by Johanna Osborne.

I’m a summer girl through and through, and love nothing more than warm sunshine, pretty dresses, eating and drinking outside in merriment and enjoying the balmy temperatures long after dark. But I live in Wellington, New Zealand, and I get to do that sort of whimsical al fresco partying precisely 4 or 5 times a year, as we just aren’t known for our long hot summers or tropical climate. In fact, if there’s one thing you can rely on, it’s the unpredictability of the weather… especially when you need the sun to shine the most. So why not take advantage of what beautiful Wellington does well? Winter, that’s what! We know how to turn up the freezing cold temps and bring on the frosty atmosphere – all to the spectacular surroundings of our stunning city, of course. Take it warts and all, and make it all work to your advantage. A winter wedding can be something truly wonderful and extremely special. It’s all about perspective, a few special touches and the rest will follow. For there is great beauty in every season, even the most unforgiving one! And Wellington is a beauty, regardless of what the thermometer says.

A winter wedding can be incredibly glamorous, cinematic and magical. A wedding during the coldest season lends itself to so many possibilities, many which are easier, more economical and achievable than a summer wedding. With much more choice available to those who are willing to look “off peak”, a winter wedding can be made unique in so many ways.

Something just begs to be enjoyed about winter time. Especially when it’s a very special event we are talking about. Having spent almost a decade living in Europe during my childhood years, my memories of some of the most special occasions were in the depths of wintertime, when fires were roaring, warm lights were glowing behind frosted window panes, mulled wine was flowing and the snow was trickling down from the sky. That’s when the masquerade balls and town festivals would take place, and where some of the best atmosphere and excitement was to be found. But this sort of winter magic is not confined to Europe alone, Wellington can host a winter party just as spectacular.

I once attended a fabulous winter wedding at a stunning lodge in the Wairarapa and the crisp air, and muted winter colours of the countryside along with the dramatic coastline provided a stunning backdrop to the bride’s dazzling white dress. It was winter in NZ’s full glory. Fur wraps (faux of course), gloves, feathers and sumptuous fabrics in jewel tones all beg to worn to such an occasion.

Another wonderful wedding I was lucky enough to be at several years ago took place in a country estate in Pauatahanui, and the open log fire, endless cocktails and wonderfully cosy ambience made for the best party. It was “ski chalet chic” and everyone had a great time, despite – or perhaps even because of – the sub zero temperatures outside.

The things to keep in mind are ambiance, festivity and the joy of the season. Pick a venue with a big fireplace and cosy interior. The options of what you could do to bring “winter” alive are endless. You may choose to arrive by horse-drawn carriage, decorate the reception area with real pine “Christmas” trees, that will make the whole room smell of everyone’s favourite time of the year, and greet your guests with warm hot chocolate or eggnog cocktails. You could even have someone roast chestnuts as your guests arrive! Your guest favours could include small tins of marshmallows or hot cocoa mix, gingerbread cookies or perhaps even a snow globe with the bride and groom inside! You and your groom could don Hollywood glam attire – the groom in tails, and the bride in a long, sleek gorgeous gown. With “ice” as the inspiration, there could be plenty of bling, glitz and glam. And a stunning faux fur wrap for you and your bridesmaids will complete the look. These could also make a wonderful take-home forever gift for your beloved bridesmaids. 2 birds with one stone!

You could place a stack of shawls or warm blankets at the entrance of your party so guests can stay warm and snugly all night long. And as Martha Stewart suggests mulled cranberry cider with a dash of port and a cinnamon stick makes for a wonderful pick-me-up, and later in the evening a glass of creamy spiked coffee with a donut skewer provides the perfect night cap! Lighting is also crucial, as this can set the mood and tone at the click of a button, or the flick of a match. Aim for a romantic, warm glow – lanterns are ideal. In fact lighting is often overlooked, yet makes for one of the key elements in a party. Don’t scrimp on it and you will be very glad later, trust me!

