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Our Dec issue is a great holiday read! We feature 250 plus ideas to inspire you and look at every aspect of your big day! Jewellery, fashion, flowers, grooms and all the finishing touches can be found. We showcase the latest gowns plus gorgeous vintage styling ideas are included. For your reception, we find venue options that have incredible views. There's plenty of gorgeous real-life weddings to read for inspiration. A spot of celebrity style is the icing on the cake! Get your copy now!
The Bride Bloggers
Monthly Archives: August 2011
iBride
I don’t know about you, but I think online shopping is one the best things to happen to me since sliced bread. I spend hours on Asos, am easily distracted by new items in the Top Shop sale section, and Urban Outfitters is my new best friend slash worst enemy.
If you love the convenience and excitement of the world of online purchasing just as much as me, then why not head to the Internet for some wedding steals? While there’s no replacement for trying on a shoe or dress in the store, or running your hand over the perfect table cloth in person, the Internet opens up a whole wide world of bridal inspiration!
Wonder what the web could give your wedding? Here are a few ideas!
Vintage treasure trove
We all know antique is in, and if you’re seeking bits and bobs for a chic, vintage-inspired wedding, then the Internet is one of the best places to start. From cute old milkbottles and glass jars for flower vases, to ribbon trimmings, candles and lanterns, look no further than eBay. You’ll be amazed at the range – and prices – of quality decorations, no matter the theme or look. Worried you’ll never use them again? Take care to make sure they’re kept in pristene condition and put them back on eBay!
Hand-made heaven
One of my favourite destinations for the most beautiful and unique hand-crafted or vintage goods is Etsy. You can find everything from jewellery to invitations on here, plus some unique decorative ideas made by some very creative people!
Online-only
Are you a committed citizen of the digital age? Or just an environmentally-conscious bride? Companies like Paperless Wedding offer online options to save paper and keep all your guests informed, with email or online invites, integrated gift lists, a messageboard and photo-hosting site. In addition to this, many brides and grooms-to-be are opting for online gift registries for busy guests to browse, click and buy.
All in the dress
While it’s true that caution must be employed when buying any clothing online, there’s no reason why your dream dress couldn’t be waiting for you in cyberspace. Be sure to do plenty of research, and if the dress is second hand, ask lots of questions or request more information. Compare measurements carefully, and make sure to check any terms and conditions just in case your new white dress is more not all you’d imagined. Remember that a keen eye and some good tailoring could be all you need to make a potential candidate the perfect option!
Have a look at some of these thrifty vintage-inspired steals – just a taste of what you could find in the online treasure chest!
Whatever the need, the Internet always comes through. Be careful and research everything thoroughly, and you could find yourself with a wedding made in online heaven.
Hannah x
Snap-happy
Image courtesy Jonas Peterson Photography
As a bride (or groom) to be, your head is probably filled with ideas for making your big day memorable. From unique decorations to thoughtful bomboniere, it can at times be difficult to sift the inspiring from the “done before”. And while the day is most certainly about you and your other half, you will want your guests to have the best time possible, with memories that will outlast the champagne and canapés.
Why not take the cue of many couples who are opting for an addition to traditional wedding photography by hiring a fun photobooth for the reception! Everyone loves getting a bit silly, taking photos of themselves and maybe even dressing up in outrageous costumes, so get your guests inspired to create memories with this fun idea.
There are countless options for varying budgets, but if your pocketbook doesn’t stretch that far, why not create your own? Simply source a backdrop – whether it’s a large image, a curtain (borrowed or home-made) or just an obliging, unused wall; a tripod and camera; and a kind friend or family member to click the button. Provide revellers with silly props like novelty glasses, hats, feather boas, gloves or anything you can find in the trusty dress-up box for some comedic photographs to laugh over later on.
Image courtesy Epic Photography
The resulting souvenirs will give you endless enjoyment, and you could think about creating a special scrapbook of your photographs later on, or even sending one to each corresponding guest as a personalised thank you note or post-wedding gift. They’ll love it just as much as you!
