Toffee Dream

Invitations by Ruby and Willow

Green party

Posts have been few and far between here at the Ivory dahlia, but we are still here ticking along. The onset of summer is always inspiring and laying on the grassy lawn made me think of hosting a garden tea party. 

Dress,   shoes,   sandwiches and spoons and roses, green dress (Atonement)

Sunday Smile

Ah! How long it has been! Apologies to you all for our silence as of late. We are in tr process of rescheduling ourselves, and may be making a few changes to the ID.

In the meantime, we will try to continue supplying you with eye candy! 

Below is a lovely image from Wellington Photographer, Haran

Inspiration

Some gorgeous images to inspire you. They make me all tingly inside...

 first 2 images- mmololblogspot,  lights bride and groom-tree  frames flowers bride and groom- lights wagonwheel

a greek celebration

img 1,3,9- jose villa. img 2,7,8 -via green wedding shoes, skewers- delish.com, image of greece- we heart it.com

Something to listen to....

and adore!

How sweet is this song!

Enjoy it!

In other exciting news, the Ivory Dahlia did a wee guest post for the lovely Kate over at Magnolia Rouge! Pop on over and see our summer inspiration board over here!

cake,  groom, bouquet img- jose villa, dress- sarah seven, final 4 images are via green wedding shoes.

Sunday Smile

Beautiful. From here.

3 nice things

  Relique ring   portrait   honey  

Picnic

The long weekend just past- although I was working- made me think about the great outdoors and picnics! I love a good outdoor party and an outdoor wedding is even better! 

Hope this inspires... 

cake, petanque, glass jars and scones,  truck,  sandwiches, on rug, under tree,  guests, bike.

Sunday Smile

I love a good bridal party shoot! 

These guys look like they have had a wonderful day!

Hope you are enjoying the looooong weekend you lucky readers!

Let's Mix-Tape it up.

I. Love. Music.

But when it comes to sitting down and making a decision about entertaining other people with music at the wedding.... I can actually hear the cogs come to a grinding halt! 

Much like the sugared almonds, traditional Wedding music has been elbowed out of the picture, in favour of personal favourites, and meaningful songs.

What would you choose?

Below are some of my picks for a wedding day filled with music!

Here comes the Bride

Feist - Inside Out

Priscilla Ahn - Dream

Just Married!

Guillemots - Made Up Love Song 

Feist - Secret Heart

Background Beats...

Air - Playground Love

OKGO - End Love

Slow it down....

The Beatles - And I Love Her

John Lennon & George Harrison - Oh My Love

Bridesmaid Gifts.

I have never been good at finding gifts for people. I am totally at a loss as to what to get my five bridesmaids as gifts. As if trying to find them the perfect dresses [three of them being overseas] wasn't hard enough. But I want it to be perfect. I want them to feel incredible, and I want to spoil them for being so incredible!

I like that everyone is so unique, so why should you get them all exactly the same gift?

Here are some gift ideas for your beautiful, unique bridesmaids!

earrings, bracelet, tea service, fabric heart necklace, Sense and Sensibility [penguin classics edition], Customised Diary, Headphones.

Something sweet

Cake- Maisie Fantasie,  Chair image- Jose Villa, Hennaed feet- via Smitten

A Sunday Smile

Well, three sunday smiles to be precise. it has been far too long sine I did a Sunday smile!

I love the smile on both their faces as they cuddle. And his 'she's mine' smirk. Some of my favourite photos from around the wedding world this week.

I hope you are having a wonderful Sunday. 

I am going to the Diwali celebration in Victoria Square tonight with the family. Should be lovely. =]

Take care lovelies!

Emerald and Lemon

I have been rather quiet on the blog-waves this week. Sorry 'bout that. My mind is on various other things, and I have neglected you recently. I'm sorry my lovelies, have some eye candy!!!

Soft, flowing fabric, pastel shades and lush green grass all come to mind when I think of spring. Along with Ducklings, Lambs and various other baby animals.... but that is another inspiration board....

