Ask the Experts

Take the guesswork out of finding the right dress for your big day with these tips.

How does one begin the process? 

Do your research:

 “Immerse yourself in lots of references so you’re prepared for your appointments with a clear vision of what you want. Remember to be open-minded and place trust in your consultant to make some suggestions for your body shape and style.” – Mariana Hardwick. 

 “Bridal magazines, wedding websites and blogs can be a great source for all the elements of your wedding from the stationery to bouquets and obviously your gown.  Look at all of the images you have collected – you should start to see elements of styles that are repeated.” – Karen Willis Holmes.

 Know your limits:

 “Sit down and draw up a budget for the wedding. Only visit designers who are within your budget - don't torture yourself!” – Coral Johnston of Corston Couture.

 Image: Behind the scenes with Bambi Northwood-Blyth for Vogue Brides. 

Which cities are best for bridal shopping? 

“Sydney bridal has a range of high quality independent design brands to choose from.  Melbourne is also a great place for brides but I think the stores tend to suit a more traditional bride.” – Karen Willis Holmes.

 “New York. Every time I’m there I take a whole day downtown and walk the entire length of Broadway all the way from Union Square to Wall Street, there are so many amazing independent designers and interesting boutiques.” – Mariana Hardwick.

Image: Courtesy of Mariana Hardwick. 

Tips for making the shopping experience easy and successful?   

Make a shortlist of stores and designers to visit:

 “Meet with no more than three designers that you gravitate towards and then pick the one you feel most comfortable with, otherwise the whole process can become incredibly overwhelming.” – Pallas Couture.

 Have an open mind:

 “Be open to trying on a gown or style you would not have thought you would wear.” – Johanna Johnson. 

 Take one to three people with you:

 "These people need to know you and your style well and be able to offer helpful advice."– Carol of Corston Couture.  

 Give yourself time:

 "Don’t leave looking for your gown until the last minute; give yourself a good 6-9 months." – Johanna Johnson. 

 Speak up:

 “Always ask relevant questions and anything you think of, no matter how trivial.” – Pallas Couture.

 Image: Courtesy of Pallas Couture. 

Key trends at the moment? 

Lace:

 “Designs incorporating all over lace have an air of modernity to them. There is such a range of laces at the moment from delicate French Chantilly lace through to corded and heavier Guipure lace.” – Karen Willis Holmes. 

 The new neutral:

 “Nude based bodices are becoming hugely popular.” – Coral Johnston of Corston Couture.

 Structured vs soft: 

 “We love structured styles with exposed corsetry and boning, and the contrast between a really structured bodice and softer floaty skirts.” – Mariana Hardwick. 

Image: Behind the scenes with Bambi Northwood-Blyth for  Vogue Brides. 

Any advice for what not to do when shopping?  

Don’t act on impulse: 

“Don't buy a dress on the spot. The first day out is a massive learning day. There is so much to learn about wedding dresses and how your body looks in different styles.”– Carol of Corston Couture. 

 “This is the most emotional purchase you will make, next to buying a house so buy wisely and for life – a wedding gown is an heirloom piece that tells a story.” – Johanna Johnson. 

 Take the right people with you:

 “Choose the people whose opinions you trust above all - you will get honest answers and you won’t be inundated with several conflicting opinions.” – Karen Willis Holmes. 

 Stress less:

 "Avoid worrying about whether you have made the right decision. Keep a strong vision of how all aspects of your wedding will fit together and be confident in your choices. Second-guessing causes lots of unnecessary stress!"– Mariana Hardwick.  

  Image: Courtesy of Karen Willis Holmes. 

Finally, what should the bride look for in a dress?

 “The perfect dress is all about impeccable craftsmanship and exquisite materials; it requires an actual couture process where everything is created bespoke. This ensures the perfect fit, moulding the dress to the body like a glove.” – Pallas Couture. 

“Opt for an elegant approach that is an extension of your personality and day-to-day style. Less is always more. Also, look for a gown that will stand the test of time, is of exceptional quality and finishing, and works with the kind of location you have in mind.” – Johanna Johnson. 

