Brides of 2012

You may "end where the dress ends"

Hi there Everybody

I am SO very sorry it’s been a while since I posted up a “chat”.  I hope you all hade a lovely holiday season and I’m sure you’re all back into the swing of things seeing we’re nearing the end of January already…and then we’re into February and I believe it’s a leap year and so girls can ask the guys to marry them on the 29th of Feb or so I’m led to believe.

So further to our strapless gowns…here’s something to bear in mind.  There are over 70 shades of white and most people suit soft white.  There are very few – bar “Snow White” with her pitch black hair, creamy skin and very blue eyes, that can get away with Ice White or Brillaint white.  White is actually a difficult colour because it can be quite unflattering and if the gown is just satin (without some sort of overlay eg, lace, organza or chifon) it can look quite “hard” and show up a few lumps and bumps.  The next time you stroll into a garden at dusk, have a look around you and you’ll notice that white is the last colour you see before nightfall.  White Flowers will almost seem to flouresc as night comes.  All very well and pretty in a garden, but as you walk down the aisle and your photgrapher takes your photo, you want to make sure that YOU are seen and not just the dress.  You phot’s will be your memory and if your gown is “TOO WHITE” you might just disappear as it “glows” in the photographs.

And therein lies the danger of a strapless gown.  Unless you are very careful (more about that another time) you will “end where your gown ends” and that is how tall you’ll look in your photographs.  The horizontal line created by many strapless gowns is where most people’s eyes will stop and there will be no flow, nothing to draw the eye further upwards to the bride’s face.

So there’s a small thought to think over and I’ll chat to you again.  If anyone has a special item or subject they would like to chat about..PLEASE let me know.

All the best and breathe, breathe, breathe….hhhhuuuuuummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

www.mcouture.co.za

 

A strapless Wedding gown?

So here are some thought to consider…and these thoughts are not written in stone..they are merely observations from a person that is now in the middle of the overwhelming task of choosing a wedding gown.

A lot of brides that walk in the our door want a strapless wedding dress.  It’s funny really, because so many brides tell me that they want something “different” something unique for their special day.  They want to be different and have something unusual about their dress that will set them apart.  BUT let’s be honestt..nearly EVERYONE wears a strapless wedding dress!!!  What is it that says that a wedding dress has to be strapless otherwise it isn’t a true wedding dress?  Yup – there are many beautiful designs when you look at them in photographs but a bride has to ask the question when looking at this gorgeous photgraph..is that strapless gown going to suit my figure?  In fact – what is the figure that suits a strapless wedding dress?  Do the majority of people look good in a strapless gown and if not – why on earth do the majority of brides go for them?

It’s not that I’m not a fan of strapless wedding dresses..it’s just that I’ve seen to many brides look awful in them and who have, with a bit of proof, seen the difference if they chose something that would suit THEM and THEIR figure rather than choose something that fashion has decided.

So I’m sure you all know the good points of a strapless gown.  They are elegant, they show off the collarbone area which is supposed to be the most elegant area of a beautiful woman, they are “princess-like”, they are royal, they are dignified and they are not something we wear everyday.  Cool!  We know they can be really beautiful.

What are their negatives? mmmm believe it or not – there are quite a few that need to be considered and if each of these can be overcome – then go for it!

The first negative is the colour.  The fact that wedding gowns are pale – White, Soft White, Ivory and all its many shades (there are 72 shades of white) is the first problem we’ll look at…

Till next time

Breathe…breathe…don’t panic…..

www.mcouture.co.za   www.invitationcreation.co.za

An ever expanding wedding guest list…

Ok..so you’ve done what was suggested in the last post.  You’ve had a lovely evening with your fiance, you’ve finished a superb bottle of wine, you’ve each drawn your circles and you’ve each got a list of wedding party, family and close friends that have touched your lives.  Cool!  You’re doing great!  But then …..oh no…guilt …the guilt list…..

“What about Ann..she will be SO upset if I don’t ask her.  She was the one that …….etc etc  (you know the story) She’ll never speak to me again if I don’t ask her…”
“And then there’s my step-brother….no matter how we tried, we just didn’t get along.  He’s married now himself I think, but dad will be pretty mad if I don’t ask him – he REALLY wanted us to get on…..”

