keen on using silver as a change from gold which is usually used and I have adored shades of lilac and purple for many years.
Describe your wedding flowers:
My mum prepared all of the bridal party flowers which was very special. The main flowers used were white and pink roses. The bridesmaids held round bouquets of white and pink roses with a touch of ivy, while the longer bouquet I carried also included white lilies, white spray carnations, and asparagus fern that was grown in my parent’s garden. The boys all wore white rose button holes with a single ivy leaf and asparagus fern. The flowers at the reception included white roses and white lilies like in my bouquet as well and purple and lilac flowers to compliment the bridal party colours.


Describe your wedding cake:
We had three tiers of chocolate cake, covered in white icing and decorated with a maroon swirl pattern the same as on our invitations.
Favourite detail of the day:
A beautiful silver, pearl and diamante hair pin that I wore. It was lent to me by a friend.
What advise would you give out to someone planning their wedding?
Start preparing early to avoid the stress at the end and get your friends and family to help wherever possible - it takes the pressure off you and they love to be involved.
Were there any special traditions that you included?
We had a separate Hindu ceremony a week before our civil ceremony to respect Hindu traditions for my family. Then at the civil ceremony we recognised Sri Lankan traditions to honour Nizar's family. Firstly, at the venue we had a selection of traditional sweets placed on a small table near the entrance to where our ceremony was held. After we exchanged rings Nizar placed a gold necklace around my neck to welcome me into the family and also during the ceremony we lit a traditional Sri Lankan oil lamp called a Pahana. The Pahana symbolises hope and success and the act of the bride and groom lighting it signifies the start of a bright new future together.
Finally, towards the end of the night after dancing to Sri Lankan Baila music I changed into a red sari for the "going away" ceremony. This is the last part of the reception and is used to show our appreciation for our parents for all their hard work raising us. It was very emotional.
Most memorable moment?
Apart from getting locked in to the Auckland University clock tower while taking photos before the ceremony, my most memorable moment was hearing my heart thumping louder than I have ever heard it before as I reached the altar. There was a very intense "this is it!" feeling that was unexpected and positively overwhelming.
Also....when I had to throw the bouquet to the single girls at the end of the night, I threw it over my shoulder but forgot the low ceiling - and it hit the roof and crashed to the floor in pieces which was a bit embarassing!
What’s next for you as a couple?
We are both very keen to travel overseas. Nizar would love to see the pyramids in Egypt and I would love to visit Spain and Greece.

Real Wedding: Jo + Logan

We have the most fabulous wedding for you today, all beautifully captured by Nicole Marsden. She tried to convince me that she was a relative 'newby' in the business, which may be so, but I'm sure you'll all agree looking at the gorgeousness that is below, she has a bright future ahead of her, so all you brides in the Hawkes Bay/Taupo area, book her while you can!
So onto Jo & Logan; firstly just how gorgeous is the bride! Seriously these photos of her are just stunning! They got married at her family property in Taupo followed by a reception at the Taupo Yacht Club. Her fabulous dress is from Alison Blain, flowers by Bloomin Flowers, hair and makeup by GHQ Hair in Taupo, and catering was providing by Eat Catering.



How did you meet?
Through mutual friends 7 years ago. Some friends had organised for a group of about 15 of us to go over to Great Barrier Island for NY's. Logan had just got back from London and we were both planning on going to Teachers College that year.
Tell us about your proposal:
Was a total surprise. We had organised to go on a trip to Martinborough for the weekend to stay at a family friends bach (basically a shed with no loo or shower!) and go for a walk at the pinnacles on the South Coast. We both ended up being sick with colds that week but decided to go anyway thinking the fresh air would be good. Anyway we got to the top of the pinnacles and Logan whipped out some diamond earrings he had made while away on a work trip. He then further surprised me by driving us to Parehua Estate for the night (www.parehua.co.nz).
Tell us about finding your wedding dress:
Had a good look around at a number of bridal shops but nothing really grabbed me. After doing some research on dressmakers we came across Alison Blain. She was wonderful to work with and designed a dress I felt really comfortable in.
What was the design inspiration for your wedding?
The trees at my parents property in Taupo (where we had the ceremony); lots of American hardwoods which were turning colour.
Describe your wedding flowers:
Vicki from Bloomin Flowers did a fantastic job on our bouquets – the girls had miniature hydrangeas, and Lisianthus. Mine was the same but I had some roses added in also.


Describe your wedding cake:
It was a three tier chocolate cake -Ruth Pretty recipe for chocolate almond celebration cake made by Judy Olsen, Taupo.
Favourite details of the day:
Arriving in a friends white Ford Zephyr driven by my brother Hamish and the ceremony under the trees.
What advise would you give out to someone planning their wedding?
Start planning early, and don’t do things just for the sake of it. Don't sweat the small stuff!
Were there any special traditions that you included?
Not so much a tradition as a really special moment – getting my two grandparents to sign the register as our witnesses.
Most memorable moment?
Logan would say seeing me come down the aisle. I would say the whole day was pretty memorable!
What’s next for you as a couple?
We have just brought a house in Wellington and planning a trip over to France for one of my bridesmaids wedding in September – so sure those will keep us pretty busy for a while anyway.

Board#10: Winter Wonderland

There is something wonderfully magical about a winter wedding. Not to mention tres romantique! A few must haves for me would be a roaring fire, sumptuous table settings with berries and branches, flickering candlelight, and a beautiful (fake) fur wrap to keep me warm. And then of course a honeymoon in the sun!
What would you have for your dream winter wedding?






















Top row from left: Photo by Ericka McConnell, photo by Anna Page, photo by Gary Heller
2nd row: Cupcakes from Martha Stewart
3rd row; White cake from Martha Stewart

Kelly Newland Photography

I recently become familiar with Kelly Newland Photography and she's kindly sent me these stunning shots of a couple who got married in France, then the groom surprised his lucky bride and flew her to New Zealand, where they had Kelly do their wedding shot! He even secretly bought her a dress! It doesn't get more romantic than that!

Wedding Style Guide

We have fallen in love with Wedding Style Guide, a fabulous Australian wedding magazine. It truly is the creme de la creme of wedding magazines, full of fabulous settings, dreamy photography and dresses to swoon over. I'm honestly not exaggerating when I say every page is uber-stylish!

Their latest issue is out now so make sure you hunt one out. I have a list of New Zealand stockists so if anyone would like to know their nearest retailer please email me. I promise you this is one magazine you won't be giving up!

So stylish....

Hair accessories and birdcage veils are all the rage these days and there are so many options to choose from. Check out Etsy for lots of options.
These beauties are by Twigs and Honey. You have to check out this website, it has so many gorgeous things on there. And lucky for us Myra will ship to New Zealand!

Favour labels

As an add on to today's earlier post here are some of the favour labels we have to match our Signature Collection designs. Such a small addition can really make your table go from bland to beautiful without breaking the bank!