by Johanna Osborne

Life is a journey not a destination. That good old Ralph Waldo Emerson quote has been going round in my head a lot lately. There’s so much to be said for enjoying the ride, rather than keeping our eye on the far off future where we think our goals lie. If we think ahead too much we miss what’s happening right here, right now. And that’s why we often don’t realise how precious a moment is until it becomes a memory. If we don’t keep our mind and awareness on the present, how can we appreciate what we have?

I am a prime example of someone who needs to learn this little lesson. We have just moved into our new house after doing some renovations/improvements. The whole time I was saying to myself, once the work is finished we can move in and then I can relax. Then we moved in, and yes we were thrilled, but did we rest? No. So much more to add to the house! New things we simply needed, and then yes then the house will be complete. New things purchased, grandly put in their place, admired and, yup, you guessed it on to the next thing. What do I need now? Oh you don’t want to know, but the point is that rather than always looking ahead at the next thing, sometimes right now, right here is actually a good place to be. And our dear friends who came to our house this past weekend to celebrate with us really made me realise this.

We have many wonderful friends, but one couple in particular seem to have unearthed the secret of happiness and I am fascinated by their attitude and approach to life. As I quizzed them further about this holy grail they have discovered, they explained simply “We don’t see problems in life, we see challenges. And challenges are exciting. We believe in being positive and viewing things that way always. Life is too short to be negative.” These are normal people. One is a Doctor and the other a nurse. They exude happiness wherever they go and collectively they have amassed a fan club of friends. Makes sense really, after all who doesn’t love a happy person? Who doesn’t want to be around sunshine and feel-good vibes? Funny to think that by worrying less (a very enticing sounding task) you can enjoy more (even better!). So perhaps there is something in it, let it all go and see what happens.

So rather than stressing about what we don’t have, what we need, still want, things we are worried might happen to us… yes rather than sweating the insignificant stuff, how about being in the moment, appreciating, breathing, smiling and enjoying. Those are the moments that you will remember, not the ones you wasted worrying about something minor. No one will ever say on their death bed “Oh I wish I’d worried more” but regret at not appreciating the beauty of life when they had the chance is something many people speak of.

Yes it’s easier said than done, I concur. Life is not always that simple, bad things will happen to you; life will challenge your sanity, patience and at times every essence of your core. But your attitude shapes how you will react and recover. Yes, it’s all about our mind-set, our perception – how we see things. Dr Bruce Lipton says “The moment you change your perception is the moment you rewrite the chemistry of your body.” That’s how powerful the mind is and that is a fact.

It’s a matter of appreciating all the good things that happen to you each day, no matter how small. Finding a great parking spot, the taste of your morning coffee, looking forward to that chocolate bar later, that movie you are going to watch or that holiday you will take, basking in the glow a compliment, the warm feeling you get from laughing, the comfort of good friends, the love of your family, the embrace of your partner… it’s about putting value where it should be. And valuing what we have. It really shouldn’t be as hard as it seems, considering that here in the western world we are in the top 5% of the world’s richest people – yes you and me both – as there is so much poverty and destitution in other areas of the world that by comparison we truly are like millionaires.

Life is a constant moving entity. It’s impossible to slow down time and the hectic pace of daily life makes it difficult to gain the satisfaction we seek and long for. The best advice is to be yourself, surround yourself with passionate people who appreciate you for what you are and want nothing but the best for you. As for your goals, if you can’t pursue something with passion, let it go, for your time is too valuable to chase things that don’t actually matter to you. Life goes by fast and it’s important to make the moments count. And most importantly take a moment every now and then to stop and realise that these “moments” are actually your life…

Below is a little excerpt that hung in the wall of the office where I worked for 4 years (author unknown), and it has stayed with me until this day. The words are wise and true, and I shall leave you to read them now…

xoxo Johanna

“For a long time it seemed to me that life was about to begin – real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time to still be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.

