Bridal

Elegant Celebrations

Weddings of late are becoming more and more about personalisng the event rather than sticking to tradition. As Bride's become more fashion driven, expressing themselves through their gown other aspects such as the reception theme are becoming personal too. For a touch of elegance but a unique theme plan the reception around a holiday you went on, or where you're planning on taking you're hunnymoon.

A french themed reception is perfect if your marrying in a church or garden. Use hues of petal pink and gold to decorate your tables. Place eifelle tower candleholders or miniture towers as your centre peices.

 This theme can be done for simple elegace or stunning celbrations. Whether you want a little or a lot a french theme can create an extravagant or cosey atmosphere for your guests.

 Most bridal gown fabrics will go, especially romantic satins and organzas. Avoid chiffon for the bridal gown as this can look out of place and is more appropriate for a beach wedding.  

                    

Dress your bridesmaids in soft pastel colours in light shades of pink or purple that complement each other. Use a satin or an irridescant chiffon for soft touch.

 

 For another twist on tradition. Instead of throwing you're boquet gather all your single girls together and present them each with a flower from your boquet representing your hope that all of them will find true love and happiness.

The ideas are endless. For a beach wedding try using a Bali theme. Use shells and soft flowers as table decorations. Add touches of soft blues. Annother suggestion is to put on a cocktail party reception rather than a sit-down dinner to keep things fun and light.

Whatever the theme, here are a few tips to remember on your special day:

Pack a polaroid camera to snap a few shots as amazing moments unfold on the day.

Don't overdo your colours. Splashes of the hues you're using is all you need.

Remember less is more. Keep the attention on you and you're hubby. You don't want guests eyes staring at tulle balls at the end of the seat pews instead of you.

Questions? Queries? Vist Hills in Hollywood Rockhampton for expert advice on your bridal and bridesmaid gowns. All gowns pictured above are available to order in sizes 2-32. Bridal gowns can be made in white or ivory and bridesmaids gowns in over 30 colours.

2012 Trends

Wedding trends for 2011 have been all about the volume and frill. The volume and full wedding gown is still in, but trends for 2012 are going to be laden with tulle overlays, appliqué flowers- like “corsages” – large and small. Both tiny three dimensional flowers as well as larger floral clusters will be seen on the bridal gowns of 2012. Asymmetry is still in, with single shoulder dresses as well as intricate draping across the bodice of the bridal gown. Strapless wedding dresses are also definitely in for 2012. Look for a lot of tulle creating volume like spun sugar as well as other ephemeral materials like lace dresses and flowy organza! Lots of textures and dreamy silhouettes. How fun it will to be a bride in 2012!

Are you a bride on a budget?

We are all looking for ways to save money these days, especially when it comes to planning a wedding.

The ultimate goal for many brides is to have the fairytale they have dreamt about for many years and stay within their budget. With the rising costs of everything these days, it seems more and more difficult to accomplish everything your heart as a bride desires, but there are ways to fulfill that dream without going over budget.

The first and foremost task is determining exactly how much you can afford to spend and it is important to remember that it is just one day, yes it is an important day, but not one you want to continue paying the balance on for several years. It’s best to determine the price you want to allot for flowers, venue, catering, music, photography, and attire, also not forgetting how many people you want to invite.

Your head count can be an important number that tends to get overshadowed by other key factors in the planning stages. It is always best to overestimate your guests so that figure is in your budget and you are prepared when the RSVPs start coming into your mailbox. Once the wedding is closer and you find the number of guests is lower, it is always easy to adjust the number with the venue and the caterer then to try and find more money.

Once you have an idea of how much you want to spend in all areas, then you can begin shopping around for all of the necessary elements. It is imperative that you don’t book venues or buy a dress until you have a firm budget. This is a mistake a lot of brides make in the beginning of their engagements. They are overly excited to begin planning and then unfortunately realize they are over budget halfway through the process.

