This week will be just another chapter in the book as I head to Bunker Bay to take part in a photography workshop with Jen Huang. I have loved Jen’s work for quite some time and when the opportunity appeared that she was coming to Australia for a workshop, I jumped at the chance. To then find out that it was being held in our south west region is a fantastic bonus.

I try to get to at least one workshop each year and the past 2 have been on the east coast so a 4 hour drive instead of a 4 hour plane trip is something I am going to relish. I’m looking forward to shooting some more film, learning lots of new things and getting to know some new friends.

While I am away I may be a little slower responding to emails. I will be returning all calls and emails on Friday when I am back on deck.

Have a lovely week!

All images : Ektar 100 developed by Richard Photo Lab

There is no bell without a voice
needing to borrow my own
instead, let me steady myself
in the arms
of a man who won’t ask me to be
what he needs, but lets me exist
as I am

a blonde flame
a hurricane

Wrapped up
in a tiny body
that will come to his arms
like the safest harbor
for mending

~Jewel~

This is one of my favourite poems by one of my favourite artists, Jewel.

Happy Valentines Day, my friends! I hope you get lots of kisses, from the one you love.

xo

Apparently the early beginnings of a bridal bouquet were a bunch of fragrant herbs which would repel evil spirits from the bride. In fact, when the Romans and Greeks began the tradition, the herbs where worn as a garland in the hair and eventually it evolved into a bouquet in Victorian times which was eventually tossed. A bride would carry flowers that had messages and meanings such as baby’s breath symbolising happiness and the white lily symbolising purity. I carried hydrangeas and dahlias which apparently symbolises vanity and good taste . . .  and moving on . .

The boutonniere is a nod to medieval times when a knight would wear his lady’s colours. Proudly displaying to the world that his heart belongs to someone.

When I contacted Rebecca from Fox and Rabbit to offer advice on this long lasting wedding tradition, it was a no brainer. Rebecca’s flowers are some of the best in Perth and always long lasting. I love her use of colour and texture and how she brings in unexpected elements such as seed pods and herbs into her arrangements.

I am so excited for Bec who is also a bride and will marry her true love in May and beyond thrilled that I will be the one to photograph their wedding. Its going to be fabulous!

All images by Angela Higgins

How and when did Fox and Rabbit begin and what is your style when it comes to florals?

I started Fox and Rabbit on my birthday in July 2010. You could perhaps say that I was having a “quarter life crisis”! I was extremely unhappy with my job and hated being someone who worked for the weekend. Humble beginnings had me constructing bouquets out of my parent’s laundry until I finally graduated to a larger space.

My style is constantly improving and changing as I tweak my technique and meet new clients who challenge me with their ideas. It is always exciting to create something I have never made before. I love to use varying textures, colours and non-conventional pieces such as interesting nuts, pods, herbs and fabrics, and I am swept away by the unstructured / handpicked look.

Do you have any advice you could offer brides when they begin to search for a florist and how to find one that is a good fit?

Set yourself a floral budget – not just a wedding budget. Be upfront with how much you are willing to spend so that your florist can make suggestions that are realistic to your circumstance. This way you will not be shocked or disappointed.

Pick out bouquets that you like and show them to your florist. Then ask for their thoughts, opinions, and ask them to back up with pictures so that you can understand what they are explaining. If they send back suggestions that you like – you are clearly on the same page and will end up happy with the end product.

How important are the season, the color scheme of the wedding and the attire when it comes to selecting florals? Where does a bride begin!?

Seasonal availability is a huge factor to account for when choosing your flowers. Do some research to find out what will be in season in the month you are to wed. A great idea is to decide on your colour scheme, the textures, and the structure you prefer; and allow your florist to be creative by picking what is in season to match. If you are attracted to a florist because of their style – trust their judgment.

What trends do you see for the 2011/12 wedding season here in Australia when it comes to the bouquet and boutonnieres? What do you think will be the flower of the 2012 season?

Rustic is on its way out!! There will always be rustic influences but a more mod/rustic look is here. Unstructured / handpicked bouquets are still the way to go.

