Angela Marcuccio Christmas 2012 snapshot

Posted on December 7, 2012 by Kate Telfer

Here’s a little something to get you into the festive spirit– a gorgeous snapshot from the Angela Marcuccio Christmas 2012 shoot.

 http://www.angelamarcuccio.com.au/

 

A word from Angela Marcuccio:

This year for our 2012 Xmas Shoot I had the pleasure of working with an amazingly talented group of women, talk about girl power! This concept evolved from one idea to another, which I feel is exceptional.

Photographer Vicky Papas Vergara, you are truly a gifted soul.

Ladies out there if you want to look amazing on your Wedding day you cannot get better than Saphire Gaskas, and the hair! stunning another professional with years of experience in her industry Deanna Leigh.

Last but not least the gorgeous model who got up on that rickety ladder and did not complain, Jennifer Melendez, you made it all look effortless.
www.angelamarcuccio.com.au

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Trending: The Blushing Bride

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Mamta Bhatt

Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake's wedding. Image: People Magazine

Jessica Biel just did it. Anne Hathaway just did it. Gwen Stefani rocked it when she did it. And designers are doing it right now. Pink wedding gowns are putting the “blush” in the traditional “blushing” bride. And for those brides wary of wavering too far from tradition, pink offers a simple but striking solution.

Why white anyway?
Though the trend of colour in gowns seems to be making a resplendent comeback of late, did you know that the traditional “white wedding” only became a tradition in the 19th century? Continue reading →

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Blake & Ryan’s secret wedding

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Kate Telfer

By Alana Zervos

Well Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds certainly managed to keep their nuptials under wraps. There was no speculation of an engagement let alone a hush-hush wedding. We are definitely impressed with their secret agent skills.

After dating for only a year, these two Green Lantern co-stars have successfully tied the knot. We had anticipated that one day Blake would be sporting a new sparkly ring to add to her already impressive jewellery collection; however for the engagement and wedding to happen without the tabloids grabbing a hold of it, well that was an unexpected twist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Images sourced from eonline.com

Ryan Reynolds has sure moved on from his 2010 divorce to Scarlet Johansson. Blake Lively’s new hubby didn’t fall short of giving his bride anything but perfection on their special day. Reports say the wedding took place in 2004 film The Notebook’s beautiful Boone Hall plantation in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. This peaceful southern setting is where the main characters, Noah and Allie’s, captivating love story melted hearts across the globe; a truly idyllic wedding location for romantics everywhere!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image sourced from hookedonhouses.net

Now that we know the wedding took place in one of the most marvellous locations, we have very high hopes for what the 25-year-old Gossip Girl star was dressed in. This modern day fashionista is known for her impeccable sense of style. Reports suggest that Lively displayed a beautifully elegant custom-made Marchesa couture bridal gown which she paired with a pair of timeless Christian Louboutins. Blake is known to be a huge fan of Marchesa, often sporting her designs to events. We can see why, Marchesa has beautifully feminine pieces.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Images sourced from Glamour.com & fashion.telegraph.co.uk

Only a selected few were able to see the bride in her gown as Blake and Ryan’s wedding was an intimate ceremony of 60- 70 close friends and family. We have no doubt it would have been very testing for the groom and bride to remain tight-lipped about their pre-coming nuptials. There is something so exciting about planning a secret wedding and when you are Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, you may not have much of a choice. With their high celebrity status their wedding would have been the target of paparazzi everywhere. Here at CW, we think that they successfully pulled it off and are glad they enjoyed their intimate southern affair without any interruptions.

So ladies, if you’re planning to elope or just want to leave everyone in suspense when it comes to your “I do’s”. Take a few tips from these two.

 

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Writing your “I do’s”

Posted on September 2, 2012 by Kate Telfer

By Ellen Adamcewicz

Saying up “I do” is not always as easy as it sounds. Along with the weeks of preparation and organisation, sometimes it is easy to forget (or just pop on the backburner) the whole reason why you are getting married in the first place.

