Wedding Dress | Wedding Ideas

If you have a copy of our current issue you would have already seen our issue #14 spring 2010 fashion feature, however if you haven't yet seen it here it is. There's something truly beautiful about black and white photos. I think our photographer Claudio Raschella captured the shoot perfectly. I love every single one of these pictures and I have to say I was estatic to hear that Collette Dinnigan was personally blown away by her gown and how we featured it. Such inspiring feedback! The lovely Chris Geracitano did such a super duper job of hair and makeup. Genius!


Aubrey silk taffeta gown with Swarovski crystal waist detailing $7,695 by Amsale at Angela Wilson with long drop crystal and pearl earrings $98 and white pearl bracelet $97 Sybella Jewellery


Left - Lavanda Garza Paris embroidered tulle lace gown with bow bust detailing in blanco $4,100 by La Sposa, floor length one tier veil with white over lock trim $198 and Swarovski crystal star earrings $132 all at Samantha Wynne
Right - Picot silk satin organza gown with picot-edged ruffled petals $1,785 by Aurelio Costarella at Becker Minty, double corsage aliceband $23 from Diva and white pearl earrings $77 from Sybella Jewellery


Beaded French lace gown in cream $POA from Collette Dinnigan and grey pearl necklace $195 from Sybella Jewellery


Left - Sabrina heavy silk satin gown with corset, full skirt and wrapping bust $4,240 with Lola Swarovski crystal headpiece $440 both from Johanna Johnson
Right - Allegra hand draped Italian silk jacquard one shouldered gown with built in corset and handmade silk flowers. Overlay includes hand pleated asymmetric skirt with Swarovski crystal buttons made to measure $7,035 with matching silk hair band $495 from Izaro


Taffeta long ball gown with ruffle detail and waist tie $999 from Carla Zampatti with white pearl necklace $195, white pearl bracelet $97 and white pearl earrings $77 from Sybella Jewellery


Sable Swiss cotton crochet gown with diamante detail waistband $5,400 from Baccini & Hill and pearl earrings $77 from Sybella Jewellery

Posted by Emilie Harrison

After making contact with a lost friend, Cath Connell, on the weekend, I was surprised to find out about her amazing new stationery business called Leaf. Cath has used her background in graphic design and paper marketing & sales to put together a great collection of products aimed at helping us record and celebrate our own personal stories.



One of the products, Girl Talk, is well suited to our wedding industry - "Gather the girls together and share your stories of love, life and fabulous shoes". The perfect idea for a fun hen's night.



Each pack of Story Starters comes with prompts to get the conversation flowing - 'The first time…', 'The most romantic…', 'In 10 years time…' - all guaranteed to get a party started.

I am in awe of Cath's achievement and wish her every success with Leaf.

Posted by Jane Cameron

With the release of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ - tea party fever is here! Of course the masters of fine china at Wedgwood have come to the party, introducing the romantic "Queen of Hearts" and the whimsical "Cukoo" tea sets to it's timeless range. In a soft colour palette of pastel pink, green, blue and peach these sets offer all the essential items for a traditional high-tea, including teacups and saucers, teapot, sugar and creamer, cake plates, sandwich tray and a two-tiered cake stand. What a perfect addition for the prettiest bridal shower or day after the wedding brunch with family and friends.

Available now from selected David Jones and Myer department stores as well as independent home and giftware retailers.




The "Cukoo" Range

Posted by Annabelle Kerslake

Tea Time
Yesterday I received an invite to a friends high tea hens party which I think is such a great idea. I have noticed that high tea is starting to become more and more popular. Girls who dont want the big night out are prefering to go out for a stylish high tea instead. It's also a great way to include the older family members as part of a kitchen tea. One of my most favourite high tea experiences was when I was in London earlier this year at The Lanesborough. On previous trips to London I had tried high tea at Claridges which was fantastic, but The Lanesborough took high tea to another level. It won best Afternoon Tea in London awarded by the UK Tea Council and was absolutely divine, they even employ a tea sommelier!

High Tea at The Lanesborough




Some great venues for high tea in Australia are:
The Tea Room QVB in Sydney
Aria at The Langham in Melbourne
The Apothecary 1878 in Adelaide
The Hyatt in Perth
The Sofitel in Brisbane

Posted by Emma Henderson

Garden Splendour
I just adore a garden setting, where old fashioned country style blooms work together to create the most sublime effect when teamed with a combination of vintage style patterned linens. I found this gorgeous setting at The Bride's Cafe, and loved it! It is the most beautiful combination of dahlias, sunflowers, berries and peonies.











Photos courtesy of The Brides Cafe

These photos made me think of the charming gardening bridal shower we styled last year. We had such a fantastic day on location at my sister Amelia's country garden! Here are some of the pics.









See this full story and fantastic free downloads in issue 6 of Wedding Style Guide.

Posted By Annabelle Kerslake

Leave Your Stamp
Imprintables are known for their gorgeous children's stationery but their new range of rubber stamps could be just the thing for personalising any number of wedding or shower stationery pieces.



The choice of designs is really sweet - something for every organised girl!

Posted by Jane Cameron

These could be great either served with dessert, or at a bridal shower/hen's night celebration. such sweet pretzals! yum! can even try and make them! enjoy! 

From Pretzables:

I'm trying to find some unique, modern candlesticks for a gift, which can be used in the home as well as for lighting Shabbos (Sabbath) candles in the Jewish tradition. If you know of any, leave a comment! :)

I liked these from Nambe and Neiman Marcus

wow. I've been playing on the williams-sonoma site for hours today. there are sooo many drool-worthy registry items and shower/hens gifts! I wish they shipped to Australia... *sigh*

There are plenty of fun Sydney venues for a 'civilised' Hens party (bridal shower). You can kick off your hen's by dressing up with your girlfriends, donning elegant hats, and having a good old fashioned tea party!

Sofitel Wentworth Hotel

French baked tarts and fruit flans made daily. The Lenôtre Afternoon Tea experience includes a beautiful selection of cakes and tarts, assorted finger sandwiches, Mariage Frêre tea and espresso coffee.

Lenotre Afternoon Tea 14:00-16:00 daily (AU$38). Bookings essential.



The Observatory Hotel
Afternoon Tea is served on Monday - Friday 14.30 - 17.00.
Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays Afternoon Tea is served 14.00 - 16.30.
Reservations essential . (From AU$49-$59 depending on day and if u have champagne).

The Observatory also has Tea Appreciation Classes (AU$89) & Mystic Afternoon Tea Readings (AU$79). Contact them for more info.



The Victoria Room, Darlinghurst
High Tea with a selection of sandwiches, cakes, tea and champagne, is available Saturdays 14:00-16:00 & Sundays 13:00-17:00. Reservations Essential. (AU$35-$50 depending on package).

You can also order the adorable a Luxury High Tea Hamper (AU$60) ahead of time, and it is delivered to the bride-to-be when you are all sitting at your table. Sweet!

these would make a great kitchen tea/bridal shower gift! funky and whimsical!

both from neiman marcus in silver plate or gold plate! both are less than $45USD as well!

Those who long to emulate Nigella Lawson and be a domestic goddess do not have to wait any longer! Nigella's range is stocked in Australia only at Gifts.com.au online retailer!  How chic and simple are these gorgeous pieces from her collection? A wonderful kitchen tea or registry idea!