Ben Adams Photography has set up their own photobooth company servicing lucky brides and grooms in selected parts of New South Wales, providing fun props, unlimited photos and prices including set-up and collection. With the suitably silly monniker “Crazy Booths”, couples can opt to retrieve their memories online or on disc. Check it out here, or take a peek at the Crazy Booth blog for some chuckle-worthy inspiration.
If you’re not lucky enough to be within Ben’s reach, try some of these other great booth suppliers, or just get Googling!
Little Black Booths
Australian Photobooth Company
Flashback Photobooths
Photo Booth Hire Melbourne
Adelaide Photobooths
Happy Snapping!
Hannah x
Designer Profile – Jennifer Regan
Jennifer Regan has long been one of our favourite designers here at Bride, we love her contemporary, feminine style.
Jennifer undertook extensive formal training in fashion design, theatre costume, couture and evening wear at Sydney’s prestigious National Art School, formerly East Sydney Technical College. She was one of the first bridal designers to set up shop in funky Sydney suburb Newton, opening her doors more than ten years ago. Ever since, brides have been flocking to her King Street boutique for her haute couture and ready to wear gowns.
Formerly trading under the name ‘Embryo’, Jennifer’s gowns are all about elegance, sophistication, romance and glamour. Her signature style is slim line goddess gowns in softly layered silk. She focuses on attention to detail, with her designs featuring beautiful French and English lace and intricate beading.
Jennifer’s experience and training mean that she knows what brides want. At her appointments she takes the time to learn each bride’s sense of style and carefully fit each gown. Her latest dreamy ‘Romance’ collection beautiful illustrates her hallmark graceful simplicity.
Visit her website or Facebook page to see more of her beautiful gowns.
The Bride team. xo
Head over heels for headpieces
Stephanie Browne headpiece
If you’re looking for a way to dress up your hair on your wedding day, and you’ve opted not to wear a veil, why not consider a gorgeous headpiece! Headpieces are a great way to finish off your bridal look and are usually used as an alternative to veils.
It also depends on what look you are trying to achieve. If you want to be a very traditional bride, chances are you will choose to wear a veil, but if you are going for a vintage or 1920s look, a headpiece is the perfect way to polish off one’s ensemble. They are also great for more relaxed or casual style wedding – such as a beach or garden theme; and the great thing about a headpiece is you can select a simple and dainty look or you can be as bold as you like and choose something dazzling and intricate.
Designer Stephanie Browne has an extensive and eclectic range of headpieces, which are very popular within the bridal realm. Take a look at some of her gorgeous designs here!
Sophie X
Let Them Eat Cake
Image courtesy Image Eight
While the big decisions (gown, venue, date) are important when planning your wedding, that doesn’t mean you should skim over the smaller stuff. As the saying goes, it’s all in the detail! The small details can really bring your wedding theme together and help set the tone for the whole event.
When it comes to your wedding cake, the most obvious place to start is an elegant fruitcake with white or cream icing. A traditional choice, fruitcake isn’t necessarily a dull option. Kate Middleton and Prince William’s magnificent fruit wedding cake was far from bland. The eight-tiered masterpiece was decorated with cream and white icing and featured up to 900 individually iced flowers.
The official photos from our other favourite Kate’s wedding have just been released through US Vogue and it appears that Kate and Jamie put a little spin on the traditional with their wedding cake. Guests at ‘MossStock’ enjoyed what was actually a pyramid of six cakes, each a different flavour, crusted with droplets of icing-sugar lily-of-the-valley blossoms.
The Royal Wedding cake and the 'MossStock' cake
If traditional isn’t your thing, a popular alternative to cakes at the moment is cupcake towers or even cake pops. These more modern choices help you to cater to different tastes or food restrictions by easily having more than one flavour available.
In our real-life weddings, we’re also seeing a lot of couples ditch the cake option altogether and replacing it with creative ideas like croquembouche, macaron towers or the new emerging favourite, dessert buffets!
Traditional cake alternatives via Martha Stewart Weddings
Mmmm, it all looks so delicious! And if even a croquembouche isn’t a bold enough choice for you, you could always have a cake inspired by your favourite video game, or even by yourself. Yes, it has been done.
Mario Cart inspired wedding cake by Christopher Garrens and a life-size bride cake by Absolutely Edible Cakes
Happy eating!
Rachael.
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