As for flowers, the peony is always a crowd favourite. I have been working with a lot of herbs lately; particularly rosemary and mint. There is a lot less ‘Matchy-Matchy’ happening and bold colour is stepping up. I am seeing deeper colours in dresses teaming up with bright flowers (IE, grey dress with yellow and white florals; navy dress with burnt orange florals). Peach bouquets are definitely in for 2012 and I love seeing it teamed with blue.

If a bride wants to incorporate a unique element in her bouquet or the boutonnieres such as a complimentary ribbon, fabric or brooches, do you provide these options or does she supply them to you?

Usually the bride supplies these items as they are often left over dress materials or gifts from family members (lots of grandmother brooches!!) but I am certainly more than willing to supply them also.

Describe what makes a perfect bouquet. Is it the flower selection, not too many or too little, etc.

So much can be said through flowers and a perfect bouquet will always reflect the character of the bride. Elegant, chic or a little bit quirky – all the best parts of your personality can be replicated in flowers through colour, structure and floral selection.

I bring copious amounts of images and flower magazines to each of my bridal consultations. It is great if the bride has her own ideas ready to roll but often she does not know where to start. Some consultations are over within 20 minutes and others take longer but at the end of the day people generally know what they want – they just need a little help being able to articulate the visual in their head.

What tips do you have for brides who want to keep costs low but have a great floral design in their ceremony and reception centerpieces?

• If you are planning to purchase flowers for the ceremony – have someone transport them to the reception afterward to double as centerpieces and other decoration.
• Toss a bridesmaid bouquet instead of ordering a throw bouquet.
• Hire some extra vases for the bridal table and put your bouquets in them. This way you will not need to purchase a bridal table arrangement.

As a general rule, who should receive boutonnieres and corsages for a wedding?

Typically it is the bridal party and both sets of parents. Often people will also order boutonnieres and corsages for grandparents and occasionally for other siblings who are not included in the bridal party.

In Australia we often have weddings on rather warm days. What is your advice for ensuring you can get the most and best out of your florals when the weather warms up?

• [Firstly] Ask your florist to avoid blooms that bruise easily. Keep all boutonnieres and corsages in the fridge for as long as possible before leaving your dressing location. Keep your flowers in the shade as much as possible throughout the day.
• Do not put flowers in the boot of your car! This is a common mistake when driving from one location to the next – the boot of a car is generally the worst environment for flowers.
• If you are exceptionally conscious about your flowers wilting – designate a bridesmaid to be on ‘floral watch’ and have her mist with a spray bottle through the day. This is not necessary but will go a long way on those extra hot days.

Thank you so much Bec for sharing with us! All of the images in this post are of Bec’s fabulous work that I have been fortunate to be able to photograph. Stay tuned for the next Summer Series installment, Hair and Makeup.

The minute I decided to do a candy buffet (owing to Phoebe’s sweeter-than-sweet-tooth), I instantly gave one of my 2010 brides a call. Holly started her own candy buffet business called Scoops of Sweetness with her sister and actually did the candy buffet at her wedding just a year ago.

Holly and I came up with the concept of a 100′s and 1000′s inspired buffet as an homage to Pheobe’s last birthday as an official kid. In just two weeks Holly and Kelly came up with a design complete with milkshake shooters, chocolate freckles and sour lollies (the birthday girls favourite). Thank you so much Kelly and Holly!

Here was the end result!

Phoebe is a little more than ombre obsessed so I attempted an ombre birthday cake. I was holding my breath as she cut into the cake, fingers crossed that it worked and it did.

Lastly, the birthday girl and her BFF, Mel. I’ve never seen anyone take more pictures of themselves than these two but I guess that’s what kids do nowadays. As Phoebe says, “Why not? I’m not going to look like this forever”. Touche!

As we said goodbye to the last guest at the party, Phoebe embraced me and thanked me for all I do for her. Its true I couldn’t love her more if she were my own flesh and blood and it is moments like that, that make all the planning and effort worthwhile. Happy 17th Phoebe!