Happiness is a journey, not a destination” Anon

by Johanna Osborne

True beauty lies at 311 Willis Street, and anyone who has zoomed past, or been lucky enough to catch a red light on the corner, will have taken a moment to soak in the visual delights of this beautiful store. What lies inside is truly worth noticing, for it is the home of a unique talent, the workshop of a very special designer with the utmost taste and skill. Sally Eagle is her name, and certainly one of Wellington’s most gifted and popular wedding dress creators. Humble and modest to the core, Sally’s inborn talent appears effortless, and her vintage, often simple but incredibly beautiful and romantic designs are in hot demand with brides everywhere. Today we steal 5 minutes of this busy designer’s time to get to know her and her craft a little better. And the cherry on top, Sally shares with us her 2014/2015 collection, brand new – and incredibly breathtaking! A must-see for anyone getting married or lucky enough to be a bridesmaid, flower girl or simply someone who wants to look beautiful for a special occasion.

1. Sallly, how did you get started in this exciting industry?

“I have always wanted to make beautiful dresses, so I studied fashion at university. I got married after I finished and made my own wedding dress. From this experience I realised making wedding dresses would be my dream job! I then made friends’ wedding dresses and friends of friends and it grew from there.”

2. What is your inspiration?

“I love lace and other vintage details. I also love silhouettes that really flatter the female form. It’s often hard to pin point where my inspiration comes from, it’s often just from pretty things I see, even flowers.”

3. Best part of your job?

“When a bride has her final fitting and is in love with her dress!! Such a great feeling. It’s also really fun when I get to design the new range each year.”

4. If I weren’t designing beautiful gowns I would be…

“A stay at home mum. I have a little boy who is almost two and is a such a delight.”
 

5. In 5 years I will be…

“Still designing wedding gowns as I can’t ever see myself wanting to stop. I will hopefully have more stockists and potentially another store of our own. I have thought about branching into bridal underwear too, so might give that a go sometime.”

We are proud to bring you a glimpse below of some of Sally’s newest designs…to see more please click here to visit Sally’s website! Bon voyage dreamers, enjoy every floaty moment of these beautiful gowns.

Albertine

Bloomfield

Dainty Bess

Gloriana

Lindee Rose

Moonstone

Grace

Felicia

Penny Lane

Autumn Rose

by Johanna Osborne

Weddings are bit like men themselves, some are small, others are big, some are flashy, and others are more modest and low key. And the beauty is that there is one for everyone. The days of one size fits all, standard packages and bulk buying are gone, everyone is an individual, and can express the journey of their relationship and love by incorporating unique and beautiful touches into their wedding day. I have seen countless Wellington weddings come to life over the years, those of my friends and family as well as the many gorgeous MR & MRS couples featured on the pages of our magazine. It’s been an honour to be part of and write about each and every one. Which was my favourite? I could never choose!

It’s only natural now that I am in Brisbane I should be curious about the wedding scene in this beautiful and vibrant city. Oh yes, if ever there was a city perfect for getting married in, this is it. What’s not to love about perpetual sunshine (even in winter, the days sit at 22 degrees!), endless parks and green leafy settings, beautiful riverfront locations, and a city bursting at the seams with venue options begging to wine and dine your loved ones. The churches are breathtaking and located in close proximity to waterfront reception areas, or a short drive away from more scenic locations in the various botanic gardens and parks scattered around the city. Views are guaranteed anywhere you go, and simply put, weddings are a huge, enormous, massive deal here. Just how I like it!

Recently I spent a couple of hours on a Saturday in Brisbane’s inner city Botanic Gardens with my son. I spied a wedding, and said to him “Gosh, how lucky for us to see a wedding today, look at the pretty bride and groom.” Then Milan pointed across the grass and said “Look Mummy, another wedding”. Sure enough, once I looked, I realised there were in fact weddings as far as the eye could see. It was like magic. We passed the romantic young couple dressed in lace and tails, spotted the big fat Greek wedding party with 8 bridesmaids and groomsmen a side; sporting bright teal dresses and cravattes, we admired the more mature and low key wedding of a sophisticated bride, her salt and pepper haired groom and one single attendant, we saw the princess bride with long flowing blonde curls, a dashing new husband and immaculately put-together bridal party. We saw vintage cars double parked, and suave looking drivers in top hats waiting patiently. We admired incredibly skilled photographers taking amazing images, catching the light, creating beautiful backdrops, incorporating what was there. Each wedding party was in a world of their own, totally unaware of the close proximity of another wedding, doing exactly what they were. All in all we saw 8 bridal parties in the short time we were there, and it was quite the experience. Did it make me want to get married again? Absolutely. The dresses alone were to die for, the headgear, the beautiful flowers, the styling – wow wow wow – and most of all the palpable excitement – nothing beats this stuff. If only we could bottle it and make it last forever.