As not all couples connect with the wedding vows in their traditional form it has become more common that couples write their own.

Like your fingerprints, your vows are unique and personal to you. Your wedding vows should be instantly recognisable as truths spoken from your heart and should add to the romance of the day. They are the words that will see you starting your life with the one you love, so investing some time and effort into them will not go astray.

Image: www.apracticalwedding.com

Even if you choose to stick to the tried and true traditional words, setting aside some time to learn the words off by heart rather than simply reading them off a page or repeating them after your celebrant will add to the emotion and feeling behind them.

Personalised vows are also great when planning a inter-cultural ceremony as you and your partner can customise them to suit you both and reflect your future life together.

A good place to start when you decide to write your own wedding vows is by talking to your loved ones. Decide with your partner whether you will write your vows together or separately and also whether you will keep them a secret until the ceremony. Settle on whether you will have separate words for the exchanging of the rings or whether you will write a separate piece for that as well.

If you are having a religious ceremony, check if personalising your vows is allowed with your celebrant or if there is any wording you need to adopt or observe.

With personalised vows, wording is crucial. It is very easy for one word to misconstrue your love and devotion for your other half. CW recommends avoiding controlling and aggressive words if that is not the meaning you seek to convey in your vows. Words like ‘own’, ‘prize’, ‘claim’ can have negative connotations whereas ‘cherish’, ‘treasure’ and ‘adore’ place emphasis on your love for one another.

Take inspiration from how you met each other, idiosyncrasies in your relationship, and songs and poetry that you both enjoy.

There is also nothing wrong with adopting sections of traditional vows if you feel they reflect your feelings and hopes for the future.

If you need some help getting started, write down the answers to the following, being descriptive and honest as possible.

·         Why do you want to spend the rest of your life with your fiancé?

·         What drew you to them in the first instance? What draws you to them now?

·         What qualities do you admire in them?

·         How have you changed because of this person?

Simple, honest vows from the heart will serve just as well as wordy ones, with the added benefit of being easier to learn and will provide you with just a good a start to your life together as elaborate poetic ones.

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Be a smarty with your bridal party

Posted on August 19, 2012 by Kate Telfer

By Ellen Adamcewicz

Planning your wedding can be difficult and stressful at times, especially when it comes to choices involving your nearest and dearest. Minimise your stress levels by following these simple rules when organising your bridal party.

Image: hmakeup.ca/weddings

 Choosing your bridal party

Selecting your bridal party is a personal choice that you and your husband to be should decide together. Your wedding budget, the venue and the amount of people you plan on inviting will weigh into the decision. Pick supportive people who will help you ensure your special day and the days prior run smoothly. Female and male siblings of the bride and groom are a common choice for most couples, as well as long term friends and reliable, dedicated others.

At times, people you know may feel that they are entitled to a place in your bridal party; however the decision is solely yours to make. It is impossible to give everyone a place in the bridal party, so make them feel included by asking them to participate in other important roles, such as reading passages during the ceremony or greeting guests as they enter.

Image: essence.com

Dress to impress

Your thoughts might be entirely about finding the perfect dress – which, after all is very important – however those standing beside you on your big day need to look fabulous as well.

Often put by the wayside is the groom and groomsmen. Deciding on their suits is important and can be time consuming, especially when factoring in tailoring. Choose a style and colour palette for the guys that will complement the bridesmaid dresses. Remember that in most photos the two will be seen side by side, so it is important to have a consistent and complimentary colour throughout.

Accessories for the groom and groomsmen – such as ties, tie pins, cumberbunds and cufflinks should also be organised beforehand. If you have decided to get your bridesmaid dresses custom-made, consider having the groomsmen’s ties made out of the same material to guarantee total visual cohesion.

