Monthly Archives: September 2011

From runway to aisle – Part 1: London Fashion Week

After avidly following the coverage of London Fashion Week last week with my Bride thinking cap firmly on my head, I noticed just how much of mainstream fashion can overflow into Bridal trends. Whether you’re taking cues from magazines or the runway, the Brownlow or the Emmy’s, there’s a plethora of inspiration to give your special day a touch of style.

While it’s true that runway styles often require a little intervention before they’re actually street – or aisle – suitable, the collections at London Fashion Week this year were surprisingly wearable, and by extension, surprisingly bride-friendly. It looks like bright colours, florals and prints will see us through for another season, and as I write this from stormy, grey Spring Melbourne it’s a welcome change to monochrome and neutrals!

Whether it’s colours for theming, details of decorations, accessories for your wedding toile, a daring dash of colour to your gown, or bridesmaid’s attire worthy of Pippa Middleton herself, the clothes are just the starting point for a wealth of design ideas.

We’ve compiled a little list of our LFW wedding-happy highlights for a little bit of inspiration – and sunshine!

Feminine floaty florals at Erdem

Beautiful tailoring, floaty fabrics, cornflower and hydrangea blues, and delicate lace were perfectly complemented by the elegant surrounds of the Savoy Hotel ballroom. I think I could plan a whole wedding around this!

Images Courtesy Vogue.co.uk

Sharp tailoring and metallics at Christopher Kane

Whether it’s a chic Mother-of-the-Bride look with classic tailoring, some more floral delights for your bridesmaids, or perhaps a touch of something shiny in the décor, Christopher Kane’s Ready to Wear collection had plenty to drool over.

Images courtesy Vogue.co.uk

Brights and embellishment at Matthew Williamson

Always one to make the headlines, Matthew Williams turned to texture and embellishment for his latest collection, with fringing, jewels, chiffon and pleats.

Images courtesy Vogue.co.uk

Bold and beautiful at Clements Ribeiro

Featuring clashing black and white checks with lace and candy striped with delicate florals, Clements Ribeiro reflected what UK Vogue described as “a light summer mood inspired by afternoons dabbling in British sunshine infusing the London collections”. Gorgeous!

Images courtesy Vogue.co.uk

Candy sweet at Meadham Kirchoff

While the designs and the fairy floss hair might not be to everyone’s taste, the thing to take from Meadham Kirchoff for the modern bride, is a colour palette to die for. Infuse a bit of pastel magic into your bridesmaid’s dresses, bomboniere or decorations, or perhaps your own bridal attire – why not try some coloured jewels or a coloured satin sash?

Images courtesy Vogue.co.uk

70′s goddesses at Ashley Isham

It was discotheque meets Charlie’s Angels with a dash of greek mythology at Ahsley Isham. She showcased some very elegant silhouettes, which would suit a beautiful goddess-style bridal gown, as well as some perfect print and colour combinations – a decorator’s dream!

Images courtesy Vogue.co.uk

Sumptuous silk at Izmaylova

If there was one thing to take from Izmaylova, it was the power of silk. Add some vibrant colour into the mix and don’t look back. From stylish Mother-of-the-Bride suiting to and flattering bridal gown, silks and satins will never fail.

Images courtesy Vogue.co.uk

Saloni does draping

Drapery, drapery, your very best friend. It covers, glides and flatters so many figures, and Saloni has given it a fresh spring update in delicate florals and lace.

Images courtesy Vogue.co.uk

Simple elegance at Felicity Brown

If I were to fall asleep and fall into a dream world right now, at my desk, my thoughts would most likely be filled with dresses like these: floaty and feminine, reminiscent of ballet concerts and gelato.

Images courtesy Vogue.co.uk

Saving the best for last: Jonathan Saunders

When I first saw these pictures, I was simply blown away. Jonathan Saunders has captured something simply perfect in his collection – it’s elegant, feminine and fresh. It’s brilliant in its simplicity, and that’s the best thing a bride can remember: intricate detail isn’t everything, and sometimes too much is simply, too much. If in doubt, keep it classic and simple. Chanel knew it, Jonathan Saunders has reminded us, and we’d do well to remember.

Images courtesy Vogue.co.uk

Stay tuned for more from Milan and Paris fashion weeks!

Hannah x

Striving for Simonelli

Image courtesy of Herald Sun

Image courtesy of Herald Sun

Monday night’s Brownlow Medal Awards was full of glitz, glamour and gorgeous girls adorned in some seriously eye-catching frocks. The blue carpet was rife with glamed-up WAGs draped in gowns from some very popular and well-known designers, including a few from some of Australia’s leading bridal designers!

Julie Simonelli from Simonelli Bridal Couture had a number of her fashion-forward designs make an appearance on the blue carpet, but there was one gown in particular that really stole the show. Jimmy Bartell’s girlfriend Nadia Coppolino turned heads and looked striking in a fitted, vivid emerald green stunner, designed by Simonelli, which has caused a bit of a stir among Melbourne brides-to-be.

There has been a very positive response from Coppolino’s Brownlow frock and it has incited a frenzy from brides-to-be, many who are feverishly calling Simonelli in an attempt to get their very own replica of this dress for their wedding!

