Wedding Trends for 2011

The past is back and all vintage ideas as well. Incorporating modern elements that have a historical past is a growing trend, which is very appreciated by everyone that participates in weddings with these types of ideas. Presenting your guests with party favors from historical brands, building the wedding theme around this concept, recycling and wearing your mother or grandmother’s wedding dress, incorporating your parents’ or grandparents’ wedding pictures into the décor, creating an atmosphere of nostalgic romance is always nice and very, very trendy these days.

Details are hardly overlooked but now they are more important than ever! No tiny detail should go unseen and everything should be planned right down to the last feature. If you don’t have time for details, there’s nothing like hiring a wedding planner to transform your wedding dreams into reality. The wedding cake table is a main focal point, the place cards should be original and personalized, the chairs should have a special touch, the wedding color palette should be very well thought out – basically, think about all the small details that will make a big difference.

Photography is going to take a vintage spin, with wedding albums that are reminiscent of the seventies. Draped textiles as backgrounds for photographing the bride and the groom, as well as guests, in a relaxed setting is a big trend, so don’t forget to set up something like this at your wedding: it’s very simple and, best of all, loads of fun for everyone.

Courtesy of Stylish Wedding Ideas

Eco-Chic Very Trendy!

The eco-chic trend is very now and is going nowhere: being ecologically conscious and applying that to your wedding couldn’t be more chic. Many may think that ecological means less chic, but no, it’s all about creativity and personalized glamour. Choosing recycled paper invitations, organic flowers, holding the ceremony and the reception at the same place, having the groom arrive on a bicycle, creating a menu based on biological products... are all great options for an eco-chic wedding, a trend that is surely going to explode.





Courtesy of Stylish Wedding Ideas

Wanting Some of Miranda's Bridal Style?

Did Victoria's Secret know something that we didn't? It certainly looks like it.

Now what came first - these images or Orlando's proposal? The mid-year Victoria's Secret catalogue shows Miranda wearing bride knickers, an engagement ring and not much else; causing quite a stir now Miranda has a rock of her own (gossip sites are saying the ring Orlando presented her with is a 5 carat diamond and worth close to $500,000!)

Story by Alicia Richardson. The Knot.

Legal Matters

The Marriage Act 1961 lists the legal requirements for marriage. Essentially these are:

• The bride and groom must give notice of their intended marriage to their celebrant/minister not less than one month and one day and not more than 18 months before the date of the marriage. The notice must be given on the form 'Notice of Intended Marriage'. See http://www.ag.gov.au/ for more information and to download the form.
• The bride and groom must be 18 years of age otherwise parents' consent is required.
• The bride and groom must produce evidence of their age to their celebrant/minister. This must be by official birth certificates or in special cases, passports or Certificates of Naturalisation with a statutory declaration stating the full reason why the birth certificate could not be produced.
• If either party has been previously married, evidence of termination of the marriage must be produced to their celebrant/minister. This is by certificate of decree absolute of full death certificate.
• A fee must be paid, which varies from State to State.
• The ceremony must be witnessed by two people who are over 18 years of age.

At the end of your ceremony you will be required to sign the Marriage Register, Certificate of Marriage and Wedding Certificate in front of two witnesses and your celebrant/minister.

A bride is not required to take her husband's surname. If you do choose to change your name, sign your maiden name on your marriage certificate; from then on sign your new, married name.

Upon marriage any previous will becomes ineffective. So after your wedding remember to make an appointment with your solicitor to make another will.

The 3 P's of Style

All eyes will be on you from the moment you step out of your transport so you'll want to feel confident and look radiant. Style is all about your posture, poise and your presence. Some women have it and then the rest have to try that little bit harder.

So what are the 3 P's?
It is the ability to know your own mind, have confidence in yourself and your style and to control your emotions in any stressful situation. We are going to share with you just how you can have those 3 P's.

1. Posture n. a position or attitude of the body.....  Stand tall, shoulders back and hold your head high. Sounds simple but it can get tiring and look unnatural if you haven't practised. Try pulling in your stomach/abdomen - imagine trying to pull it through to your spine. Immediately you stand taller, your shoulders go back and your bust appears fuller.
2. Presence n. being in the moment.....  Presence and posture are interrelated and result in poise. Presence is the ability to stay focused in the here and now - don't worry about what could happen. It comes from within; a mental acuteness with a bit of attitude. Meditation can help to focus your thoughts, and saying positive affirmations like 'I look fabulous' before making an entrance immediately makes you stand with your head high.
3. Poise n. composure or dignity of manner.....   Elegance is about appearance but poise goes beyond that. People with poise basically chill out and stay cool, calm and collected. Poise has to do with social ease, emotional balance and confidence. Knowing yourself and having faith in your own decisions will give you the confidence and composure to cope with any hiccups on the day.

