by Johanna Osborne

There’s a new kid on the block. At 92 Upland Road Kelburn, to be exact. But perhaps “kid” isn’t the right word. Elegant lady is probably slightly more accurate. For at the above mentioned address lies Wellington’s newest chic bridal boutique Paperswan Bride, owned and operated by Jennifer Barnett. Jennifer has worked for well renowned designer Stewart Parvin in the UK, who is famous for having dressed the royal family amongst other things. Jennifer learnt from the cream of the crop, and now she’s back in NZ to wow the bridal market here. And she’s certainly made quite an impact so far, with everyone who has seen her collections “ooh-ing and ahh-ing” about the glamour, style and elegance.

Kelsey Genna, Stewart Parvin, Paloma Blanca, Mikaella and La Sposa wedding dresses feature in this stunning boutique, nestled in the tranquil and stylish Kelburn village. We guarantee you will be hard pressed to pick out a favourite! The collection offers brides beautiful silks and romantic laces plus accessories galore.

Customer service is paramount here. When you arrive for your appointment you will be warmly greeted, with the aim to make your experience as enjoyable and relaxing as possible. However, you are definitely still allowed to be as excited as you like! Tea and coffee will be flowing, and Jennifer and her team will have a chat with you about your wedding plans and inspirations. A generous 90 minute slot allows you to try on anywhere from 5-8 gowns with time to review and retry your favourites. Getting the perfect fit is simple, as Paperswan bride manage the fitting process for you within the boutique. Easy and stylish – a dream come true!

Phone for your appointment today and it will be free in honour of Paperswan Bride’s grand opening – only until April 2013, so don’t miss out!

Paperswan Bride
92 Upland Road
Kelburn Village
Wellington 6012
04 475 5945
[email protected]

by Johanna Osborne

Wellington designer Sophie Voon has been a mainstay on the ‘who’s who’ of hottest NZ designers for some time. Her passion began early, and as a child Sophie’s favourite past time was to design dresses for her dolls. So it really comes as no surprise that Sophie grew up to study fashion design and open her own store.

Some pretty big things have happened for this modest local girl over the years, with both her Willis Street based clothing store Voon and the adjacent Voon Bridal Boutiques enjoying enormous success and receiving a following that other young designers can only dream of. To say Wellington is proud of Sophie and her talent is an understatement. And that’s why we join her in celebrating this latest piece of good news. Check out the press release below! And of course, don’t forget to tune into Sunday’s (24th February) Oscars to see if you can catch a glimpse of Sophie’s gorgeous designs!

PRESS RELEASE: Sophie Voon designs at the Oscars- Wellington Designer becoming a red carpet favourite

Wellington, Feb 18, 2013
(FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE)

It’s awards season again and Wellington designer Sophie Voon is cementing her place as the ‘go-to lady’ for red carpet fashion in New Zealand. Sophie’s gorgeous dresses will be worn at the Oscars this coming Saturday and were also worn at the BAFTA’s last week.

Wellington’s booming film industry has fallen in love with Sophie Voon gowns which were also selected by ladies to be worn at the Oscars and at the premier of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey last year. Her glamorous style has seen her become a favourite for party-goers desiring the perfect look for major industry events.

“We are loving this new aspect to our business.” says Sophie. ” It feels really special to be involved in such exciting occasions and the fact that we have been dressing people involved with locally made films makes it all the more satisfying for us. I think the people that come to us also enjoy wearing NZ fashion and show casing it to the world.”

Sophie will be dressing three lades this year. Katherine Hurst will be attending the Oscars in a show stopping turquoise lace gown. Jennifer Loughan is wearing a stunning floor length red number and Jenny Bloomfield will be wearing two different Sophie Voon creations at a pre-Oscar day event and the Oscar awards. She also wore a Sophie Voon gown at the BAFTA awards last week.

Katherine will be accompanying her partner Martin Hill, a Visual Effects Supervisor at Weta Digital, who is nominated for his work on Prometheus. Jenny will be going with husband Chris White, also a Visual Effects Supervisor from Weta Digital, who is nominated for his work on The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

A close up of one of the gorgeous gowns

Sophie putting the finishing touches on the beautiful red gown

Both ladies holding their 4 month old babies - the contrast between everyday life and the glamour of going to the Oscars!

by Johanna Osborne

Luke Waghorn from Played Out Entertainment tell us what it’s like to be one of Wellington’s hottest wedding DJs.
 

Ever wondered what the view is like from the inside? With almost 300 weddings under his belt, well-known Wellington DJ Luke Waghorn from Played Out Entertainment knows a thing or two about running a successful event, in particular when it comes to providing top notch entertainment at a wedding.

After all, few things are more important at a wedding than great entertainment. Besides admiring “the dress”, enjoying the food and sampling the alcohol on offer, entertainment is high on the list of priorities for guests who are eager to have a great time and walk away feeling “wowed”! And what bride and groom don’t want to throw an epic party for their nearest and dearest, which they’ll rave about in years to come?! The aim of the game is for everyone to have fun, and if there’s plenty of dancing, singing and laughter you know you’ve hit the jackpot. And Luke seems to be the man for the job.

