shrug it off

Our winter issue hit stands this week, just in time for the cold snap! The seasonal chill gave us a good excuse to feature a beautiful shrug on our cover. Dress designer Anna Schimmel http://annaschimmel.co.nz created the soft strapless silk gown complete with an organza shrug – I fell in love the minute I saw it! And while I'm a fan of a veil or fascinator as a finishing touch (unless you're Lady Gaga chances are you won't have another chance to wear a veil) a shrug makes a nice alternative – especially one like this. Hand-dyed, to me it looks like the fabric's been dipped into a rainbow.

I know it's my job, but when the results of a photo shoot include such beautiful scenery, a gorgeous model, creative imagery and stunning dress designs, it makes editing a magazine very hard. So I couldn't resist posting some lovely images from our spectacular Otago fashion story that didn't make it into the mag.

Carolyn Haslett is the photographer http://www.carolynhaslett.co.nz  - quite a gal considering she also does hair and makeup (one of the best around for a bride's big day!) We shot at Millbrook http://www.millbrook.co.nz - clearly not just a hotspot for keen golfers!

And you may have seen our model Ngahuia's face around the country on billboards and on tele – she's one of New Zealand's best models http://www.62models.com/62_display.cfm?&modelid=302 . We were lucky to have her on the trip down south with us - as she is definitely one of the most beautiful models, and people, we've ever worked with.

A dream team and a dream shoot. Here's to having a dream wedding!

Posted by Melissa Gardi on 11 June 2010 | 0 comments

A perfect 10

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala is an annual celebration of fashion designers and their muses. Those attending pull out all the stops for red carpet glamour, which makes it a fanfare of ideas for a bride on the hunt for inspiration. This year there were plenty of hot looks for bridesmaids and for guests... but when catching sight of these 10 perfectly put together celebrities we were smitten.

Taylor Swift

Her delicate, vintage style gown would look as pretty for a summer garden wedding as it does on the red carpet. Topping off the look with vintage styled finger waved hair and punchy red lips, she could inspire a songwriter, let alone be one.

Kate Hudson

This chic gown is a simple style, which is set off with touches of sparkle in the fabric and some bold platform heels. Perfect pins are a pre-requisite for the daring slash to the thigh and tones arms are also a must for this neckline.

Anne Hathaway

Shades of white aren’t for everyone and Anne looks the ultimate fairy-tale princess in this divine ball-gown.

J Lo

Staying true to her saucy image, J Lo takes a really prim gown and sexes it up with a messy tousled bun and face framing layers. We like the way she has made an otherwise very regal styled dress her own. The embellishment on this dress is divine, and it would have to fit like a glove or it would be falling under its own weight.

Gwen Stefani

Gwen never has a platinum blonde hair out of place and her perfect coif is a gorgeous match to her ubiquitous red lips and winged eyeliner. The gauzy dress has an incredible shimmer and looks like it was sewn onto her body – definitely haute couture. We’re not sold on the black bra a walk down the aisle, but it certainly suits Gwen’s rock chic persona.

Diane Kruger

Does Diane Kruger ever get a red carpet moment wrong? This classic, simple gown is sheer elegance and very bridal in a crisp white. Proof that long sleeves can be deliciously on trend. With a high-neckline like this, Diane was right to stick with an up-do, although for a wedding day you could go more ornate and pop on some hair accessories.

Jessica Biel

Jessica Biel works hard to maintain her toned physique – apparently she is a huge fan of resistance training and does a tonne of squats and lunges. This diaphanous bias-cut gown is not the most forgiving of styles, but we think you’ll agree, she looks fantastic.

Kirsten Dunst
Kirsten is very cute and this slightly quirky ‘Boho’ gown - seemingly very her. It’s also very Stevie Nicks circa 1976, but hey, if that’s your vibe go for it. Whatever you wear on your wedding day, choosing a style that suits your shape and your personality are key to a gorgeous bridal look. We also have to give Kirsten an A+ for the makeup – love the flushed berry cheeks, soft pink lip and subtle definition to the eyes.

