Today I’m happy to have one of Australia’s best known shopaholics- Kellie from Never Shopped Out. Kellie’s site is like an encyclopedia for Aussie shoppers. Never Shopped Out features a directory of online stores, discounts, a rundown of international shipping agents, Australian Etsy sellers, sale calendars and even a blog! Kellie joins Polka Dot Bride today to talk about her favourite online wedding finds!

As you can probably tell from Never Shopped Out, I love a good shop. So when my (then) boyfriend popped the question, I was pretty eager to start bridal shopping in all its many varied forms.

One of my plans of attack when it came to wedding shopping was to not limit myself JUST with bridal stores. There were a few reasons for this:

- Its common knowledge that the word ‘wedding’ can raise the price of things. And okay, I have heard that you shouldn’t tell suppliers it’s for a wedding but I have never understood how that works in practice. ‘Uh hello, yes I would like a white cake with a bride and groom on it for a christening please’?? And unfortunately, weddings are romantic, but debt is not.

- Particularly for my bridesmaid’s dresses, I was interested in a fairly non traditional look. Interestingly enough throughout my research I did discover that the stereotypical ‘bridesmaids’ style is NOT all you can find in a bridal store these days which was a lovely surprise, but I’m still glad I researched dresses in general.

Silk Winter Maxi by Honey & Beau from Gosh Celebrity Fashion

- It’s easy to get caught up in the whole wedding tizz and start to think that if you don’t have napkins of the exact shade of ecru then your wedding day will be ruined. Especially when certain rouge elements of the bridal industry start plying you with the pressure. Trust me, it won’t. Hell, we forget our reception speech, had a car crash occur during the ceremony and I dropped chocolate soufflé on my dress during dessert. And not one of these things ruined my day. By mixing up my bridal forays with non-wedding stores, I managed to hold my own and walk out with my head high when I started to feel pressured.

So please find below a selection of my favourite online non traditional bridal retailers that you can find some gorgeous dresses, shoes, accessories and the like for your wedding! And the best bit? They’re all Australian stores!

Dresses

Viva La Frock – http://www.vivalafrock.com.au/ Frocks for every occasion and style. (Never Shopped Out Members also receive an extra 15% off their order!)

Frockshop – http://www.frockshop.com.au/main.php?mod=Lobby if you’ve got the budget (or perhaps a small wedding party) Frockshop stocks an excellent array of Australian and international designer dresses. This is my favourite Australian site for droolworthy designs.

Gosh Celebrity Fashion - http://www.goshcelebrityfashion.com.au/ – Gosh Celebrity Fashion have just added a new section called Red Carpet fashion, where you can get the latest red carpet looks for a fraction of the price

Madaboochoo – http://www.madaboochoo.com.au/ plenty of cocktail and black tie dresses to check out

Mien Boutique - http://www.mienboutique.com.au/ - stocks the incredibly gorgeous designer Thurley which, in my humble opinion would make divine bridesmaids dresses. (Never Shopped Out Members also get an extra 10% off)

Cultured fresh water white pearl earrings from Roun

Accessories

Etsy.com – one of my all time favourites just plug in the colour or material type and site back and enjoy the huge range of gorgeous options you will be presented with!

Mico – Mico - http://www.mico-mico.com/ - beautiful range of accessories, many are celeb faves. (Never Shopped Out Members also get an extra 15% off)

Ella Bleau - http://www.ellableaujewellery.com.au/

Jenny Mills Jewellery - http://jennymillsjewellery.com.au/index.html

Roun - http://www.roun.com.au/

Shoes

Princess Chic - http://www.princesschic.com.au/ - check out the Princess Chic collection

Tony Bianco – http://www.tonybianco.com.au/ always has strappy sandals instore, Sign up for the Tony Bianco VIP Club for 10% off all purchases

Schiavi http://www.schiavi.com.au/ - stunning evening shoes made from Italian leather

Thanks Kellie for sharing your favourite shopping sites with Polka Dot Bride! You can find more of Kellie’s finds (and a whole lot more!) at her site Never Shopped Out

Augusta Jones Godiva

Felicity of All Things Bright & Beautiful emailed me a few weeks ago to let me know she’d be interviewing Charlotte Leung, the head designer at bridal label Augusta Jones.

Charlotte founded Augusta Jones in 1999 (named after her cat). She who was born to a Danish mother and a British Chinese father and started her career as a banker! After stepping into the fashion industry, she opened her own bridal boutique in Hong Kong and was unable to find what she wanted for her store- the label Augusta Jones was born!. Charlotte now divides her time between London and Hong Kong.

Augusta Jones retails throughout Europe, America & Australasia. The designs are made to fulfil three basic requirements: beautiful styling; flexibility of the range to suit a variety of shapes; and affordability. The definition? Clean lines with a twist!

L-R Augusta Jones Isola, Lourdes, Seabreeze

I love this range of gowns- modern but oh so elegant with the flowing fabrics and subtle details. Perfect for the bride who is all about simple, beautiful style.