A jazz band belting out velvety tunes ought to keep your guests jiving and staying toasty all night long. As will the good cheer and frivolity that will no doubt ensure from a party that will warm people’s hearts and memories for a long time.

There are so many wonderful ways to make your winter wedding enchanting and there are endless benefits from making the most of out a time of the year when people typically have less on, and diaries are more likely to be clear. Venues won’t be booked out and suppliers will be thrilled to have something creative to work on during a less rushed time. So let it snow, let it snow, let it snow –and let’s hope the weather outside IS frightful! And even if we aren’t lucky enough to get some snowfall this season, embrace the cold and make it work for you!! If you focus on warmth and atmosphere you simply can’t go wrong. Have fun planning your cosy party!

“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.” ~Edith Sitwell

by Johanna Osborne.

“Non, je ne regrette rien … “ Edith Piaf may not have regretted anything in her full and colourful life, and whilst we certainly approve of her mantra, we do think there are some golden moments in life where hindsight truly is a gift. In terms of wedding planning, the experiences of those that came before can be a blessing, as much can be learnt from brides willing to share not only their joy but some of their regrets. Certain things, however small, when carefully considered can make a big difference. So in a quest to get it right it’s worth taking the time to think it through. Having said that, few weddings are completely “flawless” and it’s often the minor hiccups that end up being the funniest tales to tell in years to come.

Some of our dear brides, past and present, were kind enough to share some of their thoughts on the matter with us and we bring you what they had to say below…

“My wedding cake tasted like cardboard. Always ask for a taste-test so you are sure you and your guests will be pleased. People do remember the cake, trust me!”
Lily, Wellington

“I should have had a schedule for the day. We thought we could wing it, but ended up running behind all day and no one knew where they were supposed to be”.
Angela, Upper Hutt

“I wish I’d made more time to mingle with my guests. I was so engrossed in my dress and the photos that the day just zoomed by, and I can’t remember talking to anyone!”
Fiona, Palmerston North

“I never took that moment to breathe and take it all in, which in hindsight is a shame. I think everyone needs 5-10 minutes of just ‘couple time’, where you take a moment to let it all sink in. Like a mini-meditation”.
Bernadette, Silverstream

“I wish I hadn’t gone overboard with my wedding diet. I was more focused on losing weight than anything else and ended up being way too thin and cranky.”
Sofia, Wellington

“Not using a wedding planner and assuming I could do it all myself. I wish I had saved myself a few grey hairs and wrinkles by getting someone to help me organise the biggest day of my life.”
Sarah, Brooklyn

“I asked my friend to do my make up, and whilst she did the best she could, I really wish I had spent the little bit extra and gone movie star glam for my big day”.
Trish, Vogeltown

“If I could do it all again I’d have a bigger wedding. We cut so many people off the list to keep it small, and it ended up hurting a lot of people and caused resentment at a time that should have been about happiness.”
Yvonne, Masterton

“I wish I had got a wedding video. I know one day our kids will want to watch us get married, and it would have been a gift to capture it all not only in photos but on film as well.”
Tammy, Island Bay

“I went for the big poufy princess dress and it was amazing, but I couldn’t move and felt totally restricted. It stopped me mingling with my guests and going to the toilet was a nightmare. Even on your wedding day being comfortable is an advantage.”
Joanna, Te Aro

None of these are deal-breakers but could potentially be food for thought. Don’t beat yourself up if you do end up making some decisions that you later wish you hadn’t. As the famous quote goes “Mistakes are sometimes the best memories!” Happy planning to all our wonderful brides and grooms.

by Johanna Osborne.

Vintage is big right now. It’s all about the past, and drawing inspiration from bygone eras where elegance was the focus – and class, style and grace came naturally.

Whether you want to put some subtle old-school accents on your wedding day, or celebrate in full vintage fashion, we think you simply can’t wrong looking towards the past for the biggest party of your future!

