Anyone who reads Australia Entertains will know what a great fan I am of the Australian wedding blog, Polkadot Bride.  Ms Polka has created a phenomenon with her sweet ideas, quirky inspirations and beautiful writing.  I read Polkadot Bride every day and love to inhale all the beauty of Ms Polka’s vision.

Polkadot Bride has relaunched their site today with a gorgeous new look and brand new features which will make visiting the site even more exciting and inspiring.  I adore the new Honeymoon section (even though I am not a bride, a girl needs inspiration for glamorous holidays), Polkadot Wisdom which is filled with brilliant tips from some of the world’s most creative and innovative wedding vendors, and Polkadot Made which contains brilliant DIY ideas for brides and anyone inspired by pretty homemade goodies.

Congratulations Ms Polka! We adore your blog and look forward to many more moments of “ooh ahh” bliss to come.

Happy Celebrating!

I am a delighted wedding stylist today!  The new personalised wedding aisle runners at Pink Frosting’s wedding shop have me swooning and dying for an opportunity to test them out.  These luxe wedding decorations are the not only stylish, they’re completely unique to your wedding day as Pink Frosting personalises them with your choice of design, colour and with your names and wedding date.  Now that’s a wedding ceremony photo opportunity if I’ve ever seen one!

Aisle runners to decorate your wedding ceremony have become a beautiful way to define the entrance for your wedding service.  Whether in a church (to cover up an unstylish carpet) or outside to define the pathway the bride and groom, bridesmaids and other attendants will walk down to make their vows, a crisp white aisle runner is a great decoration for your wedding day.

Personalising your aisle runner with your names and wedding date, a design of your choice, custom colours and a message of love for your wedding day makes a statement about the bride and groom and also serves as a gorgeous backdrop for your wedding photographs as you make your vows.

Some advice:  we always recommend that you  secure the aisle runner so they don’t bob up and down.  The personalised aisle runners at Pink Frosting come with an adhesive backing which means you don’t need to worry about this, but other cheaper versions don’t so you’ll need to arrange some pebbles, pegs or other security measures to ensure that the aisle runner stays put.

Another tip: Don’t use a cloth or plastic aisle runner over fresh grass or sand unless it is backed by plywood or something solid: Your and your maids’ heels will go right through it into the soft ground beneath – yuck.  We recommend that you use some carpet or plywood underneath to make sure the aisle runner adds a perfect decorative touch and doesn’t sink into the ground!

I just adore these new personalised runners and can’t wait to see lots of great photos from our brides with these stunning ceremony decorations in the foreground.

Happy Celebrating!

Kathryn

Mastering the art of wording your wedding invitations needn’t be stressful.  I’m a real fan of invitation wording that reflects your personality and style – just like the theme of your wedding as well as the style of your celebration.  Tradition certainly has its place and if you’re holding a black tie or traditional ceremony and reception, it pays dividends to pay homage to wedding invitation wording traditions; however, if you’re a non-conformist and you’re hosting a fun, casual celebration with a modern twist, go to town with your wording and make it a reflection of your special day.

Here’s our guide to wedding invitation wording…

At its most basic, here is a guide:

Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Durand
request the honour of your presence
at the marriage of their daughter
Sophie Lynn
to
Jeffrey Lautrec
son of
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Lautrec
Saturday, the fourth of December
Two thousand and eight
at two o’clock in the afternoon
Fox Green Country Club
2621 Hunter Avenue
Melbourne, Victoria

Many couples consider it archaic to address everyone as a Mr. or a Mrs, so you may drop the prefix in favour of “Oliver and Lucinda Durand” and “Michael and Jessica Lautrec”. 

You may also choose to relax the request line to suit the casual style of your wedding.  In this case, pen your invitation with “pleasure of your company” or “invite you to share in the marriage of”.

If you are hosting the wedding alongside your parents, you may wish to save space with something like:

Sophie Lynn Durant
and
Jeffrey Lautrec
together with their parents
request the pleasure of your company at their marriage
2pm, Saturday 4 December 2008
Fox Green Country Club
2621 Hunter Avenue
Melbourne, Victoria

Whether parents names are included on the invitation or not, remember to thank each set of parents for their support with a toast at the reception.

