Planning the perfect vintage wedding

When it comes to your wedding theme, old-world vintage is one of the most romantic options to consider.

From the Lincoln Center, New York to the Grand Palais, Paris, collections from the Spring/Summer 2011 runways showcased a plethora of vintage-inspired wedding gowns.

The likes of Lanvin, Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera and Monique Lhuillier sent romantic, vintage creations down the runway, many in Alençon and Chantilly lace, with unique detailing such as a long-sleeve coat, satin sash or an interesting neckline.

Clearly the vintage wedding trend is here to stay for at least another season.

Recent bride Elyse Ogston, 23, chose the vintage theme for her wedding to Radek Graczyk, 28, as she feels the look is timeless.

“Vintage is so classic and I wanted to choose a style that I could look back on in 20 years time and still love,” she says.

If you’re opting for a vintage-inspired wedding theme – from your venue, music and cars to your invites, bomboniere and flowers, one of the most prominent ways to channel vintage is with your wedding dress.

In fact, your wedding dress sets the mood for the entire day – most eyes will be on the bride after all!

Dresses from yesteryear (whether original or not) are not only glamorous and inspiring, but are often more romantic than their more modern counterparts.

If you’re sourcing a truly authentic vintage dress you can canvass friends and relatives who may be willing to give, lend or sell you a dress which has been passed down through generations, otherwise you can scour specialist clothing stores or eBay.

However, don’t feel obliged to buy an authentic vintage dress. If it's really only a certain silhouette you're after, you can very easily have a reproduction of a vintage gown made.

Designer Angela Marcuccio says the 30s, 40s and 50s are a big inspiration for her current collection.

“The fabrics that are available at the moment lend themselves to an art deco or vintage feel,” Marcuccio says.

“The celebrities of old were so glamorous and the 40s were such a feminine era. The fashion techniques like handcrafted drapery and hand stitching in these pieces are so special. Vintage wedding gowns really are stunning works of art.”

Elyse achieved her vision of a vintage, empire-line gown with a couture design from Strictly Bridal, which featured a full train, beaded lace bodice, lace cap sleeves and a 3.5 metre mantilla veil with beaded trim.

“I incorporated the vintage theme with the lace in my dress and veil,” explains Elyse. “My shoes also followed the theme and were a French-style peep toe with lace detail and bow.”

“I chose a beautiful antique mauve colour for my bridesmaid’s dresses. This soft shade suited the day perfectly and I believe brought everything together.”

Going to the chapel

There are plenty of venues which cater specifically for couples searching for the perfect vintage setting.

Some great options include a vineyard or winery, a historical ballroom with antique furnishings or a more basic venue which you can “dress up” by hiring chandeliers, candelabras, floral displays, and vintage chairs, tables and linen.

Driving Miss Vintage

Alighting from a silver 1920s Buick or a cream-coloured 1930s Chrysler is the perfect way to make your entrance (and exit) in true old-fashioned style.

Simply picking a car from the era you are targetting is easy and will more come down to the particular look of a car you favour.

Stationery from yesteryear

For invites, menus and place cards, throwback stationery styles, like letterpress printing and tea-stained papers, can instantly enrich your stationery with nostalgic charm. Or try lining your stationery with the same lace you have chosen for your dress.

“A beautiful damask pattern with classic font styles is perfectly matched to a stylish vintage wedding,” suggests stationery designer Christine Levy. “Or go for a more avant-garde design with vintage embellishment.”

“Whichever style you pick out, your invites are the first ‘introduction’, if you like, of your wedding to your guests, so you need to get them right,” Levy says.

A pretty posy

Nothing spells vintage quite like soft-pink David Austin roses, though opting for any flower in a softer colour will help you achieve that vintage look. Think pastel pinks and soft browns, white and cream. Use neutrals to accent, such as chocolate brown or taupes. You can also choose bunches of violets, ivy tendrils, lilies, hydrangeas, peonies, carnations, poppies or cornflowers.

Florist Barbara Jones says once-favoured contemporary colours are making way for a softer look.

“Brides today seem to generally be going for softer and more antique flowers,” says Jones. “Vintage looks are in, with old-fashioned flowers such as carnations and baby's breath making a big comeback.”

