Would YOU Trash The Dress?

I am VERY excited, as I have just booked for my husband and I to do a (very belated) Trash The Dress photo shoot! Since our wedding, in July last year, I have seen so many beautiful ‘Trash the Dress’ photos emerging, and I feel that I am still clinging on to our Wedding day and wishing we could do it all over again!

There are so many endless possibilities of dresses, hairstyles, themes, colours, and styles to tie into one wedding, and I love so many different wedding styles that it would just be impossible to have it all ….so why not satisfy my wedding day fantasies with a fun photo shoot with a bit of a different style to our wedding day (new dress, different hairstyle, new accessories? – yes please!!) and a fun end to our chapter living in Cyprus!

Now, when you hear Trash the Dress I’m sure you are thinking ‘destroying’ the dress (mud, paint, scissors coming to mind?), but I don’t quite have the heart to do that to my dress! The increasingly popular trend involves parading around on the beach, rolling in the sand, and swimming in the sea wearing your dress, and your husband -his suit. This style of ‘Trash the Dress’ is far less destructive (less likely to destroy the dress – maybe) and produces some truly stunning photographs, and fun memories.

Many Brides wait until the day or week after to have their Trash the Dress photo shoot, and we would have loved to have done the same, however the wedding week of madness and chaos (and fun!) got in the way and it can just be such a busy and, somewhat, stressful time. Having this photo shoot several months after is actually quite a nice way to leave something to look forward to (of course this isn’t always ideal when you are getting married abroad and not necessarily planning to go back). In the lead up to your wedding, with your every waking hour and second focused on Wedding paraphernalia, you may find you don’t quite no what to do with yourself once the wedding is over…and once the initial ‘honeymoon period’ has worn off, doing something together, with your husband, like this is an ideal way to reminisce over your wedding and do something different and fun!

So…our wonderful wedding photographer Pambis (Charalambous Iacovou – Fotokinisi) in Paphos (Cyprus), got in touch with me after I had my ‘TTD epiphany’ and offered to do our photo shoot, and take us to Petra Tou Romiou, or Aphrodite’s Rock as it is known (near to where we got married).  Aphrodite’s Rock is supposedly the birth place of the goddess, Aphrodite, and (again, supposedly) if you swim around the rock you will be blessed with eternal beauty….so I think I’ll be trying that out!

And so…..the ultimate question is – Would YOU trash the dress?

Some Beautiful TTD Photographs

Something a little more crazy….

Wedding Planning, Styling & Design : Wedding Linens & Centrepieces

Your Beach Wedding : DECOR

Colour Scheme: Hemlock, Placid Blue, Paloma, Emerald Green with touches of Shell Pink and Blush

[ We have created a combination of the initial colour palettes – with merely touches of blush and cayenne, so as not to overpower the entire appearance of the event]

Reception Table Design Details:
Table Size(incl. Guests per table):
• 8’ x 30” long rectangular table
• 8-10 seats (guests) per table
Image Examples:

Reception Table Rentals and Linen Design:

Charger Plates : Gold Colour

Chair Jacket Fabric: White Chiffon Chair Draping
Chair Jacket Fabric (Bride and Groom): Blush Champagne Chiffon with flowers

Table Linen: Textured Ivory Contour Linen (90” x 156”)

Top Table Linen: Blush Textured Rose Linen

Cake Table Linen: Ivory Ruffled Table Cloth

Cocktail Table Linen: Blush Silk with Lace Tie

Entrance Table Linen: Blush Petal Taffeta Linen

Napkins: Blush Lamour Napkins (menu napkin setting)

Cutlery: Gold Colour
Gold Rimmed Stemware: Wine Glasses

Gold Chivari Chairs: all reception table seating
Chair Pad Covers: Ivory

Overview
[ A simple and delicate decor has been chosen for the reception tables, to create a greater emphasis on the textured linen table of the Bride & Groom – the focal point of the venue. The floral centrepieces will be the focus of the tables, and will exude a lot of texture and colour – as well as the gold accents (charger pltes, cutlery, chivari chairs), adding complexity to the design of the tables, as well as the detail added in the white chiffon chair drapery. The Cake table and textured linen will be an added focal point to the reception area, with it’s own surrounding space to stand out in the venue – as well as the entrance table which will be placed a further distance from the reception tables and will be the initial entrance focal point, before entering the reception venue.]

Venue Fabric Design:

Venue Ceiling Drapery: Blush Chiffon Draping from Marquee ceiling

Ceremony Altar Drapery: White chiffon drapery archway with floral halo

Ceremony Seating: Gold Chivari chairs, with white chiffon fabric ties attached to the chairs lining the aisle, and colourful florals against the crisp white chiffon.