If your family relationships are complicated, don’t worry.  The key rule to follow is that the person (or people) listed on the invitation should be the host (or hosts) of the wedding reception. If divorced parents are co-hosting the event, they may both still be listed, though preferably on separate lines.

Still confused?  The Knot has a fantastic wording wizard with every possible combination to help you get your invitation right.  Or try Verseit.com, which features an array themed wording samples, including seasonal, holiday, cultural and even Shakespearean invitations!

More Wedding Invitation Ideas & Inspirations >>

Happy Celebrating!

Kathryn

The literal French translation is “flower of the lily,” and it is probably an abstract version of an iris. The stunning iris symbolises faith, wisdom, and promise in love, which make the iris a very symbolic choice for your wedding flower for a fleur de lis wedding. 

Here are some stunning fleur de lys wedding ideas to help you bring this stunning motif for life on your wedding day:

Stunning fleur de lis symbol wedding board via Kate Aspen’s blog.   Here are some Fleur de Lis motif wedding invitations, stationery and favours to help you bring this theme to life on your wedding day:

Happy Celebrating!

Kathryn

The new range of wedding invitations by Alannah Rose at Pink Frosting’s invitation shop have us swooning!  The Bicycle Built for Two invitations and matching wedding stationery remind us of a romantic ride around the park with our sweetheart.  A truly sweet and whimsical invitation theme.  We love the design for an engagement party or a casual wedding celebration in a garden in Summer.  Simply divine.

Here are some stunning ways to help you put this sweet theme together for your wedding or engagement party via the beautiful blog Green Wedding Shoes and wedding photographer Travis Hoehne:

Happy Celebrating!

Kathryn

• Use personalised printed cake bags that suit your wedding theme and colour scheme or if you’re on a limited budget, Pink Frosting’s Sweet printed favour bags which are made for edible candy favours.  Glassine lined bags make sure that you won’t get an oil slick on the paper – yick!
• Stackable favour tins and containers make a lovely presentation when arranged on a specially created favour table.  Personalise each of the tins or containers with a favour label with your own details, colours and design;
• Go a little bit retro with a fun modern twist by wrapping your bomboniere in a tulle circle in a funky colour, then secure with a personalised ribbon and a unique printed favour tag.  If you use contrasting colours, this favour presentation can really pop!
• Create your very own wedding “party crackers” by following the DIY directions over at Martha Stewart Weddings - classic and sweet;
• There are so many amazing cupcake baking cups available now, why not use one to pop your wedding chocolates or candy in, wrap in cellophane and secure with a personalised ribbon  and tag?  Simply beautiful.
• Dress up the humble cellophane bag with a personalised favour insert.  The new bag inserts at Pink Frosting make us smile!
• Fill little tin favour pails with candy coated chocolate rocks to create a fun and yummy garden wedding treat;
• And of course you could have a fun wedding candy buffet to make every wedding guest smile!

Ostrich feathers are one of my favourite wedding decorations.  They look so glamorous and they work beautifully in wedding aisles, table centrepieces, in bridal bouquets and so much more.  They scream glamour and style and they really are very easy to work with.

If you’re wanting to create a glamorous table centrepiece using ostrich feather drabs, it is usually recommend that you use a florists ball floating at the top of the vase which you carefully sit the end of the feather into for support.  In honesty, I usually don’t use these green florists balls because they are difficult to cover up at the top of the vase.  The best way I have found is to fill the vase with a support filler that looks good, such as plain old cellophane scrunched up and then filled with water (this creates an amazing ice-like effect) or with water pearls and secure the feathers as low down as possible in the vase.  If you’re also using flowers, this makes securing the feathers much easier as well as they have something else to rest against.

I’ve tried wiring the feathers for some extra length, but again, I don’t think it’s necessary if you’re filling the vase with cellophane, crystals, sand or another great filler.

Usually, I recommend you use between 3 and 7 ostrich feathers per centrepiece, but it depends on your budget!  If you use too many, your centrepieces can end up looking like palm trees!