Enjoy some eye candy, those insanely glorious shoes which I think shall go down in Wedding History, and the makers of some divine finger jewellery, OneStoneNewYork!
Yum yum yum!
Have a fabulous weekend my loves!

dress, cake, green dress, ginger ale, garland,  lemon dessert, those amazing shoes again, emerald rings, letterpress gift tags, kissing shadows

silhouette

While sharing the amazing experience of wedding dress hunting with a very good friend recently, my passion for gowns was well and truly reignited! I nearly had a coronary each time she came out from behind the silky curtain, each dress looking more gorgeous than the last. I love a good strong silhouette on a dress, and these styles really caught my eye. Most of the dresses I have chosen are available in NZ also which is a super- bonus. Although I won't be needing another dress anytime soon...sad face.

Check out the Clarissa Grace website if you can (linked below). There are some gorgeous designs to drool over.

1- Not NZ- Tony Hamway, 2- Anna Schimmel,  3 & 7- Jane Yeh 4,5,6,8 & 10- Modes-Auckland, 9- Clarissa Grace @ Bridal brilliance.

Colour story-Cosy Caramel and Teal

hair piece- etsy, birdcage- style me pretty, dress- doecdoe, envelopes- ruby and scarlett, invite image- style me pretty, shoes- green wedding shoes, shoes- bling cheese,  caramelised pears- sunset, boy- gucci, glass bottle- la jolie maisonette, sofa-the decorologist, dress image- pandora, shoes image- the cherry blossom girl, yarn.

Competition!!

Here's a cracker of a competition for you from the wonderful Jel photography of Auckland!

They are looking for NZ's quirkiest couple, and we think we might just have some readers 
of suitable quirkiness out there!

Here's the prize...

Jel are offering a photography credit worth $3200: highlights include two principal photographers, no time constraints and a disc of 400+ high-resolution images.

Please see their blog here for the full details of the competition. Go on enter!!

All gloved up

I've got a wee crush on short gloves. Feminine, lacy and vintage if possible. 

It takes a confident bride to wear gloves for her big day, but how gorgeous for an autumn or winter wedding! If you think you can carry off this look keep a few things in mind...

Match the weight of gloves to your gown. 

You dont want to wear too heavy a glove with a delicate dress. 

Avoiding stark white is the way to go if you dont want to look like Minnie mouse. See the gorgeous honey toned examples below. Close to skin tone is far more subtle.

If you want the gloved look but don't want your own hands covered ( for bling reasons), give your bridesmaids a cute fifties vibe and glove 'em up.

If you're looking for gloves in Christchurch try Tete a tete vintage clothing, in Auckland check out Passionata or Peachy keen vintage, Wellington, Sweet vintage clothing.

pic#1- tumblr,  #2- fernista, #3- vintage gloves unknown, 4#- Harpers Bazaar, #5- jill stewart, 6# unknown, #7- french lillies, #8- unknown, #9 Ruffled blog, #10- mint condition, #11- vogue

Macarons VS Cupcakes

Cupcakes -

1, 2 & 3

Is it possible to beat a miniature cake with delicate decorations? Until recently, cupcakes enjoyed an unchallenged reign as most trendy sweet treat.

They can be individually boxed as favors that you can personalize with icing and decorations relating to your theme, or you could create a cupcake bar with multiple flavors. It would be a lot of fun to supply a variety of butter creams and have guests decorate their own dessert!
Check out the divine Cupcake Parlour of Christchurch, Tempt of Wellington and Bella cupcakes of Auckland.

Macarons-

4, 5 & 6

Macarons are huge! Some would say they are the new cupcake. (Although I still love cupcakes best...maybe) Imagine a towering pile of pastel deliciousness on your dessert table. I love the tri- coloured favors pictured above stylishly displayed in the cellophane packaging.
J'amie Les macarons of Christchurch...yes! she's local!!...offers a few ideas on her website.
Her beautiful macarons can be custom coloured and flavored to suit your theme. Alternatively try Macherie of Auckland .

I've made my argument for both of my favorite treats. I'll let you decide for yourself which decadent delight you prefer! L xx

Cupcakes by 1- french kiss 2- babycakes 3- sprinkles Macarons by 4- mark it with g 5- rowel photography  6- bobbette and belle

Look Book; Bridal.

