It’s Friday folks, which means it’s time, again, for me to give you my pick of the wedding worlds posts. This week’s Snippets, Whispers & Ribbons is full of the most beautiful real weddings, made all the more so by the perfect venue!

1. This gorgeous 1950s inspired Florida wedding with its unique floral bouquets and arrangements (created by NHWoodscreations entirely of dried flowers) and pretty pink and aqua palette at venue Birdsong Barn, all under the bluest sky I have ever seen, is sure to set your heart aflutter…..

(The bride’s beautiful dress was designed by Yvonne at Designsbycandiigirlz)

2. And it is no wonder this Bride & Groom look as though they are having so much fun at their relaxed seaside wedding getting married in a super sweet beach hut!……it makes me an incy bit home sick!

(You would NEVER guess it had been planned in just 6 weeks!)

3. I absolutely adore bride Darcie‘s pastel blue Elizabeth Dye wedding dress and I confess it was what first grabbed my attention….but it was the opulence of the Sunset Club, from the antiques to the roaring fireplaces to the crystal chandeliers and the hand-painted walls; and all the handmade DIY details for the day including heart garland, fun giant balloon centerpieces, origami escort cards from this playful and posh seattle wedding, that really stole my heart……

4. Oh the styling of this Palm Spring wedding at the Empire Polo Club is just so fabulous – from the bride’s top bun updo to the gatsby-esque grooms with a modern twist and the glitter dance floor (yes glitter dance floor!!)……

5. Bride & groom Jackie & Matt wanted their celebration to feel like their family living rooms over the holidays. So with their venue Carondelet House they set out to capture the warmth and sense of togetherness and infused the evening air with it…… I would definitely say they achieved it, and so much more!

(you may recognise the bride’s dress, it is one of my favourites of all time Tadashi Shoji)

How about you, have you found your venue? Any bride’s getting married or were married at any of these places?

Happy weekend everyone!

Amy

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No designer creates outfits for the modern-day goddess quite like Jenny Packham and her recently unveiled Spring 2014 Collection, inspired by the Belle Epoque, contained everything we have come to expect from this deco-divine designer - vintage-inspired dresses that simply ooze glamour and luxury, sleek sheaths and stunning gowns with plunging necklines, shimmering with embroidery and embellishments…..

From the great lady herself ‘The Belle Epoque or ‘beautiful era’ transformed fashion, abandoning restrictive corsetry and creating the flowing silhouette ever since associated with the Age of Elegance. Intricate, light beading, delicate embellishment and clean, understated silhouettes play homage to an Edwardian inspiration’……

As well as everything all we love about Jenny Packham designs, there were also a few surprises in this her latest collection, such as the Regency period influence in the empire waist of the Claudia gown…..

(it is so Kate Winslet in Sense & Sensibility!)

Spaghetti strapped, simply stylish dresses perfect for the beach bound bride….

A splash of colour with this dusky peach gown…..

And the introduction of a few fabulously 50s full skirted dresses like the Audrey and the Minnie…..

Unexpected but delightful…. in fact Audrey may well be my favourite design of this collection! How about you?

Amy

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Tagged: 2014, Art Deco, Designer, Edwardian, Jenny Packham, Wedding Dress

Today’s Chic Vintage Bride was a style icon too, with her wedding dress forever considered one of the most iconic of all time……

Princess Margaret Rose, the youngest daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, married Antony Armstrong-Jones at Westminster Abbey on 6 May 1960. It was the first televised Royal Wedding watched by over 300 million worldwide and was much anticipated, with as always, the brides dress the subject of much speculation. For me Princess Margaret’s dress comes second only to Princess Grace‘s in terms of its timeless elegance.

It was to royal couturier and designer of Queen Elizabeth’s bridal gown Norman Hartnell that Margaret turned for her own wedding dress. Fashioned from white silk organza, the gown had a jacket style bodice with long sleeves and flattering V-cut neckline, lengthening into a train at the back. It was classic Margaret elegantly understated and sophisticated with a cinched in waist and beautifully full skirt consisting of 40 yards of fabric draped over a mass of stiffened tulle petticoats – perfect for the petite Princess.

The dress was complimented with a matching long sheer veil of silk organza, with an ivory trim adding another simple but voluminous white layer  with the overall effect prompting The Times to write “it was as though she moved in a soft white cloud.” The absence of embellishment on either the dress or the veil was offset by Margaret’s choice of jewellery, including the breathtaking Poltimore Tiara…….

This tiara was acquired for Princess Margaret prior to the official announcement of her engagement to Antony Armstrong-Jones, but was worn for the first time by the bride as a tiara on her wedding day. Originally made by Garrard for Florence, Lady Poltimore,  in the 1870s, the tiara is an all-diamond affair set in gold and silver in which clusters of cushion-shaped and old-cut diamonds are set amongst scroll motifs topped with diamonds. Striking as a Tiara it is a convertible piece and can also be broken down into a necklace and a set of 11 brooches. 

Hartnell also designed the young bridesmaids’ dresses, at the bride’s request modeled after an early dress of hers that her late father had particularly liked.

Princess Margaret is my idea of bridal heaven – the Hartnell wedding dress and the exquisite Politmore tiara just perfect together.

What do you think? Time for a tiara revival??