When asked what inspired the current collection, Charlotte said

‘Our current collection is very much inspired by a more fluid, relaxed and carefree style. In many ways it reminds me of the 70’s when fashion was quite individual and seemed to be more playful. Bold diamante broaches are used to pull up trains and tie halter straps. There is plenty of movement in the designs.
These gowns are made in soft chiffons, crepes and chameuse with Chantilly lace layered at hemlines. They are perfect for beach/yacht and garden/vineyard weddings. We also have beautifully tailored pieces using mikado and silk duchess satin with plenty of attention focused on the cut and therefore seam lines to accentuate the body. Here the styles incorporate what we became known for early on – our corsets that accentuate smaller waistlines."

You can read the full interview with Charlotte on All Things Bright & beautiful here

Stockists of Augusta Jones gowns in Australia are Marry Me Bridal - Mosman, Sydney, Afective Bridal & Formal Wear, Preston Victoria

For international stockists, check out the website

I stumbled across this gorgeous wedding on Offbeat Bride and had to share. Check out more pics and info on her entry or on the bride’s blog. But yes, that is a polka dot gown! Her bouquet? why it was made of none other than buttons! Love the creativity!

While there I also spotted the wedding of Kristel you can read her blog here she wore the Maggie Sottero I previously posted about in white! Check out more images here

Photos by Maloman Photographers

Straight from the runways of New York, I’m loving these looks!

L-R Vera Wang, Vera Wang, Oscar De la Renta

L-R Oscar De La Renta, Badgely Mischka

Images from Nymag.com

I posted last year about Oroton’s lovely crystal clutches which are perfect for your wedding day goodies. Today Oroton unveiled their ‘Design Your Own’ Bespoke Range.

Made with Crystallized Swarovski Elements, you’re able to choose the clutch design, crystal colour, chain style and length. The bag can even have a nameplate engraved with your own message. The best part is you can go through the process online and the bag (with over 1,600 Swarovski Crystals) will be handcrafted for you in Germany and delivered to your door.

Priced at $AU1450 it may be out of the range of buying one for each of your bridesmaids, but may be the perfect wedding gift to yourself! (Or perhaps the perfect anniversary gift from a husband to his wife!)

Here’s my creation.

It features

Steven Khalil first fell in love with couture while watching Princess Diana walk down that long aisle. That was him at age six, at 17 he started working for a couture house and some years later began his own label.

He uses traditional practices to drape fabrics, fitting and lace appliqués creating a well made classic and simple gown. Operating out of one of Paddington’s terrace houses in Sydney, he offers a friendly yet comprehensive approach to design.

New collections are released biannually and his gowns are sought after by brides wanting a stunning unique gown for their wedding day. I loft the soft clean lines and feminine yet womanly features of his designs.

Steven Khalil
2 Gurner St
Paddington NSW
Phone: 02 9380 7547

I of course, am still in love with a coloured wedding shoe. So here are some to inspire you! This are the glorious work of Christian Louboutin and are available at Net A Porter

Christian Louboutin Very Prive pumps, Christian Louboutin Very Noeud slingbacks, Pedro Garcia Leslie satin pumps, Olivia Morris Eden satin slingback, Pedro Garcia Kelly Satin peep toe pumps, Christian Louboutin Rosazissimo satin sandals

The back of Sonia’s wedding gown is exquisite. She wore the Galleria Couture when she wed Tristan in Subiaco, WA.

Captured by the lovely Jennifer of Anna Rose Photography

Flowergirl Gardenia Parasol, Monogram Parasol

I was so excited when the lovely Kathryn of Pink Frosting emailed me to tell me she’s now stocking Pamela’s Parasols. I love a pretty parasol for a spring or summer wedding and Pamela’s Parasols are gorgeous!

Pamela’s Parasols are hand-painted, hand-embroidered and hand made and are now available to Aussie Brides!

Grandma’s Pearls Parasol, Fifi Parasol

Pamela’s Parasols are the creation of Pamela Ann Noxon, a wedding designer and event producer hailing from the USA.  Her work has been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings and Esquire Magazine.

The parasols feature gorgeous details like pearls and seashells, feathers, beads and flowers and can even include a monogram in your choice of colour!

The quality of the parasols is ensured with only the highest quality rice paper and bamboo used and each being thoroughly inspected before shipment.

Check them out at Pink Frosting and tell me which one you’d choose!

I was reading recently how Aussie brides are shunning the white wedding dress and turning to colour for their big day.

I love love love a bride in colour! It’s such a great expression of oneself and a beautiful way to feel and look unique!

Wildberry Photography loves brides in colour so much- Vanessa dedicates a whole section to coloured brides on her website.

Here are some of my faves of hers (I especially love the matching veils, it takes the gown from a formal ballgown to sassy, chic bride!).

Bride Lauren & Bride Bec

Kim at Parisian Events recently noted how black bridal gowns are all the vogue in France and Australian bridal designer Mariana Hardwick has even designed a few darker toned gowns in her latest ‘Garden Of Earthly Designs’ collection which you can also in my chocolate & grey inspiration board.

If you’re not quite brave enough to go for a full on colour like those above, a pastel variation on a colour can also work. A soft mint green, a baby pink or a soft blue can all bring colour to the gown while still looking like a traditional bride.

Are you going for white or colour? What are your reasons?