Favourite Wedding Trend for 2008: Black and White

Black and white ruled the colour trend for 2008.  From the largest celebration to the smallest soiree, black and white immediately shouted sophistication and “now”.  Black and white was celebrated with stationery, decorations, centrepieces, bridesmaid gowns and black satin sashes across a pure white gown.  It’s a wedding trend set to continue to rule in 2009, which is wonderful indeed.

Favourite Wedding Trends for 2008:  Monograms and Motifs

Personalising your wedding day became another big trend in 2008 that we really enjoyed.  Having a motif or monogram for the couple created is a special way to celebrate your bond and can then be used throughout your marriage on your stationery, napery and linens.  A beautiful trend that will stand the test of time.

Favourite Wedding Trends for 2008:  Small but Spectacular

Well before the economic crisis made us all look at our budgets a little more closely, a big trend has been for a smaller guest list featuring only those closest to you and really go to town to create a luxury event for these most special guests.  Instead of spending $80 a head on 100 people, the trend has been to take that same budget and spend it on a smaller guest list.  Whilst celebrities don’t have the same budget problems that we mere mortals have, the ultimate example of this trend in 2008 was the stunning wedding of Ellen Degeneres and Portia Di Rossi, which also happens to be my favourite celebrity wedding for 2008.  It will take a really long time for a celebrity to top this wedding for me.  All images above thanks to Ellen’s website.

Favourite Wedding Trends for 2008:  Familial and Familiar

The nod to family and the familiar was another trend we just adore.  Budget conscious, DIY brides and even those with unlimited budgets are celebrating family traditions, in familiar surroundings with casual aplomb.  Our favourite example of this trend was the real wedding of Nicole and Grant reported on Style Me Pretty.  The pizzas, the reception decor and the hand-made details really made this wedding a spectacular example of how amazing DIY can be.

Happy Celebrating!

Kathryn

Portia’s gown made me want to celebrate my favourite celebrity wedding dresses of all time. Here they are in all their glory:

Jessica Simpson in a glorious Vera Wang gown with daisy detailing was my favourite. I know it’s much talked about, much copied, much blogged about… but I just adore the detail and the whimsy of this precious gown.

Elizabeth Hurley in this swan like gown by Donatella Versace. I stopped counting all of the gowns Liz wore to her multiple ceremonies with Arun after this one won me for life!

Above all else, brides should look like the best version of themselves on their wedding day and for this reason I love this iconic picture of Yoko Ono and John Lennon on their wedding day. White knee socks, a sun hat and a mini skirt isn’t the most conventional bridal dress, but Yoko looks perfect just as she is.

You wouldn’t expect anything less than edgy from Gwen Stefani. The John Galliano gown for Dior made for Gwen matched the singer’s celebrity persona perfectly. Colour on a bridal gown is absolutely hot and Gwen carried it off with her trademark glamour.

Now I can’t believe I’m saying this… Tori Spelling, second time around. Such a pretty, unexpected beach dress without the trademark cleavage. I was very impressed.

And, for a controversial choice, my second favourite Australian celebrity gown (after Portia’s of course!) is Toni Pearen’s. The frothy baby doll has grown on me over time. She looked so gloriously happy and she made a statement. Go Toni!

Happy Celebrating!

Kathryn

Image: Hello! Magazine

When Katherine Heigl celebrated her wedding last year with a winter theme (see above), the popularity of icicles and fireplaces as a theme shot through the roof. Here are a few of our favourite winter wedding ideas:

Get married outdoors in the snow. Don your most impressive white faux fur and celebrate with your guests in the snow. OK, so in Australia your location choices are limited, but destination weddings work beautifully in the summer, so why not head to Banff, Bardonecchia or Queenstown for a magical fairytale destination celebration?

Image: blog.heibeck.net

Icicles=Chandeliers – Ice it up, baby! What better reason can there be than a winter themed wedding to serve up the ice? Crystal chandeliers, blingle candelabra and garlands encrusted in swarovski. Divine!

Image: kurtvinion.wordpress.com

Remember that winter isn’t all white, although this should be the basis of your winter themed wedding palette. The other hues of winter are shades of blue, soft green, blush, silver and taupe.

Board: Style Me Pretty

Serve warming winter fare for your guests. Beef casseroles, warming vintage red wines and deep puddings with winter berries and homemade vanilla infused custards.

Image: Tartelette

Happy Celebrating!

Kathryn

The private nuptials took place in picturesque Park City, Utah. Heigl told reporters ahead of time that there would be no celebrities on the guest list, but fellow Grey’s castmembers T.R. Knight (who doubled as a groomsmen), Sandra Oh and Justin Chambers, as well as Private Practice’s Kate Walsh, joined a small gathering of friends and family who arrived at the Stein Eriksen Lodge on Thursday to watch the couple tie the knot.

E-Online reports that the 30-minute ceremony was officiated by Unitarian minister Tom Goldsmith and was followed by a reception nearby. Heigl wore an Oscar de la Renta gown and walked the aisle to a song specially composed by Kelley, according to OK! magazine, which was granted exclusive coverage of the nuptials.

