Karen Willis Holmes on Summer Design Trends

Summer months mean a lot of lovely beach or garden weddings – don’t we love a casual affair?

Design trends this summer centre around soft and/or structured…

That can mean soft relaxed gowns, like one of our new gowns, ‘Nicole’, that is hip and funky with a different type of neckline. Perfect for a really laid-back wedding ceremony.

But for those of us who would still love some support (who doesn’t really?), fitted corset bodices with sheer overlays and floaty skirts are sensational!

The structured corset gives a sexy hourglass shape while soft overlays of fabrics like georgette and delicate lace can give a desired light, almost ‘ethereal’, effect. V-necklines show off a bit of cleavage in a tasteful way.

Some of our favourite pictures are of one of our couture brides, Jenny Luong, who looked just stunning in her fitted gown with soft georgette, lace and beaded detail. Her new husband looks absolutely ecstatic to be marrying her, and I don’t blame him!

A longer bodice can also work quite well, if you are going for a really accentuated figure- hugging shape, and our gown ‘Karenna’, with its Grecian-like draping, is perfect for that.

If you want something a little different, try ‘Celeste’, a fitted, off the shoulder gown, with beautiful lace and flattering ruching.

Different designs work for different body shapes. Slimmer designs are definitely more the go for hot summer weddings, with floaty light fabrics.

If you are feeling a little body conscious, then the style of a structured gown can work really well. You don’t have to worry about any unwanted bumps showing, as the corset will hide all that for you!

Credits
Thank you to our lovely bride: Jenny Luong

Jonathan Howard on handmade flowers

Handmade flowers for the bride and the bridal party are the perfect bridal accessory for the season.

Of late, I have enjoyed designing flower creations of all types, for the most important day including sprays of Orchids, overblown Roses surrounded by clouds of veiling as well as old fashioned rolled Roses (especially beautiful when they have been hand dyed using ombre organza fabrics – just divine).

These flowers are usually made from the same fabric as the dress, or another material dyed to match such as a sheer fabric, silk or even straw.

The flowers made are done so by using traditional French flower making techniques. All petals are hand cut and tooled using a range of antique brass irons. I like to hand dye the fabric to give the finished flowers a depth and realistic look, by toning the edges and centres to create darker shades or contrasting colours.

An alternative fabric which can makes gorgeous flowers is the use of lace, which has been stiffened, patterns cut out, which are then reassembled to create a delicate miniature flower posy to nestle into the hair. Tre chic! I then add fine silk net veiling to give the flowers that real wedding day feel.

Belinda Franks on Dessert ideas

As we all know, one of the major challenges to overcome when planning your dream wedding, is keeping everyone involved happy. Grooms only tend to appear at tastings
and as caterers we sometimes see brides having to make culinary compromises to keep them happy.

Traditional wedding cakes will always have a strong presence on the bridal scene. The cake-cutting ritual is a must for many couples looking to create those ultimate memories.

However, we are finding more modern brides are willing to consider alternatives either to maintain harmony or to create a unique experience.

Our dedicated team of pastry chefs have long been known for their superbly crafted and delicious dessert petits fours – bite size pieces of heaven! As we watch our brides and grooms (and, inevitably, their families!) labour over the eternal dilemma of wedding cake flavours, we couldn’t help but think that there must be a solution to give everyone what they want…

I am very proud to be able to offer petits fours bridal towers – individually crafted on tailor-made stands, featuring your chosen selection of our exquisite bite sized desserts.

The ability to select a number of different flavours translates into being able to offer your guests an abundance of ways to tantalize their tastebuds. From bite size chocolate mocha tarts to petit crème brulee and even peanut butter cheese cake, the options are limitless.

Your selection can be designed to suite your overall styling and even be finished with themed fresh flowers.

You can also avoid the, often costly, exercise of having both dessert AND a cake, as the petits fours stand fulfills both requirements.

And finally, for those concerned about missing out on the all important cake cutting ritual we have a solution for you, too: A 6” miniature wedding cake atop the dessert stand!

Delta Dawn Orig on brand new wedding venue - Centennial Parklands

Be the first to book Centennial Parklands Dining, Sydney’s newest event space. Boasting local and organic produce, The Restaurant’s simple and stylish decoration allows for increased flexibility for theming while The Bar Terrace with its outdoor lounge setting provides the ideal space for pre-dinner cocktails.

