Things you should check out this week...

Through linking, stumbled upon the beautiful photography of Ben Blood. Kinda wish he was in New Zealand huh?!

Try watching this video and not being inspired by at least a snippet of it. It made me super happy. I love their waistcoats, their mustaches, the bunting, the chair, the stormy sky! I love it!

The gorgeousness of this wedding dress, made more gorgeous by being eco-friendly.

These copyright free images from Papermoon.... SO many DIY possibilities!

Loads of super cute, inspiring felt cut outs from Felt Design here in New Zealand.

Enjoy!

Its all in black and white... and pink!

Black and white is one of the classic colour combinations. Don't shy away from using black for weddings. It can create a really classy feel. I particularly like black and white with a touch of pink. whether it be a soft blush or something with a bit more impact.

Invitations- Ruby and willow, cake- brides.com, pink favors- brides.com, mans shirt- working style (christchurch) dress- your bridal shop, flowers- martha stewart, bridesmaids- the knot

Inspiration; Bright Vintage Style!

I stumbled across the super cute vintage paper dolls on Etsy, and just HAD to make this collection.






bride & yellow wall, paper dolls, flowers, Brett Stanley photography, Rachel McAdams, flowers,flyer, grace kelly, stationery, dancing girls

Not a DIY expert?

Many Brides are super crafty, super creative and innovative, and are blessed with nimble fingers. So, it is inevitable that DIY Weddings are now "In Vogue."

However, some Brides are wonderfully blessed in other areas of expertise, don't want to spend a fortune, and understandably, the idea of jumping on the DIY Wedding bandwagon scares the bejeezus out of some of them.

But don't panic!

It doesn't HAVE to be DIY, and not everyone charges a fortune for wedding decor.

Here are some ideas to help you overcome your DIY fears;

Favour Boutique - Nobody will even need to know it wasn't you. =]

Great range of different favour ideas for any Wedding.

I personally love how cute these fans, and mini cookie/candy jars are.

Paperless Wedding is a fantastic way to; 1) do your part for the Earth, 2) Save a whole CHUNK of money, and 3) save yourself from agonizing over what theme, what text and what card to use for your invitations. [You just chose a ready made website theme, and click!]

The website is really cute, too! Save the dates are FREE, and they also do Wedding Packages, for no more than $115.

But if none of these ideas *quite* fit your 'DIY - but not' Wedding, remember that you probably have at least a couple of friends who are crafty-keen, and will be more than willing to help you out; make your favours, learn to make origami crane mobiles, print menu's, paint blackboards..... You just need to ask. =]

All about Helen. ♥ ♥ ♥

Both of these are mine. =]

I got engaged to my wonderful man yesterday evening!!! ENGAGED! Recieved that lovely piece of blingage.

How incredible is this?!
I haven't even got any words. Apart from "YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYY!"

Have a wicked monday. =D

Inspiration Board; Mint Chocolate

Mint Choc Chip is, without a doubt, my favourite ice-cream flavour.
I was thinking about how ludicrous it is that New Zealand doesn't have this flavour, and my mind went crazy overboard with visions of a dusk wedding with soft mint green, with rich chocolate brown, plush cushions on old wooden chairs, big wool blankets wrapped around young children and elderly guests, and just how much I would want to eat the decor.
So here is my inspiration board... nom nom nom



images; chocolate advert, cupcakes, tags, dress, candle holders, bride&groom, shoes, table setting

World class photographer right here in Christchurch

Just a quick little post to say congratulations to Johannes Van Kan of Moda fotografica (Lyttelton) for winning WPPI 2010 Album of the year. Johannes is a multi award winning photographer, and his partner Jo Grams (who recently shot my wedding), informed me that this international award is a huge deal!

So, well done! You can see it here.

Moda is a must to check out if you are planning a wedding. Not only that but Jo is a talented child portrait photographer. Check out her blog.

(My wedding may makes a short appearance too, just as a bonus)

BRRRRRRRRRR!!

When I awoke this morning to a dark, cold morning I realised that it is time to say hello to my thermal underwear and goodbye to my jandals. The coming of winter need not be all doom and gloom though, and as I mentioned in a previous post, autumn is my favorite season (after spring).

I started thinking of how lovely an autumn wedding would be. You don't need to stick to the commonly used oranges and browns used to evoke this season. Think of mulled wine, black and moody thunderclouds, magic spells, deep plum silk and sultry dark eyes.

Plum and absinthe.....

