Weddings, Parties, Anything

As you may have known, I recently became engaged and since then have just been loving looking at and discovering some amazing wedding blogs, magazines and other sources of inspiration. Admittedly, I had always looked at this sort of thing anyway, not because I am a tragic 'Muriel' type longing to get married, but because there are so many great ideas for decorating and design, not just suitable for a wedding but wonderful for any occasion or even for no occasion all.
Firstly, I must say that there are also many awful wedding mags and sites out there too .... I even came across a site that was selling replica dresses modeled off the one worn in the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" (seriously)

As my partner and I are opting for a small, simple wedding in a small village in Hungary (yes really),
I will not be able to use very many of my grand ideas , (which is fine I just enjoy the creative process).
Another 'problem' of the small wedding abroad is that not many family friends and relatives will be able to attend. Instead of the big wedding, we have decided to have an engagement party so that the family and friends that can not travel to the wedding can celebrate with us. To keep it casual we are planning a garden party (held in my parent's garden).
The event is coming up soon, and hopefully I will get some nice photos to post. In the meantime, here are some lovely images that inspired the theme of our event and a mention of some great sites, worth a look not just for Wedding stuff...but all sorts of inspiration for any kind of party and everyday life too.

These beautiful images below are from thesweetestoccasion.com. I love the combination of soft pastel colored flowers and vintage bottles. I like the idea of the look being simple with a random feel to it.
(I don't usually like anything to neat or ordered when it comes to flowers)

Pictured below: paper lanterns suspended in trees. I love this idea for an elegant alternative to balloons.
Lanterns are more 'grown up' than balloons and suspended from trees create a fun, whimsical mood. I found these polka dot paper lanterns at pinkfrosting.com.au. I ordered some of these in various colors and used them as a starting point for the theme that will tie the event together. I created invitations to match and there will also be other decorations to compliment along with some color coordinated food!

If you are planning an event, you can't go past Martha Stewart. The magazines are usually brilliant. (I highly recommend the 'Martha Stewart Living' Halloween and Christmas editions ) but most of what  appears in the mags end up on her website anyway, marthastewart.com. Her creative team are amazing
and there are some fantastic ideas on this site. Of course she has a "Martha Stewart Weddings" section too. These invitations shown below are from the site and caught my eye because they match my theme.

This amazing piece below is a gorgeous 'save the date' card that I found on a cute blog called 'Little Winter Bride' there are some gorgeous ideas here. The author has a penchant for vintage style and again many of the ideas shown here do not necessarily have to be employed for a wedding.

Not that I am ready to start thinking about the dress and all that yet, but how gorgeous is this 1950's style wedding shown below??!!!! The bride and all the bridesmaids are wearing original vintage dresses (modified a little to fit). These gorgeous pictures are from a lovely site , called Polka Dot bride. (www.polkadotbride.com)
It is lovely because the weddings featured all have a unique twist, but still hold onto some tradition (ie they still look like weddings)

The image below is from a site that I admit I am now addicted to. "Offbeatbride.com' has some incredible photos of real weddings on it (no white pouffy dresses here!). As the name suggests this is a site for alternative weddings, there are many that are really out there, but there are some that are classic with a unique twist. There are heaps of great ideas here, from decorating to graphic design and food, so many of these ideas would be great for all sorts of occasions.

 

Below is a rough illustration that I did while working on the invitation for our party. I featured the croquet mallet as we are planning on having yard games for our guests. We just need to keep our fingers crossed for some nice weather! Below that is the design that I ended up going with. I ended up going with a simple watercolor printed onto one side of a postcard with the event details on the reverse. Sent in a sunshine yellow envelope, it created a light happy feel.

