save the date: the ultimate wedding planning party

When: Wednesday 9th September, 2009, 6-9pm

Where: Opera Point Marquee, Sydney Opera House

Showcasing the latest wedding trends and tips, the Ultimate Wedding Planning Party is being held for the second year, this time at the beautiful Sydney Opera House. Tickets are $80 and include champagne and canapes - plus a goodie bag! 

For more info or to book visit the Ultimate Wedding Planning Party website. 

goodbye christmas in july

I know, I know it's now August. (I nipped off for a little holiday) I hope you enjoyed all the sparkle of a Christmas in July themed wedding. Thanks to everyone who contributed and commented - keep it up. Remember if you have a product, photo or idea to share we'd love to hear from you! Pic above by Swensen Photography.

Coming next on 'i do' it yourself something fresh and fabulous...

real wedding: Angela and David

This gorgeous winter wedding shot by the amazing Stephanie Williams in New Mexico, is just perfect to finish up our Christmas in July theme. The ceremony was held surrounded by Christmas trees and beautiful decorations of baby's breath and glittery snow flakes. This couple certainly created a winter wonderland.

champagne and chandeliers

It's that time again. We've been busy hunting through etsy for some glitzy and glamourous handmade gifts to add to your wedding registry.

1. This cute little wall lamp made from vintage pearls, buttons and wire adds a touch of chic.

US$207 from Debeaux Souvenirs, France

2. Someone had time on their hands at the office - this stunning chandelier is made from paperclips! Quirky yet stylish.

US$135 from ReDesign Technologies, British Columbia

3. A very original piece - the bubble chandelier is fun and fabulous!

US$300 from Jean Pelle, Brooklyn

4. Add some sparkle with this beautiful glass nugget bowl.

US$40 from Smashing Glass, Chicago

5. These beautifully delicate paper mache bowls glow with gorgeous gold leafed interiors.

US$34 from Up In The Air Somewhere, Chicago

6. Slinky and sleek limited edition vase.

US$180 from Tandem Glass, Maine

7. These lovely molded gold photo frames will be perfect for displaying your wedding photos.

US$25.50 from Mackenzie Frames, France

8. Beautiful hand engraved champagne glasses make an elegant wedding gift.

US$34.85 from Day Dreem Designs, Pittsburgh

9. Dazzle dinner guests with stunning gold beaded placemats

US$17.50 each from The Home Centric, India

something borrowed: DIY wish tree

Add real sparkle to your wedding day with a stunning wishing tree. It's a beautiful alternative to a traditional guestbook and makes an amazing display. View the DIY project from Here comes the guide.

Reader idea: ornament favours

One of our readers, Olivia, sent this great idea for giving personalised Christmas ornaments as wedding favors. She'll be using glass bells engraved with the guests names and the wedding date, but you could also use pottery ornaments. Make your own or get them handmade by a ceramic artist like the ones shown above. They're a great momento and every year your friends and family can be reminded of your big day. Thanks for sharing your idea Olivia!

Pic from Maggie Weldon Lace Pottery.

DIY project: seed pod place cards

Building on the previous post here is a pretty little wedding idea. Seed pods can usually be found with quite long stems, perfect for attaching ribbon or tags to them into place cards. Cute!

not so plane wedding decorations

When I first mentioned winter weddings a couple of weeks ago, a few people suggested I do some DIY wedding projects involving pine cones. They do seem pretty common for Christmas themed weddings, but I don't know about you, I find pine cones aren't an easy thing to come by in Australia. But, Plane Tree seed pods! That's different.

They don't sound very exciting, Plane Tree seed pods, but you'll know them. They are the little spiky things ALL OVER the ground this time of year. When they flower they are... well, hairy balls, but at the moment they make the perfect alternative to a pine cone.

(By the way in North America you apparently know Plane Trees as Sycamores)

DIY Project:

This is very similar to the way you would decorate a pine cone.

1. Working in a well ventilated area, spray your seed pods with a coat of primer or sealer and let them dry.

2. Spray the seed pods with white spray paint. (Obviously you can vary this - gold or silver spray paint will create equally lovely effects) Remember it will take a good couple of coats, the seed pods are very porous and do tend to soak up the paint.

3. You can either finish here or cover with a coat of spray adhesive and sprinkle some glitter.

4. Then, let your imagination run wild! They make beautiful centerpieces all together in a glass bowl, or mix them with antique gold and silver baubles. Surround a candle with them. Hang them in chains like falling snow. Have fun!

christmas in july fashion focus

Christmas is the perfect time to add some sparkle to your outfit. Don't worry we're not suggesting flashing reindeer earrings. We've selected some gorgeous and glamorous handmade accessories to give your Christmas in July wedding look that extra special bling.

Top: Featuring ostrich plumes and a crystal and glass beaded star, this beautiful vintagestyle wedding veil is finished with a sprinkling of crystals over the veil. From Bat Cakes Couture.

Middle: Beautiful Swarovski crystal earrings 1 1/2 inches long US$22 from Plumb Crazy.

Bottom: Elegant gold clutch with a beautiful star applique design. US$105 from Leigh-Ann Kilne.

steal that style - christmas in july

A Christmas in July themed wedding is time to sparkle and shine in champagne, gold or silver. We've put together a little collection of our favourite dresses for some wedding fashion inspiration:

1. Monique Lhuillier Valentine dress; 2. Vera Wang; 3. Gold ruched Collette Dinnigan dress with beaded front; 4. White Dahlia by Joan Shum on Etsy; 5. Monique Lhuillier; 6. Cate Blanchette by Regan Cameron for InStyle.

Oddly, this dress didn't make it onto our list. It certainly is Christmasy though!

Pic via RFI

Christmas in july scrapbook inspiration

Add some sparkle with beautiful pearl and silver earrings via shop.com; gorgeous shoes in antique gold, photo by Red Leaf Studios; glamorous eveningwear by Jenny Packham; vintage decorations on a silver platter, photo by Janis Nicolay; an amazing table center piece - vintage gold decorations surrounding candles via brides.com; gold wedding cake via bride.com; champagne silk wedding dress by Vivienne Westwood via Bridalwave TV; beautiful table setting scattered with silver glitter and Christmas decorations, from Martha Stewart Weddings; a sparkling crystal wish tree via Here Comes the Guide; champagne.

christmas in july

I know I know, July is nearly over. But I wanted to get this topic in as I've had so much feedback from readers about our Australian winter weddings post from the other week. There were some great suggestions for DIY wedding projects, thanks everyone, and I noticed a theme - they were all very Christmasy. So Merry Christmas in July - any excuse the get the tinsel out!

Colour Palette: Gold, silver and champagne

Think candle light bouncing off champagne glasses. Vintage gold and silver ornaments. A hint of tinsel, a dash of glitter and a good dose of fairy lights.

The inspiration for the theme is this beautiful photo by Janis Nicolay of vintage ornaments on a tea tray, created for Country Living.