Friday, January 30, 2009

Paris Haute Couture Week

Australian model Alexandra Agoston-O'Connor wows in Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture in Paris.Christian Lacroix's bridal, possible royal inspired?
I love the sheer black veil at Alexis Mabille Elie Saab leaves me speechless. The fabric looks phenomenal.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

ahhh, Jimmy Choo


I am not kidding when I say that I had a funny, sharp intake of breath when I saw these shoes. They are seriously the most perfect, fabulous wedding shoes that I have ever seen. I am so pale that to me these would never be 'real world' shoes to me.

Sadly though, I already own my (2) pairs of wedding shoes so they will not be mine so I am just going to gaze at them a little longer.

Ok, so it is daggy

but a bit of fun!

This website, David's Bridal allows you to dress your wedding party! I have no idea what David's Bridal is apart from this feature on their site. Oh, and they have a sale for $99 wedding dresses! Um. Wow.
Anyway, just try it, good fun and a sneaky way to see if all your colours match.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

I know you have been wondering

what the a-maz-ing (and enormous) engagement ring Kate Hudson's character Liv is given in Bride Wars.
Answer: The stunning Tiffany Novo ring.

The ring pictured here is 2.5 carat which is priced at A$72,000... consider then that the ring Kate wears in the movie was more than 5 carats and costs a casual $388,000.

If you haven't seen Bride Wars, a) go and see it, and b) now you don't have to spend the whole movie squinting at the screen trying to see the ring like my friends and I did!

Friday, January 16, 2009

I had to laugh

when I saw these cake-toppers.



Images:Getty

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Wedding Wednesday: The Party

And then we got to celebrate with our beautiful friends, and celebrate we did with just over 100 of our nearest and dearest partying the night away.



Wedding Wednesday- the engagement

An (almost) 18 month engagement has meant I have heard "So, how are your wedding plans going?" alot! I know it is a well-intentioned question however I always fear boring everyone silly with the answer and sometimes either nothing comes to mind or there are things you just want to keep a surprise! Especially for those who will be guests at the wedding!

With less than 3 months to go to The Big Day, I am starting to get very excited and so thought I would start 'Wedding Wednesday' to talk about my own upcoming wedding. It will also be a nice way for me to reminisce over the last 15 months and share my plans.

Of course, at the start of every wedding story, there is the engagement
and mine was just as romantic, funny and special as every girl secretly hopes it will be. And the so, our story goes a little like this;

Like many young couples with busy jobs, I was starting to get that "passing like ships in the night" feeling even though we lived together. I suggested a weekend away and Paul leapt at the chance booking us in to Cypress Lakes in Pokolbin, Hunter Valley for a couple of days. I admit I was a little disappointed as the resort is well known for its golf course! I was like; "hey! this is our weekend away- not your golf weekend!" As we drove to the Hunter Valley we indulged in our favourite way to pass time in the car- day dreaming about our wedding. We were in that lovely stage of our relationship where we knew we wanted to be with each other however practicalities such as a deposit for a house etc were the priority over rings, weddings and such.

As it was just a Monday night (we did a 'mid-week break') and I had that
sleepy relaxed feeling, I suggested popping out for a super quick bite to eat (I sound so unromantic and boring!!) so Paul organised it all and booked a cab. I threw on a frock I wear all the time and tied my hair back in a quick bun. No make-up AT ALL- thinking there is no one to impress on a Monday night in Pokolbin!

In the dark I didn't recognise the restaurant as the beautiful
Robert's restaurant. Paul leapt out of the cab saying something about having made the booking weeks ago which struck me as a bit suss as he had never mentioned that when I had suggested dinner. He dismissed that as trying to trick me thinking I would get annoyed he wasn't organised as I had done once before and have never been able to live it down!

We were led to our table and indulged in bread dipped in locally grown olive oil accompanied by a local sparkling wine which was as good as any French champagne, mouthwatering entree's and mains with lots and lots of wine and great conversation. We had a ridiculously good time imagining our lives together. I am sure anyone near us would have cringed at our romantic naieveity and idealism however, when it is you it is such good fun!

I was oh so full of food and pleasantly tipsy when Paul went to the bathroom. When he came back he walked to my side of the table and I thought he was going to
give me a kiss so I tipped my face up a little to receive the kiss... and followed Paul all the way down as he bent on one knee in front of me.

The next bit is mostly a blur however he filled me in on the details later. Bent on one knee, he opened a ring box and told me that he loved me with all his heart and wanted to be with me for the rest of his life and other lovely things. I burst into tears and looked around at the restaurant filled with people looking at me, cried more and said "How embarrassing! Everyone is looking!" At this stage I remember looking back at Paul and thinking "Gosh! He still on one knee!"
He just looked at me and said "Um, you haven't said y
es..." At this point I snapped back to reality and said "yes! of course!", laughing and crying more.

