Glorious Green
With more and more people choosing the eco option it's never been a better time to go green. Green, white and silver make such a clean, crisp statement for any party. Fresh is the name of the game when the palette is green; there are so many ways you can use this colour to great effect. Obviously flowers are a great place to start. By mixing foliage with your blooms you'll create an eco-inspired wonderland. Bridesmaids will always look dashing in green as will groomsmen with crisp white shirts and swish green ties.

Green & White by EmHarrison featuring Christian Louboutin shoes

Click on the Polyvore to view the pieces in more detail

Back in Issue 5 of Style Guide we ran with green to create the eco-friendly story Going Green. We incorporated green into every aspect of the story. Designers Guild 'Kashima' wallpaper was used as a table runner, which adds instant colour to any table. The pattern from the wallpaper was then transferred to the glorious Cake Stories cake with great effect. Wheat grass potts were used as placecard holders, while disposable bamboo crockery and cutlery was a super-duper eco-friendly option. The Going Green stationery featured in the story can be bought at our online store. Make your contribution to the future of our beautiful planet and go green!


Going Green in issue 5



Posted by Emilie Harrison

Let's Get Merry
Earlier in the week Annabelle and I attended a Merivale promotion in Sydney. Some of the city's most renown venues are part of the Merivale stable - the first being Establishment, centrally located in the heart of the city on George Street. Together with other members of the press and bridal industry, we met in the Main Bar that had been completely transformed with settings of sweetpeas, mirrors and crystal to show us how lovely this area could look when set for a wedding. The high, ornate ceilings and imposing marble bar were definitely features of this room.









They can handle every detail from flowers, stationery to cake meaning you can leave everything in their capable hands.

Next we were taken to EST., the impressive award-winning restaurant on the 2nd floor. This area seats around 130 guests and is tastefully neutral meaning most colour schemes will look fantastic here. The restaurant was adorned with simple vases of orchids which worked beautifully here. I thought it was a very sophisticated space.





A feature of this area is the use of a special 'bridal party room' where the group can sneak away to relax or preen before or during the night.



After a short walk in the glorious Sydney sunshine, we arrived at Ivy, a little further up George Street. Wow, what a place. The first area we were shown is specifically set up for weddings - the Sunroom. There is a guest welcoming area, bright and sophisticated in its green palette.









The seated area of the Sunroom is spectacular. It's large windows overlook the bars on the lower levels enticing guests to party on after the reception. This room was set up with a striking black and white theme. Large vases of gypsophila were simple but very effective.







The Ballroom was the next stop. Huge is the best way to describe it. The super-sized zebra-striped carpet offset the enormous modern, white chandeliers. This area has a 60 person balcony overlooking the busy city streets, perfect for guests to sneak a breath of fresh air during the reception.







The highlight of the trip was our next step - drinks and delicious canapés poolside at the Pool Club next to Uccello. Having left Adelaide at 4am, pitch black, bucketing down with winter rain, it was heaven to arrive at this sunshine-filled oasis. This area is just so hip - my handy-snaps really don't do it justice. It felt it a bit 'Rat-Pack' with retro furniture and relaxing private cabanas. Surrounded by the tall city buildings, I can only imagine how magical this place would look at night, with guests milling around the pool, drink in hand, enjoying the views.





We were also shown the Penthouse, where the couple can stay on their first night - just stunning. We had a fabulous time and thoroughly enjoyed our tour of these magical settings. Really something to accommodate all tastes and so centrally located for interstate and international guests. Do visit the Merivale website - it is full of information and beautiful photos of all of the venues under their umbrella.

I'll leave you with a pic of Annabelle enjoying a juice (yes, we refrained!) poolside.



Posted by Jane Cameron

A Day In The Country
Last week I blogged about the beautiful country garden wedding inspiration I found at The Brides Cafe. It reminded me of one of my all time favourite weddings which we created at the breathtaking Golding Vineyards. The whole Style Guide team were involved with our fabulous photographer Claudio Raschella documenting the day. A unique agricultural fair theme was the couple's vision, with fun and relaxation the order of the day for guests. A few years have passed now since the wedding, and it is so nice to once again revisit such a wonderful day. The perfect inspiration for a country wedding!







The couple spent months before their wedding lovingly making home made jams and preserves for the stunning self serve produce stand for their guests.





The garden inspired selection of flowers included Asters and Dahlias which we arranged in vintage preserving jars. Each jar was finished with a swing tag revealing the flower variety in true agricultural show style.





Photos Courtesy of Claudio Raschella

Find more of this gorgeous wedding in Wedding Style Guide issue 4

Posted By Annabelle Kerslake

Tea Time
Yesterday I received an invite to a friends high tea hens party which I think is such a great idea. I have noticed that high tea is starting to become more and more popular. Girls who dont want the big night out are prefering to go out for a stylish high tea instead. It's also a great way to include the older family members as part of a kitchen tea. One of my most favourite high tea experiences was when I was in London earlier this year at The Lanesborough. On previous trips to London I had tried high tea at Claridges which was fantastic, but The Lanesborough took high tea to another level. It won best Afternoon Tea in London awarded by the UK Tea Council and was absolutely divine, they even employ a tea sommelier!