Wedding Flower Trends 2017

Wedding planning is in high gear for floral designers and newly engaged couples. While flower farmers plan for four distinct seasons, many floral designers observe just two: wedding season and wedding planning season. This is the time of year when Instagram feeds and Pinterest boards are flooded with ideas and inspiration for incorporating flowers into life’s biggest celebrations.

Will blush pink continue to dominate color palettes?  What new hues will see in centerpieces? Will bouquets be big and bold, or simple and elegant?  Will we see any new floral statement pieces gracing the aisles this wedding season?  While trends vary slightly from region to region, here are some of the hottest styles we see on the horizon:

FLOWERS

Fresh from the garden, seasonal flowers. For brides, there is nothing quite like clutching a bouquet filled with fresh, fragrant flowers grown with love and harvested by hand by a local farmer or designer with whom they have a personal connection. Thankfully, this trend is becoming more and more common, as awareness and interest in local, seasonal flowers continues to grow, especially among studio florists and style- and eco-conscious couples. A recent Slow Flowers survey and Industry Insights Report also confirmed the uptick in consumers’ and designers’ use of U.S.-grown and locally-grown flowers.

Dahlias, dahlias, dahlias. If the extremely high demand for Floret dahlias is any indication, we’ll be seeing dahlias dominate late summer and fall wedding designs. ‘Café au lait’ is still the queen, but other big beauties such as ‘Labyrinth’ and ‘Peaches N’ Cream’ are increasingly being sought out by discerning designers.

Old-fashioned flowers as “new” favorites. The thought of using common zinnias, carnations or mums for wedding flowers used to make some floral designers and style-conscious brides shutter. But heirloom varieties and new flower cultivars with uncommon forms and colors have turned heads and helped to change minds and attitudes. Heirloom chrysanthemums, frilly scented heirloom carnations, and ruffly scabiosa-flowered zinnias have become in fashion. Farmer-florists across the country are fighting to get their hands on limited seed and plant stock to meet the increased interest and demand.

Flowers by special request. Armed with beautiful images curated from Pinterest and Instagram, brides increasingly are asking for specific and sometimes more obscure flowers for their bouquets. Perennial favorites include: garden roses and peonies, but more recent requests include ranunculus, dahlias, lisianthus, chocolate queen Anne’s lace, seeded eucalyptus and dusty miller. These specific requests can be a challenge—and an opportunity—to explain the seasonal nature and availability of certain flowers.

COLORS

Muted, muddy & moody hues. This year, we’ll see more subdued and muted monochromatic bouquets and far fewer multicolored bouquets in bright or contrasting colors. Shades such as dusty rose, milky coffee, champagne, buttercream, apricot and moonstone will challenge floral designers and flower farmers to source blooms in these complex colors.

Another glass of red wine, please.  Whether you prefer cabernet, merlot or pinot noir, these delicious deep wine tones pair beautifully with a variety of color palettes, from bold jewel tones to soft blush pinks as well as many of the muddier hues mentioned above.  An outgrowth of the popular 2015 Pantone color of the year, Marsala, look for lots of dahlias, chocolate Queen Anne’s lace and other seasonal flowers in these more saturated hues to continue to appear in late summer and fall weddings this year.

Gray on gray. Considered the “new neutral” within the home décor world for the past few years, gray has become a staple in floral design as well. Gray pairs well with most colors and is often combined with perennial popular blush pink. Gray will continue to hold court as a popular accent color, but could move towards center stage alongside crisp white. Look for bouquets with dusty miller, seeded eucalyptus, succulents, olive branches and other gray foliage to fill your Instagram feeds this year.

Greenery as a theme. Pantone’s 2017 color of the year, Greenery, will be reflected in weddings, but in subtle, and less literal and overtly obvious ways. We predict we’ll see less focus of this specific hue of green, and more of the concept of using nontraditional greenery and foliage as a more prominent focal point in wedding decor. Greenery can be incorporated in creative ways, such as garlands of foliage stretching down the middle of Kings tables, sprigs of greens adorning place settings, greenery wreaths, chair decor and foliage backdrops for ceremony sites or photo booths.