You can also have your bouquet arranged as per your era. Posies were extremely popular during the 1910s that were later replaced with shower bouquets in the 20s, which all but disappeared during the more austere 30s, where corsages were often worn.

The smaller touches

There are plenty of personalised touches you can add to take your vintage theme even further.

Scatter framed sepia or black and white photographs of yourselves (perhaps from your engagement party) around your wedding venue. Display vintage pieces among your wedding décor such as old books, a typewriter and vintage-inspired luggage. Place flowers arrangements in antique crystal vases and hunt down an authentic antique cake topper. Give guests favours which tie in with the era, such as monogrammed handkerchiefs for the ‘20s or quirky Pez dispenses for the ‘60s.

Wedding ideas for every era

1920s: Embrace the era of the Roaring '20s with the flapper look. Think dropped-waist dress styles with plunging necklines, ornate headdresses and long pearl necklaces. Have a jazz band playing at the reception and arrange for your photographer to set up an old-time-photo studio where guests can have 1920s snapshots taken.

1930s: As revellers searched for distractions from the Great Depression, this era's fashion was inspired by Hollywood glamour. Go for curve-accentuating dresses with luxurious textures and don Art Deco jewellery. The 30s was also the golden era of the lindy hop - a type of swing dancing. Why don’t you and your groom-to-be surprise guests by preparing a dance routine for the reception?

1940s: Wartime rationing called for simple designs, so opt for a slim fitting suit or a drop shoulder slender fit satin dress with full length gloves and even a hat with a netted face veil. Swing was huge at the time so go all out with a big brass band!

1950s: Ultra-feminine styles were the "in" thing in the ‘50s, represented best by Dior, with full skirts, rounded shoulders and a very emphasised waist. Incorporate polka dots, stripes and ribbons into your invites, arrive at your wedding nuptials in a Pink Cadillac and try novel ideas like a jukebox as well as a rock ‘n’ roll band and set up a soda fountain for guests.

1960s: Wedding attire was influenced by the über fashionable Jacqueline Kennedy, and featured A-line dresses with three quarter length sleeves or lacked sleeves in favour of formal gloves. To really channel this groovy era, use lava lamps as table centerpieces, scatter love beads and daisies at place settings and serve Champagne in a coupe – the shallow, broad-bowled, stemmed glass that was the glass of choice during the 60s.

For the grooms: Dealing with nerves

Every groom gets nervous on his big day, but some simple calming tips will be sure to keep the jitters at bay.

While for many grooms-to-be the most nerve-racking experience is out of the way once your bride-to-be has said yes to your proposal, as the special day looms closer, the realisation dawns that this may have been a piece of (wedding) cake in comparison to what comes next.

Standing up in front of family, friends – sometimes in a cast of hundreds – can be a daunting experience for even the most confident of grooms.

And with so many things to juggle on the day – remembering the vows you’ve so carefully prepared and memorised; ensuring you don’t trip over your bride’s $8,000 Alex Perry gown during your first dance together; keeping everyone mingling and having a good time at the reception; praying that your best man omits any embarrassing past indiscretions during his speech – can all spell major stress time for grooms.

For recent groom Dennis Perry, 35, who married Anna, 33 in a lavish yet intimate ceremony at Riva in Melbourne, keeping his nerves in check was all about remembering why he was there.

“I was pretty nervous before the ceremony,” he admits, “but I just thought about how special Annette is to me and how excited I was to stand up in front of everyone to make our commitment to one another.”

“Once I was just focused on Anna, I forgot about everyone else in the room.”

As for the speech, says Perry, it was a matter of relaxing and just being himself.

“I didn’t prepare a great long speech. I jotted down a couple of things before the day and then just went off the cuff once I had the floor. I wanted my speech to come from the heart anyway, corny I know, but I didn’t want to be wooden and rehearsed.“

“Plus a glass of Champagne beforehand really helped!” he laughs.

For grooms really trying to battle the nerves the key is to remember you are there to have a good time, and remember that the people attending are there to share in your happiness. Also, try the following:

♥ Write down a few key points you want to include in your speech prior to the day. For grooms who are a little stuck, try retelling the story of how you and your bride first met – guaranteed to garner some “awww’s”.