Located in picturesque Centennial Park, let the gardens and ponds provide the perfect backdrop for your wedding.

The restaurant is opening to the public tomorrow.

For more information contact:
Centennial Parklands Dining
Grand Drive, Centennial Park
NSW 2021
Ph: 9380 9350

Delta Dawn Orig on lavish venues - Ivy League

For mere mortals, a private function is probably the only way you will be permitted to step into places like The Ivy. Apparently the “lift nazi” chooses your destination for drinks. It would be wrong to insinuate the criteria being used, but you get my drift.

I was very lucky to get a tour of The Ivy and see all the various venues before they were finished months before they were opened. Justin Hemmes has poured so much money into this blockbuster project that the result is only short of spectacular though for some perhaps over the top. Yellows, Turquoise, Zebra Print, dressing rooms that have a DJ booth and a CBD building with mature palm trees on its roof are just some of the eye candy at The Ivy.

Wow your guests upon entry via the grand staircase, which leads up to the impressive foyer of the Ivy Room. 509 sqm of space with Zebra Print wall-to-wall carpet devoid of any pillars or walls and six gigantic paper mache chandeliers hanging above the six-meter high ceiling beguiles. The Ivy Room is unlike any other and perfect for an extravagant wedding.

Introducing a new contributor – Kathryn Breusch – marriage celebrant

Kathryn Breusch has been a marriage celebrant for four years and, herself, married for fourteen. She understands, from a personal and professional perspective the excitement and (sometimes) anxiety of organising and executing a wedding day. She treasures her role as a celebrant which comes across when facilitating a relaxed, respectful and sincere ceremony.

Spring is a beautiful time of year to be married. It symbolises budding ‘newness’, growth and foundation for future ‘seasons’. Involving your guests creates some great ideas for this colourful time of year. You may like to invite some or all of them to bring a flower and place it around you both during the ceremony or collect your vibrant bouquet as you’re walking down the ‘isle’. Remember, being the most significant part of your wedding day, your ceremony is a sacred and important rite of passage. It is a fabulous declaration of your love for one other shared with your family and friends.

Kathryn includes with warmth, passion and vibrancy, a collection of suggested words and ideas to help you create a personal ceremony that reflects your individuality.

http//:www.kathrynbreusch.com.au/ or on 0425 217288

One of Kathryn’s favourite poems

Captain Corelli's Mandolin an excerpt from Louis de Bernieres

Love is a temporary madness, it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides.

And when it subsides you have to make a decision.

You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part.

Because this is what love is.

Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of eternal passion.

That is just being "in love" which any fool can do.

Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident.

Those that truly love, have roots that grow towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom have fallen from their branches, they find that they are one tree and not two.

Karen Willis Holmes on traditional white gowns vs colours

Old fashioned as it may seem, everyone loves a classic white wedding gown. The tradition of wearing white or ivory is still popular. I love seeing our brides glowing in stunning white or ivory. It never fails to take the groom’s breath away on the big day!

But white isn’t for everyone. I am seeing more and more brides opt for colour in their gowns. I love the contemporary look different hues can give the gown and the wedding.

We have quite a few brides choosing to have their gowns in a strong and definite colour, like red or silver – usually the bride’s favourite colour! Soft gelato shades work well too (like the soft blue shade one of our lovely brides chose), dependent on the theme of the wedding.

Or, if you feel it’s too adventurous for your whole gown to be in colour, hints of colour can be really pretty, with a coloured sash (like the beautiful bride pictured), beading or embroidery. It can also be quite striking if you go for a black sash like on one of our gowns, ‘Penelope’ – modern and sophisticated.

I have also posted a picture above of one of our gorgeous brides who added embroidery to the bottom of her gown – original and stunning!

On your wedding day it’s important to look and feel fabulous! Whether you go for ivory, white or colour, just remember to have lots of fun!

Credits
Media pictures from: Australian Bride Magazine and Bride to Be Magazine.
Thank you to our lovely brides: Anna Gibson, Rachel Hamilton and Karen Coscarella.

The Ivy Room

The Ivy Room offers a unique and opulent location for wedding receptions and engagement parties.

In the heart of the Sydney CBD, the ballroom can hold up to 100 people and opens out to a terrace overlooking George St.

Daring design has delivered a majestic space without columns or partitions – the perfect setting for a grand scale wedding or engagement party.