On this Australia Day, I am so happy to celebrate who we are as a nation. Diverse, unique and proud. For us we’ll be in the pool or in the air conditioning with a heat wave hitting Perth at the moment, no doubt occasionally firing up the BBQ for some lunch and dinner. Staying cool is the aim today.

I came across this from my friend Liz Arcus which was a number of statements that will ring true for any Australian and just had to share a few of them.

So, you know you are Australian if . . .

* You’re liable to burst out laughing whenever you hear of Americans “rooting” for something.
* You can translate: ‘Dazza and Shazza played Acca Dacca on the way to Maccas.’
* You believe that cooked-down axle grease makes a good breakfast spread. You’ve also squeezed it through Vita Wheats to make little Vegemite worms.
* You believe all famous Kiwis are actually Australian, until they stuff up, at which point they again become Kiwis.
* You believe that the confectionery known as the Wagon Wheel has become smaller with every passing year.
* You know what it’s like to swallow a fly, on occasion via your nose.
* You know it’s not summer until the steering wheel is too hot to handle and a seat belt buckle becomes a pretty good branding iron.
* Your biggest family argument over the summer concerned the rules for beach cricket.
* You know that the barbecue is a political arena; the person holding the tongs is always the boss and usually a man. And the women make the Salad.
* You’ve drank your tea/coffee/milo through a Tim Tam.

Happy Australia Day!

As Priya turned she saw Scott down on one knee holding an engagement ring out towards her. He had been waiting all day with the ring in his pocket for the right moment and a scriptwriter could not have written it better.

Of course, she said yes.

Priya and Scott were married earlier this month on quite possibly one of the loveliest days Perth has seen in January. As Priya promised to remember to put the milk back in the fridge and Scott promised to live only for her, they created something unique. A marriage that represents understanding, patience and compassion as they brought together two very different cultures, religions and families to create a new family that is unique and full of all the good things they have to offer individually and now together.

It was an honor to have been given the chance to photograph their wedding day and I know we’re going to be in each others lives for a long time to come.

View the entire gallery of images and order prints HERE. Interested in having me at your wedding? Click here to get in touch!

I love the tradition of giving gifts to each other on the morning of the wedding. In Scott’s case he was showered with love with a set of custom cufflinks presented in a box of chocolates from Koko Black and a little reminder of how the men before him were good husbands almost 100 years ago.

Both Scott and Priya were getting ready at the Pan Pacific which meant I had plenty of time with them both as they prepared for the wedding with their best friends.

It felt like Christmas morning as I photographed Priya’s delightful details. From her Lisa Ho shoes to her simply understated bouquet from Poppy’s Flowers, they all fit in perfectly with their vision of a understated but elegant day.

Kate Farmer has magic fingers and her brides always look effortlessly put together with makeup that lasts all day long.

There is something about the ritual of a girl getting ready to marry her guy. As soon as the veil goes on its as if reality hits and everything else just fades away.

Priya’s younger brother Anton had the honor of giving Priya away after walking her down the aisle. Just a few years apart in age, they are so close they are often mistaken for twins.

The ceremony was held at the Sunken Gardens at UWA. As we waited for Priya to arrive, her mother told me that they used to come here on the weekends to look at the couples getting married and Priya remembers playing on the grounds as a child.

We had just a shortish amount of time between the ceremony and reception so we wandered the grounds of UWA. Priya’s bridesmaids were as Priya said, “The most beautiful bridesmaids ever” and in their convertible jewel toned dresses, I have to agree.

One of my favourite moments of any wedding day is the time we have for some beautiful portraits. I could have photographed Scott and Priya all day.

Priya’s super stylish three-piece wedding dress was from Clear Couture and she looked incredible wearing it.

The boys. Scott and his groomsmen were dressed in black suits and light ties, exuding a relaxed James Bondish feeling. It is always the groomsmen who keep me on my toes and these guys were no exception.

The reception was held at Matilda Bay and with furniture supplied by Villa Kula created a relaxed lounge atmosphere for guests to wile away the afternoon overlooking the Swan River.