So now what?  With the addition of “the Guilt List” you have two choices.  You either draw the circle and put names in it.  Or you draw a square in the bottom corner of your page and you put names in there.  What’s the difference?
Well, the “Guilt Circle” are people who between you and your fiance, you’ve decided that you actually just CAN’T not ask them.  You will create a family feud or your heart just tells you that these people HAVE to be included.  This circle needs to be limited so decide on a number (for example 6) and this is the maximum number of quests allowed onto the the guilt circle.  6 for you, 6 for your fiance.  NO MORE!  If you have a greater list…choose the best 6 and put the rest into the square in the bottom corner that I mentioned earlier.

What is the square?  This is for folk that you want to ask, but can’t.  They are the ones that you DO feel guilty about but you hope like anything that they will understand and just be happy for you.  But you may feel a little better about not inviting them if you  “include” them in some small way.  Have a few extra Wedding Favours” or small memento’s of your wedding day made.  Perhaps include a photograph of the two of you.  Slip the favour together with a card made up in your Bridal Colour Scheme and print a small poem in the card.  You can make one up yourself or go along to www.invitationcreation.co.za and ask them to make up reasonably priced cards up for you in your colour scheme with something like this (they have a few poems that are not on their website but will e-mail you a choice if you order some cards) :

We wish it was different, but here’s how it is
Our budget was little< our guest list was big
So we decided to send you a “piece” of our day
To say you were thought of in every way.

This will make them feel thought of and happy that they were included.  Trust me when I tell you that a kind thought like that will make it far easier to whittle your guest list down knowing that you are doing your best to smooth feelings and ease any tension.  Your left out guests will be far more understanding and will be happy for you.

Go on – have another sip of wine in celebration of a problem solved!!

Breathe…

Chat to you soon…

www.mcouture.co.za  www.invitationcreation.co.za

Who to Invite to your Wedding…

Oh no…you’ve had a look and his number of possible guests and yours add up to a HUGE wedding and taking a peek into your budget has told you that you could never afford to have everyone there.  What to do!  Panic!!!

No – don’t panic.  Once again, sit down with your fiance and maybe his and your parents (I say maybe because it does depend who is paying for the majority of the wedding).  As usual, have a glass of wine, put some music on and each have a piece of paper or pad with you.  On the paper, draw a small circle and write your name in it.  Your fiance must do the same.  Then draw another larger circle around the one with your name in it.  In this circle, write the names of the “Wedding party“…your bridesmaids, his best man, flower girls, page-boy etc.  Then draw ANOTHER circle encompassing the inner two.  This circle will contain close family that are not part of the wedding party.  The next circle will contain very CLOSE friends.

This circle is a really important one.  Your list of close friends should be the people who mean something precious to each of you. They will be the people who have stood by you, supported you, laughed with you, cried with you, held your hand and cheered you on in life.  After you have completed this list and added up the total of all your circles, see if it fits your budget and if there is room for more.

If your budget has been reached STOP.  If not…decide who will be added but select these few based on what they have shared with you.  That is what weddings are all about.  Having your loved ones, family and friends that love you to share with you in the start of your new life.  I know it’s a hard one, but weddings are filled with emotion and joy.  As hard as it sounds, having a host of people there who you haven’t seen for years and can’t remember where they “fit in” won’t add anything to your day other than a larger bill.

I mean this with the most respect, as I realize it might be very difficult to leave out Aunt Harriet and Uncle George who gave you a bicycle when you were two..but when you have a budget, the line can only be drawn by having people around you who love you as you are now and who have shared and touched your life.

All the best….BREATHE!  Enjoy your wine…

till next time

Can’t wait for a Summer Wedding?

He’s got down on one knee and popped the question!  It’s SOOO exciting but he’s done it in July.  It’s too short a time to arrange a wedding for Summer and next summer just seems such a long wait.  How are you going to do this?  Can you wait that long?  Are there options for a gorgeous winter wedding?  Of course there are.

In many parts of the country – winter means dry weather and for others – it means cold and wet.  No matter where you live, there are options.