It is common knowledge that women come in all different shapes and sizes and so the one style of bridesmaids dress may not suit all your chosen bridesmaids. Talk to your bridesmaids about what they will be wearing to ensure your choice will flatter their figures. A bridesmaid who feels fantastic is sure to look great on the day. 

Some brides pick a common colour and fabric, but select different silhouettes based on the body types of their bridesmaids. Changing the neckline or altering the length to suit size and shape is guaranteed keep each bridesmaid happy, while still maintaining uniformity.

When it comes to your parents and your to-be in-laws, it’s a good idea to talk with both sets of parents about what you would like them to wear. Suggest a colour that will complement rather than clash with your bridal party colour scheme.

Image: bridesmaid.com

Building bonds

It is also a good idea to get the whole bridal party together before the big day. This gives each member a chance to get to know each other (if they hadn’t already) and can make your life a whole lot easier. This gives you a chance to discuss ideas for the wedding with those who will have a direct involvement.

Image: boards.weddingbee.com

 Who will you choose for your bridal party and why? What will they be wearing? Let us know by commenting below.

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Colour my world

Posted on August 16, 2012 by Kate Telfer

By Ellen Adamcewicz

Although traditional for western weddings, a big white dress does not appeal to every bride-to-be. When looking for ‘the one’, by which we mean the dress, you are after something that just will not simply suffice for your big day, but will reflect who you are.

It is becoming more and more common for brides to play with colour, with the traditional veil being replaced by headpieces and accessories, from everything to floral garlands to beaded masterpieces. Bold makeup is increasingly being adopted into wedding looks with flashes of red lips and demure eyes giving brides a classic, passionate look. Depending on your colouring, purples, coppers and browns also come into play, spicing things up and reflecting your personality and tastes.

If you’re not one to go along with the big white wedding crowd and wish to really make your wedding your own, adding a splash of colour could be just what you are looking for.

Shy violet

If you want your dress to be feminine and add a sense of grace and refinement to your wedding, but white just isn’t for you, depending on your level of daring, there are plenty of ways to experiment. Lace, ruffles, accessories and beaded detailing allow you to add a some excitement to a traditional dress. Shoes and accessories allow you to easily experiment with colour and can be easier to find due to the vast range available at stores.

Image: weddinginspirasi.com

Metallic goddess 

Metallics or metallic details can suit a wide range of weddings from the more formal and traditional to a casual event. Perfect for an after five wedding and jaw-droppingly stunning for a day wedding, walking down the aisle in a metallic can transform you into a goddess of love.

Image: mackburry.com

Bold beauty

With head turning deep red couture gowns being offered by Valentino in almost every second season, this look is timelessly seductive. A bold red offer offers any bride-to-be old school glamour.

Image: redhotbrides.com

Traditionally in eastern culture, red is the colour of luck and auspiciousness and worn by brides for a positive start to their marriage. Darker colours like black, indigo and magenta are opulent and an excellent choice for a suave, decadent night event.

Image: dressingvogue.com

How would you add colour to your big day? Let us know by commenting below.

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Wedding bells for Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux

Posted on August 13, 2012 by Kate Telfer

By Ellen Adamcewicz

Jennifer Aniston’s representative has confirmed reports that Aniston (43) is now engaged to actor boyfriend Justin Theroux (41). Congratulations, Jennifer!

Theroux’s representative said that “Justin Theroux had an amazing birthday on Friday, receiving an extraordinary gift when his girlfriend, Jennifer Aniston, accepted his proposal of marriage.”

Image: http://www.nydailynews.com

The announcement comes after years of speculation about Aniston’s relationship status, compounded by Aniston and Theroux moving in together earlier this year.

 

Image: http://au.eonline.com

 

Speculation still circulates about the type and style of ring Aniston will be sporting on her finger.

With Aniston’s signature style being clean, elegant and understated we’re predicting the ring and the following nuptials will be traditional and tasteful. Perhaps a plain band with a brilliant oval solitaire white diamond? Whatever it is, it will no doubt be something that becomes an instant classic, just like Aniston’s enduring hairstyle.