Cameron Marks on Romantic Proposals

Planning to Propose?

Wedding season is upon us which can only mean one thing – lots of weddings. As happy couples around the country exchange their vows, the female guests in the congregation start giving their beaus that look; the one that varies between a dewy-eyed, ‘I wish that was us’, to a rather more straight forward, ‘When will that be us?’.

Many would-be-grooms take the hint and start planning. I see so many young guys who are overwhelmed about the prospect of getting engaged and buying a ring without their girlfriends’ approval. Unfortunately, all the worrying that goes into it really takes the romance out of it.

Fool-proof tips to inject love and romance into your proposal:

• Set a budget – Two to three months’ salary is a good starting point. Once you have set a budget, stick to it

• Find out what kind of diamond she wants – I recommend buying the diamond and having it set very simply. The act of giving of the ring, without the girl being involved, brings back the romance. Then, once she says yes, you can come back in as a couple and the bride-to-be can design her own setting. This also helps you stick to the budget.

• Get the size right.

• Don’t give her your Grandmother’s ring – Make sure you give your bride-to-be the option to change the setting of an heirloom. Have a jeweller look at the setting to make sure it’s safe to be worn. In most cases family heirlooms should only be worn on special occasions. They’re generally not ideal as engagement rings unless they’re redesigned.
  


• Avoid antique rings – An antique ring is not going to last. The settings have already had wear. If you want a ‘forever’ ring and have your heart set on an antique look, get a ring designed that is identical to the antique ring you love. It will be much more resilient.
  
  
• Don’t buy an engagement ring with pearls or semi-precious stones – Speak to your jeweller about your options but some stones are too soft and will get damaged.
  


• Always buy a gold or platinum setting – These are the most durable metals and you can always polish them up so they look brand new.

Tips for after the engagement:

• Don’t take the ring off – A lot of rings go missing because people take them off. Washing up or gardening will not damage the ring if it’s been made correctly. Try to keep them on as much as possible.
  


• Get the ring cleaned – Most jewellers offer this as a free service. It will keep your ring looking brand new.
  


• Update your insurance – Make sure you update your house and contents to include the engagement ring.

This month our contributors share their insider tips to help you create the perfect spring wedding...

Exclusive new pics from del Aqua

The team at del Aqua have just released new shots showcasing the hottest trends in hair and make up styles for brides this season!

Karen Willis Holmes on Bridal Gowns for Spring

Finally, winter is over and spring is in the air!

This year, we embrace all things floral (again!) and, after a very long winter, I also encourage lots of colour!

Colour is hard to do in a bridal gown, I always try to create some excitement in the texture by choosing the right type of fabrics, laces and trims, with delicate little fabric flowers to complement. You can put fabric flowers in your hair as well – that way you won’t have to worry about them wilting or getting squashed during the day. We have some great ones in store of roses as well as some sweet corsages. We also have a stunning new gown called ‘Adele’ that has a beautiful shoulder corsage with some extra little flowers on the hip as well.

Stick with pretty and simple designs in spring – you do not want to overdo it with anything too heavy.

And, what better way to celebrate spring than with one of our very own gowns, appropriately named ‘Rose’? With its soft empire line and lace detail, it is perfect for spring.

Roses not your thing? Then, why not ‘Poppy’? It is an extremely flattering figure hugging shape and with its tiers of ruffles, it’s sure to sit pretty on a beautiful spring day!

Delta Dawn Orig on Spring Weddings

Spring represents new beginnings - a perfect time to start a new life with the one you love in marriage.

The Colours

Spring gives an avenue to be adventurous with colours. Diane Von Furstenberg and Jason Wu’s collection at New York Fashion Week included bold primary colours such as Orange, Blue, Yellow, Green and Violet. If you want to avoid the 80’s curse opt for matte materials such as chiffon instead of choosing silky fabrics although this can still look very hot.

Floral was also one of Paris Fashion Week’s big stories although it does not necessarily mean having a patterned dress. A friend who married in an Elie Saab gown had little cherry blossom appliques.

Traditional brides can still go for pretty pastels.

The Flowers
I found a very useful site - http://www.bridesdiary.com.au/ - which lists available flowers this season according to colour. Always remember that on very hot days, delicate blooms such as tulips just don’t last.

The Colour Guide to Spring Blooms

All White:

• Tulip, Hyacinth, daisy, daffodil, camellia, azalea, sweet pea, rhododendron, jasmine, flannel flower, magnolia, lilac, lily-of-the-valley.

