Paisley Blue Hues

Paisley Blue Hues

At a time when too much pattern is not enough, paisley is hot. The ornate, feathery design dates back to persia in the 1500s when royalty embellished court garments and crowns with fine detail. Rediscover paisley’s luxurious potential using a ralph lauren wallpaper and make a contemporary statement in smokey blue against bridal white.
Blue continues to be the world’s most favourite colour, so use the crowd pleaser to the hilt. In a white marquee, pedestals decorated with paisley wallpaper are used to put the blue story on show. A bold cluster of cobalt bottles looks sharp and a touch quirky, The gladioli stems add a dignified beauty and the paisley pattern ties it all together.



The sublime colours in the florist’s arrangement are breathtaking against the exquisite paisley patterned box. A striking sheath bouquet of long stemmed white gladioli is skirted with the soft-to-touch frills of silver suede foliage. The subtle charcoal velvet bow adds a truly tactile finish.

"A sapphire statement"

Following the theme, the buttonholes have been made from individual white gladioli blooms with a silver suede leaf. Their stems have been set into tiny paisley wallpaper cones and finished with the thinnest of navy blue bows.



Boxed flowers always have an ultra special feel, but when the boxes match the flowers in beauty, the effect is dizzyingly perfect. Organise lined boxes for the flower deliveries. The benefits are doublefold, the wedding day photos will show the flowers off to their best advantage and the thrill for the bridal party will be memorable.

An alternative to individual guest favours is an inviting jar of self-serve after dinner lollies on the table. The handsome glass and pewter canisters are decorative in themselves and hold mints for a post dinner treat. Cut into circles, the patterned wallpaper decorates the centre of each table, emphasising the theme of the wedding.



The classic paisley pattern lends itself to many thoughtful and interesting uses. Paper has been twirled into cones which are used to hold rose petals to be thrown rather than confetti.

The perfect detail, a letterpress placecard

in a paisley design.



Mid blue fabric has been hung as a backdrop to heighten the blue colour theme in the white marquee space. The generous use of the textile creates a swish, well decorated look and creates a contrasting backdrop for the elegant table setting. In a recent floral turnaround, white gladioli have made a big comeback and it’s easy to see why, they add height and make a classic centrepiece in a simple cylindrical vase.



A cake that really looks too good to cut; if ever there was a centrepiece on the dessert table, this ‘look at me’ delight wins on a number of counts. It’s a stand alone beauty that echoes the decorative theme of the wedding closely and does divine things to tastebuds. The nine-tiered fondant wonder is finished in a pale blue pearlescent wash and detailed with a paisley motif.


"The power of good design"

The Ralph Lauren paisley wallpaper decorated the wedding venue and inspired the artwork for the stationery suite which includes the invitation, menu, placecards and swing tags, all follow the theme.



A delightful picnic food box would be a welcome pick-me-up for the bride and groom after the reception. This idea is perfect for the occasion when ordering room service would be too much after a great dinner and raiding the mini bar would not be good enough. The box is convenient, it can be made to look like an extension of the wedding when wrapped in the themed paper binned when finished.

Dogs In Love

Dogs In Love

When you are a dog lover it can be really important to you to include them in your big day.


Have them participate by carrying the rings


Images by Feather and Stone Photography
(Issue 17)

"Ask someone who knows the dog well to be in

charge of them for the day"


The Flower Girls taken at Maleny Manor

"Dress them up for the occasion"


Check that the venue is happy for you to have a dog there.
Think about whether your dog is trained, is ok in crowds and likes wearing clothes or flowers.

You could utilise the dog as a theme for the

day

Images by Feather and Stone Photography
(Issue 17)

Of course some people may not be dog lovers but may like to include other animals.

Left: Image by Calli B Photography _________________ Right: Owl and Image by Raptor Vision

At Maleny Manor in Queensland you can have

China a beautiful barn owl deliver your

rings!


