Top Ten Wedding Day Dos

Vera Wang, leading fashion and bridal couture designer, released her Top Ten Wedding Day Dos which we would like to share with you.

What works fashion wise for that trek down the aisle?

"1. Feeling comfortable in your appearance is incredibly important. If you feel comfortable with the way you look, you will radiate the most confidence."

Brittany Baldwin married Mitchell Clough
at the Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast.
Their Real Wedding features in The Bride's Gown Look Book.
She radiates confidence on her special day!

"2. Determine what kind of wedding you are having. The volume, silhouette, proportions, amount of adornment, tailoring and other elements of the dress should have a lot to do with not only where you have your wedding, but what time of day it is being held and what the temperature is. The dress is not only about how it looks on your body."

Lou Fitzhardinge & Paul McDougall
A Real Wedding in The Brides Gown
Lou is dressed beautifully for a wonderful cold Autumn wedding.

"3. It's really important to see the whole look - the dress, the headpiece, the size of the bouquet and the shoes. I would go so far as to include the makeup. A lot of girls put a tremendous amount of effort into the dress, but they don't give a lot of thought to the headpiece, tiara, barrettes or other accessories. Very often they are an afterthought."

Kimberley & Daniel Tuillo featured as a Real Wedding
in our Autumn 2012 Issue 20 digital magazine.
Great hair do, tiara, matching earrings and complimentary makeup!

"4. Go easy on the bouquet. Bouquets that are too large or too loud will detract from the dress."

Katie and Matt - The Secret Garden
Such an intricate dress of beauty subtly complimented by the bouquet!

"5. Hem lengths are very key. You have to make sure you don't see the shoes. The dress should definitely be floating above in the front. If it is too long in front, it's treacherous. In order to make a wedding a success, the bride should not have to lift the dress. Someone tripped in my most recent show. It can be a particularly long walk down the aisle."

Natasha and Paul Cooper featured
as a Real Wedding in our The Brides Gown Look Book.
Natasha negotiated the stairs out of the church with no trouble at all !

"6.  Makeup is another thing to think about. I'm not crazy about strong red lipstick with a white dress. If you never wear blue eyeshadow or purple eyeshadow or glitter, why wear it on your wedding day? You want to avoid any makeup that makes you look disguised or that makes you no longer look like yourself. That is huge. It should be the same with the hair. Sometimes stylists can get too elaborate with hair styles and colours. Wearing hair accessories and bobby pins are very much about editing."

Hannah and Rhys Clark featured as a Real Wedding
 in The Brides Gown Look Book
Her makeup is professionally applied and accentuates her natural beauty!

"7.  I have to say I prefer a shoe on the quieter side whether it is a fashion shoe (though it doesn't have to be) or something with a bit of a wedding feeling. I like a shoe with a tapered toe box. I'm not someone who is into a full-on Swarovski-covered glittery shoe. I don't think you want that much attention. A little kitten heel is nice if you are marrying someone shorter than you, or a platform if you are marrying someone taller."

Amy and James Tracy-Inglis are featured
in our Autumn 2012, Issue 20 digital magazine
Amy's shoes are from Kurt Geiger 

"8.  It is just as important to have black-and-white photography done as it is to have colour. Black and white is chic and timeless."

Leonie and Chris Davenport featured as a
Real Wedding in our Autumn 2012 Issue 20 digital magazine
Black and white is chic and timeless!

"9.  Step into your dress whether it is large or narrow. There are things no one can compensate for. I once had a bride get red lipstick on the front of her dress when she pulled it on over her head. Keep anyone with colourful drinks, beverages or makeup away from you."

May and Adrian Wong featured as a Real Wedding in our
Autumn 2012 Issue 20 digital magazine
May is carefully helped into her gown by her bridesmaid so as to not
disturb the gorgeous hair do.

"10.  Savour the moment. There's a tendency when people get married to rush down the aisle as soon as the ceremony has ended. I'm not sure if it's relief or what. But you have to remember the guests have spent most of the time looking at your back during the service. So much work goes into planning. Take your time when walking back down the aisle. Let them see the dress."