For brides and grooms contemplating a walk in history, the options are endless. Whether you choose to focus on one specific era or draw inspiration from several decades, it’s all up to you. The more open you become to options, the more exciting it can get. Even your guests can participate by dressing up for your big day. Nothing beats donning some finery and stepping outside of normal reality for a day – especially if it means travelling back to an age of decadence and grandeur.

Many (or at least some) of us weren’t around to enjoy the roaring 20s, nor the 40s, 50s, 60s or perhaps even the 70s. However, we are fortunate to be able to see on film and in print the sheer elegance exuded by parties, soirees and – of course – weddings held in those fabulous eras.

We can’t help but feel the past was somehow way ahead in style, and people really knew what it meant to be glamorous. There simply is no modern day equivalent to the voluptuous screen sirens that captured every teenage boys’ heart and made every girl want to be “her”. Yes, in the days of Marilyn, Audrey, Sophia and Brigitte it was about glamour, grace, and excitement – yet with plenty being left to the imagination.

As for the finer touches and delicate details that make a vintage wedding – well these are just so much fun to put together! Whether you love tea cups and floral tablecloths, or you would prefer a lace and pearl theme, or perhaps even flea market retro chic – the options are endless and the more creative you get with them, the more “you” this wedding will become. Stripy straws, glass coke bottles, candy bars, toffee apples, root beer, antique furniture, tons of bunting… the list goes on.

Feast your eyes on some the snippets from history we have collected for you – perhaps something will inspire you and set you on the right path to planning your vintage love affair? We certainly enjoyed our stroll down memory lane…

by Johanna Osborne.

One big day, many breath-taking looks … we take you back in time
one last time…

We just love fashion and creating different looks. So when it came time for our photo shoot for Mr & Mrs issue 2, we simply had a ball!

As a lot of people have commented on the amazing outcome, we thought we’d take you behind the scenes once again, and tell you little more about the gorgeous outfits, swift wardrobe changes, stylish looks and stunning designs that made our shoot such a success. We will also bring you some “never before seen” images and out-takes of the day… especially for you, our loyal readers. And don’t forget to pick up your copy of Mr & Mrs #2 for the actual photo-shoot images. (Please email us on [email protected] if you would like a copy but do not yet have one)

The theme for the shoot, ‘The Last Dance’, was conceived one brisk Wellington evening, as our talented designer Craig Christensen was riding his bicycle home from work. Nothing like a bit of fresh air and Wellington wind to lend some creative inspiration. And how fitting this ingenious idea turned out to be… for Erskine, Wellington’s much loved function venue, closed its doors on April 15 2012, deemed an earthquake risk. We farewelled this genteel old lady by taking our stunning models Ben and Elizabeth on a final dance tour through the corridors and halls, which are forever steeped in history, and will remain ingrained in our memories.

The first look of the day was by Helen Forster, and saw Elizabeth donning a stunning tulle number and Ben a Frank Casey suit. Our talented Hairstylist Carl Manderson from Salute Hair and Day Spa managed to create Elizabeth’s beautiful up-do with pretty pink ribbon, faster than Superman can save the day! The hot pink matching bouquet was the fine work of Katie Bevege, florist extraordinaire. The pretty make-up was taken care of by both Carl and his clever assistant Joni.

Westfield Queensgate graciously allowed us to capture some very pretty images of our models wearing some items from the mall’s stores. Forever New, Barkers, Dotti, Portmans, Overland and YD all came to the party with fantastic style options. Off-the-rack, chain store chic, which truly popped and made Ben and Elizabeth look like a dapper 50s prom couple. Proof that you can be stylish on your wedding day whilst sticking to any budget!

Next up: The grand ballroom shot of Ben and Elizabeth epitomised the glamour of yesteryear and captured the elegance of Elizabeth’s Grace Kelly gown from Voon Bridal Boutique perfectly. Ben looked matchingly handsome in his black and white Frank Casey outfit. Once again Carl crafted a wonderful hairstyle for Elizabeth using some bits and pieces lying around, and within minutes we had a 50s princess standing in front of us!