Owl and Images by Raptor Vision
Wedding Style Guide advises to make sure that they are the only dog at the wedding or there could be trouble

Style Guide Cocktail Recipes

Style Guide Cocktail Recipes

The perfume of garden fresh herbs is absolutely heady, build their leaves into drinks as well as your decoration and their power will be twice as good. Talented drinks gurus give us the recipes for the best brews.

Style Guide Mojito

Each of the many species of mint has it's own fresh tasting, aromatic foliage.
Spearmint mint gives a lift to punch; applemint is a pleasant addition to fruit salads and desserts.
Mint is very popular in Middle Eastern cuisine, whichever type of mint you use, it will work a treat.

INGREDIENTS
3 fresh mint sprigs
2 tsp sugar syrup
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
50ml light rum
1/2 cup crushed ice
Soda Water
Lime segments to serve

Put the mint, sugar syrup, lime juice and rum into a tumbler, using a muddling stick to pound the mint leaves.
Add crushed ice and stir until mint is spread evenly through the glass.
Top with the soda water and stir.
Serve with lime segments and a sprig of mint if desired.
Makes one drink.

Strawberry and Basil Martini

Sweet Basil is a deliciously aromatic annual herb with with a soft and succulent stem and bright green leaves. It’s a great favourite in Italian cookery and is often married with ripe tomatoes. Our martini recipe combines basil with strawberries, an innovative combo.

INGREDIENTS
750ml vodka
3 heads of basil
1/2 punnet of strawberries
15ml sugar syrup

Infuse vodka with basil and the strawberries for up to two weeks.
The infused vodka will make 10 cocktails.
Pour the sugar syrup and 75ml of the infused vodka into a cocktail shaker with crushed ice.
Stir well and strain into a chilled martini glass.
Garnish with a basil leaf and serve.
Makes one drink.

Lemongrass Mule

Each of the many species of mint has it's own fresh tasting, aromatic foliage.
What would Thai cooking be without lemon grass? The flavour is an important signature. The leaves have a very appealing lemon taste, their base is thick and fleshy and adds a tangy taste, in a cocktail, it’s a taste sensation.

INGREDIENTS
45mls 42 Below Vodka
1 fresh lemon grass stalk chopped
1/2 fresh lime chopped
4-6 fresh mint leaves
Ginger beer
15mls sugar syrup

In a cocktail shaker bash the lemongrass with a muddling stick.
Add vodka, lime, mint, sugar syrup and one scoop of ice.
Shake vigorously and pour into a tall glass, top with ginger beer and garnish with a lemongrass swizzle stick.
Makes one drink.

French Connection

Rocket has reached legendary status in modern salads, so much so that it is giving lettuce a run for it's money.
The leaves have a distinct aromatic flavour that can be described as nutty, they have a very pretty shape that makes them a natural for presentation.

INGREDIENTS
5 ml Campari
8 rocket leaves, plus one extra to to garnish
20 ml Grand Marnier
40 ml Gin
Juice from 1/2 a pink grapefruit
2 squeezes of lemon

Rinse martini glass with Campari.
In a cocktail shaker bash the rocket with a muddling stick, then add the remaining ingredients with a scoop of ice.
Shake, then strain into a martini glass and garnish with a rocket leaf.
Makes one drink.

Apple and Rosemary Martini

Rosemary has spiky, narrow leaves, blue flowers and a big flavour.
Traditionally it is teamed with lamb and is an important component in most combinations of mixed herbs.
It can can also be drunk as a tea, but why drink tea when you can have it in a martini?

INGREDIENTS
1 piece of lemon rind
1 sprig of fresh Rosemary plus 1 extra to garnish
50ml Millers Gin
10ml Cinzano Bianco
15ml Massenez Pomme verte
A dash of rosemary sugar syrup

Firstly rub the lemon rind inside a martini glass so that some oils are released.
In a cocktail shaker bash the rosemary with a muddling stick, then add the remaining ingredients with a scoop of ice.
Shake and then strain into the glass, garnish with a rosemary sprig. Sugar syrup is made by boiling equal quantities of sugar and water. To make rosemary sugar syrup, infuse a rosemary sprig in the boiling syrup.