Happy Champagne Friday! Budapest and Art Nouveau

BUDAPEST

There has been some big news here at Fanantique recently, Gabor and I have become engaged!
(I apologize in advance that the Fanantique blog may slowly start to morph into a wedding blog, but I will try and stay focused on not get too carried away with it all)
This means that I have already become distracted spending hours and hours flipping through bridal magazines, looking through books and searching everywhere for inspiration. Of course, I headed straight to my favorite website, Martha Stewart, and stayed there for hours. I have been through a heap of weddings recently with most of my friends all married off within the last few years but I had never given much thought to what kind of wedding I would have. 
I am very lucky that I have a lot of very creative people around me and through my experience at Fanantique I have become quite crafty at knowing where to source things. So, I am looking forward to enjoying the creative process of wedding planning and have decided not to set a date for quite some time. Obviously, the biggest question is the dress! I will be keeping my eye out for an amazing vintage piece, but this process may take some time and unfortunately for me, most vintage dresses that I come across are way too tiny...
It occurred to me that it was way too early and pointless looking for a dress before deciding on what kind of wedding we wanted. We also have family on both sides of the world so where is another issue.
Luckily for me, it's looking like we will get to have two events, this means TWO DRESSES!!!

As a starting point, I am thinking about all of my favorite things as a point of reference; favorite colors, artists, movies, books, music, designers etc.

One of my favorite books/stories/movies is Bram Stoker's Dracula and I always thought it would be terribly romantic to get married in Budapest just like the character Jonathan Harker. Budapest is of course Gabor's home town so it is most likely we will head over there for the big day (one of them anyway). I also loved the way that the brides of Dracula looked in the Francis Ford Coppola Version of the movie, just liked they stepped out of an Art Nouveau painting. It might not be a good idea to dress like this in Hungary, as this type of 'Gypsy' look is still not favored and looked down upon. (Gabor will use the word 'gypsy' as an insult, where as I always thought a gypsy was something romantic and whimsical) but I still like it anyway!

Budapest, is of course famous for having many examples of Art Nouveau architecture. There are many beautiful examples all of over the city, from small details that you can see along the streets to grand
buildings like the baths, it really is a treat to visit.

Philanthia- (meaning the love of flowers) A gorgeous flower shop along the main shopping strip in the city. Inside, it has all original fittings and Art Nouveau murals painted on the walls. If you go to Hungary, you must visit this store.

Although it is an image that is commonly seen, I do love the painting 'The Kiss' by Klimt and think that it certainly evokes the right mood of romantic love that would be appropriate for a wedding. Klimt is of course part of the Nouveau group of Artists so incorporating inspiration from this piece would fit well into the theme that is emerging.

 'The Kiss" by Klimt

 

Klimt cushion-This is a beautiful piece that we have in store at the moment

One of my favorite colors is old gold, and this must be partly while Klimt's work appeals to me so much. (I have to admit I always liked that he featured alot of red headed women in his paintings too)
While flipping through the latest  "Martha Stewart Weddings" magazine I gasped when I saw this amazing cake.

This cake was actually inspired by Klimt. I love it! I love that it still looks like a wedding cake without being too traditional (but traditional enough).
I think these images all give me a wonderful starting point. Of course this could all change , but so far I'm liking it!!

Champagne Friday Cocktail 

"Wedding Cake"
highball glass

3/4 oz Gin
3/4 oz Amaretto
1/4 oz Pineapple Juice
1/4 oz Cream
ice

Blend all ingredients and serve. Enjoy!


 

Spring Fashion Extravaganza, hosted by Fleurage Perfumery.

Part 1- "Ice Cream Cake"

My apologies for my long absence from the blog, but now I can finally share with you what I have been working on for the last month. Fanantique together with Fleurage presented our first Spring Fashion event, and what an event it was.
There are too many gorgeous images and too much to tell all at once, so over the next few posts I will show you everything. Firstly, I must credit Rob Luxford of Vivid Communications, for all of the professional photography. It's stunning! A big thank you also to our gorgeous models, Adrain of Delilah Hair studio (to find out more about Delilah click here) and to Rebecca of Beyond Andromeda for the beautiful make-up. The stylish hats are all by Ann Shoebridge (excluding a few pieces that are vintage)
To see more gorgeous images and a wonderful overview of the afternoon, please visit the Fleurage blog by clicking here . Emma, sums up the whole event wonderfully.
Set to the romantic sounds of Anna Boulic playing Harp and serenading the audience in French, our show commenced with our 'Ice Cream Cake' collection. Delicious shades of sorbet, the very essence of spring. To compliment this ,  Fleurage coordinated a signature fragrance to each ensemble.....Spring was definitely in the air!
Coming soon, our next collection, 'Hello Sailor'

Here are our gorgeous girls backstage before the show started, what a marvelous job they all did!