Centrepieces:
Cake Table Decor:
Elegant, coloured cake (pinks, blues, greens will contrast well against the ivory table linen)placed on a large gold charger, with fresh florals on top or various flowers spread asymmetrically across the tiers. Placid Blue and hemlock green ‘sea glass’ coloured bottles (some with flowers, others empty and of varying heights and sizes) and added succulents.

Cocktail Table:
Small floral centrepiece (so as not to detract too much from the table linen) in whites, blues, succulent mint greens, blush pinks and added foliage; low candles surrounding the centrepiece in an asymmetrical manner.

Reception Table:
Floral table runner illusion (not as full and consistent as a floral table runner), dispersed with low candles, twisted driftwood intertwined with flowers, and highlighted with uplighting from the center of the table; some floral displays placed upon rustic, round wooden blocks of varying heights to break up the consistency and height – a lot of greenery and foliage to add volume, and create a fresh and natural feel.

Top Table:
Fresh floral table runner, flowing over ends of the table, keeping in flow with the rose textured table linen, and pin-spotting along the centre of the table runner.

Entrance Table:
Long, twisted driftwood, nautical rope, glass float, white ocean coral of varying sizes, large vintage mirror, florals in whites, blush, blues(hydrangeas), greens (succulents and foliage) in bottles and vases with small gold glass bottles and tea candle holders to create a rustic, yet elegant ocean- theme entrance display with lots of clear, blue and green glass vessels, vases and candle holders tied in with florals.

[All Images from Pinterest]

Stella & Dot : Bridal Fancies

 

I was recently introduced to Stella & Dot by a friend – and Stella & Dot stylist – and I have absolutely fallen in love with their jewellery!

Stella & Dot is an online shop that sells jewellery, bags, scarves and more, and even better…..they have personal stylists who can host ‘Trunk Shows’ to showcase and sell the beautiful pieces – an evening with the ladies, wine, nibbles, a selection of glamorous necklaces, rings, earrings (the list goes on), numerous purchases of gifts for yourself…what more could a girl want?

Stella & Dot stylist, Janine Kok, has just introduced a fantastic range of bridal jewellery to her page, ranging from chunky statement pearl necklaces to the delicate Chantilly lace cuff – no matter your style, wedding theme or budget, there are stunning and unique pieces for each and everyone one of you to wear on your special day. You can even create your own keepsake necklace!

A few of my Bridal favourites…. [Please click on the images to be taken to the Stella & Dot website]

    

Keepsake Necklaces

Stella & Dot is a go-to site for every style, and their pieces are a must-buy for this year! Visit Janine Kok’s personal stylist page, http://www.stelladot.co.uk/sites/janinekok , or check out her page on Facebook for more news, updates and offers.

 

Not getting hitched yet? How about some funky, spring statement necklaces to brighten up your everyday style? I LOVE the coral, turquoise and pastel coloured necklaces (hot on trend for 2014) and arrow rings/bracelets! See more of my Stella & Dot favourites below…

Sand Dollar Pendants

 

I am VERY excited about the new pendants I designed with my brother (www.christopherwaddell.com , http://www.freewebstore.org/cw88geocoins) , and even more excited that the samples of all nine versions have just arrived!

The pendant design was originally used in a Geocoin that my brother made for my wedding in Cyprus last year – we have since added to the design and created a tribal/aztec print design on the reverse (or front depending on how you to choose to wear it!) of the pendant, and produced a variety of different colours and finishes. I LOVE the turquoise and coral colours, but for an elegant and sophisticated look, the satin silver and satin gold are perfect (I won’t be taking mine off!).

As a wedding coordinator in Cyprus I meet so many brides who have chosen their ‘destination wedding’ and want every aspect of their wedding and decor to reflect that, so what better than a beautiful sand dollar pendant for your bridesmaids or flowergirls to wear on your wedding day – or even just as a gift to say thank you!

 

Sand Dollar Pendants will be available to buy from the end of April at:

 

Marine Blue Designs (Etsy) – https://www.etsy.com/ch-en/shop/MarineBlueDesigns

 

CW88’S Geocoins – http://www.freewebstore.org/cw88geocoins

 

Ebay – Seller Name: Cwaddell88 (http://www.ebay.com/)

 

Or for more information on Marine Blue Designs and upcoming pendants, please visit my Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/marinebluedesigns

 

Marine Blue Designs has re-opened on Etsy!

Looking for your Something Blue? Something New?