I also love ostrich feathers on the back of chairs at outdoor weddings, as pew decorations at a Church ceremony, as an addition to or in place of flowers in a bridal bouquet (as shown below by Karen Tran) or simply laid flat as centrepiece decorations for wedding reception tables.  They are a versatile wedding decoration, that’s for certain, and your guests will love to take one home at the end of the night!

And, as shown on the amazing Hostess Blog, they don’t just work for weddings!  These coloured feathers make a stunning baby shower decoration centrepiece too!

Sign, I love ostrich feathers…. Now available to purchase online at Pink Frosting.

Happy Celebrating!

Kathryn

It’s time to clear out the warehouse for our new stock to arrive and we’re offering some huge savings off 100+ of our favourite wedding and party decorations, favours, accessories and more right now!  If you’re in the market for some quality wedding favours on a budget, or you want to catch some savings on some beautiful baby shower gifts, or you have a kids birthday party coming up and want to save some pennies on your invites, visit Pink Frosting’s Sale Shop right now to catch a bargain before we sell out!

Happy Celebrating!

Kathryn

Enjoy shopping and thank you for your support in helping Pink Frosting become one of Australia’s online success stories and best-loved stores.

Happy Celebrating!

Kathryn

I hear alot of brides say that they aren’t a veil type of bride.  Then, they find the dress of their dreams and the dresser says, “come on, just pop it on to see what it looks like.”  And, the tears flow.  They feel like a “bride”.

There are countless styles of bridal veils to choose from.  I hope this list of the most popular styles helps you find the “inner bride” in you!

The length of your veil, the number of layers, fabric, trim and shade you choose should all depend on the style of your dress.  Among the options:

• Angel: Long, straight veil cut wide at the sides like angel wings.
• Ballerina (or waltz): Ends just above the floor.
• Birdcage:  A short veil that covers the bride’s face, falling just below the chin, as she enters the ceremony.  This is a popular choice with brides who don’t want a full veil but would still like the elegance and mystery of a veil. It can tie in with a vintage look and can be worn on the back or front of the head.  Often worn with a small hat.
• Blusher:  The blusher is a short veil of two or more layers. It usually ends between the bride’s collarbone and bust, and a layer is worn over the face and is normally lifted before or after the ceremony for the newlyweds’ first kiss. Strict etiquette experts consider veils, particularly blushers, inappropriate for second-time or pregnant brides.
• Butterfly: Oval-shaped and folded in half. Ribbon edging follows a crescent rather than straight line.
• Cascade (or waterfall): Two or more layers of veil in various lengths (some of which can be removed).  A cascade veil can also work as a blusher. 
• Cathedral: A cathedral length veil is as long as bride wants it to be and creates a sea of tulle or lace behind the bride as she walks. Usually worn at formal weddings
• Chapel: The chapel length veil trails behind the bride as she walks. It hits the floor or bottom of the bride’s gown and is often worn with a sweep train to give the illusion of a longer train.
• Elbow:  This is essentially a blusher that reaches the bride’s elbows and creates a soft frame for the upper body and face.
• Fingertip: This style is the most common veil length. Touching the bride’s fingertips, the veil falls in soft folds and adds to the elegance of the dress.  This length works well with ball gowns and so is one of the most popular styles.
• Flyaway: Touches or just covers shoulders. Sometimes called a Madonna veil, this style is made from more than one layer of fabric to create a bridal look. Perfect for an added sense of drama or paired with a tea length gown for a fifties look.
• Mantilla: A long, Spanish-style, circular piece of lace that frames the face.  Its distinguishing features are the lace decoration and placement on the head. The veil is not placed at the back of the head, but is draped over the crown. Its length and placement means the veil falls over the shoulders and down the back.
• Waltz: The waltz length comes to around mid calf and is a graceful addition to the bridal outfit. Also known as ballerina or walking length, it gives the bride a longer veil without the worry of tripping or damaging the veil by stepping on it.

Australia’s number one online wedding shop, Pink Frosting, has a stunning range of wedding veils to choose from.  I hope you find your inner bride with your veil.  Every bride should wear one just for the feeling it gives!

Happy Celebrating!

Kathryn