First of all – think warm colours..think of rich burgundy mixed with wine and antique lavender.  Think of warm pumpkin mixed with maroon and olive.  Think sparkling silver with antique gold and ochre and berry…the colour schemes to bring warmth into winter are endless.

Now look at venue and decor and food…a old stone mill or castle type atmosphere with a lovely big fire-place, roaring fire, sparkling wine glasses, a centrepiece of faux fur, berries and ivy.  There’s nothing nicer than a range of ports, sherry and cheeses and then a voluptuous sherry trifle for dessert.  A hearty beef and beer strogganoff with roasted winter veggies followed by a sticky warm chocolate desert…I feel quite hungry…the combinations are fantastic.

Then the Gown – well you can choose any wedding dress you like really (more on that another time) but the addition of a small fur wrap or a cape lined with fur instead of a veil is really beautiful.  It has a sort of Wuthering Heights mystique to it and just adds a special something that is really unique.

So if you can’t wait – a winter wedding can be more than beautiful and really something quite special.

Take care till next time.

www.mcouture.co.za   www.invitationcreation.co.za

 

A Sneak Preview of Wedding Gowns

Exciting!  It’s one thing planning a wedding, the venue, the invitations etc but let’s be honest at the top of the list, the item that makes the butterflies go wild in your stomach and will make you truly feel ” A Bride” is the gown.

We’re going to go into gowns in A LOT more detail – there is SO much to tell you and for you to keep in mind but let’s just take a break from looking at budgets and decorations and take a look at the start of looking for your Dream Wedding Dress.

I love seeing a brides face when she’s looking at gowns.  It goes sort of dreamy and soft and the imagination runs wild, full of romantic thoughts and floating visions of her walking down the aisle.  It’s hard for me to have to pull a bride back to reality as sometimes, reality hits us with a bump.  The danger is – you look and look and LOOK at magazines and websites and you see these amazing bridal gowns.  You visualise just what you’ll look like and you project yourself into the picture.  And then there’s a voice that interrupts these thoughts…it’s me…..

And I have to tell you….”Sweetheart….that dress is beautiful.  The model looks amazing.  She is about 2 meters tall (just exaggerating a little) and she has legs that finish under her arm-pits.  She has been airbrushed “just so” and her skin is perfect.  Her waist looks like a wasp it’s so small and I don’t think she has ever let a choccie brownie pass her lips. But Honey, here’s the real deal.  You are gorgeous too, but you are 1.65.  You are a real woman with a waist line that has enjoyed the odd cookie.”

Do your dreams come crashing down around your ears?  Please don’t let them.  At first, when you start to look at wedding dresses, try not to say to yourself…”That’s MY DRESS!!!!!!!!”.  As easy and as exciting as that may be…rather take another deep breath, …hhhhhuuuuuummmm…. and write down what you like about that dress.

Are you a Lace person?  Is it the lacy dress that is appealing to you?
Do you like the style?  A-line?  Mermaid? Column?
Is it it’s plain elegance that speaks volumes?
Would it make you feel like Cinderella at the ball with its beautiful voluminous skirt?
If you want a “theme” to your wedding for example “Chic Antique”, then does the gown you’re looking at fit into that theme?

Write down your likes and dislikes and you’ll be amazed at how it will help you “hone in” on what you actually like.

It’s easy to see so many gowns and want a bit from each to add together to make your perfect dress.
I really like bows..no WAIT!  I think I’ll have lace…on the other hand…I LOVE tulle…
aaaggghhhhhhhh!!!

That’s never going to work.  So you need to write down points that make your taste clear…and don’t let anyone sway you..the last thing you want to look like is a meringue Pudding covered in Pink Pepto Bismol because everyone has added their bit and you’ve tried to tack it all into one gown!

More next time – it’s ok – breathe…..

Ps Thanks for following my ramblings…please tell other brides..I would love to hear from you!

www.invitationcreation.co.za www.mcouture.co.za

 

Does your Bridal Bouquet shape matter?

Hope you all hade a lovely weekend.

