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.