Marine Blue Designs has re-opened for the 2014 Wedding season, offering Brides the opportunity to have custom made pieces designed especially for them and their wedding, according to their theme and colour scheme.

Check out Marine Blue Designs on Etsy for more information:

https://www.etsy.com/ch-en/shop/MarineBlueDesigns

Wedding Planning, Styling & Design: Special Effects

The Use of ‘Ice’ in Event Design

Ice is a very unique and interesting way of creating a fun focal point at an event. Although it suits a winter wedding perfectly, many different aspects of ice could also be used at summer weddings, or in warmer climates (in hot weather, the visual aspect of ice will help your guests feel cooler). For a winter wedding the ‘Ice Luge’ is a fantastic sculpture, which is also multi functional as a cooling mechanism for cocktails and shots, and a fun, exciting visual element for guests to join in with (some ice luges come complete with a spout at the bottom for guests to drink from directly!). Placed upon a darker coloured fabric and/or backdrop in a central or ‘empty space’ – the ice luge will stand out in the venue and attract the attention of guests. The element of ‘ice’ could be extended to ice shot glasses waiting to be filled at the bottom of the luge, as you pour your chosen beverage through! It is important that the ice for an ice luge is crystal clear, to obtain the full visual potential of the ‘luge’ as beverages are poured through – therefore a machine-carved sculpture would be recommended, or potentially a hand-carved sculpture, dependent on the ice used. Shot glasses could simply be made using a moulded form (rubber shot tray mould) which may create a frosted, misty ice to differ from the crystal clear ice luge.

 

 

Photo: Ice Sculpture Luge (itsabrideslife.com)

 Photo: Ice cake Luge (polkadotbride.com)

 

Photo: Frosted Ice Shot Glasses (sugarandcharmblog.com)

 

Using ice in a summer/warmer wedding is a little trickier as you don’t want anything to melt within seconds of it being presented. An ice luge would be less appropriate in this climate, but the feeling of freshness and coolness at a warmer climate wedding is aesthetically pleasing to guests. The use of ice centrepieces is a lovely idea, differing to the usual floral displays. However, flowers are still beautiful to have as a centrepiece and could be incorporated into an ice centrepiece design by freezing fresh flowers inside an ice sculpture. The crystal clear ice (again it will need to be machine-carved or possibly hand-carved) magnifies the vibrant colours of the flowers frozen inside it, creating a ‘frozen in time’ feel and theme. The use of flowers and ice could be further used in ice shot glasses (with small flowers and/or herbs frozen in the ice glass), as well as frozen flower and herb ice cubes (all edible and safe to consume) to use in various drinks at the bar. These are small touches of ice and florals that would add vibrancy and colour to a usually plain or simple element of design.

Photo: Sweet Bliss Weddings (sweetblissweddings.ca)

1. Fairylight Canopy

 

Fairylight canopies are beautiful and add a very surreal and romantic feel to a venue. Although they are ideal for venue buildings with high ceilings (i.e. old barns) as you can still see up to the beautiful, old ceiling whilst creating a close and cosier atmosphere – they are also excellent for outdoor venues without marquees. Adding a fairylight canopy above the venue area, creates a focal point, whilst outlining an ‘invisible’ marquee area. Fairylights create a dramatic effect without detracting from other focal points at the venue, and perfectly suit an outdoor, rustic wedding, or an elegant indoor event.

 

1. Confetti Canon

Confetti photo shots are some of my absolute favourite wedding photographs, as it truly captures the excitement and happiness of the event as the Bride and Groom walk back down the aisle. Confetti canons are becoming more and more popular and boost the confetti photo shots to a different level with the vast amount of confetti, it displays a truly magical moment and captures the Newlyweds in a personal and surreal instant. It is lovely and welcoming for the Bride and Groom to have their closest friends and family throw the confetti after the ceremony as the Bride and Groom walk back down the aisle, but it is an exciting time at the reception venue when the new Mr & Mrs are announced for the first time, and I feel that this is the perfect time for a grand entrance with an abundance of confetti shot out of the canons, as you are able to capture a truly fun and exciting moment for the couple (as it is now beginning to set in that they are husband and wife!), as opposed to the romantic and magical moment they shared immediately after the ceremony.

 

1. Fireworks & Sparklers

Too many fireworks can be a little bit ‘over the top’, however a short display of dramatic fireworks can recapture the guests (as over the course of the evening they may tend to spread out with all of the dancing and enjoyment of the night) at the end of the evening, or even during the Bride and Groom’s first dance (another element of drama added to the evening) – although I feel this should be a moment for everyone to focus solely on the Bride and Groom, rather than fireworks. Fireworks are perfect for an outdoor event, as you don’t have to guide the guests too far away, but would also tie in well with the finale for the evening before all of the guests leave. A short dramatic firework display will enhance the surreal element of the wedding, creating another romantic and magical moment for the couple, as well as the guests.