Country Weddings

More personal than a banquet hall, country weddings can be some of the most beautiful and inventive of all. Maybe it's the mix of informality and elegance, the day-to-day and the once-in-a-lifetime, or how impressive it is to see a place so transformed. Regardless, let these ideas stimulate your imagination to dream up your singular celebration.

A demure alternative to a veil, a horsehair hat provides relief from the sun on a bright day, and its wide brim can be easily folded back for cheek-to-cheek dancing. An organza column dress, crisscrossed with ribbons and dotted with tiny daisies, echoes the pattern of garden lattice.

If your favorite song is performed by the birds and your favorite scent is that of fresh air, then a garden wedding is a natural choice. Sunshine and a profusion of flowers are the only appropriate decorations. In this charming setting, flower girls are a must, but formality is entirely optional.
The cake is decorated in a variety of basket weaves inspired by patterns of antique wicker and is crowned with ivy and flowers gathered from the garden, including geraniums, sweet peas, Queen Anne's lace, and lavender and purple roses.

 

Clusters of blue-black privet berries stand out against sweet peas, narcissus, and star-shaped ornithogalum in a charmingly rustic bouquet tied with ivory grosgrain ribbon.

A two-dimensional calico print comes to life on a cake with diminutive hand-sculpted flowers, leaves, and fruits.

Fresh strawberries top stacked pound cakes instead of the traditional biscuits, with mascarpone cream sandwiched between the layers. Platters piped with royal icing in a basket-weave pattern lend a country feel. They sit on ribbon-wrapped columns that elevate the dessert from its rustic origins and allude to the shape of a conventional tiered wedding cake.

Baskets brimming with fruit imbue a reception with rustic charm. We filled Nantucket baskets in various sizes with warm-toned fruits: pears, apricots, and two kinds of apples. Small baskets laden with blond cherries are arranged at place settings for guests to take home -- tiny bows are a graceful touch.

Ripe fruits symbolize abundance and fertility -- and make delicious favors. Tomatoes look beautiful and enticing in this rustic Italian display.
 
 

A sumptuous Italian buffet sets the tone for a reception in the country.
 
 

Wheat represents bounty and wealth, and the horseshoe shape is good luck. Let this decoration work its powers at your ceremony or reception site.
 
 

A table arrangement of grains celebrates the bounty of the harvest. In addition to wheat, which symbolizes a fruitful life, this textured display includes other dried grasses (available at crafts stores), so it can be made weeks ahead. The final flourish? A luxurious satin bow.
 
 

Send wedding guests home with fresh strawberries and scones to enjoy the morning after. Wrap scones in cellophane, and line a wooden berry basket with parchment paper. Tie on a note stamped with a strawberry design.
 

With a puff-pastry blossom resting atop a flaky crust, a miniature pot pie makes a delightful and delicious first course at a wedding. This favorite home-style dish is filled with a medley of vegetables, including asparagus, carrots, and pearl onions, and baked in a ramekin. Wonderful for a country-themed reception, it would be appropriate to serve at a shower, too.

White Winter Wedding

Are you getting married this winter? Well, today I thought I would share with you some lovely photos and white winter wedding ideas.

Strings of gauzy tulle pom-poms float above a whitewashed landscape, creating a dreamy, light-as-air effect. To ground the scene and add interest to a pure white palette, incorporate plenty of texture. Here a raw linen tablecloth, net fabric runner, lace-pattern porcelain vase, and a mix of sleek and gardeny blooms, including eucharis lilies and dinner-plate dahlias. "Opalescent" wine glass; highball glass; and "Lace" votive/bud vase decorate a clean, simple yet elegant wedding reception.

A pared-down centerpiece, like this whitewashed papier-mache fruit piled on a cake stand and trimmed with silver millinery leaves, is as chic as it is unexpected. Bonus: These faux wonders -- a great substitute for fresh blooms -- won't wilt, so you can display them at home for years to come, either as shown or in a footed glass urn. "Patrician" Champagne flute, designed by Josef Hoffmann, from Neue.

 Pillowy pom-poms make the perfect adornment for favor boxes -- or anything, for that matter. Writ large, they're also a refreshing alternative to the ubiquitous paper lanterns in an outdoor reception tent, and they lend a whimsical, personal vibe to an otherwise stuffy, formal ballroom. Choose from tulle, organza, and net, perhaps with a lace or Swiss-dot pattern, then set aside just a few minutes to put them together (the breezy adornments are easy to make).

Try creating the pom-poms and adding them to headbands and barrettes and working them into your bridesmaids' ensembles.

White or ivory may be the traditional stationery choice, but that doesn't mean your set has to look the part. This suite, which includes a coaster with a sweet sentiment, incorporates cream-on-white letterpress type and informal abbreviations for a contemporary feel.

A cluster of dahlias, white delphiniums, eucharis lilies, white orchids, and snowberry branches, tied with satin and lace, has an ethereal look.