Yellow & White:

• Daffodil, azalea, daisy, iris, tulip, primrose, rhododendron, mimosa, jasmine, buttercup.

Orange & White:

• Tulip, daffodil, lily, azalea, marigold.

Mauve & White:

• Sweet pea, rhododendron, lavender, azalea, lilac, magnolia, tulip, hyacinth.

Blue & White:

• Cornflower, forget-me-not, bluebell, hyacinth.

Pink & White:

• Hyacinth, delphinium, azalea, gladiolus, waterlily, cornflower, rhododendron, English daisy, jasmine, sweet pea, iris.

Source(s):
www.bridesdiary.com.au

The Food

Many green leafy vegetables start to become available in Spring. Petit pois, crisp asparagus spears and spinach add colour to a dish while keeping it light and make a great accompaniment to any meat. Your caterer will be able to advise you on what vegetables are in season in spring.

The Weather

Don’t be fooled by the sunshine. Have a plan B when planning an outdoor wedding.

Invest in a beautiful cashmere wrap to cover those shoulders, cheap acrylics look bad and don’t keep you warm.

del Aqua's Hair and Beauty Tips for Spring Brides

‘Soft, flowing and timeless’. At Del Aqua this is what we believe is essential to perfect bridal hair. Our well trained team of hair experts are committed to making your hair experience one to remember. For the bride and bridesmaid who want to wear their hair out, our stylists at Del Aqua would suggest loose flowing curls with plenty of movement and body to create a beautiful ,natural effect for a spring bride. This look can be further enhanced with a soft sweeping fringe and tied off low and to one side to create a cascade of beautiful curls over one shoulder. Alternatively the curls could be pulled back from the face and pinned. This will open up the face and create a feature of a backless dress, which are so popular with any spring bride or her bridesmaids. Hair out options are almost infinite, so your qualified stylist will take through all of these options on your trial day to come up with elegant solutions to match your personal style and taste.

For the bride or bridesmaids, who want to wear their hair up we recommend that the hair should be smooth , sleek and soft with no harsh lines. This is a must for the modern bride or bridesmaid who wish to have a classic and timeless look on the day. This spring soft French rolls and sleek chignons are making a come back. These two styles complete the look for the modern spring bride who wants a more formal look.

For any enquires don’t hesitate to contact one of our friendly stylists at Del Aqua to organise a consultation.

Del Aqua Hair & Beauty
www.delaquahairandbeauty.com
Client line 02 9247 9677Shop 1, Shore 6 & 7 / 17 Hickson Rd

Sparkle Cupcakery

Sparkle Cupcakery offers a uniquely Sydney twist on the traditional cupcake. Every aspect of the Sparkle experience is stylish and exquisite - from the classic and exotic cupcake flavors, the presentation of each of cupcake through to the highly customized attention for weddings.

Kathryn Sutton has returned to Australia after 10 years away, living and working in Singapore then New York. Her background is strongly focused on creating great brands with a great focus on the customer, having spent 15 years in the upscale hotel market in areas from sales and marketing through to product development and communications. She is thrilled to be back in her home town of Sydney and establish a business, bringing together ideas and inspiration from her time offshore.

Welcome to the brand new Percy Marks Bridal Blog!

For over a century Percy Marks has shared their passion for precious gemstones with couples from Australia and around the world.

As bridal jewellery experts, the team at Percy Marks are always giving advice and recommendations to their clients on how to make their big day perfect.

With so many success stories the Percy Marks brand has become synonymous with magnificent weddings and romance. A few weeks ago we even had a proposal in the Percy Marks show room!
Over the years we have formed alliances with other companies and individuals who also strive to deliver luxury and prestige to brides and grooms. And so we have created a one-stop-shop for the latest in wedding trends, tips and advice on creating the ultimate luxury wedding.

Below we would like to introduce you to just some of the contributors to the site. – keep an eye out for new additions coming soon!

The whole team at Percy Marks is looking forward to the exciting opportunities this new online space will present. Please feel free to post any comments or suggestions that you may have.

Thank you.

Cameron Marks - Percy Marks

Cameron Marks officially had three days off between finishing high school and entering the family business but his ‘apprenticeship’ started long before that.

