Editor of Australian bridal magazine Real Weddings, Kirsten Mackelden is doing a series on 9am with David & Kim on the tips and tricks of weddings

Bride Guide: The Rings

Bride Guide: The Dress

Kirsten has two more episodes to go in the series, so I will update this post with links soon!

Speaking of Real Weddings, this gorgeous Australian magazine just took out magazine of the year for the second year in the row at the Bell Publishing Awards!

I was a little amused Lorraine Sanabria Robertson, also known as “Wifey” sent me a copy of her book (released September 20) recently- the title was one that struck me as soon as I saw it.

Help! I’m A Newlywed…What Do I Do Now? Is a guide for the brides who are struggling with their life after the wedding. As she points out - so much of the past year or so is caught up with napkin colours, dresses and shoes, that sometimes after it’s over there is a big empty space. I have seen so many brides fall into a slump after the wedding- often called “wedding withdrawal”. Wifey offers suggestions on how to cope with this and good tips to get through it.

The book is written with humour and wit, although I do sense some might be put offside by the connotations of the role of the ‘new wife’. It does offer reassurance, especially for couples who haven’t lived together before marriage and offers advice to help adjust to life together.

Post wedding details aren’t forgotten and these are addressed early on in the book (something often not talked about is what you have to do after the wedding day!).

Wifey explicitly states you may not agree with everything in the book- in fact she promotes that. But what she is giving you is tips and tricks that may help you get through the kinks and come out the other side.

The book is dotted throughout with the thoughts of real brides- they contradict each other at times which is refreshing. As Wifey says, her book is simply a guide and every couple will be different in their needs, desires and relationship.

‘Ease into it’ says Alison, married for twelve years on taking on the role of a wife. ‘I think a lot of women start power-tripping like “I am the wife what I say goes”. Treat him with respect always. Never take him for granted’.

In the end- the book is promoting a happy healthy marriage and in that case- I’m all for it!

Help! I’m A Newlywed….What Do I Do Now? can be purchased from the Ask Wifey website (you can also check out a myriad of other content there including two of Wifey’s blogs) or from Amazon

Australians- don’t forget to pick up the latest copy of Madison for a little bridal spread.

I particularly loved designer Fleur Wood’s long weekend wedding which saw guests celebrating together in Sri Lanka. Plus there is a particularly delicious looking cocktail I believe I will have to experiment with on Polka Dot Bride.

Check out Girl With A Satchel for a comprehensive review!

It’s been a little while since I’ve done one of these, but with the storm of wedding magazines hitting the newsagents (and my credit card) I thought it was time for another “Wedding Magazine Roundup” This time purely home grown! All magazines today are Australian!

Bride To Be May-July 2008

The nautical inspired cover brings dashes of ‘bling’ and big day beauty tips. Inside the world of jeweller Kerry Rocks. Pages of bridesmaid inspiration and vintage style (Vintage Follies). The editorial fashion pages focus heavily on simple styles with adornments.

Best Bits

• The Love Birds styled feature. Great inspiration for those with a bird theme wedding
• New Traditions article. How different couples incorporated their own traditions into the wedding style.
• Alex’s Diary The diary of All Saints star Alex Davies wedding planning journey.

Creative Weddings Issue 9

The last issue under founding editor Lauren Marks Crennan who is going forward with her own business (Pink Peony). This issue features DIY projects using tin buckets and pyramid boxes. Euro chic fashion editorial shows off gowns which have a high fashion flare. A feature of pure white cakes rounds out this issue.

Best Bits

• How To Theme A Wedding article
• Seaside Splendour styled feature
• Contemporary wedding bouquets feature

Real Weddings Issue 13

It’s been a long wait for new Real Weddings goodness, but this issue is jam packed with real life weddings and inspiration. An added extra this issue features editor Kirsten Mackeldan hitting the kitchen to prepare for her friend’s engagement party. The colour inspiration in this issue is black and white.

Best bits

• Valley Of Plenty The wedding of Ali & Tim was a casual affair with simple, thought out touches.
• Vintage Night A stormy day dawned as Sally & Siva wed in Perth. The bride wore a black ribbon around her waist.
• Operatic Overture The Sydney wedding of Carolyn & Richard is stunning- especially with Carolyn’s beautiful gown featuring small pleats, a bow and a detachable skirt.

Cosmopolitan Bride Best Real Weddings Issue 2008

Cosmopolitan Bride’s Real Wedding Annual is always a treat for the eyes. This one features an elopement in Greece, vintage glamour, tropical beach theme weddings, glitzy weddings, black & red weddings and international celebrations.

Best Bits

• Twist On Tradition The wedding of Aleisha & Michael featuring a stunning black wedding gown with white tulle underneath.
• Hearts Of Gold The wedding of Amy & Adam features brown and gold fifties style gowns for the bridesmaids and the Groom in brown and white wingtip shoes.
• Exotic Beauty The wedding of Priya & Greg was a traditional Hindu ceremony in traditional dress. Definitely a feast for the eyes!

Wedding Style Guide

Wedding Style Guide is full of various features. This issue brings the Top 10 weddings, colour palette predictions, real life weddings, a toaster test and inspiration for pre wedding parties including a book shower.The styled features are a plenty along with a plain paper planning guide at the back of the magazine.

Best Bits

• Ladies & Gentlemen black, yellow and white styling feature.
• Little Bit Country styled feature
• Q&A with Deborah Lloyd, creative director of Kate Spade.

I was so excited last month to receive a copy of Mindy Weiss’ new book The Wedding Book:The Big Book For Your Big Day from her publishers.

Let me tell you, the only reason  this review is so late is because the book is BIG! (485 pages to be exact!)

Mindy Weiss is a wedding planner based in the USA. During her career she’s taken care of many celebrity weddings including The Bachelorette’s Ryan & Trista, Jessica Simpson & Nick Lachey, Heidi Klum & Seal and Gwen Stefani & Gavin Rossdale amongst many others.

I’ve read many wedding planning books. A lot are full of the same facts and are pretty stock standard. So I was a little apprehensive about reading a new one. I didn’t have to worry, Mindy has really written a fantastic wedding planning encyclopedia and it’s a book I would heartily recommend to any bride.

The Wedding Guide is dense with information. The book is divided into sections- First Steps, Laying The Foundation, Making It Beautiful and The Big Event. Within these sections are chapters on such things such as ‘Creating The Look’, ‘Dressing The Men’ and ‘The Nitty Gritty’ All headings which entice the reader to further explore the information contained within. Each chapter is like unwrapping a present- they have many layers and surprises!

The book takes a no nonsense (and no fluff!) approach to planning such a big event and Mindy has left nothing out. From advice on what to stock the bar with to an explanation (with pictures) of gown fabrics, the book covers every detail.

Throughout the book there are ‘Ask Mindy’ question and answer sections, quick tips and information panels which add a personal touch. There are checklists, example schedules, time lines and budget planners. The book can be read cover to cover but is also a great reference guide- able to be opened at any point.

What I enjoyed most about this book was that it focused on the groom as much as the bride. There is no ‘it’s all about you’ aimed at only the bride. Instead it speaks to both the bride and groom with equal importance. Mindy’s writing style is as if you’re sitting with her over a cup of tea getting the right advice (and the odd giggle too!).

Mindy’s book is available now from Amazon- though it should be hitting Aussie stores soon!

Note to Aussie Brides: As with many wedding planning books, do note the differences in US Law and customs to Australia- I.e registering a marriage, changing your name, the rehearsal dinner etc