Frocks for the junior set come in a wide array of adorable styles, from cutting-edge to Spanish-inspired, ballerina to bohemian. To give the ensemble dimension, pair your flower girl's white dress with an ivory cardigan and shoes.

In addition to these savory snacks, consider serving hors d'oeuvres at your cocktail hour made with seafood, such as scallops, yellowtail, or crabmeat; veggies, like cauliflower and parsnips; and even pasta. Have waiters pass the treats on trays, or arrange them atop a mix of modern and rustic dishes on an enticing buffet table. Clockwise from top left:
* Potato cutouts piped with tangy horseradish creme fraiche

* Lemony whitefish puree and celery tea sandwiches

* Celery-root soup flavored with white wine and thyme

* Parmesan polenta with sauteed cremini mushrooms

* Vegetarian summer rolls with a citrus rice-wine vinegar dipping sauce
 
 

Clockwise from top: Buttercream This cake topping is beloved for its rich and, yes, buttery flavor. Keep it in an air-conditioned or refrigerated spot to prevent softening. If it's below 80 degrees, the frosting will hold up outside for about an hour. Meringue This wispy mix of egg whites and sugar, also known as "seven-minute frosting," can be smoothed on for a clean, glossy look or applied in peaks. For added flavor (and to help it adhere), spread on a thin layer of buttercream first. Fondant When draped over a lightly frosted cake, fondant offers a flawless finish. To decorate it with your monogram, just use a rubber stamp. Fondant holds up well in the heat, but don't refrigerate it -- water spots can form. Powdered Sugar What could be prettier for a winter wedding than a flurry of slices dusted with snowy sugar? With its homespun appeal, this topping would also complement a simple, backyard affair.
 

Give guests a sweet send-off by stacking cookies in cellophane bags with sturdy bases. Finish with a heart sticker made with a craft punch
 
 

A dessert bar stocked with eaux-de-vie -- clear fruit brandies, such as kirsch (cherry), framboise (raspberry), or grappa (grape) -- is an unexpected touch and a nice alternative to sweet wine. While these drinks are sometimes served with sugar cubes, we came up with a fun twist: rock candy. With sunshine or candlelight filtering through, the transparent display takes on a gorgeous glow.
 
 
Credits: http://www.marthastewartweddings.com/

Destination Weddings

Have you thought about having a destination wedding? Somewhere like Fiji, Lord Howe Island, Vanuatu, or maybe somewhere like Las Vegas!

Or for something a little different why not consider a cruise destination wedding? Everything you need is right on board and for a small fee your accommodation, meals, entertainment, activities plus so much more. P&O and Princess Cruises offer fabulous packages to the South Pacific. Taking a cruise for your wedding is a great way to spend time with your family and friends whilst taking in the gorgeous surrounds and your family taking time out from their lives for a bit of a holiday!

Children can be well entertained in the kids' clubs, pools and games rooms. There are internet lounges which would surely entertain the teenagers or the cinema may also tempt them to catch their favourite movies! For the older "children" in the group, there are beauty salons, tanning by the pool, playing deck chess, sewing classes or just relax with a cuppa or cool drink on the deck taking in those superb views.

For more information visit http://www.pocruises.com.au/.

New Ideas

Are you looking for something a little different for your guest book? Why not take a look at Pink Frosting where you will find some gorgeous ideas.

A couple we love are:

Signature Vase

Signature Plate/Stand

Signature Picture Frame with Engraved Photo Mat

You'll find these great ideas, plus many more at http://www.pinkfrosting.com.au/

Quick Tip!

This is a fabulous tip for removing Spray Tanning.

If you are planning to have a tan done before your big day, make sure you go for a test run at least 2 weeks before your day. Remember to exfoliate before your tan and DO NOT shave before. If you end up orange and blotchy and you are not happy with the tan, you can remove it and not have to stay orange!!

All you need is some whitening toothpaste and a wet cloth which you can scrub your body with. You will have to scrub, scrub, scrub with a bit of pressure, but it will remove the spray tan. Your skin will be red and blotchy for a little while after, but you won't be orange anymore!!

Stay tuned for more quick tips!

Get the Look!

Hair.Makeup.Beauty

When is the right time to organise and book your hair and makeup artists? Ideally, you should book both of them about six months before the wedding. This will allow you plenty of time to have a trial run, or two!

It may be easier and less costly if you can find two professionals who work well together to offer you a great service or maybe someone who does both hair and makeup.

When you choose your hairstyle, be sure that it will suit your face shape and compliment your gown too. Most up styles look gorgeous with a strapless gown, but make sure you then add a simple piece of jewellery around your neck to take away the bareness, but not too much that it detracts away from your gown and hair.

Schedule any beauty appointments a couple of months before your wedding to allow any changes which may occur in your skin to calm down well before your big day! Your beautician will work with you in finding the right skin care routine for your skin type and you can then continue your facials, skin care etc... up until your day (and beyond) and your skin will be glowing.