I am still LOVING the anything-but-white Wedding Dress trend.

I saw the Spring Elie Saab Couture line and was overwhelmed by the gorgeous gowns. The colours are incredible, and the amount of inspiration is phenomenal. Imagine the gown you could have if you took these pictures to a dressmaker!

Generally, I shy away from checking out couture lines, I tend to find they are FAR too over the top, but this one is just beautiful. The colours are soft and light, just like spring! I had to share it!

 I love the abstract neckline of four, and the gorgeous voluminous flowing fabric. It is in tight competition with number three in the run for favourite!

Which is your favourite gown?

See the rest of the collection here!

Right here in Christchurch!

      

    A Grand Affair

Today we are featuring a relatively new business in Christchurch. One that was desperately needed! A grand affair is a wedding decor provider that gives brides what they really want. Total Glamour! A Grand Affair lets you hire anything from tables and chairs, centerpieces, tableware, linens... well pretty much all you need for the perfect decor. They will soon be providing marquee hire services also.

I hired my seating through A Grand Affair and was so happy with them!

Just look at the  beautiful examples of what they offer below. These tables are dripping with elegance.

Photographs by Stephen Goodenough taken at Mona Vale 

The lovely A Grand Affair team will consult with you, and help determine exactly what you need for your day. Check out their website for a full range of what they offer.

Find them at 211 Durham Street and open Monday to Friday from 10am – 4pm, or by appointment. For any questions you may have please call them on:

+64 3 377 7438

Think Pink

Well, hasn't this year flown by?! We are already in October! This means it is approximately 13 months until I Tie The Knot! Eep!
In other October news; As many of you will know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month!

As something close to me, I have compiled this Think Pink inspiration board in support of women and their families all over New Zealand - and the World, who are affected by Breast Cancer every day.

If you would like to get involved, want to know more, or want make a donation to the Breast Cancer Foundation visit their super informative website here!

I've never been a pink girl myself, but it can make for some great colour combinations! Team with another statement colour, with softer shades of pink, or -my favourite- with neutrals to give it some serious pop!
Pink can scream Fun Fun FUN! Or is can sleepily drawl elegance... Whichever way you use pink, it will probably be a stunner. Have a wonderful weekend lovelies!

images; macaron pops, coconut ice, flowers, dress, bouquets, ballroom, dress

Inspiration Board; Clean and Compelling

Less is More.

I know everyone is sick of hearing it, but it is so true. 

Keep it simple with a soft, neutral base tone to your Wedding, and dress it up with some interesting prints or textures.

It gives you a clean, tailored, romantic look without half the hassle of trying to match up colours!

Remember, 9 times out of 10, the Wedding dress is going to be a shade of white, so why not just go with it, and find some really quirky pieces for table centres or backdrops? 

Here is my take on Neutral with Interest!

images; clutch, invitation, shoes, drinks, car, couple

Colour story- Dove grey and sunshine yellow

This is a popular combo... and why not. You get the softness of grey with the  upbeat joy of yellow. Grey ranges from beige tones to blue based hues and all work incredibly well with yellow.  My one tip would be, try to keep your shade of sunshine soft, and avoid eye jarring fluro lemon.

Flower girl, cake, couple, dress,  wrap,  bridesmaid

Man About Town.

It's been a while since we touched on the subject of Groom's style, and I still stand by the fact that Male Celebrities with their glamorous events [and personal stylists] are an excellent way to get a feel for what is in right now.

In bringing you all this post, I am gorging myself on another of my celebrity crushes. What a good excuse to indulge, this blogging business!

Joseph Gordon Levitt has come a long way since his 3rd Rock From The Sun days, and so has his style.

I have no problem in basing a Groom's outfit on his style!

The left is is my favourite outift from all of these. I love the quirky Waistcoat! How about a casual t-shirt and blazer look for a morning-after brunch?

Having a casual wedding? Why not try suit trousers, with corresponding shirt, tie and jumper? Another option is an open collar and mismatched jacket and trousers.

I love the colours in this shot. The navy suit and burgandy tie... to die for!

Don't be afraid to mix those colours up!

Any requests for celebrity eye candy?!

What is your favourite groom look?