We just ADORE vintage weddings! Teacups infused with antique detail, pearls, classic frocks... we have a love affair with memorabilia of all kinds! Repurposing so many things to create your look is just ingenious. Your local markets, garage sales and op shops are great places to find all sorts of hidden treasures. Plus, a vintage wedding theme allows you to take the beauty and elegance from the past whilst cashing in on savings by picking up second hand items!

Image By Thierry Boudan Photography

But when it comes to styling this increasingly popular wedding theme, so much is dependent upon the decorations, props and linen. The Wedding Designer have recently opened a creative space in Wickham for brides to visit and be inspired, seek help, and browse their wide range of vintage hire products. 

Even if you’ve hand picked your own detail and just need someone skilled (and trusted!) to set up on your big day, The Wedding Designer can cover this. On the contrary, if kicking back and letting someone else take the reigns is your thing, you can engage The Wedding Designer for a full design service with on the day installation.

Image By Thierry Boudan Photography

We met with business owner Jessica Coleman, to discuss her new venture.

“We’ve spoken with so many brides who’ve dreamed of a vintage wedding but just don’t know how to execute the design, afraid they’d create more confusion than vintage loveliness! We will be hosting Thursday evening workshops from the month of June to assist brides in creating their masterpiece. Dates and topics will be posted on our Facebook page.“

June’s focus workshop topic will be ‘The Bridal Table’.

Image By Thierry Boudan Photography

We asked The Wedding Designer team what they enjoy most about their work.

“We never do the same wedding twice. We love tailoring a concept that is going to bring out the bride and groom’s personal story and life together! We also focus on getting all the guests involved in the celebration and having the bride and groom invest in items they will keep forever!”

Image By Thierry Boudan Photography

A few tips if you’re considering a vintage wedding theme...

1. Don’t be too fussy. Remember that vintage styling can look most effective if each table is slightly different and mis-­?matched.
2. Intricate lace will give almost anything a vintage touch and you can mimic the same lace pattern in a variety of places – your wedding gown, invitation edging, wedding cake fondant...
3. Combine contemporary articles with vintage ones for a timeless look.
4. Follow through on your vintage wedding theme with a timeless wedding shoot. Look for a rustic setting and be sure to include antique props!
5. When it comes to vintage wedding decor, remember that less is more.

The Wedding Designer offers unique and individual design consultation on boutique weddings. The philosophy behind The Wedding Designer is simple: If you want something different, they will source, buy, or create all of those unique touches to transform your day. The Wedding Designer are passionate about making your designing experience fun, and more affordable!

Could you love these wedding decorations more? Share with us your vintage wedding ideas!

From The Newcastle Bride Team

Something old. Something new. Something borrowed. Something blue. We all know the rhyme but do you know where the tradition comes from? There are lots and lots of traditions and customs that go into a wedding day and you will probably incorporate many of them, even if you don’t think of yourself as being “traditional”.

Something old represents a link to the bride’s family.
Something new represents good fortune and success in the couple’s new life.
Something borrowed represents family and friends who are there to support the couple.
Something blue is a symbol of faithfulness and loyalty.

So now you know! Some of the other common wedding traditions are…

Wedding Ring. In many cultures, the wedding ring is worn on the fourth finger of the left hand because it was once thought that a vein in that finger led directly to the heart.

Flower girls drop petals as they walk down the aisle is to ensure the new couple will have many chances to have children.

Image By Adams Photography

Carrying a horseshoe or a bouquet in the shape of one is considered lucky for the bride, but only if the horseshoe is carried with the open end up so the luck does not ‘fall out'.

The groom will always stand on the right during the wedding ceremony, with his bride on the left. This tradition dates back to a time when the groom might fight off other men for his bride so he would hold his bride with on his left arm and use his right hand to swing his sword.

Tossing the bridal bouquet is closely linked to throwing the bridal garter and comes from the idea that any item from a bride’s dressage is lucky.

There are so many more wedding traditions and they can differ between cultures. If you know an interesting wedding tradition and how it came about, share it with us here!

From The Newcastle Bride Team

We all know that planning weddings can bring out the best and the worst in people, especially those around us! Intruding family members can become a huge burden on a bride-to-be, which is the last thing they need when planning their wedding. However, there is a way to overcome a nosey mother-in-law or an interfering sister before packing your bags to elope!

Family members will always have their own opinions of what your wedding should be, and these will not always work with your view of your dream wedding. This will always result in a conflict where someone's feelings may get hurt or regrettable things may get said. Although your family members may only be trying to help you, they are unaware of the amount of stress you are under, and a small annoyance can become a major issue if not attended to properly.

In order to deal with intruding family members, you should consider the following three things:

1. Be clear from the start of the level of involvement for family members with regards to the wedding. Make sure everyone around you knows what is expected, and most importantly, what is not.
2. Discuss any issues you may be experiencing. Actually sitting down in a relaxed atmosphere will allow you and your family to communicate your issues and express your concerns without conflict or family fallouts. Remember that they love you. It is ok to speak up as long as it is done with respect.
3. The most important thing to remember is - they are not getting married, you are! Be sure to tell family members that fact as although it may sound obvious, when a wedding is involved, people's judgment may become cloudy and autopilot may take over. Be sure to do it tactfully and not shout it out in a heated argument! Calming mention that this is what you had in mind for the big day and that you really appreciate the suggestions, but want to keep the vision in perspective.

How do you get along with your in-laws and your husband-to-be's family?

From The Newcastle Bride Team

Newcastle Bride is an exciting online source of Australian wedding and bridal news and our weekly blog will be just like your online bridesmaid. A bridesmaid waiting in the wings to give you the best advice and inspiration to organise your dream wedding day. And you don’t need to buy us a dress!

Our wedding blog is a must read for every bride-to-be but we don’t just write for the brides (and grooms). This wedding blog will be a bridal goldmine for anyone taking part in the big day.

So what will be we blogging about? We’ll be blogging about weddings of course! There will be tips and hints on planning your own dream wedding, bridal fashion and wedding trends from around the world plus spotlights on bridal services around Newcastle, Hunter Valley, and Central Coast regions.

Image by April Werz Photography

We’ll be featuring weddings that will inspire you and inviting you to share your own advice and experiences with other brides. And there will be competitions!

Don’t forget to check back every week to see what’s new in the world of weddings.

 

From The Newcastle Bride Team