Archive for February, 2009
Wedding Day Part V: All Bridalled Up.
While I was getting all prettied up, Tanja busied herself taking some photos of the wedding paraphernalia. Now I hadn’t wanted to go too overboard with the list of “must-take” shots, because it felt a bit pushy, and I am not pushy *at all*. Do I want people coming into my work telling me how to do my job? No. So I felt I shouldn’t get too carried away with the lists; I didn’t want it to come off as me telling Tanja how to do her job. But actually, though, now that it’s over, I wish I had added more items to that list. There were lots of little things that I either forgot about, or thought, “well, surely she’ll get that shot”, but in the end they didn’t happen. And some of my very favourite photos are the ones based on items from my list. I suppose it all depends on the photographer, but sound yours out, brides-to-be, and if he/she seems amenable, make a list of everything you can think of!
One of the shots I did absolutely insist on was the hanging dress. You might remember how much I love those! And I also mentioned a bunch of times that I like shots taken from below. This is my favourite of the dress shots. I liked it so much I made it sepia, black & white, faded colour, softened, sharpened; you name it, I did it! I think this classic black & white looks best, though.
Diet, diet and diet
I am becoming more and more painfully aware that I no longer have 10 months before our wedding to lose the rest of the weight I’ve been wanting to lose! I have 6 months and counting and it is for this reason that I rushed off to Dischem this morning to buy some more MAXISLIM. I thought I would introduce this to those of you who might not have heard about this wonderful product. Go to www.maxislim.co.za for all the important info but in the meantime I’ll share my own personal experience with using this product.
NWJ Bridal Fair
For all those brides-to-be living in Kwa-Zulu Natal, the annual NWJ Bridal Fair wil be held from 6-8 March at the Durban Exhibition Centre. Tickets cost R40.
I have been to two Bridal Fairs, both at shopping centres and found them to be very useful. There are suppliers from all over the province specialising in every facet of weddings. Although I have booked most of my major details, I am still deciding on a colour scheme, the decor, the cake, the bridesmaid’s dresses and a million other details. Read the rest of this entry »
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Wedding Inspiration
Bronwen & Sean
28 November 2008
Toadbury Hall
Bronwen and Sean we blessed with wonderful weather. Toadbury’s immaculate and picturesque venue with its emerald lawns provided a perfect setting for a wedding fit for royalty. After months of careful preparations, plans, back-up plans, reflections and anticipation, the wedding day has arrived.
Bronwen’s taste and style can be further seen in her choice of decor and flowers. She chose chocolate brown and dusty pink as her wedding palette. Everything from the choice of floral arrangements, gift boxes with personalised ribbon to name cards… everything was simply beautiful.
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Colour scheme – version 1
The Internet is a wonderful place isnt it? I have spent countless hours looking at wedding ideas from other real weddings. So many colours, so many wonderful ideas, so very very confusing.
With all these ideas out there its hard to keep track of what I like more or less of. To make life a little easier and to keep the Bridal party on the same level of thinking, I have compiled a colour scheme chart so that there can at least be a standard set of colours to work with.
We still have to have our first Bridal party get-together, but before then I want to have a better idea of what Mr Daisy and myself want, otherwise it will just be a waisted brainstorm session. That reminds me, I still need to make a to do list for everyone.
Here is a better explanation of how the colours and ideas go together
Some of the colours are definitely going to change or going to be a shade darker or lighter.
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Oscar Inspiration
The 81st Annual Oscar awards happened last weekend, and Hollywood’s de la creme rocked the red carpet in amazing designer gowns. If you want to steal their style for your wedding, check out these fairytale numbers, that can be adapted for your wedding dress.
The beautiful Evan Rachel Wood in a breathtaking Elie Saab gown
Marissa Tomei in Versace and Van Cleef and Arpels Jewles. I love the way this gown “hugs” her butt – Check the second pic.
Can Sarah Jessica Parker look any more gorgeous? She is wearing Dior – of course!