♥ Big day jitters? Presentation skills trainer and coach Nigel Heath advises taking some big deep breaths to steady your nerves. “This is so simple and obvious that many people dismiss it without trying it. That’s a pity because it is really powerful,” says Heath.

“Just notice what happens to you when you deliberately take three slow, deep breaths, preferably in through your nose and out through your mouth. This simple exercise will bring you a deep sense of relaxation and calm.”

♥ Get a good night’s sleep the night before. And whatever you do – schedule the buck’s night at least a week before your wedding day.

♥ While it may be tempting to down a few glasses of Moet for a little “Dutch courage”, don’t go overboard. You want to remember the day after all!

The price of love

A little confused over who should be paying for what when it comes to tying the knot? Here’s a handy guide according to both modern and traditional standards.

MODERN:

The Bride and Groom
Bide and Groom's wedding ring
Gifts for the bridal attendants
Gifts for the best man and groomsmen
Suit hire for the groom
Bride's and bridesmaid's bouquets, the corsages and boutonnieres
Celebrant and ceremony fees
Wedding invitations
Photographer
Wedding cake
Gifts of appreciation
Wedding cars
Bonbonniere, wedding favours
Bridal gown and accessories
The honeymoon

The Bride's Family
Newspaper announcement
The reception venue and food
Ceremony and reception flowers

The Groom's Family
Wedding gift for the bride and groom.
The reception beverages
Any general expenses they may wish to contribute

The Wedding Party
Bride’s maids dresses, shoes, etc
Groomsmen’s suits, shoes, etc
Hens night given by maid of honour or bridesmaids
Bucks night given by best man or groomsmen

TRADITIONAL:

The Bride
Groom's wedding ring
Gifts for the groom and bridal party
Bonbonniere, wedding favours

The Groom
The bride's wedding ring.
A wedding gift for the bride
Gifts for the best man and groomsmen
Suit hire for himself
Bride's and bridesmaid's bouquets, the corsages and boutonnieres
Celebrant and ceremony fees
The honeymoon

The Bride's Family
Newspaper announcement
The reception
Bridal gown and accessories
A wedding gift for the bride and groom
Wedding invitations
Ceremony and reception flowers
Photographer
Wedding cake

The Groom's Family
Wedding gift for the bride and groom
Any general expenses they may wish to contribute

The Wedding Party
Bridemaid’s dresses
Hens night given by maid of honour or bridesmaids
Bucks night given by best man or groomsmen

The bride and groom
Gifts of appreciation for those who helped with your wedding

Tying the knot: The second time around

Not too long ago, many couples believed that getting married for the second time called for a smaller, more pared back celebration, rather than the elaborate and extravagant event often denoted by first time nuptials.

Today, however, with second time weddings becoming more commonplace, staging an event with all the trimmings is entirely up to you – and also marks the chance to get things right!

Remember that the focus should be on celebrating having found new love and embarking on a new beginning, regardless of whether it’s your second trip down the aisle.

In truth, how you celebrate your wedding can be as elaborate or intimate as you choose, but keep in mind there are still certain things to be mindful of when saying “I do”… again.

THE DRESS

While it seems to be popular opinion that your second wedding dress should be considerably more understated, many second-time-around-brides are disregarding stuffy and outdated protocol and wearing something a little less conventional.

If you prefer to wear white, do so, or alternatively this is your chance to wear a truly remarkable gown in any colour you wish. If you really want to break away from the traditional bridal look a sexy slip dress or beautiful suit will certainly save you from looking “the princess” on the day.

Your second wedding dress should ultimately reflect your personality and fashion sense – without necessarily adhering to the traditional “bridal” look. Also, take your cue from the style and formality of your wedding ceremony and reception, as your dress should be a reflection of this.

THE EXPENSE

While many couples these days are already paying for their weddings anyway, when it comes to second weddings, the cost most definitely falls to you.

THE GIFTS

As you will be covering the cost for the entire wedding – and since you probably have accumulated enough household goods already – consider setting up a honeymoon gift registry. Another popular idea is to have a “wishing well” whereby guests can give money anonymously.