Maybe something like this Cartier ring set with a central oval shaped diamond and solitaire platinum setting for red-carpet royalty?

Image: http://www.cartier.com/?gclid=CJD12tz-47ECFaFLpgodWG0AQw#/show-me/jewelry/h4140600-ring

It is not clear whether a date has been chosen and set by the couple.

The wedding would be Aniston’s second and Theroux’s first.

In light of Aniston already having a big white wedding when she married Brad Pitt in 2000, we at CW are predicting that more than 12 years on, the ceremony could potentially be more of a low-key affair and tastefully small by Hollywood standards. Aniston could go for a more relaxed, family-oriented event and could even forgo wearing the traditional white in exchange for a more informal do.

If you were Jen, how would you plan your wedding? What would you do differently the second time around?

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Hen’s nights – with a difference!

Posted on July 29, 2012 by Kate Telfer

 About to celebrate your last night as a single lady? Here are a few ideas for how to have a spectacular Hen’s night with a difference!                                                               

By Claire Bolge

Your Hen’s night with a difference – Luxe Living                                                       

Image sourced from-www.relaxandpamper.co.uk/images/hen_party1.jpg

What’s a wedding if not a wonderful excuse to escape to a spa and laze away a weekend in a plush dressing gown sipping champagne and having a man named Sven massage your shoulders. Why wait for the honeymoon – host a Hen’s night with a difference by booking a girlie weekend away before the ceremony. Not only will it be a blissful bonding experience (and a heap of fun) but it’ll also give you and your bridesmaids the perfect chance to primp and preen for the upcoming big day! Your bridal party will love you for this Hen’s night with a difference and you’ll love the lazy luxury of a weekend relaxing away from all those pre-planning stresses!

Start dreaming of what’s on offer by checking it out here

Your Hen’s night with a difference – Serving up a Feast

Want to brush up on your domestic goddess skills before your walk down the aisle? Or maybe you just want to spend an evening dining on delectable goodies you’ve made yourself. Either way, a cooking class can be the perfect, most delicious way to spend your Hen’s night with a difference. Check out what’s on offer in your local area; meet up with an Italian master and be taught the secret of yummy homemade pastas and sauce, go exotic and whip up something spicy in the kitchen or find a dessert-making class and get your cupcakes up to scratch. Your girlfriends had better come hungry!

Have a look at what’s on the menu here  

Your Hen’s night wither a difference – Put on your Dancing Shoes

Learn to shake, shimmy and own the dance floor by taking a dancing class on your Hen’s night with a difference! There’s plenty of options here; pole dancing, for those with a cheeky streak, burlesque dancing for the artistic movers and shakers or latin, salsa and belly dancing to add a little glitter to your routine! Find a private class or teacher and learn the basics then take your new-found skills (well, maybe just the PG-rated ones!) out on the town, ending your Hen’s night with a difference showing off your moves on the floor for real!

Pole Divas has private group classes and packages available, have a look here  

Your Hen’s night with a difference – Go to the Extreme

Extreme activities aren’t just for the guys! Get an adrenaline rush on your Hen’s night with a difference and go all out with the girls! What’s more bonding than jumping out of a plane together or, if that’s a bit much to start with, how about heading to the bush, getting your amour on and playing paintball? There are plenty of extreme activities out there to make your Hen’s night with a difference a real scream, from jet boats to bungy jumping to laser tag. Or get back to nature and go kayaking, white water-style or opt for the calmer, scenic choice, or test your limits with a hike and camp-out for the weekend in the great outdoors.   

Check out one great option here  

Have you ever hosted or attended a Hen’s night with a difference? Tell us about it here!