Amy and James Tracy-Inglis are featured
in our Autumn 2012, Issue 20 digital magazine
Gradually and happily walking down the aisle after a beautiful ceremony!

Great advice! Thanks Vera!



Vera Wang

Bibilography:
1: Studio Sixty Photography & Todd Hunter McGraw
3: Jennifer Oliphant Photography www.jenniferoliphant.com
4: http://www.styleandbride.com/2012/02/katie-and-matt-the-secret-garden/
5. Ryan Heywood www.ryanheywood.com
6: Ryan Ahern www.ahern.com.au
7 & 10: Popcorn Photography http://www.popcornphotography.com.au
8: Tim Coulson Photography  www.timcoulson.com
9: Pobke Photography  http://www.pobkephotography.com

Beauty and the Bride

As we all know your wedding day is one of the biggest day of a womans life, with so much planning all going in to just one day the pressure is on to look good!

So here a few little beauty tips, to help you look and feel great on your special day.

With all the planning that is involved things can get hectic and stressful, one thing that can really suffer under those conditions is your skin. From your skin feeling tired and dull to even worse breakouts, but never fear ladies help is at hand. Treating yourself to a couple of facials before your big day will ensure that not only your skin will look good but will clear away any stress and give you a bit of time to relax.

One of my favourite facials which will guarantee a youthful, radiant glow is Guinot's Beaute Neuve.

It combines a double peeling action using AHAs and a unique vitamin C mask especially for that healthy glow. Guinot is a french skincare brand which is always at the forefront with the latest in technology and is widely used in Europe, it is slowly creeping in to Australia and we are more than happy to start using these fabulous products.

Schedule facials into your wedding plan!

We've got the skin covered now on to the make up!

Remember you are going to be the centre of attention and in lots of pictures so its important to make sure make up is well applied, will last all day and most of all suits you.

Most brides opt for the natural look, but this doesn't have to mean hardly any make up. It is very important to have a trial make up done before hand.

Have this done when your going to be out and about and having pictures taken, something like a birthday is an ideal event.

This is good as you want to get peoples reaction and not only that but seeing yourself in the pictures afterwards will give you a clear indication on whether you like it or not.

At least then if you feel there is to much or to little make up applied there is plenty of time to make changes.

A good make up artist can do up to 20+ weddings a year and are very experienced so you'll always be in safe hands!

Take pictures along of any make up that you have seen and liked to help give an idea when trialing a make up artist!

Then last but not least, the hands!

As you will be aware of, from being engaged, one of the first questions is ''Show me the ring?!'' and what is the ring attached to? One of your fingers!

So make sure that you have a manicure before the big day as you will have another ring and no doubt everyone will want to see that too!

If your nails are in a little bit of need, more than just a manicure, there is a wide range of nail enhancements around to polish up those nails and make them look great so there are no excuses.

Book yourself in today!

Ask your Beauty professional for help and advice!

Stephanie Powell
Senior Beauty Therapist

Pretty Please!

Our autumn fashion feature saw gowns with detailed skirts and structured bodices take the front seat. If you're looking at a gown with a gorgeously detailed, full skirt you'd be wise to visit the designers we've featured below. They've certainly got their fingers on the pulse. I'm also loving the bustled hems... how chic! Add a veil or tulle headpiece, understated jewellery and a dash of colour on the lips and voila! Photography by Claudio Raschella and hair and makeup by Sarah Craker.


Amorette Elizabeth silk satin strapless gown in white with bustled hem made to order from $5,495, with Dior buckled belt with two brooches approximately $450 both from Mariana Hardwick


Left - Amsale Bijou Blue Label silk taffeta strapless gown in ivory with drop waist, ruched bodice, sweetheart neckline and skirt adorned with hand-made taffeta and organza flowers, $POA from Angela Wilson
Right - Watters Odessa tulle strapless bustle gown in ivory with beaded and embroidered lace motifs and hand-painted tulle flowers at empire and hip line, $2,200 from Samantha Wynne