Emma Watson
At just 20 years old, Ms Watson has style beyond her years. The one-shouldered theme and slash to the thigh is clearly a strong trend for gowns this year. Emma keeps the look young and cool with some rocking heels, quirky jewels and loosely tousled curls. If she was too matchy matchy this dress might have aged her, but instead she looks perfectly at ease and gives the dress her own personality with her accessories.

Eva Longoria
Pint-sized Eva Longoria is just 5 foot 2 inches so she has to be careful that her tiny frame is not swamped by evening gowns. This clever design is a cute solution for her height – the feeling of length and drama is maintained by the mermaid cut and the lengthy train, but from the front it’s cropped a little above the ankle. The shoes are fantastic! Would have preferred to see her with less makeup as the blue eyeshadow is a bit on the harsh side, but at least she didn't over do it, sticking to a soft neutral lip.

Posted by Melissa Gardi on 6 May 2010 | 2 comments

We're having an Ozzie moment

We've already started pulling out the woolies and wheat bags at home, but Port Douglas, Australia is the ticket to a hot hen party or wedding. Between May to August the weather's not too hot to handle – it is the most popular time to walk down the aisle – and coincides with the one of the biggest parties in Australia, the Port Douglas Carnival (May 20-30). For 10 balmy days and nights the town comes alive with revelers set to enjoy some of Australia’s best food, wine, music and culture.

Top events include the Food and Wine Taste of Port (where a resourceful bride once hosted her wedding reception), Sheraton Mirage’s Longest Lunch and the fabulous Seafood Extravaganza held at the local marina. For guests with young family in tow the Mile Beach Family Fun Day, Douglas Songwriters Competition and the entertaining Macrossan Street Parade is sure to entertain.

For more information visit www.weddingsportdouglas.com.au. If tying the knot in May, newly weds and their guests will have plenty of entertainment options at Port Douglas’ Canivale.  For more information visit www.carnivale.com.au

Posted by Melissa Gardi on 16 April 2010 | 0 comments

Sweat the small stuff

I bet you thought you read that wrong. Ok, don’t literally ‘sweat the small stuff’ but when it comes to tying together your wedding theme with truly impressive styling, the little things really do add up. Much like popping on a great belt or necklace with your outfit, it’s the ‘little things’ that make a big impact to deliver that WOW factor you want to impress your guests on the day.

The Autumn 2010 New Zealand Weddings issue has some seriously gorgeous styling tips, which - despite being simple steps - will give your wedding day that little somethin’ somethin’.

Here are a handful of my favourite styling tips from the issue – you’ll have to grab a copy to find a few of your own favourites.

1) Thread roses onto string tied with ribbon to bring a rustic quality to your tables.
2) Decorate plain cupcakes with real flower buds or pretty petals.
3) Place candles in sand filled jars and set them ablaze as the sun sets.
4) Get a luxe look for less with elaborate flourishes of glossy satin ribbon on the back of each chair and around your cake in lieu of intricate icing.
5) Cover children’s colouring books or doodle pads with a plain wallpaper in your accent colour.

See – it’s the small stuff that really lend a sense of style to your wedding day.

What ideas do you have for making your wedding stylish?

Posted by Melissa Gardi on 31 March 2010 | 0 comments

No better time

What’s better than a tropical holiday? Two tropical holidays!

It’s the tail end of Valentine’s month and the good folks at the new InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa are feeling the love. Steal away to this heavenly hideaway, accept a proposal, and you could win a free wedding!

Propose (or convince your beau to propose) while staying at the InterContinental Fiji in February and the resort will treat you to a complimentary wedding, including a wedding coordinator, venue hire, marriage license, minister or celebrant, Fijian choir, flowers for the bride and groom, and a buffet dinner with a three-hour beverage package.