You know – there are definite trends in Bridal bouquets and at the moment – the trend is to have a tight round bunch of beautiful roses perhaps with the addition of sparkly diamante jewels or pearls.  Long ago, if you looked at your Gran’s bouquet, it was probably quite a large bunch of cascading flowers that reached to mid-thigh!

Taste is one thing – but how you and your bouquet look in your photographs is another.  Your photographs will be your memory long after your wedding day and when you look back at them, you don’t want to think, “oh my Goodness, What was I thinking?”.

So we’ll look at a number of things that are the subject of looking back and wanting a fantastic memory as you look at your photo’s, but let’s look at your bouquet shape for now.  Imagine you decide that you want to “be in with the crowd” and go for the latest design in tight round posy of roses.  What happens if you so happen to be a little on the rounded side or you are blessed with having a little more around the chest area than others.  I have to be a little blunt here and you have to use your imagination a little bit….here goes….

You have two round shapes in the form of breasts as you face the camera, you are holding your round posy and smiling like anything which does tend to make all faces a little more rounded, and just below your round posy, are the curves of your hips.  In your photographs, what is the predominant shape?  It goes without saying that if you want to look taller or slimmer, then an elongated bouquet will do the trick.

 

It’s really all about illusions.  If a bride is very tall and very thin, then a rounded posy is fine as it creates a balance.  If your heart is set on a rounded posy, that’s fine, but sk your florist to just add some long pieces of ribbon. It will make the world of difference  If you look at the picture on the right hand side, imagine some longer pieces of ribbon in pearl white and soft pink, it will immediately elongate her figure.

It’s a small detail – but worth bearing in mind.

Chat soon!

 

www.invitationcreation.co.za  www.mcouture.co.za

A Budget but Beautiful wedding?

Well is it?  If you have to add it all up, weddings these days can cost an absolute fortune.  In the grand scheme of things, invitations get thrown away, flowers die, food gets eaten and the day is gone.  Your bridal gown , if not hired, is a wonderful memory and MCouture encourages brides that choose their stunningly romantic mantillas to keep them as the covering for their first child’s crib.  What a precious memory to have.  Even though your gown might remain in a box, it’s something that, when opened now and then, brings back all the love and special thoughts and feelings you had on your wedding day.

One of the most budget friendly colour schemes for a wedding is Shades of Green and White.  It’s fresh, it’s crisp and elegant, it’s unfussy and simple and it’s SO easy to put together without much nonsense.

Striped green and white paper napkins can be found almost anywhere.
Small leafed ivy and shades of green ranging from dark to a creamy yellow are seen in any garden and your friends and family will be so happy to let you have some sprigs – there is nothing nicer than an elegant bowl or spray of leaves that come in all shapes and sizes.  If you like, you can add a few sprigs of Baby’s Breath or Gypsophila to create a dreamy white contrast.  Your bridal bouquet can have one or two more expensive additions like orchids or white roses.  Believe it or not, but bed sheets make beautiful table cloths and some of the local Material shops sell really reasonable Organza if you’d like to have some down the centre of the tables.  Organza comes in al colours and looks beautiful, especially sparkle organza to just add a bit of zing.

InvitationCreation has just launched the most amazing Wedding invitation kits.  They do the majority of the work in that they have already designed a selection of 14 (which they keep adding to ) basic designs, then you choose your wording, your colours and ribbon or buckles..  InvitationCreation puts it all together into a kit form and you and your bridesmaids, mom, sisters and mom-in-law can get together for an evening of laughter and champagne while you put your invitations together.  Depending on the quantity, it should take an hour or two.  They really are worth looking at and InvitationCreation are willing to help with alternatives if they can.  Their prices are really reasonable and prices quoted on their website include and envelope.  If you want to, you can have thank you cards and menu sheets added as well.

There are various food options that are not very expensive either.  A beautifully presented spaghetti Bolognaise with a garnish of basil and parmesan, fresh crispy garlic bread and bowls of lovely green salads with olives and feta cheese on the side is perfect.  Presentation will dictate it’s elegance and almost everyone likes it.  A vegetarian option is just as easy.
Cold meats can be expensive, but roasting lots of chickens that have had their cavities stuffed with pieced lemons and thyme is fantastic.  They come out succulent with a hint of lemon and they can be done the day before and then served cold with lots of varieties of salads, breads and pickles.