From a young age, Cameron would spend his school holidays helping out in his Dad’s shop. “I would do the cleaning, deliveries and work in the storeroom. As I got to know more about the business, I learned how to do repairs and eventually moved out to the shop floor,” says Cameron. “I was on Schoolies at the Central Coast when I got a call from my Dad to come back for a photo shoot. That was 28 years ago,” he laughs.

“I always had a feel for this industry,” says Cameron. “I am not only interested in the business side of things but am also fascinated by the family history. My great grandfather – the eponymous Percy Marks - started the business 109 years ago when immigrated to Australia from Germany, via New Zealand. At the tender age of 21, he became one of the pioneers of the opal trade in Australia, showing Australian stones at the Grand Prix World Expo in San Francisco in 1903.”

Despite the generational differences, Cameron’s ‘reign’ has been just as innovative and exciting. When he is not onsite at his Elizabeth St showroom, he can be found travelling the world attending jewellery trade fairs and diamond conferences. Most recently he travelled to Hong Kong for a diamond and coloured stone trade fair and visited the Argyle diamond mine in Kununurra, WA, as part of the Diamond Guild of Australia’s annual educational.

On free weekends, Cameron and his family head down to their Southern Highlands sheep stud which provides a respite to their busy city lives.

http://www.percymarks.com.au/

Delta Dawn Orig - Events

Events management was a large part of Delta Dawn Orig's role as a Marketing and PR Manager for a luxury French cosmetics house and it soon became apparent that it was the part of her job that she really loved.

Luxury gave her access to the best suppliers and experts in the industry. As a result, she now posses an enviable little book of secrets. From finding unique venues, to beautiful stationery, to the best manicures, to the best cocktail maker, to holding your hand at your dress fitting, to simply telling the truth.

Her goal is to translate your vision into an experience people will never forget. Delta ensures that modernity, tradition and audacity are blended together with an emphasis on quality and expertise that are second to none.

Her clients include Penguin Australia, Network Seven Pty Ltd and Pacific Publications Pty Ltd including Marie Claire and of course, Percy Marks.

Belinda Franks - Catering

An enduring passion for wonderful food informs the heart and soul of Belinda Franks Catering.

Since launching 25 years ago, Belinda Franks Catering has established a reputation as a market leader, delivering unique, contemporary, and stylish cuisine to Sydney’s premier special events.

This reputation, combined with a long standing association with Vogue Magazine has attracted an enviable list of clients in the elite luxury brand lifestyle category. The likes of Tiffany & Co, Chanel, Burberry, Giorgio Armani, and Percy Marks call on Belinda to design special menus for their season launches and client entertaining.

However this ability to personalise each and every detail is best realised through Belinda’s work with brides to be – her true passion. Belinda and her specialised team of wedding consultants ensure that each wedding is truly unique and ultimately memorable - no stone is left unturned in the pursuit of perfection for their big day. From lavish ceremonies (such as the Packer –Meares Wedding in 1999) through to intimate family gatherings, BFC will bring any vision to life.

A natural extension of Belinda’s flair for food is her ability to custom design all other aspects – from sumptuous floral arrangements to exquisite décor. Belinda Franks will take the Bridal Party from proposal through to the last kiss goodbye, providing an exceptional level of personal service, exceeding all expectations and turning any request into a reality.

http://www.belindafranks.com.au/

Phoebe Gazal - Papier D'Amour

Papier d’Amour – Paper of love – is a family owned and managed business that provides simple, elegant and beautiful quality stationery for all occasions and specializes in weddings. Superior quality is simply more than choosing the right paper.

Head designer and owner, Phoebe Gazal, has been in the wedding invitations and stationery industry for over 10 years. Producing some of the most beautiful wedding invitations and stationery ever seen in Australia, she frequently travels overseas soucring beautiful and unique products. Gazal prides herself on spending time with every client, providing superb taste and thoughtful suggestions all to do with etiquette and style.

The Papier d’Amour flagship store in Double Bay opened in 2006 and moved only a year later to a bigger premises two doors down.

At the unique store you will find everything from bespoke stationery, journals, luxury leather items to photo albums, desk and office accessories, grosgrain and French ticking ribbon to classic pens, pencils and erasers.

Papier d'Amour provides the ultimate Pret-A-Porter and Couture wedding invitation services, aswell as social and bespoke stationery which is ever expanding.

Also available are a wide variety of fill in invitations and wedding accessories.

http://www.papierdamour.com.au/