Sure, you have to shell out to be in to win, but flights are more economical than ever (check out www.airnz.co.nz) and we’d hardly call escaping to a picturesque paradise an imposition! Weddings may be held any time between now and next February. Conditions apply, so email weddings.fiji@interconti.com or visit www.intercontinental.com/fiji for details.

Posted by Melissa Gardi on 23 February 2010 | 0 comments

Gowns a-gogo

Inspiration ahoy! It’s gowns a-gogo in Hollywood right now, and last weekend’s Screen Actors Guild Awards was bursting with bridesmaid dress ideas. 

Our top five list goes a little somethin’ like this:

Kyra Sedgwick in Vera Wang – how about that smoky sash?!

Sandra Bullock in Alexander McQueen – because sometimes bare arms just won’t do.

Marion Cotillard in Elie Saab– note the way the sleek side part mirrors the asymmetrical neckline.

Christina Applegate in Roberto Cavalli – with a sprinkling of stardust atop her shoulders.

Lea Michele in Catherine Malandrino – in a word, exquisite.

Posted by Melissa Gardi on 28 January 2010 | 0 comments

Tis the season

Hello everyone, and happy new year! Mid-summer’s a treat for many reasons, such as seeing our little corner of the world catching wedding fever. For the bride-to-be it spells a smorgasbord of ideas to steal, and as awards season kicks into gear, it’s couture on parade in Tinseltown, too. Last week’s Golden Globes saw the stars come out to play and, my, did they bring it. Gowns fell to the floor and nude fabrics took top honours as the trend to watch, while on the beauty front elaborate updos were ousted in favour of simply styled, touchable tresses; farewelling the hairsprayed helmets that are de rigueur at such soirees. Below, a breakdown for your ideas book or inspiration board.

Jennifer Garner worked the girl next door angle to stunning effect, going for the good old half-up hairdo that saw a cascade of curls caressing her toned back, artfully exposed courtesy of her Versace sheath. Note the earrings – a sophisticated accent that didn’t detract from her on-trend asymmetrical neckline.

Drew Barrymore won an award and our hearts for her champagne Atelier Versace gown. Again with the asymmetrical, and that ruched waist and beautiful beading would not look out of place on a wedding gown. We’ll drink to her simple chignon, too.

We stifled a yawn over Julia Roberts’ lacklustre vintage YSL dress but, no matter, as her loose honey-coloured waves had us at hello. This is a look brides-to-be with long, healthy locks should definitely short-list; best served with a plunging neckline.

Nicole Kidman came over all screen goddess, selecting a satin crème brûlée Nina Ricci befitting her statuesque form. Love the nod to a bygone era with the covered buttons. Her elegantly sideswept hair proved even the frizziest of manes can be coaxed into submission when the need arises – file this under ‘glamour’.

Kate Hudson raised the topic of wedding cakes in our minds. Swathed in layers of satin and tulle – the icing on top (or bottom) was those hot ivory platforms!     

Christina Aguilera’s blunt bob was fierce and surely a serious contender for bride-to-be fans of a structured look. We weren’t enamoured with her gown’s metallic detail, but in all other respects her peach Versace gown was a triumph, successfully making a fuss of her deliciously bare décolletage.

Calling all short-haired stylistas! Ginnifer Goodwin’s chocolate crop with its saucy feathered fringe is definitely a look to consider – it framed her face and highlighted her enviable cheekbones.

But the New Zealand Weddings Award for Sartorial Excellence goes to Emily Blunt. Who cares that she won a Golden Globe for her turn in The Young Victoria? For us the feat that deserves recognition is her wardrobe selection – her dusky pink Dolce & Gabbana gown was all romantic layers of chiffon, chaperoned by not one but two silver cuffs. Captivating. 

Posted by Melissa Gardi on 22 January 2010 | 0 comments

There's something special...

There's something special about people who are unabashed about expressing themselves.

And love makes you do crazy things...

Debbie McDonald and Peter Hancock from Auckland met while participating in a cycling race for which they were dressed as Ninja Turtles. But as the winning couple of our New zealand Weddings' $25,000 Win Your Dream Wedding Competition, they'll swap the green suits and headbands for a Jane Yeh frock and Frank Casey gear, to recite their vows at Simunovich Estate in the Bombay Hills.