If you want to hire a bridal gown, that’s will help but if you do want one to keep as a memory, MCouture have a stunning Purse Sensitive range.  All the gowns there are around R6000 and that includes everything including built-in petticoats and a simple veil.  They are also open to listening to your ideas and trying to suit your budget.

So we’ve covered quite a few options, there are more – but we’ll look at those another time.

Have a wonderful weekend…don’t stress!!

www.mcouture.co.za   www.invitationcreation.co.za

Family Wedding Decorations

So here we are discussing the different “feels” to a wedding, an elegant one, a family one or a relaxed and chilled affair.  As discussed yesterday, it is possible to have an elegant beach or picnic wedding but when it comes to family weddings, there has to be a balance as anything too elegant is likely to not stay in place very well with children around.

Even though you might set aside a table for children, chances are it won’t be long before they’re winding their way through the tables in search of mom and dad.  As you can imagine, having very tall centre pieces with delicate crystal hanging beads is an accident waiting to happen.  So, if you like the idea of lifting flowers off the tables, choose a sturdy glass cake pedestal that isn’t too high or have the flowers sit on the table.

The fewer things on the table that are “mouth size” , the better.  For example – just say you want a sparkly look so you dot the tables with little glass pebbles.  Where are the pebbles likely to end up with small children?  They’re pretty, they sparkle, they’re easy to fiddle with and pick up and..ooo…I wonder what they taste like?

If you’re going for a buffet, try to set aside one or two items that children can feed themselves.  It’s not easy for parents to enjoy the evening if they have to keep seeing to the children.  So a table that has cocktail sausages, mini burgers, fish sticks, carrot sticks and mini tomatoes is an option,  They’re bite size and don’t need too much in the way of utensils to eat them.  As mentioned in a previous chat, hiring a person (even if it’s a shy niece or young cousin) to oversea the kiddies table also helps and it gives the shy one something to do and feel like she/he has a “mission”.

So there are a few family wedding ideas…..

Look after yourselves till next time….

Elegant Beach or Picnic Wedding

So we left off last time looking at the elegant wedding.  We said “less is more” and generally colours are a little more subtle and simplicity is a good thing.

But that doesn’t mean that you must have your elegant dream wedding in a ballroom or beautifully decorated hotel. Granted, the way you, your fiance and your guests are dressed does add to the elegance of the day if that is your theme, but you can cater for high-heeled shoes at a picnic or beach wedding.

Instead of having relaxed seating ie: picnic blankets and hay bales, opt for tall backed chairs or metal ones.  Place these at long trestle tables that have been whitewashed or left wood and without using a table-cloth, place your cutlery and crockery on pretty placemats.  You table flowers can be a rambly affair of flowers mixed with ivy and tall candelabras with long thin candles.

Three tables of food is a great idea – one of starters, one of mains and another for deserts and cheeses.  Try to layer the food on boxes or upside down crates and cover these with table cloths.  Then decorate the various levels with a few flowers and ivy and perhaps some t-candles.  As dusk falls, the t-candles can be lit and your food will look romantically inviting.  You can get a little more on tables that have been layered with boxes and the effect is beautiful but do take care to ensure the food isn’t precariously balanced and likely to fall off!

Your tables can be placed in a semi-circle with a separate smaller table in the centre that holds your wedding cake.  This layout allows your guests to move easily from one table to the other, mingle and chat as they go and admire the beauty of your cake.

All you really need on grass or beach sand is a clip-to-gether floor (there are a few companies that provide such flooring) to act as your dance floor as dancing on grass or sand isn’t always that easy.

It’s the mix that makes it elegant….the mix of a relaxed picnic theme but the addition of elegant candelabras in the middle of the tables and the layered food tables decorated with candlesticks or t-lights, that is what will make your wedding day more elegant rather than a relaxed casual affair.

Next time, lets look at how to decorate for a family wedding.

Hope this is all helping a little bit – I’d love to hear from you

Bye for now.

Ps Breathe!