STYLE

Wild, ‘gathered from the garden’ bouquet shapes. Traditional tight, round balls of blooms are a trend of the distant past. Stylish brides are opting for large, lush, loose bouquets with more organic forms that tend to be bigger and wider than years past. The continued popularity of boho and gypset-inspired wedding décor also support this this organic aesthetic and design style.

Luxe ribbons & unique finishing touches. A bouquet just isn’t a bouquet without a ribbon finish. Brides are looking for ways to make their bouquet more meaningful or stand out in a special way by requesting unique elements such as antique lace, a charm or cameo of a loved one, vintage handkerchiefs and multiple layers of long, ultra-luxe hand-died silk ribbon streamers.

Stylish floral wearables. Subtle, delicate floral hair accessories, have virtually replaced the big, bold floral crowns from years past. We’ll see more half halos, pretty floral hair “combs” and simple sprigs of foliage woven artfully into hairstyles this year. Another big trend will be elegant cuff wrist corsages that look and feel more like jewelry. These bangle-type bracelets will hopefully permanently replace the often reviled elastic wristlets popular at high school proms. Keep an eye out for other creative interpretations of traditional floral wearables on mothers, grandmothers and other wedding party attendants.  For the guys, this will mean mixing moreinteresting textural elements, including pods, berries & grasses alongside traditional focal flowers.

Bold and beautiful arches, chuppahs & hanging installations. More couples are choosing to say “I do” framed by foliage and flowers. Last year, we said foliage-focused backdrops would take center stage. They did. But so did arches & chuppahs. Look for a continuation of this trend for ceremony site décor. For reception site décor, we’re seeing lots of delicate foliage wreaths, floral chandeliers and other creative floral installations hung above head tables.

Less rustic and more modern décor aesthetic. We’re witnessing an evolution in wedding décor that is greatly simplified, with clean lines and a more contemporary feel. This is part of an overall movement away from country chic (think: less barnwood and burlap) and more toward an urban, industrial look (more gunmetal, mercury glass and galvanized steel).

A mix of high and low. Rather than a sea of carbon copy centerpieces, more couples are opting to mix and match their table décor. This entails alternating elevated bouquets, with long, low centerpieces, sprawling low profile compotes, or clusters of small bottles of single blooms. By choosing just a few larger statement pieces, the mix of elevated and low designs provide vertical interest without busting the budget.

Sweet treats: cake flowers.  The trend away from oversized wedding cakes and more toward sweets tables has allowed for more opportunities to creatively incorporate flowers into cake designs and table decor. Look for live flowers serving as cake toppers and more flowers and foliage used to style cakes, donut and dessert tables.  Sounds good to us!

Wedding Traditions

Wedding Lore and Traditions

by Elizabeth Olson

"Something borrowed" usually comes from a happily married woman and is thought to lend some of her good fortune and joy to the new bride.

Have you ever wondered why the bride stands to the left of the groom, or why the wedding ring is worn on the third finger of the left hand? The origins and meaning behind some of our most cherished wedding traditions may surprise you. There are, of course, multiple explanations for each piece of wedding lore, and few can be definitively traced back to their roots. Below are some of the more common and popular stories behind these traditions.

Tossing the Bouquet

Tossing the bouquet is a tradition that stems from England. Women used to try to rip pieces of the bride's dress and flowers in order to obtain some of her good luck. To escape from the crowd the bride would toss her bouquet and run away. Today the bouquet is tossed to single women with the belief that whoever catches it will be the next to marry.

Giving Away the Bride

The tradition of the father giving away his daughter has its roots in the days of arranged marriages. Daughters in those times were considered their father's property. It was the father's right to give his child to the groom, usually for a price. Today a father giving away his daughter is a symbol of his blessing of the marriage.

The Wedding Ring

The wedding ring has been worn on the third finger of the left hand since Roman times. The Romans believed that the vein in that finger runs directly to the heart. The wedding ring is a never-ending circle, which symbolizes everlasting love.

The Best Man

In ancient times, men sometimes captured women to make them their brides. A man would take along his strongest and most trusted friend to help him fight resistance from the woman's family. This friend, therefore, was considered the best man among his friends. In Anglo-Saxon England, the best man accompanied the groom up the aisle to help defend the bride.

Bride on Groom's Left

Because grooms in Anglo-Saxon England often had to defend their brides, the bride would stand to the left of her groom so that his sword arm was free.