THE GUEST LIST

It goes without saying that inviting guests from your past may throw up certain questions as to what is appropriate. Every couple’s situation is different, but as a rule it is advisable to avoid inviting former in-laws and ex-spouses, even if you’re on good terms.

You may also want to keep your guest list free from those people you’re “supposed” to invite, who often make the list for first time weddings, such as a distant second cousin or family friend you only see once a year.

THE INVITES

Once upon a time wording wedding invitations was a pretty basic part of the wedding planning process – as the bride’s parents were traditionally paying for everything, wedding invitations were from them.

These days however, with divorce, blended and untraditional families, invitations have become slightly more complicated. As a result many invitations can now be quite informal, lending a much more modern and personal touch to these invites.

With second weddings, many couples word the invitations from themselves, eg. “We request the pleasure of your company for our special day”.

THE BRIDAL PARTY

Generally, the bridal party is smaller the second time around. It is perfectly okay to use the same friends or family in your second bridal party as the first, but keep in mind this may be a good chance for a close friend or family member to be included that wasn’t the last time. It’s also completely acceptable to have no bridal party, too.

THE VOWS

Writing your own vows the second time around is a romantic touch and a nice way to personalise the ceremony, instead of using formal vows. Some couples find it a nice thought to include the children from previous marriages into the vows, thereby ensuring they feel included and accepted into the new family. Again, this is a personal decision dependant on the family dynamics and is entirely up to you as a couple.

THE SPEECHES

Any reference to you or your partner’s previous marriages is a big no-no. Not only will it make guests feel awkward – not to mention you and partner – it will serve as an untimely reminder that you’ve done this all before and is obviously not the most romantic anecdote to the day.

THE LOCATION

Particularly when your previous wedding – or in some instances, weddings – was a traditional church ceremony followed by a large sit-down reception, you and your partner may decide that something a little more intimate or informal is appropriate for your nuptials.

As is the case with every wedding, the location really comes down to personal preference and what you want your wedding day to entail. Parks, beaches and gardens are all fabulous options, but it is equally fine to remarry in a church (if your religion permits).

A large number of second time around couples do decide to elope to minimise the fuss and the stress of planning a wedding. For others, a destination wedding is the best fit and many of the world’s premier locations – from Fiji to Los Angeles – all offer fabulous wedding packages where an expert team will take care of everything, from your dress to your accommodation to the flowers and even the photographer.

2011 Bride Tasmania Wedding Exhibition

The 6th Annual Bride Tasmania Wedding Exhibition promises to be bigger and better than ever!

Come along for your chance to win a blissful honeymoon at Castaway Island, Fiji, courtesy of the Travel Studio, Level 2, 29 Salamanca Square Hobart. There will also be presentations from two of Australia's top bridal gown designers from Hills in Hollywood and Jean Fox Bridal, as well as hair and make-up demonstrations from Imola Hair and Studio E. Spectacular European-style fashion parades begin at 12.00 noon and 3pm.

Hosted by Bride Tasmania Magazine, the event provides contacts, ideas and solutions for couples who are planning for a fantastic wedding celebration. As well as boasting aisles of displays from over 80 leading wedding specialists from across the state – fashion boutiques, reception venues, marriage celebrants, jewellers, cake decorators, hairdressers, make-up artists, photographers... and more. Virtually everything a couple needs to plan their wedding at the one venue, saving both time and money.

For brides and grooms-to-be who live outside Hobart, why not make a weekend of it? Mention the Bride Tasmania Wedding Exhibition when you book at either Mercure Hobart, Grand Mercure Hadleys Hotel, The Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel or Lenna of Hobart and Salamanca Terraces to receive a bottle of bubbly on arrival, as well as the best available room rates.



Sunday May 15, 2011 • Derwent Entertainment Centre • 10.00am – 4.00pm • 
Entry – $8.50 • Fashion parades begin at 12.00 noon and 3.00pm.


Should you take your husband's name?

Always wanted to be the one who sends out the correction email to work colleagues: “From now on, you may refer to me as Mrs Jane Somebody instead of Miss Jane Nobody”?

Or are you happy enough with your own name?

Taking the surname of your partner has changed from being the status quo to being a highly subjective and personal matter.