Do I miss Wellington? Absolutely. Many of the people that mean the most in the world to me live in that stunning city and a piece of my heart will forever be there. But I will visit, and continue to be part of Lady Wellington in many ways, this blog, our Facebook page and my undying support and love for the Wellington Wedding Show are just a few examples of this. And Wellington Weddings are pretty darn cool. Wellingtonians have a style of their own that simply stands out for all the right reasons. But am I excited about my new home? Most definitely. I feel like I have stumbled into Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory of weddings, and will continue to keep my eyes and ears open for beautiful wedding ideas and gorgeous couples. I have seen firsthand love and romance exits everywhere, good taste and amazing style is plentiful, and unique love stories are told in places you sometimes least expect to encounter them. One thing is for sure, I have been reassured of the existence of love and romance everywhere, and it warms my heart that I should stumble upon it time and time again.

Until soon! But before I go, have a look at some of these lovely shots from beautiful Brisbane weddings. The first one was even taken on the very lawn my son and I stood gawking at all the beauty that fateful day!

Love
Johanna

Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, image via Polka Dot Bride

Stradbroke Island wedding shot by Silveredge Photography

image by Julian Beattie

image via Polka Dot Bride

image by Jonas Peterson

image by Ben Clark Photography

image via Polka Dot Bride

image by Silveredge Photography

by Johanna Osborne

Nothing is more thrilling than jetsetting across the globe, or even just the Pacific … to a warmer, brighter and sandier venue. Yes, an island escape is about as exciting as it gets and what better place to tie the knot, seal the deal, elope and become a Mrs and a Mr?

We know that a destination wedding is not for everyone. There can be obstacles that stand in the way of planning your wedding somewhere tropical, as not all loved ones are able to make such a journey. But for some of us it’s the perfect way to get hitched, and there truly are a million reasons why. Sun, surf, culture, holiday joy and instant romance on tap are amongst the plentiful reasons why it’s at least worth a thought (or twenty). We think it’s simply the coolest and most exciting thing to get married somewhere fabulous! Just think … the memories, the photos, the stories! Whether it’s the Greek isles, the French Riviera, the Bahamas or fantastic Fiji, anywhere sunny and sandy is pretty perfect in our book. Everyone gets a holiday, an escape, an adventure, an experience. What’s not to love?

I will never forget toying with the idea of eloping on Santorini when Stephen and I were very young. It was 2002, we were uni students and we didn’t have much money- we bought a shiny sparkly – albeit rather cheap – ring, and I had a white dress in my suitcase (by coincidence, no prior planning). One night walking through the lit alleyways soaking in the Greek atmosphere and island charm, the idea came upon us. Oh how romantic! We so wanted to do it, we got totally swept up in the romance of the Greek islands and how wonderful it would be to get married right here, right now… but common sense (and perhaps fear of letting down our loved ones back home?) got the better of us and we didn’t take the plunge that day. We waited, and instead in 2006 we finally made it official in our hometown with most of our friends and family present. I loved our wedding and am glad we did it the way we did, but I also certainly don’t think we would have regretted eloping (hey you can always have 2 weddings!) … and a small part of me still wishes we had been brave and done it!! That sure would have been a cool story to tell our son. Yes, once upon a time we were spontaneous, young and carefree!

But enough about me, let’s feast our eyes on some romantic island wedding inspiration. We bet you will be very tempted to phone that travel agent by the time you hit picture 5…

All images via Pinterest
 

by Johanna Osborne

Every wedding is different and unique, and just like every bride, each and every wedding is beautiful. Variety is the spice of life and as a guest it’s a real treat to be privy to sharing the most amazing moment in a couple’s life with them. There is no hard and fast rule as to what a wedding must be like, no set guide as to what is required, but there is in our opinion a certain number of things every wedding simply “must have”… both in the lead up and on the big day. What on earth could they be? Let’s get cracking so you can see what we are on about!!

