A Sparkling Combination

In a world-first, Waterford Crystal has announced a truly unique collaboration with Australia's premier fashion designer Alex Perry. Having collaborated with international design heavyweights John Rocha, Jasper Conran and Marc Jacobs in the past to create amazing stemware, never before has it been applied in a fashion context. Demonstrating the creative possibility of using Waterford Crystal in fashion, Perry created three gowns, each beautifully embellished with the illuminating shimmer only found in Waterford's crystal. Feminine and unashamedly romantic, the three Waterford Crystal gowns, in their pretty colour palette of lilac and nude, bear trademarks only known to Perry's work - refined elegance, prestige and luxury. The dramatic silhouettes feature hundreds of metres of lilac and nude tulle cascading over underwired corseted bodices. The tulle has then been swathed and wrapped, then embellished with sparkling Waterford Crystal.

The impressive Waterford Crystal haute couture gowns by Alex Perry will each go on exclusive display in the Waterford Crystal departments of David Jones flagship stores including Market Street, Sydney; Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne; and Hay Street Mall, Perth from 20th January to 27th February 2011. Additionally, to celebrate this iconic fashion collaboration, Waterford Crystal is offering David Jones customers the exclusive opportunity to WIN their very own Alex Perry Couture Evening or Bridal Gown, valued at a whopping $15,000. This amazing prize also includes a personal design consultation with Alex himself. To enter, simply purchase Waterford Crystal or list a minimum of $200 worth of Waterford Crystal on your David Jones Bridal Gift Registry between 20th January and 31st March 2011 to enter the draw. See in-store for further details or call 1300 852 022 (toll free) or visit www.waterfordcrystal.com.au

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Wu Me

If you're a bit of a fan of designer Jason Wu you will be a wee bit excited to hear he's now putting his hand to designing wedding dresses. Wu has signed on to create five bridal looks, which will be sold on Net-A-Porter, as part of a one year deal. Ranging from USD$800 up to USD$4,000 they are very reasonably priced for a designer such as himself. Having dressed celebrities from Jessica Alba, Diane Kruger and Blake Lively it's safe to say he's very well respected. He was even responsible for Michelle Obama's gorgeous white gown she wore to the 2009 Inauguration Ball. Amazing! The collection of ivory gowns launches this January.

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Image courtesy of cocoperez.com

Stationery Delight

These days your are spoilt for choice if you fancy the idea of purchasing invitiations online. With so many options available, narrowing the field can be quite the challenge. I was sent an email today showcasing PostScript Brooklyn, a new online wedding invitation store for the "urban and sophisticated bride and groom". Founder Melinda Morris, visionary of both PostScript Brooklyn and Lion in the Sun, also shared her tips of what's hot for next spring/summer 2011/12.

1. COLORS: Grey, Navy and Moss Green
2. DESIGNS: Architecture - Buildings and bridges help to tell “your” story. Botanical: Classically romantic, rich images of leaves, tress and branches never go out of style.
3. FONTS: Vintage/handwritten, degraded typewriter, A mix of quirky, offbeat styles.

There is simply a gorgeous selection of pieces on offer and with our dollar faring so well at the moment it's never been cheaper to purchase directly from the USA. Prices for invitations range from USD$5 - USD$16 per set and can be purchased online at www.psbrooklyn.com.

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Damn You Alexis

For a long time voluptuous girls have been disheartened by the lack of designers who create stylish, comfortable yet sexy pieces for the more fuller figured. Be disheartened no more, Sydney based Damn You Alexis has hit the shelves! Focused on bringing designer asthetics to the plus size market, Megan Moir Pardy's designs feature strong silhouettes, luxurious fabrics and quality craftsmanship. Ranging in sizes from 16 - 24, the collection has an eclectic style that is a little bit rock chic, glamorous, strong and modern all at the same time. Pieces range very reasonably in price from $49 for The Basic tank up to $359 for The Ombre dress. Visit www.damnyoualexis.com.au to view the collection and start shopping up a storm!