Bridesmaids-bridal colour, Pistachio macaron- j'aime les macarons (Christchurch) ring- kathy's gift box, fall look- makeup411, bouquet and favors- martha stewart weddings, invitations- ruby and willow signature collection (Auckland), table display- Leona Gaita,

Floral Fervour!

Here, for you to consume with your peepers, we are going to share some progress photos from the floral creations for Laura's laid back, romantic, and beautiful wedding.

I love the satisfaction of creating a gorgeous arrangement, let alone several.

We hope you enjoy them as much as we enjoyed making them!

So long summer sun

Well it looks as though summer has packed it suitcases and is headed elsewhere. The days are getting shorter and the mornings are a little crisper every day. The good news is that autumn is my favorite time of year! The leaves falling and the muted light gives it a magical feel!!
But this post is about summertime so lets have one last hurrah for the most glorious of seasons. This board is inspired by the last days of warmth . Enjoy.



Images; bicycles- bricabrac files, swimming images-design sponge, flowers images all from green wedding shoes, cupcakes- bricabrac files, Kissing couple- design sponge

Upcoming Events!

Freshy soaked from the Ellerslie Flower Show, I began thinking about Events in Christchurch, and remembered that it is Wedding season, but I havent heard anything about any Wedding Shows! And so with my magical powers [google], I have found the following;

Summer Charity Wedding Show - Sunday March 14th 10.00am - 4:00pm at the Horticultural Hall, Riccarton Ave, South Hagley Park.
Tickets are only $10.00 on the door, and all ticket proceeds go to Cancer Society and Child Help Line.

Lots of competitions, Free Parking, and Ideas for Brides to be!

The Great NZ Bride & Groom Show - Sunday April 18th 9.30am - 4.00pm at Addington Convention Centre, Addington Raceway.
Tickets are a reasonable $15.00 on the door.

I also tripped over this; Shabby Chic Day [which is just my cup of tea!]
Free admission, Vintage goodies, shabby Chic, breads, pastries, tea.
Held on the first sunday of every month [except easter sunday, when it will be held on the 11th April], 11.00am - 3.00pm at Rochester Villa, 21 Connal st Woolston. [look for the signs off Ferry Road]
Sounds like a great place to pick up lots of vintage goodies!

There is also an Antique Fair, on until the 14th of March [sunday] at the Arts Centre, Worcester Blvd.
There is an entry fee of $5.00, however there is supposedly complimentary tea and coffee!

Happy Eventing!

this one's for everybody!

Wedding planning Bride, Wedding Guests, Maid of Honour, Best Man, Groom, distant relatives....

This one is for all of you.

Clever Bastards does exactly what it says on the tin - Brings you a selection of Clever Bastards in New Zealand, from bands, to screen printers, to graphic designers, to upcyclers... the list is endless and limitless!

Clever Bastards is a fantastic resource for unique, special New Zealand gifts. So If you have been struggling to find the perfect gift for that perfect couple, can't make it to an overseas Wedding, or are looking for a thank you present for a wedding helper, look no further! [they even do gift vouchers!]

Candy Bowls; Zekiah Health

Made to order Heirloom Blankets; Ruth Sumner

Schoc Chef Chocolates; Schoc Chocolates

Recycled Clutch Bag; Glenda Keegan WAS Bags

Handprinted Cushions; Ingrid Anderson

Nautical Wonderment

images; teacup, button dress, vintage buckets; thisnext. invites, place cards, ship, bunting, tie; etsy. cupcake; countryliving.

I come bearing gifts! In apology for the lax posting, enjoy some nautical noms.

Personally, the idea of a beach wedding strikes me as rather overdone, almost cliché'd however, some people just suit that kind of thing, and I was browsing the web-space for vintage bathing suits of all things, and was inspired to create a board for a nautical theme wedding.

I love the ship in a bottle, what an interesting centerpiece!

Fill vintage pails with loose, bright flower arrangements, and dress your bridesmaids in personally flattering sailor style dresses.

I have a serious love for stripes and polka dots, they can instantly make anything adorable, and the nautical reds and blues are to die for!

Helen x

Short and oh so sweet

Girls come in all shapes and sizes...some of us are blessed with beautiful arms and shoulders while some others may have lovely long legs or delicate ankles. It stands to reason that we may not all suit the same style. If you've got it flaunt it I always say! So chickies with stunning pins need to have the courage to flash 'em!! here are some adorable examples of short dresses that will blow your man away.
Ruffles and tulle create ethereal romance.
Fifties glamour means display those perfectly manicured tootsies.
Rock'n'roll style is fun and quirky.

1970's chic. You cant get much cooler than this.