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Top ten smartphone apps for brides-to-be

Posted on July 17, 2012 by Mamta Bhatt

By Kate Wilcox

There may be times while planning your wedding, after you’ve received countless stressful and exhausting phone calls, when you wish you could throw your smartphone into the nearest lake. But try to resist the urge. Technology is your ally in the wedding-planning process, particularly these ten apps for brides-to-be.

iWedding Deluxe

iWedding Deluxe ($5.99, iPhone)
iWedding Deluxe is an organisational wonder — it allows you to create to-do lists and notes and store photos of your wedding purchases, it has budget plans, business directories and tools to help you organise guest lists, seating plans, music playlists and gift registries and more. The application is useful not only for organisation, but also for inspiration. iWedding Deluxe allows you to access your favourite blogs, wedding guides and websites and even integrates with social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook. And to keep you on track with planning, the app has a constantly updated “top five” list of your most important planning priorities. The wedding countdown feature is also a bonus.

Bride Guide

Bride Guide ($4.99, iPhone)

Bride Guide has many of the same features as iWedding Deluxe, but is a little more structured in format. As with iWedding, it also has a wedding countdown, to-do lists, a directory of wedding vendors and a budget calculator, but on top of this Bride Guide gives you a wedding planner full of articles about how to plan the different aspects of your day. It also has a pre-made to-do list with tasks already set depending on your wedding date and a recommended budget based on industry standards. For some , these features will make this app a life-saver. Others, especially those with a short engagement or who are planning a slightly less traditional wedding, might find this app doesn’t suit their wedding style.

iBridal Gown

iBridal Gown ($3.99, iPhone/Android)

iBridal Gown allows you to store info about the wedding gowns you’ve seen, including style, designer, cost, location and photos. The app can also help to find local bridal salons and explains bridal dress jargon so you can use the right terms with designers or shop assistants. It also has nifty features such as a dress list that puts your favourite gowns at the top, social media connectivity and a side-by-side “Flipbook” mode, which lets you compare dresses easily. Continue reading →

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Seating Charts

Posted on July 10, 2012 by Kate Telfer

By Jemimah Clegg

Today many couples come from families that are not necessarily what would be considered ‘traditional’. There are divorced parents with new partners, grandparents who are more like parents, cousins who are more like siblings and friends who are more like family.

It becomes near impossible just to keep the family tree straight, let alone plan a seating chart for your wedding!

There are some tricks you can use to keep everyone happy when it comes to deciding who sits where.

First, consider a cocktail style reception. People are free to mingle with whoever they like and no one is offended by where they’re placed on the seating chart – because there isn’t one!

If a sit-down function is more your style, then you will need a seating chart. This is one of the absolute last things you should do in preparation for your wedding. If you decide to do it too early, you’ll be setting yourself up for disappointment (and probably a number of tantrums), because your guest list is likely to change right up until the week before your wedding. 

Start by talking to the other people who have been involved in planning and paying for your wedding. Ask them if they have a  preference of table and who joins them on it.

Traditionally, the bride and groom’s parents sit at the bridal table along with other members of the bridal party. Many couples choose to break with tradition and have just the bride and groom and the bridal party on the bridal table, and seat their parents at the two next best tables with their families.

If one or both sets of parents are divorced, you may need to have four separate ‘parent’ tables, and they won’t all be able to have the best seat in the house. In this case it may pay to have ‘table names’ rather than table numbers, that way the parent at table number four doesn’t feel too left out.

Table names can be anything from significant dates or places in your time together as a couple, to favourite songs or even names of plants or animals. Think about what goes with your wedding style and what suits your personalities.

Try to put people from the same family together, and obviously avoid putting those you know don’t get along near each other. Friends who know each other should go on the same table and if they don’t all fit on one, then put two tables next to each other.

Always discuss your seating chart with your venue, as they may have a number of ways in which tables can be set up in the room. They might just be able to solve your problem of “10 tables of 8 is too many tables, but 8 tables of 10 makes the tables too crowded!”

Know on the day there will always be someone who’s not 100% happy with where they’re sitting, but with any luck they’ll bite their tongue and be a gracious guest!

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