Left - Adina silk duchess gown in platinum with Swarovski crystal waistband, plunging back and billowing detachable bustle, $4,500 from Ziolkowski
Right - Maddison couture silk satin strapless gowin in white with ribbon and topstitched bodice detail, full mermaid skirt with fishtail and pleated, ruffled underlay. Also comes with a pleated tulle bolero not shown, $10,990 from Karen Willis Holmes


Left - Adina silk organza strapless gown in Antique with train scattered with organza hand-appliqued and beaded leaves and French chantilly hand-beaded lace strapless bustier bodice, $8,950 from Sarah Janks
Right - Belle of the Ball silk organza and net gown in ivory, $1,399 from Carla Zampatti

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Zinc It

Last summer it was suggested to me by a friend I start using Invisible Zinc's Tinted Daywear SPF 30+ instead of foundation. Knowing what sunscreens do to my skin (think a shine to rival a disco ball and horrible breakouts) I was understandably sceptical. I caved... finally and IZ instantly got a new fan. With the warmer weather now upon us our minds should start wandering to our skin and the products we are going to use to protect it daily throught the summer. Foundations with an SPF are not enough on their own so it's wise to invest, for your skins sake, in a good, reliable and skin-friendly product. I apply the Tinted Daywear in the morning along with my bronzer/blush, a wave of mascara and I'm off. It lasts all day, doesn't budge (even at the beach) and won't have you looking like a teenage disco ball. I cannot recommend this product highly enough. I am excited to hear they now have a UV Stick Shield SPF 30+ Foundation as part of their range. Good thinking! Invisible Zinc products are available at most department stores and good pharmacies. For range details visit www.invisiblezinc.com.

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Jacqui Esdaile & Sergio Pires

Wedding day makeup is important - you want to look fresh and natural but most of all you want your makeup to bring out your beautiful self without being heavy and overloaded. We featured the wedding of Jacqui Esdaile & Sergio Pires in our current issue 16 (on sale now!) and loved her fresh look. Makeup artist Hayley Dutton created the look Jacqui was after - gorgeously glowing skin coupled with sexy but understated eyes. I spoke to the lovely Hayley and she shared with me how she created Jacqui's pretty look.

"In order to get this look we started with the MAC Prep and Prime Ultra-Fluid Primer to create a beautiful base to work with and remove any excess oil in preparation for Jacqui's more dewy base. We then mixed in a really soft illuminzer stick to Jacqui's MAC Studio Tech Foundation, which hydrates and refreshes the skin. The combination left Jacqui's skin looking flawlessly dewy. For her eyes we selected and mixed some amazing eye shadows from Shu Uemura's Pressed Eye Shadow Collection, which absorb and reflect light for a multi-dimensional effect. We also applied individual lashes to the outer corner of her eyes to extend and lift. Jacqui's cheeks where highlighted on the cheek bone with A Touch of Peaches Blush by MAC. We topped off her look with nude lips and a gorgeous lip glass to ensure her lips had a high-gloss glass finish for the day".

Hayley's available for makeup all over New South Wales so if you'd like to make contact with her feel free to call her on 0413 765 017 or email her at hayley@hayleydutton.com.







Photographer - Blumenthal Photography
Bride's Dress - Manuel Mota by Pronovias
Bridesmaid's Dresses - Camilla
Florist - Blond Flores
Groom's Suit - Ted Baker @ David Jones
Reception - Royal Botanic Gardens Restaurant, Sydney
Hire Company - Decorative Events
Bridal Registy - David Jones
Honeymoon - South America

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Make Yourself Up

If you're unsure which makeup looks will suit you best hop online to Estee Lauder and have a play with their Virtual Makeup Tool. The first-ever branded interactive makeup tool, it will allow you to see how products will look on your face before buying. Genius! Simply upload your own photo and 'try on' the latest shades for lips, eyes and cheeks. You can even save your looks and share them with friends on Facebook! Visit www.esteelauder.com.au to get creative.