Getting ready – the best part
Ok, so I know I should have posted these waaaayyyyy sooner, I’m actually still trying to figure out why I never did post them? – hmmm. Better late than never I guess, so here are some getting ready shots. This really was such a fun part of the wedding, and I’m glad that our venue, chapel and accommodation was all at the same place. It made it all so much less stressful
I loved the way Wanda did my make up. It really lasted the whole wedding and looked very natural. Plus it looked good in the photos too
All the pampering (all the champagne), it really was such an amazing start to such an amazing day. I would really recommend getting ready at your venue. There is no stress and you feel very relaxed. Just make sure you get your hair and makeup people to come out to the venue for you. Wanda did my hair and makeup which was a huge bonus.
It’s all in the lighting
I cannot forget to share details of our chosen venue. We are getting married at Ingwenya in Muldersdrift. We instantly loved it and didn’t want to look at other venues. The more options you open yourself up to, the more confusing it gets. We’re keeping it modern chic and will be arranging the lighting and decor to give us the effect that we want. We agreed immediately that we don’t want a wedding the old fashion style because it’s expected. This really is OUR day and what we want is what we’re doing.
Hey there “wedding planners”
I say wedding planners because isn’t that what you’ve become since that special day that he proposed? Ok, so you’re not a professional but it’s exciting isn’t it?
Once the dust had settled from all the excitement of Mr Style (Mike) proposing to me on the 11th of October, my mind started working overtime. The dreaded guest list, dress, colour scheme, cake, where, when, how, who? We didn’t know where to start. The first thing Mr style and I did was a guest list together. It wasn’t easy!
We kept trying to validate reasons for inviting people. After many discussions, the deciding factor was cost. Why are we inviting work colleagues just because we see them every day and inviting family that we never see? Our decisions were made. It was more important for us to have close friends and family attend, who serve a purpose in our lives, rather than inviting people because we felt we had to.
We have to be firm because we have to be true to what we want and the reality is that we are paying for our own wedding and things are not cheap anymore! If you can’t do it, don’t. You could consider marrying away somewhere, for example Mauritius. Most wedding spots offer wedding packages and take care of everything for you. Your immediate family and best friends can attend and you can come back home and have a huge get together at a restaurant or alternative venue that suits your needs.
Everyone gets to celebrate with you and no one gets upset (and they pay their own dinner bill!). I’ve made the guest list seem a pretty straight forward task, but believe me Mr Style and I are still doubting some of our decisions, but we’re getting into the finer detail of the wedding now so our decision has to be final in the next few days and I will be sure to keep you posted on how we get it done!
…and Bergvallei stood out
Started with some Googling to find a venue that we would both love and that would suit our budget.
I first stumbled across a very nice looking venue, Valverde. With its magnificent Renaissance Garden and its budget friendly rates I thought this would be the venue. AS everyone knows though finding the perfect venue doesnt happen the first time round. On visiting Velverde I was disappointed to see the magnificent statues were small compared to the photo’s I saw on the website, and with that I completely lost interest in the venue.
I decided to hit a well known venue next to see if their photo’s and the real thing ‘look the same size’. Toadbury Hall……..oh what an absolute STUNNING STUNNING venue. The chapel was amazing, reception hall perfect, the price…………well that’s where Toadbury Hall got Scratched off my list. If I won the lotto I would Definitely use Toadbury Hall, but we all know that’s not going to happen.
Back to Google Search….
My next approach to this whole venue search thing was to find a venue that didn’t necessarily have weddings as their main “function type”. After days and days of searching, a million emails and rates that are way over budget I eventually found Bergvallei
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Rates looked good and the pics on the web looked amazing. Phoned and set up a date to view the venue. We went to have a look at the Venue in about August ‘08 and WOW it was so green! The real thing was 100 times more than what was on the website, its Cape dutch style was breathtaking and the best of all IT FITS THE BUDGET.
