Photo by Sarah Wood Photography

Bride, Snapshot Sundays | Comments 0

Ellie & Jon

 The historic Ripponlea in Melbourne has to be one of my favourite backdrops with so many incredible spaces to explore and what a location for engagement photos!

There is so much to explore and together with their photographer Kylee of Kytography , Ellie and Jon made the most of it for their engagement photographs! The pair married in New York in March.

Of how they met, Ellie recalls “My first memory of Jonathan was at a university ball. He was a major geek and I didn’t really think I would ever see or let alone talk to him again. However after the ball he started appearing everywhere I went, as if out of thin air – at the uni cafes, the uni libraries (both the main AND law libraries), the uni carpark, and even in my lectures!”

Jonathan remembers, “My first memory of Ellie was seeing her asleep on the couch at the same university ball. How could I resist such grace? I was infatuated with her and naturally as I was studying law I started to do my due diligence on her. ”

Ellie remarks, “Jonathan is very patient, kind, generous and helpful. He is nice not only to me but to everyone else.”

Jonathan notes, “Ellie is a very loyal person. Show her genuine kindness and you will have made a friend for life. Going hand in hand with this is her very determined, driven and stylish sense of self. When she sets her mind to something she’ll make it happen, all whilst carrying herself with a sense of fashionable style and grace.”

Their proposal story goes a little something like this. “About a year ago Jonathan and Ellie decided to take a last minute 6 week trip to Europe. Towards the end of the holiday Jonathan and Ellie actually took a ‘sidetrip’ to New York City. Ellie had always wanted to go to NYC. The trip was organized last minute and Ellie had no idea that Jonathan was going to propose.

But Jonathan had a plan. First, he fabricated a story whereby he casually started mentioning that his friend was in town. After a few days, this then turned into the friend wanting to take the both of them out to lunch, and that he would send his ‘driver’ to pick them up in his stretch limo. Riding around in a limo in NYC was always one of Ellie’s fantasies as she is a closet lover of the teen drama TV show ‘Gossip Girl’.

However, Hurricane Irene had actually just rolled through New York City and had left behind some torrential rain for the day that this ‘lunch’ was supposed to take place. Jonathan’s months of planning was now in ruin, as the carefully selected Rockefeller Center rooftop garden where he planned to propose had now become a rooftop swimming pool. Jonathan madly tried to stop the plan he had put in motion and cancelled everything. He was largely successful, but couldn’t cancel the stretch limo that he had ordered. Craftily, Jonathan instructed the driver to pretend that the friend sent his apologies and that he could not make the lunch.”

“As an apology Jonathan and Ellie could use his driver as they pleased, so they ended up driving around NYC for 2 hours just for the fun of it! Jonathan eventually managed to reschedule his planned surprise. He stuck with his story of his friend wanting to have lunch, but Ellie was so annoyed at the previous cancelled lunch that she refused to go. Improvising, Jonathan told Ellie that his friend had booked a ‘private tour’ of the Rockefeller Center for them. That managed to get her out the door.

All trip long she had wanted to visit the Top of The Rock but Jonathan always managed to come up with an excuse. As they arrived at the Rockefeller Center they were greeted at a private entrance, and were shown to a private lift to the rooftop garden. When they stepped out, Ellie said “Errrr, what is this? This ain’t the Rockefeller center! We need to go to level 38 not level 8! We must be in the wrong place!” Jonathan calmly but firmly ushered Ellie out on to the rooftop and in to the beautiful sunshine. It was then and there that Jonathan knelt down on his knee and said some magical words that only he will ever know, as Ellie was so stunned that she couldn’t hear a thing.

When she recovered of course said yes, but when she regained her senses she said ‘but I really wanted to go to the 38th floor!” ”

Australia - Victoria, Bride, Inspired Weddings | Comments 1

I am really in love with vintage posters like the Cinzano one from Art.com I used to inspire today’s inspiration board. It conjures up a cosy intimate setting with plenty of candle light, plenty of good food and good wine (and please let there be lots of cheese!).

I love that using a poster like this as your inspiration can introduce bold combinations and dramatic details – red bridesmaid gowns, big, gorgeous veils and bright Autumn toned floral arrangements. I envisage plenty of foodie touches too- cheese wheels instead of cake, jars of olives, bottles of red wine, a bare table filled with bread sticks and boards of charcuterie.