Knight told People magazine afterward that the occasion was both “incredible and beautiful.”

And, whilst we’re still waiting for the photos to be released by OK! magazine, here is a hauntingly beautiful winter themed inspiration board from Faye and Greer to keep you inspired.

Do check out Pink Frosting’s online store for some gorgeous winter themed accessories we have sourced from around the world.

Happy Celebrating!

Kathryn

“Let’s Please Forget it Ever Happened” Wedding Award: Pamela Anderson and Rick Salamon, married in Los Vegas on 6th October. Filed for divorce already, but some tabloids are now reporting they are “working through their problems”. Come on Pammy, enough of the nuptials already!

“Don’t Wear a Long-Sleeved Gown in the Summer Heat” Wedding Award: Kate Walsh and Alex Young, married in California on 3rd September. Kate actually fainted due to the heat which couldn’t have been helped by her very heavy lace gown which looked out of place in the middle of the California summer.

“Most Beautiful Down to Earth” Wedding Award: Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O’Connell, married on 14th July in California. The ceremony was outdoors, the groom weeped, the bride looked ridiculously beautiful and they made the event their own with a home-grown barbecue for guests.

“Loveliest Theme of the Year” Wedding Award: Eva Longoria and Tony Parker, married in France on 6th July. Flaming red was the theme chosen by this gorgeous pair with tomato coloured dresses for the bridesmaids, a delectable ruby cake and accessories from our very own Cathy’s Concepts.

“Old Rocker Does it Again (and well)” Wedding Award: Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster, married in Italy on June 16th. Penny and Rod’s wedding was very pretty with a vintage inspired theme and plenty of family happiness. Five kids from previous marriages and Alastair from this pairing, all celebrated this rocker-model pairing.

“Blink and You Would Have Missed It” Wedding Award: Ellen Pompeo and Chris Ivery married in a civil ceremony at New York’s City Hall with the NY Mayor as their only witness. Keeping it incredibly low-key was a shame for all of us celebrity-wedding lovers! I would have loved to have seen Ellen in a slinky ivory gown.

“Way Too Many Tattoos” Wedding Award: Amy Winehouse and Blake Fielder-Civil married on May 18th in Miami, Florida. Enough said.

“Bollywood Wedding of the Century” Award: Aishwarya Rai and Abishek Bachchan, Bollywood’s Brangenlina, were married with all the hoopla of a Hollywood couple on April 20 in India. The former Miss World (often described as the world’s most beautiful woman) did not disappoint, producing some of the most beautiful wedding images of the year.

“Over-the-Top, Across the Continents” Wedding Award: Elizabeth Hurley and Arun Nayar married in England and India in two “stress-free” ceremonies in March this year. Liz’s son upstaged his mum with his Little Lord Fauntleroy outfit. Two truly lovely ceremonies with many tears and happy moments captured by the press.

“We Have Billions of Dollars and Always Look Like It” Wedding Award: Erica Baxter and James Packer’s amazing French Riviera wedding cost a reported $2m and was delightful to watch. The days of pre- and post-celebrations meant a feast for celebrity watchers around the world. And, who wouldn’t have loved Erica’s daily fashion show?

“Home Grown” Wedding Award: Toni Pearen and Will Osmond in Moree, NSW. OK, so the dress caused a stir, but wasn’t it fabulous to have a celebrity wedding held in Moree? We give this award simply for the location!

“Can’t Wait for…” Wedding Award: Three awards here for Megan Gale, Katherine Heigel and Catriona Rowntree.

Happy Celebrating!

Kathryn

Beautiful redhead Kate Walsh has officially bagged her own McDreamy in a sunset wedding ceremony in LA over the US long-weekend. Kate is the first of three of the Grey’s Anatomy stars to get hitched over the next few months.

E! Online reports that the star has tied the knot with her fiancé of just four months, movie executive Alex Young, in a sunset ceremony at California’s Ojai Presbyterian Church in the resort town just north of Los Angeles.

The 39-year-old bride donned a custom-made gown from go-to celeb wedding dresser Monique Lhuillier along with diamond and platinum earrings from jeweller Neil Lane, which also designed the couple’s hand made wedding bands. The 36-year-old 20th Century Fox exec wore the requisite penguin suit.

The duo swapped vows in front of slightly more than 100 guests, among them Walsh’s Grey’s Anatomy costars Sara Ramirez, Katherine Heigl and Chandra Wilson. Show creator Shonda Rhimes was present for the ceremony, which kicked off with a gospel choir rendition of Rascal Flatts’ hit “Bless the Broken Road,” as was Kate Beckinsale and her hubby, director Len Wiseman.

According to People magazine, Walsh’s big day turned into a big night as well, at the nearby Ojai Valley Inn & Spa resort. The nuptial madness continued with a reception and sit-down dinner at the inn’s Spanish-style estate, Casa Elar. The newlyweds are also expected to host a postnuptial brunch for their guests on Sunday morning.