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, and a Sixpence in Your Shoe

"Something old" represents the bride's link to her family and the past. The bride may choose to wear a piece of family jewelry or her mother or grandmother's wedding gown. "Something new" represents hope for good fortune and success in the future. The bride often chooses the wedding gown to represent the new item. "Something borrowed" usually comes from a happily married woman and is thought to lend some of her good fortune and joy to the new bride. "Something blue" is a symbol of love, fidelity, and purity of the bride. A sixpence in her shoe is to wish the bride wealth in her future life.

The Tiered Wedding Cake

The origin of the tiered wedding cake also lies in Anglo-Saxon times. Guests would bring small cakes to the wedding and stack them on top of each other. Later, a clever French baker created a cake in the shape of the small cakes and covered it in frosting. It is now known as the tiered cake.

Wedding Bouquet

Flowers are incorporated into the wedding ceremony as a symbol of fertility. The first bouquets consisted of herbs and, later, orange blossoms.

The Bridal Veil

The bridal veil has long been a symbol of youth, modesty, and virginity and was used to ward off evil.

Bridesmaids

The bridal party is a tradition that has been established for many centuries. For a long time the purpose of the bridal party was to fool evil spirits. The bride's friends dressed similarly to her in order to confuse any virulent presences that might be lurking about. Today bridesmaids are there to support the bride in the stressful times during the wedding.

George Wu

George Wu ‘Wulfila’s Message’

Inspired by Pagan philosophy with the Pagan beliefs of recognising the divine in the natural world, GEORGE WU’s bespoke bridal collection “Wulfila’s Message’ is a sartorial feast of effortless silhouettes and sensuous textures.

Derived from poetic vision and Pagan influence, the collection unites an organic and ethereal aesthetic flirting with divinity and symbolic imagery that exudes the breathtaking splendour of nature; a soft contrast between rustic, organic lace and delicate textiles and silhouettes that reflect both this and the primal and gentle concept of Pagan spirituality.

Celebrating the circle of life and birth, Paganism praises the power of women, worshiping them as goddesses. With the celebration of this at the core of the collection, Wu’s designs are feminine in design, accentuating the female form with heavy construction and hidden corsets resulting in effortless movement, fluid energy and floaty romantic designs.

Featuring opulent fabrics, stylistic silhouettes, delicate hand-sewn embellishments and couture finishes, Wu has created a bridal collection that is elegant yet with a high fashion aesthetic, combining his masterful tailoring skills and classical training with innovative, modern techniques.

Hand crafted from decadent laces, sheers and beaded embellishments in ivory, nude and neutral hues, the eclectic inspiration behind the design of the collection has formed a truly unique aesthetic for the contemporary woman.

The collection is available by appointment at George Wu’s Brisbane studio. For more information visit www.georgewu.com.au

GEORGE WU

Biography

Sophistication with a high fashion sensibility is the central ethos for visionary bridal and evening wear designer George Wu, renowned for his masterful tailoring, intricate detailing and classical technique.

One of Australia’s most exceptional bespoke designers, his eponymous label is inspired by layers of lightness and darkness with his luxury collections evoking an avant-garde elegance that combines traditional couture finishes with a modern aesthetic.

With a Bachelor of Fine Arts majoring in Fashion Design from Queensland University of Technology and an Advanced Diploma in Fashion Design, it is Wu’s technical skill that has garnered him much acclaim since debuting his label in 2005, creating a label known for each piece’s impeccable cut, structure and finish.

Redefining bridal couture with his innovative take on classical design, George Wu gowns are handcrafted in decadent textiles including delicate French laces and silks, Japanese trims and Italian embroideries, often sourced from the same mills and suppliers as those used by international fashion houses Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana.

A master of perfection, the designer is personally involved in the creative process, including design conception, pattern cutting, sewing, finishing and fitting, ensuring each bespoke piece is a work of art.

Since the inception of his label, Wu has established himself within the fashion industry featuring in Australia’s most esteemed publications including Vogue and Elle; his innovative designs worn by celebrities including Angelina Jolie, Margot Robbie, Jessica Marais, Kristy Hinze and Rachael Finch.