 

Further utilising the element of fire, a beautiful sparkler send off would be the perfect way for the happy couple to end their evening (and also incorporate into some sparkler photographs). Although fire can often be a very dramatic and sometimes harsh element, it becomes soothing, romantic and enchanting when sparklers are lit under a dark sky at night.

 

 

1. Wedding Scents

Scent is linked directly with memory, and as this will be one of the most important days in your life, it is one day that you will want to remember forever, and it is important that we incorporate scents into your wedding that will spark your senses in the years to come.

 

An outdoor, beach wedding immediately provides signature scents that are associated with the venue location – the musky scent of palm fronds, the salty sea air, the humidity in the atmosphere. Your venue on the beach will include all of these scents, and a gentle sea breeze will enhance these scents in the surrounding area. We will create a scent ambience before the ceremony with a signature Pina Colada cocktail, including fresh coconut milk, poured directly from coconuts picked earlier that day; freshly cut pineapple and squeeze of fresh lime juice, topped with a sprig of fresh mint and a slice of lime and pineapple. As the ceremony begins, the sweet smell of the jasmine tree next to the aisle tickles the senses of your guests, and a warm, soft vanilla scent gets caught up in the breeze, floating off of the candle lit aisle. As the evening goes on, the smell of grilled seafood from the nearby barbeque fills the air with fresh scent of lemon and lime being drizzled on top. Toward the end of the night, the burning after-scent of fireworks and sparklers lifts up into the night sky, leaving your guests with memories of a lifetime.

Wedding Planning, Styling & Design: Lighting Effects

Pin-spotting

Pin-spotting, or highlighting a specific area with light, has become increasingly popular at events in recent years. The most popular, being the pin-spotting of floral arrangements on tables – by projecting a single, narrow beam of light into the centre of the flower arrangement on a table at the guest reception, the arrangement is highlighted, whilst also providing low lighting for the table. This type of lighting creates a glow from the flowers, or centrepiece, giving extra emphasis to the décor. The dim lighting reflected from the pin-spot, creates a warm, cosy and romantic ambience in the room.

Gobos

A gobo is a stencil, which light filters through and projects an image. These are usually made of metal, but are more recently being created from glass or glass with coloured oils.

Gobos are popular in intelligent (robotic) lighting, which is often used at wedding and events, using specific coloured lighting and effects to create a certain ambience. They can be used in lighting scanners (lighter and faster movement) and moving heads (heavier with 360 degree coverage), which are both popular robotic lighting systems. The gobos will usually project in black and white – in order to add colour, a coloured gel must be added to the projector, or a gobo with coloured glass can be purchased.

The gobos can also be personalised, with the Bride and Grooms’ names, initials or design often being projected onto the dance floor/ceiling/walls at Wedding receptions.

Basic Rules of Lighting

–          Highlight the important and striking aspects of your event (less striking features are best left in the shadows) with pin-spotting

–          Choose lighting colours that make you look good

• Stay away from purples, blues and greens (they can make you look dead, and surroundings – such as greenery – look artificial)
• Ambers, pinks, peaches, apricots and honey are flattering colours, but are not always dramatic (utilize the correct colours in the correct areas)

–          Dim lighting can be romantic, but if made too dim it can make it hard for guests to eat/talk

–          Backlighting is very romantic

–          Blending pink and blue light can be very dramatic and aesthetically pleasing

–          Remember that too much light, is just as bad as too little light

–          White light is the only colour that should be used on food and flowers

–          Utilise white as an accent colour, surrounded by coloured light

–          Ensure you stand/sit in the area when using certain lighting to make sure it will no shine in the eyes of guests or reflect in the wrong areas

The Use of Intelligent Lighting

Robotic scanners, a type of intelligent lighting, are popular for wedding dance floor lighting as they are smaller and light –therefore, they can move quickly and efficiently. Scanners, such as the American DJ Pocket Spot, or the High End Trackspot are able to project light over a wide area (they aren’t ideal for spot lighting) and use motors that allow them to work hands free. The scanners project through gobos or various colours to create a certain ambience – in this case, the scanner could use colours to create a fun, fast-moving, dance floor. The advantage to this type of robotic lighting is that it is far cheaper than the moving head lighting, however it does tend to be slightly dimmer due to the smaller size of the appliance and the light bulbs used.