The vintage Ziggurat outfits were just amazing, and resulted in some of our favourite photos of the day. The voluminous skirt in Elizabeth’s gown was perfect for dancing, and the fluid movement transcended beautifully into film. Navy, lemon and ivory together made for a striking colour combination. We love! The second Ziggurat outfits were shot outside Erskine’s main entrance, with the pair being showered with rose petals. The rhinestone detail on Elizabeth’s dress is slightly visible, as is the ultra-cool cravat Ben was wearing. It’s all in the detail. And there was tons of it.
 

Deryn Schmidt provided us with a striking purple gown – the colour so regal and the fabric so fluid. The fit and texture was divine and Elizabeth looked ravishing in it. An amazing option for a bride looking for something different yet very chic.

The show-stopper of the day was the one-off gown by Alison Blain, photographed in the chapel upstairs. Alison custom-makes all her dresses to the specifications of her brides, and specialises in making their dreams come to life. We were very lucky to use this very precious dress for our shoot- one of Alison’s brides had graciously agreed to lend it to us. The colour of the dress was a pale peach with an apricot hue, and the bodice sparkled with incredible detail. Elizabeth’s colouring and hair was a match made in heaven and she literally glowed. Ben’s bow tie and suit were once again equally elegant.
 

We were so thrilled with how it all turned out! And as many of you will have seen firsthand when looking through the magazine, the talented team at Fineline Photography did a stellar job capturing each of the looks in a unique, creative and stylish way.

A lot of thought and attention goes into each frame – so much detail to think about and consider, and the great success of this shoot was very much the result of everyone’s input and efforts. And we truly loved every minute of it! We are now busy planning the next shoot and we will do our best to bring you something new, fresh and different once again. After all, it’s all about bringing the best fashion in the coolest little capital in the world to those that deserve it most – you, our important and much cherished brides and grooms!

by Johanna Osborne.

Today we try and give you a little bit of confidence when faced with the daunting task of speaking in front of a big room of wedding guests…

For many (or should I say most) public speaking is about as terrifying as stripping naked in the middle of the street – in front of a bunch of Victoria’s Secret models no less. But what’s a wedding without speeches? It’s all about perspective. If it’s your wedding, then speaking shouldn’t be nearly as scary. After all, everyone in the room is your friend or family, actually “likes” you and is supportive of what you are about to share. With that sort of encouragement it’s just a tad easier to stop the stammering and make yourself heard. Right? Easier said than done, we know.

Heartfelt speeches that aren’t too long and convey emotion are often the highlight of a wedding. It’s just a matter of cutting the waffle and getting down to what you want to say. For the bride and groom it’s all about affirming their love for one another and those that they care about. Everyone in the room will share the emotion, and that’s what guests will take away with them. How they “felt” will dominate how they remember your wedding. And whilst the speeches aren’t just for the guests, it’s important to consider openly expressing what you feel inside, rather than assume your loved one already knows. If there was ever a time to get soft and mushy this is it! Or if that’s not your style, sharing fond memories of special moments together will set you on the right path.

It’s long been a debated issue whether the bride should speak at her wedding. I personally couldn’t believe that there would ever be any doubt. As a verbose person at the best of times, I couldn’t think of a better opportunity to express myself! I couldn’t fathom staying silent and everyone else do the talking for me. I had so much to express at my wedding, and 4 pages and a lot of teeth chattering later, I got my feelings across. Nervous hand shaking, sweaty brows and speaking far too slowly – everyone forgave me for it, because I was the bride!

So what are we trying to say here? At the risk of sounding like a wayward wedding speech today, what we want to do is encourage you to speak and say what you feel. Don’t worry about sounding nervous – people will hang off your every word because they want you to do well and genuinely desire to hear what you have to say.

Our advice is to go for it – you only get one shot and you don’t want to regret not saying how you really felt down the line. Make it count and wear your heart on your sleeve!

 
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear. ~Ambrose Redmoon