A wedding day is about celebrating two individuals coming together as a family but I found it incredibly ironic that in the lead up to the wedding I wanted to change improve everything about me 100% whether it be my skin tone, my hair colour or the size of my pants. I know that Grant was marrying me for me and eventually I filtered out the noise telling me that I needed to change in order to be beautiful on my wedding day.

That said, I did make a few changes in my diet and lifestyle in the lead up to the wedding. I drank more water, tried to eat more fruit and vegetables, exercised daily and indulged in regular facials (the latter was not at all hard to add to my routine!)

When I started to think about who I wanted to contribute to the Summer Series 2012, Équilibre was at the top of my list. Health and fitness has become such a huge part of the wedding planning process and I wanted to cast a different perspective on the whole concept which Équilibre were perfect for. This husband and wife team are not about diet pills, protein shakes and deprivation. They are about enjoying life and the things you like, in moderation and in balance. Being a huge fan of French Women Don’t Get Fat, which is a similar philosphy, I found myself internally shouting YES!! when I discovered them and their fantastic, healthy approach to life, food and fitness.

Nic and Pascal just welcomed a little bundle of joy, baby Remy to their family but managed to find a little time in their busy schedules to be interviewed for my Summer Series.

How and when did Equilibre begin?

We created the business concept in 2010 after seeing how increasingly frustrated our clients were becoming with all the confusing information and advice around on diet and exercise. We felt that there was room for an alternative – with a realistic, back-to-basics, sustainable approach – and out of that, Équilibre (French for balance) was born. We bring together Pascal’s years of expertise and experience as an exercise professional and combine it with Nic’s passion for great food and cooking – the perfect ‘balanced’ partnership!

At Équilibre, we teach and inspire an appreciation for exercise and good food, and encourage a healthy lifestyle based on balance – no gimmicks, quick fixes or empty promises.

What is a realistic timeline for a bride who wants to tone up and get fit and healthy for her wedding? 3 months before the wedding? 6 months?

Naturally, the longer you have, the better the results and the more likely you will be to maintain your healthy new regime. Slow and steady progress will always create stronger, more lasting results than a short burst of intensive effort. A realistic time-frame also depends on what base you are coming from and what expectations you have. Regardless of how long you have before your wedding, be it 6 weeks or 6 months, the real key is simply to start and then keep it going – and the benefits will be there for you. Saying that, if weight loss is your main focus, don’t leave it until the last few weeks when the temptation to crash diet or try other damaging quick fixes can become all too tempting and can cause more long-term damage than good.

“Fitness for foodies” sounds like a great concept. What are the principles that your mission statement is based upon?

For us, staying fit and healthy is a way of life, but doesn’t mean that we miss out on fabulous food, a great glass of wine or a well-made coffee. Too often, we find that people associate good health and fitness with deprivation, rigid routines and sacrificing the things they enjoy. We’re here to convince you that it doesn’t have to be like that – fitness really can be for foodies!

Our core principles…
• Exercise is about more than just weight loss or athletic ability – it’s about gaining health.
• Life is too short for diets, diet pills, meal replacements or artificial anything.
• When it comes to food, quality and variety always wins out over quantity.
• Eat food as close to its original form as possible. Think wholesome, natural and delicious.
• Get over the ‘all or nothing’, ‘feast or famine’ mentality – your health and fitness regime needs to be something you can happily incorporate into your lifestyle for the long term.

What are some nutrition tips for a bride or groom? What things should they be adding to or reducing from their diet as they focus on getting into shape?

We suggest implementing nutrition changes gradually, focusing on one habit at a time. Following strict diets or cutting out entire food groups is not the best way to approach it.

Our favourite nutrition tips…

• Cut out all soft drink including diet versions – develop a taste for refreshing mineral water with a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime.
• Reduce alcohol – stick with a glass of something you really enjoy at social functions.
• Cut out highly processed foods – avoid anything with a long list of ingredients you don’t understand.
• Don’t fall for the ‘low fat everything’ trap – products labeled ‘low fat’ or ‘reduced fat’ often contain a lot of sugar or artificial additives – we prefer to take our lead from the French and enjoy just a little good quality cheese or full fat yoghurt, it’s an experience not to be missed!
• Experiment with new ingredients and increase the variety in your diet.
• Cook at home as often as possible and plan your meals.