Debs and Pete made a hilarious video to thank friends and family members whose votes made their dream wedding a reality.

Learn more about them as they plan their April wedding in our upcoming Summer issue which hits stands December 7th.

Posted by Melissa Gardi on 23 November 2009 | 1 comments

What's on your soundtrack?

Here at the New Zealand Weddings office, we’ve been discussing how selecting the songs for your wedding reception can be almost as tricky as creating your seating plan. Do you keep Gran and Gramps happily foxtrotting around the dance floor, or do you ensure your friends are carving up all night long by keeping the top-40 hits spinning?

The simple answer is to remember that you can’t please everyone, so it’s best to use music as another element to create the atmosphere you want to achieve. If you’re envisaging a classy, sophisticated reception, choose classic songs with everlasting appeal – young and old alike will be captivated by the dulcet tones of Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby. And you can easily modernise the genre by keeping this millennium’s artists such as Duffy and Michael Bublé (his hit song Sway is bound to get everyone in a spin) on high rotation.

Some couples would prefer their reception to be more about letting their hair down. If this sounds like you, mix the latest pop hits (think Black Eyed Peas’ I Gotta Feeling) with old-school beats that everyone knows, such as the Grease Megamix. After all, a wedding reception is one of the few occasions where it’s perfectly acceptable to break it down to the Macarena or form a conga line. You’d be surprised which tracks tickle some people’s footwork fancies. One of our staffers witnessed the miracle of her new father-in-law voluntarily stepping onto the floor for the first time when Guns N’ Roses’ Paradise City blared from the speakers. And while The Nutbush is the epitome of cheesiness, it’s so simple that even people with two left feet can manage it.

After much debate among the team about the best tunes to play, we decided to ask someone who lives and breathes music and enlisted Goldenhorse singer Kirsten Morrell, who recently embarked on a new solo career, to share the 10 songs she most loves to hear at a wedding. Here’s what she chose:

1. Come on Eileen – Dexy’s Midnight Runners
2. Murder on the Dancefloor – Sophie Ellis-Bextor
3. Blue Monday – New Order
4. The Lovecats – The Cure
5. Violently Happy – Bjork
6. Brimful of Asha – Cornershop
7. Starman – David Bowie
8. Billy Jack – Curtis Mayfield
9. I Want to Take You Higher – Sly & the Family Stone
10. Blame it on the Boogie – The Jackson 5

Keep an eye out for our music special in the summer issue of New Zealand Weddings, and in the meantime, check out Cherry Coloured Dreams, the first single from Kirsten’s debut solo album Ultraviolet.

What song do you love to hear at a wedding? Leave your comments below and you could inspire another bride’s ultimate playlist.

Posted by Melissa Gardi on 3 November 2009 | 0 comments

Cocktail hour

I spent some of the long weekend trying out cocktail recipes for the next issue (comes with the job!) Now that strawberries are back in season and the prices have dropped to a couple of dollars a punnet, daiquiris make a refreshing and budget-friendly option for engagement parties, weddings or even just those breaks in the planning process. And keep some space in the garden to grow your own mint – mojitos and summer go hand in hand.

Strawberry daiquiri

2 shots white rum

15ml sugar syrup

1 pinch icing sugar

1 shot triple sec

1 shot lemon juice

1 handful strawberries (minus the stem)

Extra strawberries, to garnish.

Combine all ingredients with ice in a blender. Pour into a glass and garnish with a strawberry.

Mojito

3 shots lime juice

1 handful fresh mint

1 tsp brown sugar

Club soda

Extra mint and/or raspberries, to garnish

Muddle the lime juice, mint and sugar. Shake and pour over ice into a glass. Add rum, then top up with club soda. Garnish with extra mint, or raspberries.

Posted by Melissa Gardi on 27 October 2009 | 0 comments