Posted by Emilie Harrison

One Enchanted Afternoon

If you have a copy of our current issue you would have already seen our issue #14 spring 2010 fashion feature, however if you haven't yet seen it here it is. There's something truly beautiful about black and white photos. I think our photographer Claudio Raschella captured the shoot perfectly. I love every single one of these pictures and I have to say I was estatic to hear that Collette Dinnigan was personally blown away by her gown and how we featured it. Such inspiring feedback! The lovely Chris Geracitano did such a super duper job of hair and makeup. Genius!


Aubrey silk taffeta gown with Swarovski crystal waist detailing $7,695 by Amsale at Angela Wilson with long drop crystal and pearl earrings $98 and white pearl bracelet $97 Sybella Jewellery


Left - Lavanda Garza Paris embroidered tulle lace gown with bow bust detailing in blanco $4,100 by La Sposa, floor length one tier veil with white over lock trim $198 and Swarovski crystal star earrings $132 all at Samantha Wynne
Right - Picot silk satin organza gown with picot-edged ruffled petals $1,785 by Aurelio Costarella at Becker Minty, double corsage aliceband $23 from Diva and white pearl earrings $77 from Sybella Jewellery


Beaded French lace gown in cream $POA from Collette Dinnigan and grey pearl necklace $195 from Sybella Jewellery


Left - Sabrina heavy silk satin gown with corset, full skirt and wrapping bust $4,240 with Lola Swarovski crystal headpiece $440 both from Johanna Johnson
Right - Allegra hand draped Italian silk jacquard one shouldered gown with built in corset and handmade silk flowers. Overlay includes hand pleated asymmetric skirt with Swarovski crystal buttons made to measure $7,035 with matching silk hair band $495 from Izaro


Taffeta long ball gown with ruffle detail and waist tie $999 from Carla Zampatti with white pearl necklace $195, white pearl bracelet $97 and white pearl earrings $77 from Sybella Jewellery


Sable Swiss cotton crochet gown with diamante detail waistband $5,400 from Baccini & Hill and pearl earrings $77 from Sybella Jewellery

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Love Your Lips

I've been converted. I was never a lipstick fan but enjoyed, as a young girl, watching my Mum put her lippie on everytime she needed a spruce up. Now I see what the fuss is all about! Lipstick keeps your lips soft, coloured and oh-so kissable. I'm loving Estee Lauder's new limited-edition Love Your Lips collection. The 12 lip-loving Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick shades feature a special L♥VE logo on the lippie itself and the glosses are all packaged up in vials specially adorned with the logo. Estée Lauder Signature Lipstick’s lustrous, creamy, comfortable formula delivers hours of moisture and wear to lips with a glam high-shine finish. Available in 12 lip-loving shades including three new shades: Cherry Kiss, Pink Kiss, and Coral Kiss. The Kissable Lip Gloss is a non-tacky, cushioned formula that feels comfortable on the lips and adds tons of shine. Kissable Lip Gloss is available in four all new, voluptuous shades: Sweet Kiss, Cherry Kiss, Pink Kiss, and Coral Kiss. Available nationwide at Estée Lauder city stores only from April 18, 2010.



Posted by Emilie Harrison

Estee Lauder LOVES Derek Lam

For the first time in the Estée Lauder brand's 64 year history, they embarked on New York Fashion Week, sponsoring the beauty look (makeup & nails) at the Derek Lam Autumn/Winter 2010 runway show. Bold blue eyes, copper lips, matte skin, bare cheeks and neutral nails ruled the catwalk at ‘Capitale’, with Estée Lauder’s new Creative Makeup Director Tom Pecheux testing some new Estee Lauder Pure Color Fall 2010 products backstage to rave reviews. With a vision to compliment Derek Lam’s fashion theme: “The Myth of the West”, Tom Pecheux led a team of 15 makeup artists to create the stunning look on 22 models, while famed manicurist Jin Soon Choi and her team polished their nails with a new Estée Lauder color tested at the show. Although extreme for a wedding day look you can recreate bits of this look such as copper lips or hints of blue on the eyes. Products from this look will be launched in the Estee Lauder Fall collection so keep posted on www.esteelauder.com.au for all the details.


The Derek Lam face chart


Model Ksenia Kahnovich


Tom Pecheux backstage with model Liu Wen

Posted by Emilie Harrison