Favourite Bouquets

Simple! 

A subtle touch of colour

Gentle pink peonies

Yellow and pink with grey!

Hydrangeas are a fantastic way to incorporate blues into your bouquet

This baby breath bouquet sure is sweet

I love a classic peony or rose bouquet and it's easy to see why!

Look up!

A lovely bride to be, Courtney, asked me recently what my thoughts were on creating the right mood for a ceremony. How do you set the ambience like they do in the Hollywood movies minus the million dollar price tag?

The answer? Look up!

The only way I could think to answer Courtney's question was to relate a wedding to a theatre production and think of the ceremony and reception like a stage. You want to cover the basics like sound and lighting but how do you tie everything together and create that lush ambience? Walls and ceilings are overlooked. We're so grounded by gravity that we forget that we can hang things from the ceilings, trees, roofs, marquees. We can erect poles to use as anchor points, nothing is impossible!

Fairy lights are increasingly popular for wedding receptions as they create these twinkly stars and fill the room with soft, warm light.

Use what you have. Surrounding structures can be tied into the ambience by adding matching ribbon and flowers. These little jars can be bought from Ikea for under $6 each, fake flowers from the craft store or $2 shop with the heads pulled off in some water and VwahLah!

If your budget can stretch to real flowers then these hanging balls add colour and fragrance to the scene.

Perhaps your aunt has enough rose bushes in her garden to create these hanging bouquets.

You can buy uncut, loose flowers from most florists - shop around and find your best price.

Paper lanterns are inexpensive and come in a range of colours, sizes and designs. Check out the Asian markets, craft stores, Etsy and Ebay.

Paper pom poms in shades of pink and orange scattered at different heights create a magical effect in this atrium.

A row of paper pom pom's line the bridal table and help to break up that high, industrial ceiling.

Single stems hung close together look delicate and soft above this bridal table.

If you're reception is going to be in a bland room then think about the space like a stage and create the set. This wooden board painted in a vibrant blue helps to break up the bland white wall. If hubby-to-be is handy then send him off to Bunnings to create something similar for your reception.

Lady Lumps!

Thanks to a few recent royal weddings we are seeing a trend in wedding gowns that most of us are happy to embrace. A rising bust line! Those puppies are for the wedding night and your husband-to-be!

I've never been a huge fan of outrageous cleavage in a wedding gown. Not only does it pose a huge problem for the best of us (think under garments, constant need to adjust, wardrobe malfunctions) but it's also not all that classy to have your girls out saying hello to your nearest and dearest.

Kate Middleton did the world of bridal a favour when she wore that Alexander McQueen gown with lace covering her lady lumps. If you're squirming at the idea of looking like a nun on your wedding day, take a closer look at Kate's dress and the low cut Vee and sweet heart bustier line that shows just enough of her cleavage to balance the look.

When you're shopping for your gown, consider following in Royal footsteps and opt for classic glamour.

Birdcage Veil

Thanks to the '80s and '90s when I think of a veil I'm picturing 5 meters of tulle, 3 feet above the bride in a kind-of lion mane shape. If the idea of a traditional, long veil doesn't appeal to you then perhaps you should consider this alternative.

Usually associated with the '30s and '40s, the birdcage veil is a timeless look for any bride. The birdcage veil comes in a range of lengths and designs and offers a range of custom options. Check out Etsy for some handmade veils. 

A soft vintage feel is easy to establish with 3 things, pearls, lace and a birdcage veil. 

This bride's added a maroon silk flower and feathers to bring colour to her birdcage veil/fascinator, tied with her ruby red lipstick she looks nothing short of striking.

Birdcage veils start from around AU$70 and range up into the mid hundreds depending on the complexity of the design. For inspiration check out Etsy or Ebay for bargains.

Perhaps your choosing a wedding day in the warmer months, a birdcage veil is so un-invasive that on a hot day, you won't be feeling overwhelmed in layers of tulle!

Feathers, pearls and lace look delicious together with the birdcage veil.

This bride has opted for a tulle veil for a very soft feel in her garden wedding.

Kristy-Leigh and Mark

Kristy-Leigh and Mark tied the not on one of Adelaide's typical Spring days. The weather was undecided and the locals were out in force for the Christmas Pageant but you'd never have known as the guests were captivated by the sweet ceremony. 

Signing the marriage certificate

Kristy-Leigh's Make up was by Sam from 'Make up to Shake up'. The bridal party looked incredible and Sam was on hand the whole day to do touch ups. I definitely recommend that if your wedding is going to be longer than 4 hours (ceremony, photo's and reception) that you should consider having a professional Make up Artist on hand to touch up your make up. 

You'll be sipping drinks (there goes the lippy), shedding tears (red eyes, mascara smudges and eye liner gone, puffy eyes), you might consider that your MOH can keep on top of this but unless she's going to stop you in your tracks and make it her top priority, you might be better off having a pro on hand at least until the photo session begins. http://www.makeuptoshakeup.com 

Always a Mum, even on her Wedding day KL makes her little man giggle.

Other make up tips - Visine or Clear Eyes. All those tears plus the bouquet a foot from your sinus' all day can make those pretty peepers go red so have your MOH stash some eye drops in her handbag to keep your eyes sparkly and clear.

White gerbera's dotted the delicate bridal bouquet and oriental's added a spring fragrance. 

The Bride and Groom with their Bridal Party at the Adelaide Botanic Gardens.

This is one of my favourite shots of the Bride and Groom, sharing a kiss under the shade of the trees.

Kristy-Leigh was incredible to work with as she knew exactly where she wanted her portrait photo's. We took less than an hour at this location and captured some of my favourite shots here. I adore these romantic images so much and I hope you do too.

A romantic embrace, at the Adelaide Botanic Gardens.

Photography by Jewel Chenoweth Photography

www.facebook.com/jewelchenowethphotography