1. Planning a wedding, no matter how into it you are, is stressful at times. Time consuming. Don’t let your inner Godzilla take over. Say “I love you”—often. Leave little notes for each other. Post-its, secret notes in wallets and lunches, lovely texts and sweet emails. This is the time to be romantic – after all, that’s why you are getting married. And a happily in love couple will breeze through the wedding planning marathon much more easily than one that is frazzled and overwhelmed.

2. Ok, totally unsexy and unromantic, but your wedding must have a Budget. Unless you are Donald Trump. You want to start your marriage off on the right foot and not buried in credit card debt. Create a realistic budget and allocate it to items that are important to you, which you simply can not compromise or scrimp on. The earlier you identify what they are, the better. Our recommendation – photography, food, drink and music!

3. And that brings us to our next point. Every wedding must have good cheer, atmosphere, happiness and joy. Those are usually created by the bride and groom – a simple bi-product of the event. Love is contagious, a good mood is infectious and an overall festive vibe is exactly what will be the result. But good plentiful food, lovely alcohol and some high quality entertainment will keep everyone’s spirits high – whether it be in the form of music (very important) or a photobooth for guests to get groovy and silly in. Yes, that’s what will keep people happy, and whilst the wedding is for you, the slice of your life that guests will take home with them will be very much a reflection of you. So let them eat cake, drink bubbles and have a blast – you will be glad you did! A late night buffet is another awesome sampling – snacks, sweets, ice creams, treats (donuts, mini burgers etc) are always a welcome addition as the clock nears midnight… it’s not a must (on the contrary a real luxury), but it’s an awesome bonus if you can manage it!

4. BE PREPARED! Make a little box of the necessities you will need on the wedding day: fashion tape, a needle and thread, deodorant, safety pins, bobby pins (all colors), a pen and paper, band aids, breath mints, Panadol, flip flops, and extra cash- just in case. Every wedding needs a well organised and forward thinking bride – and bridesmaids – who have got it covered. You never know when you might need something.

5. If you’re having a wedding without assigned tables (which is all the rage nowadays and admittedly very cool) you need to have 5 percent extra seating available. Not all of your guests will sit in perfect little pairs or all of the single people together. So if you have a wedding of 200 people, you’ll want to have enough seating for 210. This buffer will save you some headaches as no one wants to think they don’t have a seat, or have to sit with a bunch of people they don’t know. Awkward.

6. Refreshing drinks. If you don’t have a huge budget this is even more apt – homemade lemonade is yummy and totally affordable, can look stylish and guests will LOVE it! Whatever you do, serve something non alcoholic that is tasty, everyone – even the die-hard boozers – will enjoy a refreshing pallet cleanser every now and then. Having said that some good quality champagne or cocktails are equally as essential and add to the frivolity of the event. It’s a celebration remember, so the drinks should reflect that.

7. You. The wedding must have YOU in it. Your story, your history, your relationship, your essence. Whether it’s how you first met in the speeches, a timeline on a chalkboard, or portraits with your pets, don’t every feel like you should hide who you are as a couple! Let it shine! It’s your day and your way. Quirky, cute, embarrassing… this is one time when everyone will think everything you do and say is adorable.

8. Coffee and fun! Getting ready, enjoying girlie time prior to the wedding and having a blast with your friends should by no means be underestimated. Getting glam with the exciting anticipation of all that’s still to come wafting over you, well, it’s little wonder that the girls time in the morning is of the highest quality. If only you could bottle that stuff!! Savour it, it’s over far too quickly!

9. A record of gifts. No matter how busy you are, how many presents you get – always take the time to record who gave you what and thank them personally for it after – in the form of a handwritten thank you card preferably. If a guest took the trouble to get you a gift, they at least want to know you got it. It’s good manners and it’s worth every second of the effort! It will take your style-o-meter up a notch, trust us.

10. Happily ever after! Yes, look towards your future with a view to always being as happy as you are today. Happy thoughts create happy realities. And that is the most important thing of all.