Posted by Emilie Harrison

*Kailis Jewellery Competition*

Here's a friendly reminder to all our fabulous blog readers - be sure to enter our super duper Kailis competiton! Be in the running to win your choice of one of four prizes valued at over $4,500. Could Kailis be anymore wonderful?! Entering is easy - simply visit our website, go to the Kailis competition page and tell us in 25 words or less what you are dreaming of. Entries close Tuesday 30th November. Visit www.styleguide.com.au for terms and conditions and be sure to visit Kailis at www.kailisjewellery.com.au to view their simply amazing pieces. Good luck!

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Table Numbers

Loving these brown bottle stensiled vases and tags from LetterboxCo. Use the tags with some twine around napkins to show guests which table is which or use the bottles as table number vases, they only need one or two blooms to make a stunning centrepiece.The brown bottles start at $5 each and the tags $12 for 10 plus postage.

Posted by Emma Henderson

*Fake Bake Competition Winners*

A big thank you to all our lovely blog readers who entered our Fake Bake blog competiton last week. We're thrilled to announce that our winners are:

L Biggins of VIC
K Desmond of WA
M Angus of SA
E Griffiths of NSW
S Whyatt NSW

Again, a big thank you to everyone who entered and told us what they'd like to see more of on the Style Guide Blog. Winners, enjoy your Fake Bake!

Posted by Emilie Harrison

Hello Yellow Competition

There's not much time left to enter our Hello Yellow competition so head over to our website to enter to win these amazing products to get the look from our theming story which appeard in our spring 2010 issue on sale now.

Competition closes 30.11.10, please refer to the website for full terms and conditions.

Prizes on offer:

Weding Cake to the value of $500 from Splendid Servings

Yellow spring-inspired bouquet to the value of $250 from Whitemoss

Stationery as featured in the story to the value of $300 from Papyrus Design

$300 voucher to be used towards the Samantha Wynne ready to wear range and bridesmaid ranges from Samantha Wynne

Be sure to enter here!

Posted by Emma Henderson

Silver Sweeties

Wouldn't these silver Jimmy Choo's make a simply gorgeous pair of wedding shoes? Embellished with crystals, these leather Lotus sandals would sparkle. If you didn't know Australia has three of our very own Jimmy Choo boutiques so be sure to pay one a visit if you're in the market for some amazing heels. Addresses are available at www.jimmychoo.com however they are located at Melbourne's Chadstone Shopping Centre and Sydney's MLC Centre and Westfield Bondi Junction. Jimmy Choo is also available to buy online at www.net-a-porter.com.

Posted by Emilie Harrison

A Pretty Plait

The hairstyle you choose for your big day is a big deal and should be well considered. Always take into account how you wear your hair from day to day, it's length, your style of dress and the time of the wedding. All things to consider! I came across this photo of a hairstyle on GM Photographics blog and fell in love. It's so pretty, feminine and would make the perfect hairstyle for a relaxed, fun wedding. The hairstyle came from the wedding of Lauren & Brett, held in Sydney earlier in the year. Lauren chose this relaxed updo for her bridesmaids and it was a fabulous choice. The bright pink flower finishes it off beautifully! There were other cute details of the day which would no doubt offer some great inspiration. Enjoy!

Photography - GM Photograpics
Wedding Coordinator/Stylist - Anthony Del Col from Staging Connections
Gown - Maggie Sottero
Flowers - Aunty & Me Wedding Flowers auntyandmeweddingflowers@gmail.com
Cake - Sweet Art

Posted by Emilie Harrison

*A Luxury Prize Competition*

A quick reminder that tomorrow entries close for our first week giveaway of tickets to Treasury's Luxury Bridal Showcase. Make sure you email competitions@styleguide.com.au and tell us what you'd like to see more of on the Wedding Style Guide blog to enter. We will be offering tickets for the next 3 weeks so good luck!

Posted by Emilie Harrison

*Fake Bake Competition*

Well summer has finally arrived! This means it's time to shed the warmer layers and get your skin in healthy condition. This will involve a good exfoliator, a good moisutriser and of course, a great fake tan. To celebrate the start of summer the lovely people at Fake Bake have been kind enough to give us 5 of their amazing (and I truly mean that!) mousse self-tans to give away to 5 of our lucky blog readers. To get your hands on your very own Fake Bake tan, valued at $45.95, simply email competitions@styleguide.com.au and tell us what you'd like to see more of on the Wedding Style Guide blog. Entries close this Friday 5th Nov and will be drawn on Mon 8th. Good luck!

Posted by Emilie Harrison