Ultimately, it’s a personal choice. Whether you keep, change or hyphenate, there’s no right or wrong answer. The only rule is to discuss it with your husband-to-be before you make a decision – especially if you're thinking about not taking his name.

A recent study by Florida University found that just 18% of women kept their original name after marriage. On the flipside, how many celebrities can you think of who've changed their name?

Victoria Beckham, yes. But Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett. Renee Zeilweger, Jennifer Lopez and Elizabeth Taylor (eight times, no less) all kept their own surnames.

Compiling the perfect guest list

Nobody wants to leave anyone out of their wedding, but before you set about preparing your 1,000-strong guest list, ask yourself this: could there be anything worse than having a room full of strangers staring disinterestedly into their Champagne glasses as you and your husband enjoy your first waltz together?

All experts agree, when it comes to weddings, you need to be selective, even harsh. If you’re on any kind of tighter budget, then things need to be trimmed even further.

Wedding planner Emily Bedard offers the following advice on who should make your final guest list.

1. Divide evenly. Compose the guest list by allotting one third to the bride’s parents, one third to the groom’s parents, and one third to the bride and groom (or another division as you see fit).
2. Cut coworkers. This is a tough one but is very necessary if you are trying to cut the list. The only exceptions may be coworkers who are also very close friends.
3. Don’t return the favour. Cut any guests who are on your list simply because they invited you to their wedding. You need to remember everyone’s circumstances are different, you can’t assume the same criteria.
4. Switch places. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes and imagine – would you be hurt if they didn’t invite you to their wedding? Anyone for whom the answer is no gets cut from the list.
5. Trim out-of-touch friends. If it takes a week or more research to find their contact information, consider cutting them. Also, if you haven’t been in touch with them for over a year or more then you should consider trimming them from the guest list.
6. Make it adults only. While not for everyone, an adults-only event is a quick and clear way to cut down on numbers. The cut-off age is up to you – most couples choose 16 or 18 years old.

On the touchy issue of family members, etiquette expert Ceri Marsh offers this: “You may not be close [to certain family members] now, but think about how you’ll feel five years from now. Invite them all.”

And whatever you do, while your nous with phone calls or text messaging may border on legendary, weddings are still some time away from shifting from the time-honoured snail-mail invite. So keep it in the envelope please!

The Prenup: Should you or shouldn't you?

Ah, the prenuptial agreement. A potential land-mine for loved-up couples who may have differing opinions on whether drawing up a contract to protect hard-earned assets and future fortunes is the ultimate romance killer. But this is a modern trend clearly gaining popularity, with celebrities easily leading the way.

By all reports, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones have one, as do Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, and Ben Afflleck and Jennifer Garner. Donald Trump swears by his – all three of them.

It's already come in handy for the failed unions of Britney Spears/Kevin Federline, Heather Locklear/Richie Sambora and Jessica Simpson/Nick Lachey.

While the rest of us may not have quite the vast fortunes to protect, it still pays to be practical.

“Writing up a prenuptial agreement may not sound very romantic, but it is very smart,” says MSN Money columnist Terry Savage. "Prenups aren't just for the wealthy. Forget the stereotype – even young couples who have already embarked on their careers could benefit from a legal agreement about the financial consequences of divorce.”


Here are a few financial issues to consider dealing with in your prenuptial agreement.



Premarital assets: "If you agree that any assets owned before marriage will be kept separate, you might want to set up separate, revocable living trusts and transfer title to the assets into the name of your trust," says Savage. 



Marital assets: "You’ll have to decide on how to deal with assets acquired by joint purchase during your marriage and any assets and earnings you acquire separately during your marriage," says Savage. "You may want to discuss how to divide marital property in the event of a divorce, or make an advance agreement on ownership of assets acquired during the marriage."



Retirement assets: "Although retirement plans are considered separate property, in many states a non-working spouse is entitled to a share of the working spouse’s retirement assets. You’ll definitely want to see how the law applies in your situation," warns Savage.


Inheritances: "If inherited property is kept separate from marital property, most courts do not consider it part of the marital estate in case of a divorce," says Savage. "But if you take a portion of your inheritance and use it for a down payment on a house owned jointly, you’ll convert this portion of your inheritance into marital property. In any case, if you’re expecting to inherit money, your prenup should spell out your intentions to keep the assets separate."



