One of my Favorite Weddings!

Firstly, I am for Gay Marriage and Equality.

Love knows no boundaries, no time, no race or gender.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." - Corinithians 13:4. 

One of my favorite weddings was Ellen DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi (August 16 2008). When California legalised Gay Marriage, Ellen announced on her TV talk show that she had proposed to Portia and they would be married under the new law. A huge step forward for the Gay and Lesbian community locally, nationally and of course, world wide. The law was revoked after a few weeks but NYC has recently legalised Gay marriage so progress is being made. It was also a great move by Ellen to broadcast the wedding montage and shed a little light on just how normal their love and marriage is. 

People Magazine feature

Portia's dress was absolutely to die for. I'm not normally a fan of the huge princess dresses but this one stole my heart. They both wore Zac Posen and the hint of peachy-pinks in Portia's ballerina gown with a plunging halter neck just captivates me. Open back, plunging neckline and still very elegant and chic. 

Only 19 people were invited to the intimate candlelit ceremony but they allowed camera's in to film the day for Ellen's viewers - and boy, oh boy am I glad she did. Check out the video that aired on the show. 

I love the intimate setting for their dinner/reception. Opting for only 19 guests and having it at home was a really sweet choice (granted it's a $29 million home). The non-matching chairs, the candles, the monogram napkins. Romantic through and through, there's nothing "forced" or ordinary about it. So although every wedding you've ever been to had at least 70 guests, maybe this isn't for you? Inviting just your closest friends and family to share in your day will actually make it more memorable for you because of its intimacy. Your guests will feel honoured to have made the list, and will really enjoy being there and sharing it with you (just think of the vibe!). You wont have to worry about seating your Great Aunt Esther or which of your cousins is too old for the kids table. 

Me, I would love to have a huge wedding! But not in the conventional way. I would love to invite my ceremony guests to an 11am start followed by an intimate dinner for just the close 20 or so guests and then after dinner get the party started with an open invite and a huge dance floor. Your wedding doesn't have to be set in two parts and you don't have to invite everyone to both the ceremony and the reception.

The curtained off outdoor area is just sublime. The table centres are Ecuadorian roses by Mark's Garden in LA. Flowers if done sparely can look cheap, so make sure your budget allows for what you want or find a florist that knows their stuff and can fake it!

Do your homework and hunt around for different florists, every market is competitive so by all means, bargain with them. There's no set price on flowers (and if there is you're in the wrong place). Florists take into account the amount of time they will spend making your arrangements and then add on their usual mark up, but there's not calculated formula, it's all in their head and they usually round up. Haggle! Haggle! Haggle! And let them know that you are shopping around for the best price and be active about that.

So it's all well and good if you're getting married in LA but what about here in Adelaide? If you want that celebrity luxury locally you need to talk to Atmosphere Events. When I first came across their website, all I could say was "Oh wow, Love That!" So I couldn't not feature them. Take them your favourite wedding cut outs from those magazines, your celebrity dream wedding ideas and they'll create the atmosphere for you, anywhere! Whether it's a beach wedding down south or at the Hilton in the ballroom or in your backyard, they will transform any area into your dream. Have a little look below

I've seen umbrella's done badly but these guys have made it look beautiful here. What a perfect way to keep your guests shaded in the Summer sun.

What a dance floor! Uber sexy and chic and the perfect backdrop for photos too.

If you're going large scale for your reception it doesn't have to mean boring. Have a look at the chairs here! They're see through and add something really special to this reception, it takes it to a whole other level. Love That.

Spring and Summer are popular times to get married and venues book up fast so have a think about hiring a space where you can erect a marquee.

Hiring a warehouse and decking it out with rows of tables and hanging chandeliers from the ceiling, hey why not! It looks fab and in Summer, would be really cool. No idea on how much it would be to hire a warehouse like this, but definitely worth looking into if you're looking for something a little different. Think of the freedom you'll have on catering and decor.

This screams romance doesn't it? This looks like it is straight out of a Movie scene or celebrity wedding. Nope, this one is by Atmosphere Events too! Gorgeous. Love that!

The inside of the marquee above. Not quite the sit down dinner area but after an intimate beach ceremony, if you opt for a cocktail and canape reception, this set up would be great.

The all important contact details: Atmosphere Events

"Atmosphere Events Showroom"
Phone : 08 8267 6687

"Atmosphere events Showroom"
Fax : 08 8361 9289

Corporate Enquiries : -

Irene Valli
Managing Directorirene@atmosphereevent.com.au

Wedding Enquiries : -

Anthea Krimizisanthea@atmosphereevent.com.au

Private Events & Other Product Hire Enquiries : -

info@atmosphereevent.com.au

On-Site Event Director

Sam Rice
Creative Directorsam@atmosphereevent.com.au

The Wedding song from Portia and Ellen's video is by Joshua Radin and it is called "Today". Here he is performing it on the Ellen Show.