Bride had a quick chat with Julie this morning to talk about the wild little emerald jewel and why brides are desperate to snatch one for themselves.

“Nadia is a very stylish girl, so we wanted to create something that would project a fashion-forward image. We worked together to create a design that emulates the current trends from overseas, as Nadia is always up-to-date with the latest fashions.”

“Girls always look to events such as the Brownlows for style inspiration, and are inspired by fashionable women such as Nadia. The cut of her dress is very couture and absolutely perfect for a bridal gown.”

“It is really more like a piece of art than a gown,” says Julie.

A lot of time and effort was put into Nadia’s dress, and it’s no wonder that brides who are after something a little bit extra special for their wedding dress are enticed by this particular design…

“It is a hand-draped piece so it took around 50-60 hours to make and Nadia had about five fittings all together, to make sure it was absolutely perfect,” says Julie.

It is always important to find a wedding dress that flatters your figure, so with this particular design, Julie advises that it is best suited to women with an hourglass shape, and pear-shaped girls should steer away from this cut.

Asked whether the design existed in a bridal dress before a Brownlow dress, Julie laughs, “No! I suppose we were actually inspired by ourselves!”

Bridal designers shine at the Brownlow

It was AFL’s night of nights, but many of our favourite bridal designers were on show for the blue carpet arrivals!

Designer Simonelli dressed Erin Maxwell

Simonelli also designed Nadia Coppolino's emerald stunner

Amaline Vitale dressed Lauren Polter

Alex Perry designed Symone Dimitriou's pink frock

There was also plenty of white and ivory frocks to give you some blue carpet bridal inspiration:

And of course, plenty of ideas for your bridesmaids:

We hope you loved the blue carpet fashions as much as we did!

Jamie x

Weddings around the world!

Image courtesy of Image Eight

Image courtesy of Image Eight

Warm, sultry air…sparkling, blue water…blushing skies and crimson suns. Picture yourself exchanging your vows with your loved one upon a blanket of pure, soft sand with a sunset as your backdrop. You can – by getting hitched abroad!

Tying the knot overseas is becoming more and more popular for couples, and with an abundance of gorgeous destinations to choose from, we can see why!

With exotic destinations such as Thailand, Fiji and Bali just a hop, skip and a jump away from our shores, it’s really no surprise that couples are opting to exchange their vows upon some of the most picturesque beaches in the world.

The warm climate at these destinations is also enticing, particularly if you want to have a beach wedding.

Although this all sounds achingly romantic, there are still a few things that you must be aware of before deciding upon a destination wedding.

Legal requirements

If you’re thinking of tying the knot overseas, remember marriage laws vary substantially between countries. Depending on where you go, you might have to provide passports, visas, blood test results and a lot of official documentation before you can be granted an internationally recognised marriage certificate.

Wherever you decide to get married, make sure you find out what the local marriage laws are. There are many useful booklets and internet sites that can help you find out the relevant laws and obtain copies of official documents or you can contact the local tourism bureau. If this all sounds too hard, don’t worry, there are other options available.

Money, money, money

Before you get swept up in the romantic notion of getting married abroad, don’t forget to consider the costs and logistical issues involved.

Flights and accommodation costs are usually the biggest variable in destination weddings. It is likely some of your guests will not be able to afford to come to your wedding if you choose to have it overseas.

Many travel companies offer deals for groups of 10 or more people. You can usually get a group discount on airfares, travel insurance and sometimes hotels depending on how many rooms need to be booked.

Don’t forget to pick up a copy of our Bride Destination magazine!

Here are some of our gorgeous real-life weddings that might inspire you for your own destination wedding!

Sophie X

Image courtesy of D'Amico Photography

Image courtesy of D'Amico Photography

Image courtesy of Maureen Haynes Photography

Image courtesy of Maureen Haynes Photography

Image courtesy of Photo Factory

Image courtesy of Photo Factory

Image courtesy of Savva International

Image courtesy of Savva International

Image courtesy of Huellas Del Caribe

Image courtesy of Huellas Del Caribe

Image courtesy of Friendly Fire

Image courtesy of Friendly Fire

Image courtesy of Savva International

Image courtesy of Savva International

Image courtesy of We Heart Photography

Image courtesy of We Heart Photography

Catherine R Couture – A New Store

Catherine R's new boutique in Strathalbyn St Kew East Vic

On a balmy Monday night in Melbourne, Catherine R Couture held a launch for her new boutique in Kew East. After many years of operating out of Ivanhoe, her new store is very sleek and elegant and full of her beautiful gowns in a wide range of styles.

Catherine is renowned for evoking eras gone by in her stunning creations and you can find anything from a bias cut, slinky 1930′s inspired to a gown with a full princess style A-line skirt and French lace beaded tight bodice.

Bride attended the evening and enjoyed a glass of bubbly, the charming ambiance of the new store and of course chatting with Catherine herself about her work. Here’s a few snaps from the evening!

Catherine (left) with her new retail neighbour Tina from Xocolatl artisan chocolates and cafe.

The busy workroom! All beautifully organised.

If you haven’t got your dress yet it’s well worth a trip to East Kew to see have a look through her gorgeous collection.

Kirstie :)