"Cheers!"

Rediscover the Pear

Rediscover the Pear

When autumn leaves start to fall, nature is at its most glorious. The jewel-like colours of deciduous trees, the crunch of dried leaves underfoot, crisp autumn air and comfortable temperature make outdoors a great place to be.
It’s the last chance for a harvest style celebration before winter, create a rustic mood around the Beurre Bosc pear, the most fleshy, delicate and voluptuous fruit of all.

"Be sure to make the most of fall"

its pleasures are far too short.



Poached pears make a divinely sweet favour for guests and can be home preserved months ahead.
Collect wide mouthed glass jars, cover the lids in chocolate brown paper, secure with cream silk ribbon and finish with a leaf shaped thank you card.



Earthy neutral colours and varying textures create a real picture. Brown pears and honeycomb patterned beeswax candles line up on the cream silk covered raiser box.
The dressy silk contrasts with the brown paper tablecloth. The menus and place cards are cut into pear and leaf silhouettes.



A rich chocolate cake in four square tiers is finished with cascading chocolate leaves, cream satin ribbon and topped with a posy of cream magnolias. A trio of pear and chocolate themed desserts are tempting on the dessert buffet.







The pear and leaf motifs are carried through the stationery suite on the digitally printed invitation and response card. Recycled kraft paper compliments the golden hue of the stationery and is used for the pear silhouette menu and matching envelopes.



Pears are a member of the rose family



A trio of kraft board boxes has been used to wrap a wedding gift, held together with cream satin ribbon.
Magnolia blooms and foliage make a unique bouquet for classic autumnal beauty.

Heaven Scent

Heaven Scent
Herbs are the freshest twist in in a posy; these ancient plants plucked from densely planted cottage gardens are household favourites.



" A perfume more engaging than floral"

The bride’s bouquet compliments the table’s centerpiece; it’s finished delightfully with a lavender and white striped ribbon. The bouquet sits on a French side table with mercury glass candle sticks.



Unpretentious, endearing and captitivating with a perfume more engaging than floral, their lush greenery and interesting leaf shapes layer together beautifully, all different, all strong; a unique wedding design that can follow through to food and drinks.



Bunches of lavender repel certain insects

The centerpiece on the pea green cloth is the definition of freshness. The deliciously fragrant posy sits on a white china cake stand; it combines mint, basil, rosemary, sage, oregano and dill with lavender and soft white lissianthus blooms. Silvered mercury glass tea light holders add the glow.



White Americana chairs decorated with a fresh, handmade rosemary wreath, adorned with juniper berries, hand calligraphed seating card and lavender satin ribbon.

Herbs can be bought from local produce

markets or greengrocers

Simplicity can be breathtaking, here white on white is pristine, each napkin is secured with a fragrant handmade rosemary ring. Form a fresh sprig of rosemary into a ring and secure it with a quarter of a length of 24 gauge florist wire.



The herbs used in the centrepiece are all hardy and can be easily grown in the smallest city gardens or on balconies in pots. Consider potting herbs over the months prior to your wedding for an economical and individual theme. In the years to come when you cook with the herbs, memories of your big day will come flooding back.

"Scents do that to you, they unlock memories"

in the most unexpected way.

When herbs are in bloom, they develop their pretty side; Consider using these flowers as a bonus in centrepieces and bouquets.



It follows that the wedding cake must fit the theme. This most delightful triple layer pistachio sponge cake with custard cream frosting is sprinkled with pistachio and lavender praline. Looks amazing, tastes wonderful.



Classic white favour boxes are trimmed with striped ribbon and sealed with silver labels embossed with a wreath motif.

Fill the boxes with chocolates or after

dinner mints



We have reduced the price of our archived 2007 magazines. You can download 2007 Issue 1 to Issue 4 (instant access) for $1.95 each or purchase the printed magazines Issue 1 and 4 only (2 and 3 are sold out) for $4.95 each plus postage (Australia Only). Click here for more information.



The menu and invitation are written in an elegant font laser printed onto a self striped card.