It’s also a great time to learn how to cook if you or your partner is lacking that particular skill. Take cooking classes together, invest in new cookbooks or a magazine subscription and experiment in the kitchen. Home cooking is so much better for you and your future family’s health.

There seems to be nothing quite like a wedding to make a bride begin to realize that she needs to start a workout routine and tone up. Where do you suggest she start to get the best results? What elements make for a good routine?

There’s so much pressure on brides these days and it’s understandable that they want to look and feel their best for the event and look gorgeous in photos! Whatever your motivation, we think its a perfect time to get started on a health and fitness routine so as to set yourself up for marriage and your future life together – not just for the big day itself.

Just getting started? Be sure to…

• Work out what your goals are – try not to focus purely on weight loss.
• Get some expert advice – you rely on experts for every other aspect of your wedding, so why leave your own health and wellbeing to chance?
• Make a plan – how are you going to incorporate your workout sessions into your weekly schedule? What do you need to do to make this happen?
• Seek support from family and friends – share your journey with your partner and encourage him or her to join you. Why not involve your bridal party, too – power walking planning meetings, anyone?

As far as your routine is concerned, we suggest a holistic approach, incorporating both exercise and nutrition – there’s no sense signing up for bridal boot camp if you’re still eating rubbish! A good all round exercise routine needs to have elements of cardio, strength and stretching, but inevitably the best routine for you is one that you can realistically sustain. Its also worth addressing other lifestyle factors such as sleep and stress as they may have an impact on your overall effectiveness and ability to stick to your routine.

Is it possible for brides to spot-tone on particular areas of concern?

We’re not fans of the concept of spot toning or reducing and don’t think that brides should focus on it as it inevitably sets them up for disappointment. Every ‘body’ is built differently and the trick is to enhance your natural shape, not to change it completely. As long as an exercise program incorporates balanced body strengthening (both upper and lower body) some cardio, and exercises for flexibility, it should provide great overall results. Besides, we want our brides looking fabulous in their honeymoon bikini, not just their strapless wedding gown!

What general words of advice do you have for brides and grooms wanting to incorporate a healthy fitness regime in the lead up to their wedding, and beyond?

The fantastic thing about incorporating health and fitness as part of your wedding preparation is that the benefits linger well beyond the big day itself…

• Commit to your health and fitness, but ensure that it’s a positive and enjoyable experience – that way, you’ll be far more likely to stick with it long after your wedding date comes and goes.
• Use your new exercise routine as a form of relaxation and stress release, particularly as the big day draws closer.
• Be sure to enjoy the social celebrations in the lead up; it’s a great time to develop your sense of equilibrium instead of feeling guilty every time you are offered a glass of bubbly. Don’t eat and drink everything in sight though – be picky and select only the foods you know you are going to love and savour.
• Above all, aim to be the best version of yourself on the day, not a carbon copy of someone you’ve seen in a magazine. It’s your day to shine, and your uniqueness is the reason why you are standing there in the first place!

Image courtesy of Équilibre

Thank you so much Nic and Pascal! I love Nic’s advice of aiming to be the best version of yourself on your wedding day. If you are looking for a leg up in your workout routine or nutritional program, Équilibre offer wonderful specialised coaching programs to give you the tools to get you where you want to be. I am implementing small pieces of their program into my lifestyle as I go along and love that it is a no nonsense, sensible approach.

Remember that whatever you do when it comes to your health and fitness, it should be a lifestyle choice and not a quickie fix and at the end of the day the person standing at the end of the aisle loves you just as you are. Right now.

For us, no Christmas is the same without seafood of some kind. As we were having a casual Christmas dinner beside the pool, it just made sense to be a little less formal and to let our guests help themselves from a platter of seafood. In the end it made the meal even more simple and fun and we ended up with a tapas style meal which our guests loved.

