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

Aphrodisiac Valentine Day Dinner!

Valentines Day is here and you know you want to do something special but you're just not quite sure what!

We've put together some wonderful ideas for you to really strut your talents to your man.

Any meal you make should include a good dose of aphrodisiacs to help the evening along...

Entree - Goats Cheese and Fig SaladSalade Chevre Figue

Did you know that an open fig is thought to emulate the female sex organs and traditionally thought of as sexual stimulant. A man breaking open a fig and eating it in front of his lover is a powerful erotic act.

This entree takes approximately 15 minutes to prepare! 

• 4 figs
• 4 cups mixed baby greens
• 4 ounces creamy goat cheese, or you could use feta cheese as well
• 8 walnuts chopped or 4 tablespoons of pine nuts
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (or champagne vinegar works well)
• salt and pepper

Wash the figs. For an attractive presentation, cut the fig in four without cutting through the stem, and allow the fruit to fan open.

Garnish four salad plates with the greens and the figs. Place one ounce of cheese alongside the fig, and sprinkle with walnuts.

Prepare a vinaigrette with the olive oil, walnut oil, vinegar and salt and pepper. Pour on top and serve.

Mains - Crispy Barramundi with Basil & Lemon Sauce

Did you know that Basil is said to stimulate the sex drive and boost fertility. It is also said to produce a general sense of well being for body and mind.

The ground seeds of various plants in the brassica family were believed to increase virility. In the case of broccoli its more likely a myth created to get people to eat this bitter vegetable.

Another good reason to eat carrots--believed to be a stimulant to the male. The phallus shaped carrot has been associated with stimulation since ancient times and was used by early Middle Eastern royalty to aid seduction. High vitamins and beta-carotene.

Ingredients:

Barramundi fillets

Crumb Topping:

• 2 cups dried bread crumbs
• ¼ t old bay seasoning
• ¼ t garlic
• ¼ t onion powder
• Pinch thyme leaves
• The zest of ½ a lemon

Lemon Butter Basil Sauce:

• 2 cups butter
• 4 T fresh lemon juice
• ¼ cup white wine
• Handful of minced fresh basil

Preparation

1. Brush fillets with extra virgin olive oil then coat them with crumb mixture.
2. Bake fillets at 375 degrees until they flake easily with a fork about 8 to 10 minutes.
3. Remove from the oven and drizzle lemon butter sauce over fish and serve immediately.

Salad - Rocket, Radish and Avocado Salad

Rocket seed has been documented as an aphrodisiac since the first century A.D. This ingredient was added to grated orchid bulbs and parsnips and also combined with pine nuts and pistachios. Arugula greens are frequently used in salads and pasta. Today we taken the rocket leaves and created a salad with nuts and avocado for that extra aphrodisiac oomph!

The Aztecs called the avocado tree "Ahuacuatl which translated means "testicle tree". The ancients thought the fruit hanging in pairs on the tree resembled the male's testicles. This is a delicious fruit with a sensuous texture.

Zinc is a key mineral necessary to maintain male potency and pine nuts are rich in zinc. Pine nuts have been used to stimulate the libido as far back as Medieval times.

Mustard is also believed to stimulate the sexual glands and increase desire!!

Ingredients: 

1/3 cup caster sugar                            

2 tbsp water

1/2 cup walnuts

1 large avocado

3 tbsp lemon juice

100 g baby rocket

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1/2 tsp Dijon mustard

6 radishes, washed and thinly sliced                       

1. Line a baking tray with foil and lightly oil it. Place sugar into a non-stick frying pan with water. Stir over low heat to dissolve the sugar then increase the heat to medium and bring to the boil. Boil for 5-7 mins until mixture starts to become golden and syrupy. Add walnuts (or exchange for Pine Nuts to add that bit "extra" to the evening!) and cook further 2-3 mins stirring often until the sugar mixture is caramel coloured, toffee-like and coats the walnuts/pine nuts. Turn out onto the oiled foil and leave walnuts to cool.
2. Cut the avocado in half lengthways and remove the stone and skin. Cut into thick slices then into pieces. Toss with only 1 tbsp of the lemon juice. Combine rocket, avocado and radishes in a serving bowl.
3. Combine oil, mustard and remaining lemon juice and whisk until smooth. Drizzle over the salad and toss thoroughly to coat. Roughly chop the walnuts and sprinkle over the salad. Serve immediately.

                                     

Dessert - Chocolate Tart with Coffee

Berries are the perfect foods for hand feeding your lover. "Both invite love and are described in erotic literature as fruit nipples" Both are high in vitamin C and make a sweet light dessert.

The Aztecs referred to chocolate "nourishment of the Gods". Chocolate contains chemicals thought to effect neurotransmitters in the brain and a related substance to caffeine called theobromine. Chocolate contains more antioxidant (cancer preventing enzymes) than does red wine. The secret for passion is to combine the two.

Caffeine is a well-know stimulant but remember, too much and it becomes a depressant. Serve small amounts of rich dark coffee in special little demitasse cups. Coffee stimulates both the body and the mind so partake of a little in preparation for an "all-nighter".

Ingredients

• 125g chilled butter
• 1 cup (150g) plain flour
• 1/3 cup (60g) icing sugar mixture
• 1/4 cup (30g) almond meal
• 1/4 cup (30g) cocoa powder
• 1 egg yolk
• Raspberries, to serve
• Thin cream, to serve

• Chocolate custard filling

• 4 egg yolks
• 1 tbs custard powder
• 2 tbs caster sugar
• 200g dark chocolate, chopped
• 300ml thin cream
• 1 cup (250ml) milk

Method

1. Place the butter, flour, icing sugar, almond meal and cocoa powder in the bowl of a food processor and process until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add the egg yolk and process until mixture just comes together. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and gently knead until almost smooth. Shape into a disc. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to rest.
2. Preheat oven to 200°C. Roll pastry on a lightly floured surface to a 4mm-thick disc. Line the base and side of a 23cm (base measurement) round, fluted tart tin with removable base. Use a sharp knife to trim the edges. Place in the fridge for 15 minutes to rest.
3. Place the tart tin on an oven tray. Line the pastry with baking paper and fill with rice or beans. Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove the rice or beans and bake for a further 5 minutes or until pastry is just cooked through. Reduce oven temperature to 160°C.
4. Meanwhile, to make the filling, combine the yolks, custard powder and sugar in a saucepan. Add the chocolate, cream and milk and place over low heat. Cook, occasionally whisking with a balloon whisk, for 5 minutes or until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat.
5. Pour the chocolate custard mixture into the pastry case. Bake in oven for 20 minutes or until custard is just set. Remove from oven and set aside to cool completely. Place in the fridge to chill.
6. Place on a serving plate. Top with raspberries and serve with thin cream.

Serve with a lovely cup of coffee!!

Have a great evening!!!

Bibilography:
http://www.easy-french-food.com/fresh-fig-recipes.html
http://www.thebetterfish.com/recipes/view/crispy-barramundi-with-lemon-basil-sauce
http://recipes.coles.com.au/recipes/84/rocket-radish-avocado-salad/
http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/22174/chocolate+tart
http://nittanyinspirations.blogspot.com.au/2010/02/valentines-day-table.html



Wedding Style Guide Autumn 2012 Issue 20

Wedding Style Guide International is proud to release the Autumn 2012 Issue 20 full of inspirational wedding ideas, styling, DIY and Real Weddings.

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Here is a FREE preview. Please visit our website to purchase the full 236 pages of Wedding Inspiration!

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