In today’s blog he gives us an interesting insight into what’s hot right now in the wedding market. Luke himself is getting married very soon, so his tips below are even more meaningful, as there’s nothing like seeing what a wedding expert does when he/she actually walks down the aisle him/herself! Luke’s upcoming nuptials will be a topic of a future blog, and we can’t wait to bring you all the details on how his tropical paradise wedding goes. Stay tuned for a follow up on Luke’s own big day in a few months!

In the meantime check out part 1 of Luke’s interview today…

1. How long have you been a DJ and have you always been interested in music?
When I was little my dad use to wait until mum had left the house and play his records really loud for us! I have great memories of this and my brothers and I loved listening to “Money for Nothing” by Dire Straits, often requesting this song. Of course the deal was that we always had to watch out for Mum’s return, which sometimes didn’t work out so well for Dad. I quickly learnt how to play records and could often be found wearing headphones and listening to music. Dire Straits is still one of my favourite bands.

I started Dj-ing 13 years ago on the night of Halloween 2000, I answered a newspaper job ad for a nightclub DJ as I was trying to scrape some coins together for my rent money. Thinking “how hard could it be?”, I turned up for the interview at the nightclub, much to my surprise that night they called me back as the resident DJ was sick, nothing like on the job training! It was much harder than I ever imagined to DJ for 6 hours to a packed dance floor, however the crowd loved it, I was hired fulltime, and everyone went home happy.

2. How long have you been doing weddings and what do you like about that particular market?
I’ve been entertaining at weddings for the last 10 years and I worked out the other day that I’ve been to nearly 300 weddings! It’s only in the last 6 years that I have really focused on specialising in weddings, and what I like is the chance to provide a service that is unique to the Bride and Groom which gives them many lasting memories. It’s always fun meeting a couple a few years down the track, and they are still talking about the grand entrance or first dance I have helped them with. It’s also an ever-changing market with different ideas all the time which I like to take inspiration from.

3. Current trends in wedding music – most popular first dance, popular song list choices, live music?
The current trends from my perspective are not so much around the music selection itself, most bride and grooms I meet with want someone who can take care of the entire day’s events and create some really special moments for them. In America this person is often referred to as a wedding director and I see this role developing in NZ over the next few years. For me this generally means 4 hours of prep work before the wedding, sometimes with a wedding planner, meetings with the couple and then being onsite at a venue for a good 10 hours. Some of the things I now do are things I never would have thought I’d do a few years ago, for example last week I cued the flower girls to walk down the aisle, and this week’s wedding sees me editing songs for all the formal speeches. It’s now about being creative and finding something that will make a wedding slightly different to the rest.

4. Your prediction for 2013 – the hottest song?
I’m excited to hear Justin Timberlake’s new album 20/20 when it’s released this year. Music is so personal and so are weddings, but anything that trends in the top 40 or the classics that everyone knows are always well received.

5. A trend that’s now on its way out?
I see everything at weddings and each one has its own character and feel, so it’s hard to say a particular trend is leaving us. A couple of things I have noticed is shorter, less formal ceremonies and often now couples will opt out of a first dance.

6. The best advice you can offer a couple in terms of planning entertainment and music?
I think entertainment is one of the most important and under-rated aspects of a wedding, it brings everything together and sets the tone, from the moment your guests arrive at your ceremony through to the last song of the night; everything needs to hit the mark and be timed perfectly. Planning is really important and your provider needs to be on the same page as you. Poor entertainment will leave your guests feeling flat and that will often make them leave early, I think it’s important to budget wisely for entertainment. An iPod in the corner will work OK, but imagine what could happen when you hire a professional with the skills to help plan those special moments and execute them seamlessly. It’s amazing the value you will get from a good entertainer.

7. Best wedding you have ever been to?
One that comes to mind was that of a couple that got married in the Marlborough Sounds a couple of years ago. Everyone had to come in by boat to the beachfront location, it was stunning, everyone feasted crayfish and salmon, and the Bollinger Champagne flowed all night with the party continuing until 7am!

8. You are getting married in Rarotonga in May, congratulations! What is important to you in terms of planning your wedding -what lessons/advice are you taking to heart and applying to your own special day?
Thanks! We’ve planned a small informal wedding on a private beach and will enjoy having a great holiday with our family and friends. I’ve planned a couple of surprises that no one knows about, which will be really fun. My best advice is to plan ahead and don’t sweat the small stuff. As long as you’re surrounded by loved ones and have a wedding that reflects you as a couple, everyone will have a great time.