Cizano poster from Art.com, bouquet from Floret Flowers, Red dress photo by Jen Huang via Reverie Magazine, cheese wedding cake from Formaggi Othello, bride photo by Lauren Kinsey via Snippet & Ink, Table setting photo by  Braedon Photography via One Hope Weddings, Menu photo by Robin O’Neill Photography, via Style Me Pretty, Couple photo from Martha Stewart Weddings, olive jars from Camilla Styles

Bride, Inspiration Boards | Comments 0

Great Gatsby Destination Fiji Wedding Photo by Tamiz Photography

There has been a noticeable shift in fashion and trends with the release (and pending release in Australia) of The Great Gatsby. Art-deco inspired gowns and stationary, a hark back to glamour and opulence, with embellished jewellery and strings of pearls. We’ve loved seeing it all roll in, and, of course, drooling over the star’s fashion on the red carpet! I myselft don’t have the hips for the 20′s style (girls with curves will understand my morbid fear of the drop-waist), however it’s a style that screams sophistication and gives a wonderful rebellious nod to gender ambiguity in the cut.

This week, we’ve launched a new series on Polka Dot Groom (welcome Mr Herringbone and his culinary skills!), and we’ve shared some fabulous weddings, advice and DIYs. If you missed anything, or just want a refresh – here’s the weekly roundup of our specialty blogs!

This Week On Polka Dot Weddings

Polka Dot Weddings is the blog where real brides write about their weddings and share their experiences. Inspiration abounds so click on each image to read more.

1.Real Wedding – Great Gatsby Destination Wedding 2. Real Bride Advice - Inspired Words – Celeste 3. Real Journey – Our “First Look” in Fiji4. Real Wedding –  Megan & Carl’s WEdding Video  5. Sneak Peek – Your Wedding Cake

This Week On Polka Dot Wisdom

Polka Dot Wisdom is a treasure trove of advice, news and wedding planning tips! Written by wedding professionals you could almost plan your whole wedding by following this, the wisest of all blogs! Click on the images to read more.

1.What Would They Know - Katie Colgan of Loui Col Designs 2.Vendor’s Favourites – Diamond Love Collections 3. Event Review – Watson’s Bay Boutique Hotel Launch Brunch 4.Polkadot Office - April 2013 

This Week On Polka Dot Made

Polka Dot Made is your source for all things handmade including weekly DIY projects to make for your wedding or engagement.

1. Etsy Roundup – Cool Cosmetics 2. Tuesday Type – Wishes Script 3. DIY – The Professionals – Ruth from Felt Foxes 4. DIY Tutorial - Ombre Metallic Vase Tutorial 5 Cocktail Friday – QT Sydney Hotel’s Espresso Martini 

This week on Polka Dot Honeymoons

The wedding is over, the dust has settled and now it’s time to get away from it all! Find resort reviews, inspiration and real honeymoons every week on Polka Dot Honeymoons.

1. Hotel Review – QT Hotel Sydney 2. Polkadot Travel Lounge – Naomi From SALT Retreats 

This week on Polka Dot Groom

Polka Dot Groom is dedicated to all things groom. Inspiration, advice and style for the Australian groom.

1. The Dish – With Mr Herringbone - Rare Roast Beef & Asparagus Crostini  2. Inspired Memories – Luke 3. Real Groom Style – Rob

What’s in a name? Well, the team at Photographs by Pavlina Matt have made the change to Shy Fox Photography, as it’s not just Pav that takes the pics anymore, and they really liked the name!  Check out their lovely new website for more info!

Fi Fy Fo Fum Designs has just launched a fab new website (so much lovely colour!). A place to find great designs for all your wedding stationery, and to celebrate, they are offering one lucky Polkadot Bride reader a $250 voucher!

To enter simply leave a comment below and tell us, in 25 words or less, what you would use the voucher for!  Entries close next Thursday 30 May 2013.

Who doesn’t love a sale? This Saturday only (May 25), Henry Roth is having a huge sale, with up to 80% off wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses!
Doors Open at 9am Sharp at the Henry Roth Sydney Design Studio Level 2, 87 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010

We’re excited to share a fab new service just launched by the lovely Alicia of Akimbo!  Called the Clever Hello Club, it’s a monthly subscription service where stationery lovers receive two greeting cards every month. It’s a super convenient way to always have a stash of quirky cards on hand for engagements, weddings and all of life’s occasions, plus it also makes a wonderful gift for the newlyweds!

Subscribers must join by the 1st of the month for the shipment that goes out on the 15th of each month.

You can find more information and join up at the Akimbo website!

Sports Celebrity Alert! Today we bring you the gorgeous wedding of Anthony Watmough from the Manly Sea Eagles to his beautiful lady Elle McLeod, courtesy of the good folks at Soda Films.

 

Blog News, Bride | Comments 2