Champagne Friday- Vintage Weddings Part 2

The blushing bride, Lizzie looking stunning. I really love the vintage style diamond hair piece.

Vintage Weddings Part 2- Lizzie and Wesley

When my talented, fashion designer friend, Lizzie announced that she was getting married, I knew that we would be in for a stylish event. Lizzie and her Groom, Wes chose to have a 1920's themed wedding. Once again, the guests enjoyed getting into the theme and dressing for the occasion. The reception was great fun, held at Comme in Melbourne. Pie Gordon, the floral stylist did a spectacular job on all of the flowers, including the magnificent bridal bouquet. (She had a particular challenge as the wedding was held in December which can be quite warm here in Melbourne!)

The live swing band also added to the vintage mood of the event and made the perfect compliment to the evening.

Below: The bride and groom swing, the gorgeous flowers and back detail of Lizzie's Wedding dress

Above, some of the gorgeous flowers created by the talented Pie Gordon.

Below: Flapper girls and gangsters, we guests enjoy the theme!

Vintage wedding ideas from the Fanantique boutique. 

If you or someone you know is thinking of having a Vintage style wedding, there are plenty of ideas at the boutique. Taking inspiration from Lizzie's gorgeous hair piece here are a few pieces that we have in store.

For something really special, The Fleurage range would be perfect. The styling of the packaging and stunning glass bottles are all reflective of the Art Deco period. Anything from the range would add a touch of old world glamor to a vintage themed wedding. Pictured below are images from Fleurage's signature scents, 'Consort' and 'Chaperone'. Special his and her fragrances make a divine gift for a bride and groom.

In addition to their signature fragrances, Fleurage also offer a 'gifting' service for events. 

 

Champagne Friday Cocktail

In honor of the featured bride, Lizzie, today's cocktail is the "Thin Lizzie". It also happens to contain my favorite ingredient, Champagne.

Thin Lizzie

Champagne Flute

15ml Cream de fraise

15ml tequila

splash of Champagne

Strawberry to garnish

Pour cream de fraise and tequila into glass, add Champagne and Strawberry to garnish.

recipe taken from 'Cocktails and Rock Tales' Jane Rocca, Hardie Grant Books.

Something Old - Vintage Themed Weddings Part 1

I drove past the old parliament building in Melbourne on Saturday afternoon and as is usual for that time, there was a wedding party having their photos taken on the steps. It does make a wonderful backdrop and I have seen some great shots taken in this location.
Anyway, it got me thinking about some weddings I had been to recently and weddings in general. I am lucky enough to have gone to two vintage themed weddings lately and as you will see for yourself they were simply gorgeous!
The first event featured is the wedding of my lovely friends Nick & Alix. They chose the fun theme of 1920's flappers and gangsters ..think Bonnie and Clyde. All of the guests made up such a fun group of people with everyone getting into the theme.
Alix and Nick's wedding was held at Pepper's Resort, Daylesford.

Bridesmaid and groomsman 20's style and guests in gangster mode (check out the gun!)

The dashing groom and blushing bride. Alix's gorgeous beaded head piece made by her sister-in-law, miliner, Ann Shoebridge. (check out annshoebridge.com)

Alix and I 

Vintage Wedding Inspiration

Image from myweddingplace.blogspot.com. Please visit for more great wedding ideas.

Here are a few pieces from Fanantique that would help create a gorgeous vintage themed wedding.

Vintage Velvet Flower Head Pieces - Perfect for a Bride, bridesmaid or flower girl, we have several colors and styles.

Bomboniere idea- Scented soap

These pre-packaged MOR soaps make the perfect addition to your table setting. Choose from a range of packaging and scents.

Please stay tuned for more on vintage weddings coming soon.....