High Tea at The Lanesborough




Some great venues for high tea in Australia are:
The Tea Room QVB in Sydney
Aria at The Langham in Melbourne
The Apothecary 1878 in Adelaide
The Hyatt in Perth
The Sofitel in Brisbane

Posted by Emma Henderson

More on Minted
If you haven't already, you must visit Minted - it is an unbelievable stationery resource. You can order engagement, save the date, wedding and personal stationery all in one go. And, for all of those so inclined, there is a fabulous baby stationery range too!







They ship internationally which means thousands of brilliant designs are now available to everyone.

Posted by Jane Cameron

Three Potato...More
Yesterday I received an order from Three Potato Four in the US - oh how I love their ever-changing range. They were nice enough to include a lovely little surprise within my package - these great metal type slugs, in my initials. Their matt-silver finish matches the finish on my computer perfectly so I have positioned them squarely on my desk - just incase anyone forgets where I work!





They would make a great addition to a wedding tablesetting, one initial letter for each guest - a nice keepsake for everyone. Contact Three Potato Four for more details.

Posted by Jane Cameron

Your Pass to Packham
You know you’ve made it in Hollywood when you’re wearing Jenny Packham. Just ask Keira, Liz, Mariah, Eva, Nelly and other celebs that need no last name. Jenny Packham is available to the Australian bride at Helen Rodrigues on Sydney’s North Shore. Join Helen at her exclusive bridal boutique on August 6th for an intimate preview of Jenny Packham’s new season bridal collection fresh from London. Sip bubbly and see why Jenny is the designer of choice for Mena Suvari, Jodie Kidd, Beyonce, Elle Macpherson and Heather Graham when working the red carpet. Jenny Packham's designs have also been selected for stylistically acclaimed and Oscar nominated film and television productions including Sex and the City, The Devil Wears Prada, James Bond Casino Royale and Die Another Day. Experience this bridal glamour event hosted by Helen herself at her Salon at 7/211 Ben Boyd Road, Neutral Bay on Thursday August 6 at 6:30pm for a 7pm start. Tickets are $35 per head and are limited so call Helen on 02 9904 5700 or visit www.helenrodrigues.com.au.


Rosalind


Petra


Marie Louise

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Peep Toe Joins the Party
The ever popular Peep Toe Shoes is super happy to announce their first ever Wedding Collection. The gorgeous collection consists of heels in champagne silk, delicate cream lace, soft nappa leathers in gold and antique teamed with jewels and sparkling crystals. All heels in the Wedding Collection will come with a nude sole and retail from $249.00 - $345.00. The collection will be available instore from October/November 2009. Visit www.peeptoeshoes.com.au to view the entire collection, along with colour options.


Mrs Fairytale


Mrs Wedding March


Mrs Kiss


Mrs I Do


Mrs Bride

Posted by Emilie Harrison

A Few of My Favourite Things
On a recent trip to Paris, I visited the incredible Les Puces de Saint-Ouen, a market that was seemingly never-ending. Towards the end of the day I found a beautiful little stall selling the kind of books you'd find in a movie. Every turn revealed a new treasure. And then I found this, complete with gilded pages and gold fastenings...



As an avid fan of monograms, I was spellbound by this comprehensive collection - all together in the one book. The book's owner had collected monograms from letterheads and envelopes and catalogued them, adding hand-written notes to some.



I knew the value of this book as I had seen one very similar in the archives of our State Library. My heart was pounding as I asked the price in my best basic French. 450 euros. Gulp. Did I hear right? Yep, 450 euros. Ok, I had to have this so I made him an offer. We bantered a little until we agreed on a price, ok, done deal - I just had to pop over to the cash machine to get some money. When I returned he had it all wrapped for me and handed it over in exchange for the large wad of notes ('don't think about it' I was telling myself - 'you'll never find another' etc etc).

Upon arrival back at our hotel, I opened it up and started to flip through. There were pages missing. There were torn out pages. A whole section of red wax seals had been removed. About 40 pages I estimated had been torn out. I was totally and utterly devastated. I was leaving the next day and couldn't have returned to the seller even if I was brave enough to confront him. I felt deflated and disappointed that he could have abused my trust. Still a lesson learned I suppose.

I didn't look at the book again until I arrived home, but having forgotten some of the hurt, I was again enthralled with what I had and am still to this day, overwhelmed by the intricacy and workmanship required to produce some of these pieces. Even with its missing pages, the book is still an incredibly comprehensive collection of monograms from the 1700s to early 1900s - around 200 examples I am guessing. It is a constant source of inspiration and pleasure to me as I try to imagine the lives and stories of the people behind the ciphers.

















I hope you too enjoy the beauty of this book.

Posted by Jane Cameron