Paul slipped the ring on to my finger, kissed me and asked if I liked the ring. I had to tell him that I couldn't see the ring because I was crying so much!! When my tears cleared I saw the most beautiful ring I have ever seen; a 3 stone ring featuring a (hinted for) emerald diamond.

While Paul ate the complimentary ice-cream that spelled 'Congratulations', I rang my Mum and our closest friends... who of course all knew! Paul has always been notoriously bad at surprises so I was amazed and so pleased he had been able to keep a secret from me.

I have such wonderful memories of the evening, we went back to our villa and celebrated with more champagne that Paul had thoughtfully arranged to be delivered in our absence.As far as I am concerned though, no engagement story is complete without a funny part to the story- as if my answering the important question with a "how embarrasing" wasn't enough!

Paul had been limping on the way to the restaurant. When I asked if he was OK he blamed a golf incident earlier that day. It turns out that his limp was actually from a very large ring box hidden in the crotch of his jeans!!! It was the only place he could conceal it as he wanted to propose dramatically with the box open. His trip to the bathroom before the proposal had actually been to retrieve the ring!

When he told me we laughed until we cried! Especially as he made a few adjustments to the area to the dinner which I had thought a little bizarre... I guess a ring box just ain't that comfy down there!!

And there you have it! The tale of one of the most wonderful nights in my life so far.

Bonnie xx

P.S I would love to hear anyone else's engagement stories if you are feeling brave. Even if you just share a little snippet from this exciting moment!

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

The Wedding Planner


A little ad for Girl Friday Weddings caught by eye when it strategically popped up on facebook recently. (Amazing all the wedding-related ads that popped up once my status changed to 'engaged').

Girl Friday Weddings essentially offer the services of a wedding planner, without the expense. Their services include, but are not limited to;

On call to assist you when you need Personal Shopping Travel Arrangements Hotel Reservations Run errands Make & confirm appointments Manage 11th hour crisis calls Assist with your invitations, RSVPs and thank-you Plan any pre-wedding celebrations Make arrangements for out-of-town guests Look after your well-being: arrange massages, hair & beauty appointments Maintain the home during this busy time: shopping, meals, ironing, dry cleaning Help with those DIY tasks you have run out of time to do Confirm vendors Drop off or pick up those last minute items Co-ordinate your family and bridal party Seating charts place cards Table arrangements Being your point person when you are exhausted and have had enough!...and more

With prices starting from $325, or the option to employ your very own Girl Friday for 'management and co-ordination' of the wedding day for peace of mind it is definitely worth investigating!

Girl Friday Weddings also has a special offer- a 10% discount for any couples engaged over the Christmas & New Year break.
Image: Getty Images

Warning: highly addictive

Bride Wars is released in Australia this coming Thursday. In the meantime though, you HAVE to play the Bride Wars game here.

Pick either Liv (Kate Hudson) or Emma (Anne Hathaway) and go for it! They each have a special move (hair die & tenacious tan) and a fighting style (In your face or punchy)


For even more fun and while away the afternoon at your desk, upload your own photos to personalise your Bride War!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Red Carpet Inspiration

at the 66th Annual Golden Globes. These awards are known to be a good indication for nominees and winners of the Oscars which really is the big event for the film industry.
The fashion reflects this of course with actresses wearing the 'Second best dress' to the Globes. This year I think you can really tell. Nothing blows me away, but here are a few I liked as inspiration for wedding frocks. Enjoy.

Sandra Bullock's softly draped fish-tail with one shoulder is so flattering and elegant.


I love the colour of 'Miss Golden Globe', Rumor Willis. Would make a great colour for a bridesmaid dress.
How pretty is Olivia Wilde's fluffy pink gown? I particularly love the detail on the bodice.

The black and white of Melissa George's gown is so striking. The spilt shows just the right hint of her leg.


Definitely a favourite for me! Kate Beckinsale poses perfectly in a fish-tail. Her earrings are always make such a glam statement.

I have no idea what Jane Krakowski (since Ally McBeal) is in these days but she looks amazing in this slim cut gown.

Beautiful Aussie Isla Fischer doesn't disappoint with this one-shouldered champagne gown. We are definitely seeing the one-shoulder style coming back into fashion.


How hot are Heidi and Seal? Heidi's outfit is just so fun and girly. I'd love to wear something similar to a black-tie function.


Eva Mendes = HOT! Loving the turquoise necklace which complements her skin tone and white dress and makes a nice change from the usual diamonds.
I for one am looking forward to the Oscars fashion for more fabulous gowns.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

I've been busy


as I have decided to make my own Order of Service booklets. The company printing the invites quoted over $700 just for the covers and most other places I checked quoted over $12 per booklet for just a couple of pages with a very, very basic design!

It will be a big job however given it is one of the only things I have been heavily involved in and no DIY to date I am looking forward to it!

Also, yesterday marked 3 months exactly until the wedding and with quite a bit left to do, I will be busier still.