I thought I would share the recipe that I found in December issue of Donna Hay magazine and adapted slightly to use on Christmas Day. I hope you get a chance to try it this summer and enjoy it as much as we did. Perhaps even this weekend

CHILLI AND GREEN PEPPERCORN BUTTERED PRAWNS
Serves 6-8 as an entree or 10-12 as tapas style dining

1.5kg large whole green prawns
1 lemon, halved

Chilli and green peppercorn butter
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon sea salt flakes
1 tablespoon green peppercorns
2 long green chillis, finely chopped (or red chillis are fine too)
2 cloves garlic, crushed
200g butter, softened

To make the chilli and green peppercorn butter, place the fennel seeds and salt in a mortar and pestle bowl and grind until smooth. Add the peppercorns, chilli, garlic and butter and mix until combined. Divide between two bowls (one for serving and one for cooking).

Thread the prawns onto skewers. Preheat a chargrill pan or barbeque over high heat. Add the skewers and cook for 3-4 minutes each side, brushing with one portion of the butter made earlier. Keep cooking, brushing and turning until prawns are cooked through.

While the prawns are cooking, place the two cut lemons flesh side down on the grill to cook and caramelize.

Remove prawns from skewers and serve on a platter with lemon halves and remaining butter.

Bon appetite! Have a great weekend!

When I started my photography business in 2008 and then went full time in 2009, I was told by what seemed like everyone in the industry that this was a job that was going to be a labour of love and I wouldn’t see any profit for at least 3-5 years. Despite this, I managed to create a workflow that saw me streamline my business to a point where I was profiting in my second year of business – just shy of what I was making in my previous office job – without having gone into debt and without shooting 50 weddings a year.

Running a business (and especially a photography business) is not all black and white. While I don’t profess to have all the answers, I have learned from my mistakes and I am ready to share these lessons with other photographers looking to start their own business in either weddings or portraits or help those that are looking to really hone their skills.

So, with that I am so pleased to finally announce that from January 2012, I am offering Mentor Sessions!! Depending on what it is that you are wanting to know about running a successful photography business and how in depth you want to get, there are three options at the moment for these sessions for photographers from a full day, half day or phone/video chat consult for those with just a few questions.

Send me an email to get all the details and pricing and to book your mentor session. As my wedding and portrait clients are my primary concern, there will only be a couple of mentor sessions available per month and only 5 Photography 101 sessions available per year and with a wait list already I encourage you to book quickly.

It was a conversation with a bride a few months ago that actually sparked this concept of the Summer Series 2012. She had just begun searching for a dress and was feeling discouraged as the salespeople were expecting her to just tell them exactly what she wanted when all she wanted was for someone to step in and guide her to her perfect dress for her personality, wedding style and body type. I couldn’t help but empathise as my own experience in wedding dress shopping was less than enjoyable and something I just wanted to finish as soon as I started it.

Katie offers a bespoke service to her brides which sounds like a wonderful experience. Her gowns are exquisite and I am so pleased she took a moment to answer some of my questions. I’ve been intrigued by the concept of creating a custom gown and have seen a few of my own brides go down this path themselves to really inject a little more of their own personality into their day. We were fortunate to work together last winter on a project when I was able to see and photograph her work up close and they are as beautiful in person as they look on film.

All images by Angela Higgins

How and when did you begin designing wedding dresses?

My journey began almost 20 years ago! I was always interested in fashion design and dress making and completed 2 weeks work experience at Silk’n’Satin bridal shop in Subiaco. I was blessed with the opportunity to work with the amazing designer Marie Perry-Watson. Her back ground was in theatre, ballet and made to measure. She took me under her wing and I haven’t looked back.

Where do you get your inspiration from when you begin designing a new dress?

My inspiration is driven by the person wearing the gown, their personality, style and how they aspire to look and feel both inside and out, on their special day. I’m also entranced and enchanted by the vast array of stunning materials available both nationally and internationally. Quite often I will start with a design and get excited about all the options that present as the dress comes to life. I love reflecting on the history of design as it unveils the secrets of bygone eras, when women dressed beautifully from head to toe.