The famous Luke Waghorn

by Johanna Osborne

Wow! Ladies of Wellington, lovers of all that is divine and pretty, this is something not to be missed! Come into gorgeous Wellington store Sophie Voon Bridal on St Valentine’s Day- this Thursday 14th February- and have your make up done by the lovely Sarah, the store’s in-house makeup artist. Sarah will be doing her gorgeous makeup for absolutely free between 1:30-5pm!! If this isn’t the perfect start to a decadent Valentine’s Day date, then we don’t know what is. Duck out of work, pop in, get pampered and leave looking a million bucks, ready to wow your one and only with your drop-dead gorgeousness!

And of course as one of Wellington’s most gorgeous bridal stores, it’s a great opportunity to not only to see what Voon’s very own makeup artist can do for you, but also admire the amazing dresses in the boutique at the same time. It’s a win-win! All from Voon to you, with love. Enjoy!

by Johanna Osborne

The talented Kelly Lenard

“I’d rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck.” ~Emma Goldman

What do you do when a super talented florist from the American Midwest comes to good old Wellington, and as a long time admirer of her work (just look at the website and you will see what we mean!) you literally feel like you have nabbed the golden ticket? Why, you grab her for an interview of course! Yes, it’s New Zealand’s good fortune that Kelly Lenard, Owner/Designer of much loved American floral boutique ‘Intertwine’ has decided to visit NZ with a view to spending our summers here with a hope of branching out into the NZ wedding market, whilst America experiences its winter downtime. Kelly’s work is so tasteful, classic and gorgeous and we are thrilled to introduce her to Wellington brides.

So who is this amazing girl? The pretty photography major holds a deep passion for nature, art and history which are all ever-present in her unique designs. Kelly can be found searching the woods for interesting leaves, branches, or stones to add to a centrepiece and enjoys incorporating your personal family memorabilia into your special day. Her goal: to make every project uniquely individual. Kelly says “I love mixing old and new, rustic and chic, to intertwine your expectations with the unexpected.” We like the sound of that!

Of course we took this opportunity to ask Kelly some questions and see what style tips and predictions she has for the coming season. See what she has to share below, and of course don’t forget to check out samples of her amazing work. Eye candy at its very best! Swoon!

1. Kelly, you are here on a working holiday until April. That’s our gain. Why have you chosen NZ to visit?

Visiting NZ has always been a dream of mine. I love the outdoors and exploration has been a passion of mine since I was young. I come from the American Midwest where there’s flat farmland in literally every direction. It’s incredibly inspiring to see New Zealand’s amazing landscape and I love how much the scenery changes within such a short distance.

2. Obviously you are very talented and have excellent taste. What do you like about working on weddings?

I love how each wedding is like a new art project. Working with different flowers and design elements every week keeps my life fresh and exciting.

3. What are your predictions for floral trends this year?

I would love to see a growth in simplistic and organic style. I’m a firm believer that flowers are beautiful on their own. To me, it’s more about the right combination of shades and textures as opposed to the quantity and size of arrangements. I feel it’s very important to stay true to myself as an artist while still combining the tastes of my clients. I’m always concerned with what looks best as opposed to what’s trendy now. I want clients to look back on their wedding images and see a timeless beauty that reflected the love they share and who they are as a couple.

4. What are your personal favourite flowers and styles?

Cafe au lait Dahlias are my all time favorite flowers. Their tea stained petals with a hint of blush are perfection. I also love Anemonies, Ranunculous, Sweet Pea, and Garden Roses. Combining ruffly blooms with bold and interesting fillers gives arrangements just the right mix of earthy chic and classic romance.

5. What was your own wedding like – what kind of flowers did you use?

My husband and I had a vineyard wedding in the fall. The beautiful surroundings made it easy to decorate with simple arrangements of garden roses, amaranthus, grapes, thistle, leaves, and berries.

6. How does your home country and the people differ from NZ, and is that reflected in our taste/styling?

The people I have met here have kind, genuine, and extremely accommodating. I find that there is a great sense of community in New Zealand. Everyone I’ve met here has been very helpful. Whether it be for directions or information on places to see, someone is always willing to lend a helping hand.

Growing up in the country has definitely influenced my style. My personal taste is simple, somewhat muted, and a bit freeform. I like to let flowers dictate the feel of the arrangements by placing them in positions that emulate the way that they grow in nature. I adore rustic and weathered details mixed with feminine and natural patterns and textures. I’ve always pulled inspiration from the landscape of my surroundings. Being here in NZ already has me planning stylized shoots that convey the untamed beauty I see all around me.

7. Any other comments/thoughts you would like to add about yourself and what you do?

I feel so blessed to do what I love and to work with such amazing people. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to be here and to learn more about the New Zealand wedding industry. Because America has opposite seasons, my hope is that I can design weddings in the US half the year and spend the other half of the year doing weddings here in New Zealand. I know I have only been here for a short while, but I have already fallen in love with the culture, people, and landscape of your amazing country.

Intertwine -Event Styling, Floral, & Photography
www.intertwinestyle.com
[email protected]