 

Moving heads, another type of robotic lighting, are much heavier, and therefore slower moving, projecting light in a 360 degree circle – essentially throughout the entire event space. Moving heads, such as a High End Studiospot, or Martin Mac 250, are ideal for gobo lighting on the dance floor or event wall (i.e. a personalised stencil of the Bride and Groom’s initials, or a warm wish to the happy couple) as it heavy and can focus well in one spot – or slowly moving the gobo across points of the dance floor/wall/space. Another use for the moving head is creating a ceiling wash in the event area – this essentially means creating a pattern or colour highlight on the ceiling or the walls of the event space. Some event spaces lack a certain event feel, or ambience – by projecting a gobo pattern across the ceiling in a soft blue hue, or highlighting the walls in warm colours, the moving head can be used to enhance the overall mood and ambience of the event area. The moving head is ideal for this type of lighting, as it covers a vast space and has the ability to provide far more stable lighting, however it can be very costly.

 

Wedding Planning, Styling & Design: Wedding Linen

Four Types of Wedding Linen Fabric

 1.      Charmeuse

 

 

Charmeuse is a soft, lightweight fabric with a satin weave. This is an opaque fabric that is shiny on the front side, and has a dull finish on the reverse side.

2.      Chiffon

 

 

Chiffon is a lovely, delicate and transparent fabric that gives a very soft and romantic effect.

 

 

3.      Burlap

 

 

 

Burlap, or Hessian, is a woven fabric made from jute or sisal, and looks beautiful when layered with lace. Burlap is very rustic and natural and is extremely popular with Weddings at the moment.

 

 

4.      Muslin

Muslin is a fantastic fabric for draping and using as backdrop, as the fabric usually comes in large and wide quantities. It is a loosely woven fabric that is ideal for weddings in warmer climates.

 

 

 

Linen Trends 2014

The trend of linens over the next 12 months is a more progressive take on the trends of 2013 – moving on from last season’s soft, pastel hues of blush and mint, whimsical and watercolour patterns – 2014 will have a lot more earthy, natural isolated floral prints, inverted colour blooms and leaves, baroque and rococo influenced styles, subtle animal and tribal pattern and moving on later in the year to more distinct and rich patterns, smudged and grafitti-like watercolour, and, as we head into 2015, far more vibrant patterns and colours. As 2014 steps it up a notch from last year -pastels will remain very popular, and will continue to influence the catwalk this year, but with the incorporation of exciting, bright fluorescent colours against the pastels.

 

All of these influences can be seen on the Catwalk (Paris Fashion Week 2014) and will be slowly emerging on the high street, as the colours and patterns continue to grow as the year goes on.

Earthy, Natural, Isolated Floral Prints & Inverted Colour Blooms and leaves:

[Designers: Zara, H&M, Dorothy Perkins, Roberto Cavalli, Burberry Prorsum & Tracy Reese}

Baroque and Rococo:

 

[Designers: Zara, H&M, Dries Van Noten, Temperley London]

Animal and Tribal Pattern:

 

[Designers: H&M, Dorothy Perkins, Roberto Cavalli, Temperley London, Valentino, Givenchy, Diance Von Furstenburg, Alexander McQueen, Lug Von Siga]

 

Smudged and Graffiti-Like Watercolour:

[Designers: Zara, H&M, Dorothy Perkins, Roberto Cavalli, Maria Grachvogel]

Pastels and Fluorescents:

[Designers: Versace, Roberto Cavalli, Herve Leger, Chanel]

 

 

 

 

In 2014, Bridal gowns will see an increase in colour, as coral, cayenne and shell pink dresses, by Vera Wang, hit the catwalk for Fall 2014. Floor length, whimsical floral laces, organza, illusion (sheer net fabric), taffeta and embellished neck, empire waist gowns that are soft, simple and elegant are also popular for this years’ Bride’s. Moving away from the voluminous princess gowns, there is an evident pattern of lighter, floating fabrics that highlight the natural feminine figure. We will also be seeing far more knee length and shorter style dresses, that give off a chic, yet quirky, vintage feel.  The floral linen patterns appear to be influencing the Bridal gowns this year, with delicate and subtle floral pattern (lace, beading, etc.) embellishing the gown fabrics.

 

Coloured Bridal Gowns

 

Bridal Gowns 2014

 

Short Bridal Gowns 2014

Research Websites:

 

www.harpersbazaar.com

www.marieclaire.com

www.societybride.com

blog.bbjlinen.com

www.patternbank.com

 

Images – www.pinterest.com

–          www.google.com