What trends do you see for the 2011/12 wedding season here in Australia? What is getting you excited?

I’m very happy to see lace is still strong, hem lines are long and ladies are exploring beautiful necklines!

Why should a bride consider coming to you for a custom experience rather than buying off the rack at a big chain store?

Having a bespoke gown made at Loui Col is a special treat, for a special day. I want my girls to enjoy the whole experience from start to finish. I aim to understand each bride individually and support a creative environment where we can explore beautiful designs, laces and materials. They are involved in the whole process. My brides look forward to their visits as each new fitting brings their dress to life. It is a wonderful space for the bride to either come by herself for her own personal experience or to share it with mums and friends.

When should a bride begin to look for her dress and when should she have bought a dress in relation to her wedding date?

When she is ready! For a customized Loui Col Design the construction process starts 3 months prior to the wedding. Most girls will meet with us 9-12 months before to book their dates and from there we use this time to work on designs and chose the perfect lace, silks and trims. I don’t believe that process should go on and on, I don’t know anyone who really wants to choose a dress 12 months before wearing it. We are women! We change our minds!

What is the average cost your brides are investing in their wedding gowns?

Every gown is costed according to the lace, trims, materials and time that will go into creating the perfect bespoke piece.

Do you have any advice or tips you could offer brides when shopping for their wedding gowns.

Find the right person to work with. You have to be confident that ideas and designs are going to work for you. Follow your heart and trust what really inspires you. Don’t always follow trends, check them out, admire them but be guided by what suits you and your day!

Stick to a classic design and incorporate your own elements whether they are vintage, spunk, elegance or a modern feel. Be careful not to be influenced by others if they have particularly strong feelings as how ‘they’ think you should look.

How can brides be fashion forward (or even draw inspiration from the past) without ending up with a style that will date badly?

Keep it simple look for gowns and designs to suit you and your wedding day. You want your gown to be a family heirloom, to be passed down and admired. You don’t want to be experimenting with ‘something different’ on your wedding day!

How do wedding dress fashion rules differ from everyday fashion rules? Such as avoiding cropped jackets if you’re short in stature. Are there different things to keep in mind when shopping for your dress?

The wonderful experience of having a gown made to fit you is getting the proportions correct. So often I have girls saying ‘I love this idea but I can’t wear that style’. A lot of the time we can wear it when it is fitted correctly.

ATTIRE ETIQUETTE

After the wedding day, how should the dress be care for and stored?

Dry cleaned is always recommended and then boxed accordingly. I am lucky enough to have mine on display! Why not if you have somewhere in your home to have it on display?! In the coming months Loui Col Designs will be displaying some of our gorgeous brides wedding dresses in our shop window with their wedding photos! We all like to see real brides on their day with their special glow to highlight everything.

Why is it important for guests to follow the dress codes given by the bride and groom? I.e., black tie, semi formal, cocktail.

The dress code compliments the scene and atmosphere that the bride and groom are creating for their special day. We must respect this. I always tend to think that it’s always better to be over dressed, than under dressed!

Can a guest ever wear white to a wedding?

Ah, I’ve mixed feeling about that one. With so many wonderful colours in our world why would you chance it? I had my beautiful bridesmaids in all the same ivory silk as my own gown, assuming that my guests would all wear colours. This way my whole bridal party had the opportunity to shine with us!

I have been so inspired lately by the trends in wedding gowns, especially after all the royal weddings in 2011 and was so pleased to find out from Katie what her thoughts were where trends are going and how a bride could go about creating her wedding gown while having a great experience.

If you’re just starting the pilgrimage to finding your perfect wedding gown, definitely have a chat with Katie at Loui Col Designs about her made to measure wedding and evening gowns. Katie just opened her new studio storefront at 7/14 Money St, Perth and would love to hear from you!

I’d love to hear your thoughts and stay tuned for the next installment of Summer Series.