Amy

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Tagged: 1960s, Chic Vintage Bride, Royal Wedding

I have such a gorgeous wedding inspiration shoot for you today…. I don’t even know where to begin with what I love about it! From a workshop by one of my absolute favourite photographer’s Jen Huang this exquisitely styled wedding shoot by Kate Romenesko drew inspiration from the rich and romantic Italian renaissance period. A decadent display of Limoges, gold rimmed glassware, antique metal trays, sumptuous fruits overlaid with peonies, a dramatic centerpiece and a plethora of sweets sitting atop a heavy mahogany table surrounded by elegant embellished chairs, sweeps you back to the rich renaissance period……

The bride wears a lovely beaded blush Sarah Janks dress as well as a 3/4 sleeve embellished gown; and her ever-faithful groom is decked in navy (my new favourite colour for the groom) with a pop of magenta, the perfect palette and match!

Whilst the styling oozes Italian opulence, bride Merrill with her elegant evening make up and her bright bouncing golden curls held back by that gorgeous gold comb from Erica Elizabeth Designs makes me think of Daisy Buchanan……

Kate’s work is so soft and romantic, I just adore her fairytale style - take a peek at Kate’s beautiful website and blog to see more from this dreamy shoot. I confess I am a little envious of Kate, I would love to attend one of Jen Huang’s workshops. Each is more beautiful than the last… the details, the dresses, the unbelievably lovely couples… a big round of applause to all the generous and talented industry vendors who made this shoot the gorgeousness you see before you (you can see more from this workshop on Jen Huang’s website)

Amy

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Photography ~ Kate Romenesko

Location ~ Private Santa Barbara Estate

Styling ~ JenHuangWorkshops.com

Hair and Makeup ~ Jess Wilcox

Dresses ~  Lovely Bride & Saja Weddings

Sash ~ Hushed Commotion

Golden Hair Piece ~ Erica Elizabeth Designs

Florals ~ Florette Designs

Menus ~ Plumbum Press

Cakes ~ Enjoy Cupcakes

Tagged: Inspiration Photo-shoot

Oooh it was going to be pretty tough to top yesterday’s post for gown gorgeousness - Karen Willis Holme’s 2013 Collection really is breathtaking….. but if any designer can be trusted to create a collection that exudes luxury and is packed full of wow, it is Monique Lhuillier!

Monique’s innate sense of style and understanding of every woman’s wish to look and feel beautiful are prevalent throughout every design in her 2014 Collection, in which she has set out to create every bride’s dream dress. From the royal inspired bride (with elegant long sleeves) or the eloping bride, to the bride happy to play with a little colour; there is a Monique Lhuillier dress for you all, each infused with femininity and exquisite details…….

How gorgeous is that wrap and the neckline it creates??….

Long sleeves continue to create sublimely sleek silhouettes and are abundant in Monique’s 2014 collection – I am truly over the moon that it appears to be a trend that isn’t going anywhere any-time soon!

There was an increased selection of chic and super cute shorter dresses for the bride looking for something a little daring, retro or perfect for an intimate venue or elopement……

I love this nod to Audrey…. makes me wish I had had a going away outfit!!

A real feature of the collection, on both short and long gowns is the bridal cover up. With Monique completing her designs with a range of beautiful bridal coats, capes and shawls that truly complete the entire look……

Monique like no other designer creates gowns with the most alluring necklines (illusion to boat and more traditional strapless) and imaginative silhouettes (ballgown, column, floor length or short); each design offers something new and enthralling and all finished with a flourish and a sprinkling of the details synonymous with Monique Lhuillier….

(Image Source Wedding Bells)

Oh I can’t even begin to choose a favourite design, can you?? But this is definitely my favourite 2014 Collection of the season so far – more for you next week though!

Amy

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Tagged: 2014, Designer, Monique Lhuillier, Wedding Dress

Today I am sharing the latest breathtaking collection from Karen Willis Holmes, one of Australia’s premier wedding dress designers (you may remember her wonderful modern designs with a hint of old world glamour from my first KWH post) Today’s beautiful photo shoot features sophisticated and stylish gowns that exude femininity, with designs that mix old world romance with modern day details……

Karen Willis Holmes never fails to design fashionable gowns with an exceptional fit. Her focus for this collection was to design gowns that a bride can personalize and make their own with accessories or small changes, and fashionable designs that feature key bridal trends such as illusion necklines, lace sleeves and beautiful backs…..

Oh my isn’t each design even more gorgeous than the last??….. floaty or form fitting, modern or vintage inspired, each one makes my knees a little more weak! I love the way Karen has kept embellishments minimal allowing brides to create an individual look, with belts and epaulettes also available from Karen Willis Holmes.

I adore Karen Willis Holmes use of fabrics such as delicate corded lace motifs and hand stitched appliques, and the strong yet feminine silhouettes. My favourite element though is that the backs of her designs are as beautiful as the front… and in some cases more so?

I don’t think any wedding dresses have made me wish I could have my wedding day over again more than these (sorry Jenny Packham)…..What do you think? Which is your a favourite? Mine has to be Caitlyn – I never could resist a splash of sequins!

Amy

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Tagged: 2013, Designer, Karen Willis Holmes, Wedding Dress