Financial lifestyle and support: "Your prenup can outline your intentions for contributing to the financial lifestyle of the marriage, during the marriage," says Savage. "For example, non-financial contributions such as child rearing should be taken into consideration. One spouse may limit career prospects to build the family lifestyle. Courts take these contributions into consideration, and so should your prenuptial agreement."



Terms: "Many prenups for support and property division in the event of divorce include a scaled agreement. That is, if the marriage lasts only one or two years, the couple could agree to no support," Savage says. "If a marriage lasts for a longer period, then either larger support or a lump-sum payment could be agreed upon. Or the agreement might 'vest' like a pension plan – with a portion of the payout dependent on the longevity of the marriage."



Life insurance: "Financial circumstances can change during the course of a marriage. Many prenups call for both parties to maintain life insurance – with each spouse owning the policy on the other’s life," says Savage. "This won’t pay off in the case of a divorce, but as long as each has an 'insurable interest' in the other’s future, the owner can continue paying premiums and maintain the coverage."


So in the end, signing a prenup is a smart move – and once you've signed on the dotted line, you can put it out of your mind and get busy living happily ever after.

Why you need a wedding website

In an age when nearly everyone appears to have a Facebook account, a Tumblr blog or is tweeting via Twitter, creating a personalised wedding website is becoming more and more popular for newly-engaged couples.

There are a plethora of free build-your-own sites that brides and grooms-to-be can use to start their own website, such as www.easyweddings.com.au, www.weddings.myevent.comwww.ewedding.com, although you can opt to pay for a professionally designed website if you’re not overly tech-savvy. and

These free, easy-to-use sites provide a wide variety of templated designs to choose from, so you can personalise your site and even match it to your wedding theme.

At its simplest, your site should include your basic information: your names, a photo of the two of you, your wedding date and location, and a brief greeting to visitors.

You can use your site as a way of sharing the initial news of your engagement – acting as a more up-to-date version of the old-fashioned newspaper announcement. 

Your website is also a convenient and paper-free way to send save-the-date announcements (or even your actual invites), updated news and tips to guests, manage your gift registry and guest list, and keep track of the RSVPs.

And with the increasing popularity of blogging, many couples use their sites as online diaries, sharing photos and details about their engagement, the planning process and their hopes for their future together.

Megan Hermeling from WeddingWire.com advises setting up your wedding website as early on in the planning process as possible; at least six months before the wedding.

"We have seen a growing number of couples include their personal website address in their save-the-date cards. Since the primary reason for a website is to share wedding details with your guests, you want to give them as much information as early as possible, especially if the guests need to make travel arrangements."

Indeed, it is destination weddings in which wedding websites become particularly helpful as a planning tool.

You can post any and all logistical details that might help your guests, such as the best way of reaching your wedding destination, including flight details and prices.

“Effective communication between you and your wedding guests is essential in the busy months leading up to your destination wedding,” says wedding planner Christine Jones.

“You should think of the site first as a clearinghouse of information. Posting things like, 'The welcome party is at 6pm on the beach, and we'll be sending a van to pick you up’. It's also helpful to include links to hotels, babysitting services, and any local sightseeing spots and activities you think your guests might enjoy.”

For London-based Sarah Aitken, 29, who married now-husband Brett, 33, in July 2010, starting their own wedding website was a way to keep friends and family back home in Tasmania abreast with the planning and preparation.

Sarah's mother Eleanor was also able to add updates to the site which helped eliminate some of the stress involved in organising a wedding from two different cities.

"My mum and I really collaborated together with planning my wedding and starting the website definitely helped," says Aitken.

“She was able to upload pictures of locations and gather comments from our guests in the online guestbook about their thoughts as well."

"It really felt like a joint effort. Which I would've had if I'd been planning my wedding from home, rather than from the other side of the world!"

After the big day, your website can also serve as a romantic online keepsake. You can upload your entire wedding album, snaps from your honeymoon and send your thank you notes to friends and family for their attendance and gifts via the site.

“I still log on to our wedding site,” reveals Aitken. “I love looking at all of our photos from the day and also reading through all of the comments our friends and family left. I also direct new friends to the site when they ask about what our wedding day was like.”