It’s the first marriage for both, and while the fairy-tale ending was smoothly executed, the run-up to the union wasn’t totally bump free.

“I had a fitting a few days ago, and who knew someone could get that hysterical about a bra!” Walsh told Entertainment Tonight last week about her brief flirtation with being a bridezilla. “The sad part was there was a mirror there, so I had to see my face turn to stone, snakes coming out of my hair. It was bad. I can’t believe I had a meltdown over a bra!”

Still, the bride said, “I’m living a very good dream.”

Walsh and Young announced their betrothal last May—he popped the question during a trip for two to San Francisco—just one day after ABC announced it had picked up her spinoff for the fall season. Walsh confirmed the engagement after being unable to hide the massive sparkler on her finger, a Neil Lane Jubilee-cut diamond.

Katherine Heigl and Ellen Pompeo are the next Grey’s Anatomy stars set to wed.

See Just Jared for 50+ unofficial wedding pics of this gorgeous celeb wedding!

Happy Celebrating!

Kathryn

After three years of dating, Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O’Connell exchanged vows during a romantic outdoor wedding at a private home in Los Angeles last weekend and the photos of the event have now been released through America’s InStyle magazine.

InStyle Reports: “Romijn walked down the aisle in a gown by Ralph Lauren and jewels by Neil Lane as a small group of family and friends—perched on hay bails covered with quilts—looked on. After the ceremony—planned by Heidi Asimus of Red25 events—guests dined on blue crab salad and lavender-grilled prime beef tenderloin at rustic tables adorned with wildflowers and lanterns. Instead of the traditional cake, the sweet ending included mini country apple and red velvet cupcakes. Romijn and O’Connell began dating in the summer of 2004.”

Congratulations to the lucky couple.

The celebrity wedding season is just hotting up over here in the US. Coming to an altar near you: Katherine Heigl and Josh Kelley, Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher, Kate Walsh and Alex Young, Ellen Pompeo and Chris Ivery (what is in the water on the Grey’s Anatomy set?), Tobey Maguire and Jennifer Meyer, Usher and Tameka Foster, Salma Hayek and Francois-Henri Pinault, Sarah Chalke and Jamie Afifi.

Can’t wait to read about these fantastic celebrations and see some inspiring photos for our weddings back in Australia and New Zealand.

Happy Celebrating!

Kathryn

I was struck by the enormous red wedding cake which Eva and Tony had flown in from the USA. No doubt it means that red cakes will be on the top of many brides’ wish list over the coming months. Our favourite cake maker in the world, Canberra’s “Cakes of Your Dreams” makes a similar cake which was featured in a story on Pink Frosting in a recent edition of Cosmopolitan Bride magazine. It is also on our Pink Frosting inspiration website to help inspire you with your planning.

I love a bold cake. It’s one of the items you can really have fun with, even at a traditional wedding.

Happy Celebrating!

Kathryn

Cathy’s Concepts is about to launch a new range of gorgeous giftware items which are equally at home as wedding accessories as they would be for a christening or everyday “thank you for being you” gift for your best girlfriend. The beautiful range of spa accessories, tote bags and personalised jewellery is growing each week, with some great new pet accessories on their way to complement the range! I can’t wait to share them with you in the coming months.

On top of this, Cathy’s Concepts recently provided some gorgeous products to Eva Longoria’s wedding planner to help Eva celebrate her day in style with her nine best girlfriends. How lucky are we to have access to that same range of products?

I’m off tomorrow to Houston, Texas to check out their enormous bridal fair this weekend. Can’t wait to let you know what I find! No doubt, it will be big, brassy and bold!

Happy Celebrating!

Kathryn

For months rumours touted the Beverly Hills designer as the woman behind Eva Longoria’s Parisien wedding dress.

On Saturday, before hundreds of guests, including actors, athletes and musicians, the five foot two-inch tall Longoria of “Desperate Housewives” fame married San Antonio Spurs basketballer Tony Parker as she glided down the aisle in an Angel Sanchez couture gown — a confection created with more than 30 yards of silk gazar, most of the fabric dramatically cascading down a plunging scooped back.

The actress chose the Sanchez design — a fitted, off-white silk twill mermaid dress with shoulder straps featuring an exposed backside — almost three months ago. Six dramatic cascading ruffles of silk gazar swept the floor behind her as she walked the aisle of the historic Church of Saint Germain l’Auxerrois, located opposite the Louvre museum in central Paris. She wore a five-foot long cathedral train (the longest worn by brides), which like the back of the dress had the same cascading effect.

Longoria’s dress, though minimalist in the front is jaw-dropping gorgeous in the back because of the massive cascades (yes, they are detachable) that are embellished at the edges with four rows of silver metallic embroidery that took weeks to finish, all by hand.

Photographs of the couple, the party — and the gown — will be featured in an exclusive spread in OK! Weekly, a magazine that reportedly paid $2 million for the rights.

I guess we’ll just have to wait for more! The magazine is released later this week in the US.

Happy Celebrating!

Kathryn