The morning after the night before

We'll be having an informal get together the morning after the wedding at the Villa's where we're staying. It will be a very laid back BBQ breakfast and I've just purchased the dress I can see myself wearing from Ampersander at the Made It online market...

Josephine Dress

...It's waiting at the post office for me to collect this Saturday!

around and around and around

So it goes - sometimes having too much time can be a challenge! If we'd only had the standard 12 months to plan our wedding, I probably wouldn't have changed my mind so much, I think this is why I've backed away from  the planning for a while.

When I first started daydreaming about colours, I tried out colourstrology - it's a fascinating way to find out your birth colour and match it to his - creating a truly unique theme. The colours we came up with were Gull Gray (me) and Molten Lava. If you find that your birth colours aren't exactly an idea colour combination, you could always consider your birth months - or even the date you first got together or got engaged etc. The best thing is that it also gives you the Pantone colour code, so you can make a perfect match. Here are some monogram combinations I tried out after reading Brianna Nicholes' wedding monogram tutorials...

But then, after deciding I really wanted cymbidium orchids, I found a more muted theme of cream and dusty pink and plum was to my liking. I sat with that for about the last 9 months until today I couldn't get my mind off this colour combination - and how much easier it would be to coordinate - and how much more fun and brighter it would be too. I also love the style of one particular wedding on The Knot website - it's Jen & Gabe's wedding and it shows how a preppy tone can be casual and classy all at once. Here's some of their inspiration...

All eyes on the groom

Travis and his mum went shopping on Saturday for his outfit! We'd both liked this look from the latest Bride To Be magazine - but unfortunately the supplier is a tailor based in Sydney - this is definitely out of our price range!

 

I wonder what he came up with?

Way back when...

Well I thought it might be a fitting time to post the ideas I had back in March...

Wendy Makin - Sari

 

Eliza - Something Bold

 

 

Uh Oh

Ever since I saw To Catch a Thief earlier this year, Grace Kelly's flowy white strapless evening gown has been playing on my mind. But until today I never considered it for my wedding dress.
Problem is, my wedding dress is on order from Wendy Makin and half paid off by now!!

Wendy Makin - Sari Gown

Do you think I should go and try on this new style I like (which I can find at Harvey & Ella or Alex Perry)...

akwardchic

Link

Alex Perry's Grace

...or is it better to drop the whole idea now before I am really torn?

238 days to go...

Things are moving now! To keep with our broad 'summer holiday' theme, we've designed some old style postcards for invites and RSVP Cards, I''m not putting pictures up yet - it's still a secret!

I've narrowed the Victoria's Secret Convertible bridesmaid dresses down to 3 colours now, Sangria Wine, Blackberry and Berryliscious and sent snapshots to the girls to see what their pick is.

The dresses will be a gift from me and I truly want them to want to wear them again and again. Getting the colour sorted will really help with preparing the rest of the decorations.

I tried making Martha Stewart's Carrick Knot napkin rings last night and they're so easy and effective. Right - time to set up the DIY To Do List

Jan 2010 - Invitations (we're getting them printed by Vistaprint but they'll need the personal touch)

April 2010 - Fan programs (templates from Custom-Programs)

April 2010 - Dress converting - practice practice practice!

May 2010 - Welcome Packs
June 2010 - Napkin knots

June 2010 - Seating cards (well - parasols)

And of course I intend to persuade them with lots of wine, tea and yummy things!

Travis and his mum are suit shopping tomorrow, Marian can hardly wait - hope they check out Travellers Apparel in Collingwood.

13 Really Good Reasons to have an Engagement Shoot

Our photographer Shaun Guest is coming all the way down to Melbourne from Port Douglas this January.

It could be our Christmas present for each other

We could ask if our parents would like to put towards it instead of a Christmas present

We could have some beautiful pictures together and with Rossi

We could go to Sirens Restaurant and sit on the deck – or in our booth, Williamstown Botanic Gardens, or the Docklands Cotton Mills

Or we could go back up to Macedon for the day

We could go to Acqua e Vino or the Sun Theatre

It will be heaps of fun

It’s a great chance to get comfortable with Shaun before our Wedding in June

We’ll only have this opportunity once

It will be heaps of fun

We’ll regret it if we don’t

We’ll only be engaged once

… do I need to keep going???

One inspired bride...

I didn't ever want to lock the wedding into a theme - but these are the two constant questions I get asked - What's your theme? What are your colours?

But now I think I've got just the right blend.

I needed something portable - don't want to be lugging tin buckets or elaborate candleabra's up in our luggage and I don't like the thought of just hiring it all. So paper will be my friend.  I've always liked the look of paper lanterns bobbing in the breeze and they'll definitely look the part at Lure Restaurant - so why not expand on this idea bit then?
I love these instead of the traditional pew bows - maybe white lanterns with deep pink or purple ribbons?

Australia Entertains

And then at the reception...

Martha Stewart Weddings

This can keep the summer holiday mood we want to create without being too strict, and for the reception decorations...

Paul Johnson Photography

I love these colours together too!

We'll also have parasols for the photos - I can imagine it already...

The Knot

Nightmares

It seems that as soon as I get the wedding on the brain, I start to have some crazy wedding dreams - all of which end in Trav and I not getting married because one reason or another. i'm going to put this down to normal jitters - I mean surely after two years of planning there'll be nothing we haven't thought of, right?

I've decided to start recording any little piece of advice I get right here so let's start with Helen from work. She planned her English garden wedding from Melbourne so I'm sure she's qualified to help me ... "Whatever you do make sure you get a hair and makeup trial - you' don't need to be worrying about those details on the day"

This is handy -after already meeting with Kristy, my hair & make up guru from Blush I was happy to just try a few things with my hairdresser in Mebourne and bring up some pictures - but now I'm thinking twice.
My new friend Jen (Trav's workmate's Steve's wife) also offered this gem

"Just enjoy the time and don't stress about anything on the day - it will go so fast"

Casual Elegance

With just over 8 months to go now it’s definitely time to start daydreaming again. I am regretting that I didn’t begin this blog when we were first engaged, but maybe I’ll get around to putting some memories on here soon. The girls on Australian Weddings Forum are always great to bounce ideas off so last week I put together my thoughts on centerpieces for the tables – that is if we have round tables. We hope to have a mini banquet menu at Lure, and I’ve found a few good ideas I thought I'd share if anyone else is decorating for a similar menu style.

I'd try to incorporate cymbidium orchids and maybe palm fronds or monsteria leaves into the arrangement, or get a slightly shorter lantern that will be suspended above each table. In both cases  the guests will easily reach the food and a clear view of each other. What do you think?

Martini Image

Lantern Image