A Father's Day

A Father's Day

To all the dads out there who are walking their daughters down the aisle remember she will always love you even though she is beginning a new life with someone new her dad will always hold a special place in her heart.

"Happy Father's Day to our part of the world"

How important to you is your step dad? My sister had her step dad walk her part way down the aisle then he dad took over and walked her down the last half of the aisle. My friend did a father daughter dance with her step dad because he is a big part of her life. If your step dad is not that important to you, then having him do a reading or give a toast would be perfect.

The wedding itself can be a big challenge for a dad. The monumental nature of the event can be overwhelming. Coming to the final realization that your daughter will be part of a new life and a new family can be tough. And it is even tougher if you aren't particularly fond of your son-in-law-to-be quite yet. Do try and relax and enjoy.

The tradition of the father giving away his daughter has its underpinnings from the days of betrothals and arranged marriages. Daughters were considered their father's "property: and it was the right of the father to give his child to the groom. In some cultures, the groom "bought" his right to the bride. Thankfully, times and cultures have largely changed, but the tradition continues a symbol that he approves of the marriage. Not every father and daughter will want to have this part of the ceremony, although a father walking his daughter down the aisle is a well accepted and sometimes touching part of the ceremony. Now, it will seem like you, Dad, are putting your daughter literally and figuratively into the arms and care of someone who is barely ready to accept the responsibility. But it is a wonderful gesture of confidence in your new son-in-law, and should be done graciously. If your daughter is getting married this weekend smile be happy and enjoy and do remember that this is the start of her new life with her best friend.



As father of the bride, your role is to support your daughter in every way. Usually, this also means financially! Nowadays, the cost of even the most modest wedding can be astronomical, but times are changing (phew!) and often the family of the bride, the couple themselves and even the groom’s family can contribute to costs. Best advice is to use the list below as a kick off point, and discuss who will pay for (and do) what, as soon as your daughter and her fiancé have set a date.

Traditionally, the bride's family pays for:
•Engagement and wedding press announcements
•The bride's and bridesmaids’ dresses
•Outfits for the mother and father of the bride
•Flowers for the church and reception (groom pays for bouquets and buttonholes)
•Photography/video
•Most of the transport
•Wedding stationery (invitations and orders of service)
•The reception and all its trimmings (usually the big cost)

A wise father will set his budget as early as possible and advise the couple as to what he is able, and prepared, to spend. Then there can be no misunderstandings and the couple are able to budget accordingly and decide where their priorities lie.

Most people are only too well aware of the expense involved in a wedding and both sets of parents may wish to share the cost between them. In this case it’s best to make sure you have a good working relationship between you and not try to co-ordinate everything via the bride and groom. Make a list of who’s paying for what to avoid any misunderstandings. You’ll find more useful advice on handling wedding finances in our budget section.



If you’re not doing a 50:50 split, one common solution is that the groom’s family provides the wedding cake and pays for any food at the evening reception.Some parents like to give a sum of money to be spent as the happy couple wish, others prefer to contribute specific items. If you choose the second option, make sure you confer with your daughter -- you don’t want to surprise her with a seven tier pink iced confection of a wedding cake if she’s chosen a burgundy and gold colour scheme.



Words of wisdom: Sensible fathers realise that paying for a part or a whole of their daughter’s wedding means just that; it’s her wedding. If you want a comfortable life, don’t try to influence her choices unless she asks for help or advice.

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

Brides Raise Hemline for Vintage Style

Brides Raise Hemline for Vintage Style

When Natalie Portman wed Benjamin Millepied in a Jewish ceremony last weekend, she paired a traditional floral headpiece with a 1950’s-style three quarter length skirt.

^Photos: FameFlynet Pictures

Australian bridal designer Pina Fiorenza said Shorter hemlines are making a comeback, with an increasing number of brides opting for the elegant mid-calf length instead of the usual full length gowns.


Left-Gown: Jennifer Gifford, Image: NGG__________________ Right-Gown: Carolina Herrera

“It speaks of an era that was all about understated elegance, with the influence of Dior and Balenciaga’s silhouettes coming through,” Ms Fiorenza said.

Photos & Gown: Carolina Herrera

"Brides who want to adopt the style for the wedding day should look for fabric and garment structure that enables the skirt to hold its shape and form; and be aware of getting the length right.

"Also select a neckline that compliments the style; my favourite is the classic sweetheart or wrapped sweetheart.”


Photos: Stephen Blakeney Photography __ Gown: Johanna-Hehir
Bride: Veronika Lowmass (From our Winter 2012 Issue)

Fiorenza’s 2012 collection features two three-quarter length bridal gowns, the ‘Isabella’ and ‘Lucia’, pictured below.

Photos & Gown: Pina Fiorenza

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!"