There are many ways to cut corners people never think about during the planning stages. Making small cuts is an easy way to save on your budget without sacrificing your overall goal and they are generally cuts no one will ever notice. For example, choosing a lighter weight paper will not only save your initial cost on invitations, but also save you money on postage. Also, consider a standard size envelope instead of a modern cut, as postage is more expensive on those types of envelopes.

Flowers are in integral part of your wedding, but they can also be a major budget breaker that is forgotten. A recent trend has been to use silk flowers for the larger and accent arrangements and then use fresh flowers for the wedding party and the bridal bouquet. By doing this it helps offset the cost and you aren’t sacrificing a huge detail. Another way to save on your floral budget is to consider using a lot of green accents inside your bouquets. This is a way to really cut the cost and still have your flowers look stunning.

Your photography is probably the single most important factor. It is the one thing you will have for the rest of your life. Many brides cut corners in other areas to free up more money for the photographer because of the value these photographs will always carry. It is important to find a photographer who is going to give you more bang for your buck. For example, choose a photographer with a package who will cover an engagement session, rehearsal, and is willing to be with you the entire day of the wedding. Also, consider hiring a photographer that provides an activity for your guests like a photo booth or a flip-book station. These activities create a fun atmosphere, laughs, and of course lasting memories.

Venues are a tough price to work within, as most have non-negotiable rates. When selecting your venue try to choose one that doesn’t overextend your budget, but accommodates your guest list comfortably. One option to save on the price of a venue is to book at a less expensive time. Saturday bookings tend to have a higher price tag compared to Friday or Sunday bookings. Also, think about considering places that have package deals that you could use for the rehearsal, ceremony, reception and have onsite catering.

There are many ways to stay within your budget while planning your wedding.

These ideas and tips are just small examples of what you can do to save money. If you are really on a tight budget, do a lot of research, talk to friends who have recently planned a wedding, and also look into DIY projects that can save a ton. Either way you go about it, it’s your special day and what you make of it is the memory that will last forever.

2012 Bridal Range available now!

Wedding Reception Games:

Wedding Game (Shoe Game)

by Chris Surdyk
(Shawano, WI)

This is a great ice breaker, and gets everyone involved. I found this game originally browsing youtube and it works great for weddings, anniversaries and engagement parties.

Set two chairs back to back in the middle of the dance floor.

Ask the bridal party to stand about 10' in front of the chairs... brides maids/maid of honor on one side and groomsmen/best man on the other.

Have the bride sit in the chair facing her bridesmaids...then have the groom remove both of the brides shoes.

Have the groom then sit in the other chair facing his groomsmen and remove both of his shoes as well

Trade one shoe each so both the bride and groom have one of each of their shoes.

Now you will announce "This game is to show how much the new Mr./Mrs. John and Jane Doe really know about each other... I will ask you a question and you raise the shoe that you think best fits the answer to the question... alright here's a practice question..."Right now, who has the most cash on them?"

Sometimes you'll see some great hesitation faces like their really not sure, or even better when you ask a question like... "Who wears the pants in the family"... Sometimes the bride will put up her shoe, and the groom will put up his. It's hilarious. You'll get high fives, and the families laughing.

What I did is I watched every video I seen of this game and made up a nice list of questions to ask. Here's my list. Get a pen and paper, and don't be afraid to try this, it's a great way to break the ice at a wedding.

BETWEEN THE TWO OF YOU:

 -who is the biggest flirt

-who made the first move
-who's the better cook
-who said "I LOVE YOU" first
-who has the wackiest family
-who's the better driver
-who's the faster driver
-who spends the most time in front of a mirror
-who is in control of the checkbook
-who is most likely to eat desert for breakfast
-who wears the pants in the family
-who is in charge of the remote
-who spends the most time getting ready to go out
-who will be doing most of the yard work
-if you haven't already... who is most likely to pass gas in front of the other first
-now that you're married, who will be the first to say... "not tonight"
-who's the better kisser
-who will be the first to fall asleep tonight
-who has the smelliest feet
-who steals the cover's more
-who popped the question
-who says "I love you" the most in one day
-who talks more
-who's most likely to use up all the hot water
-who's most likely to get lost
-who's most likely to ask for directions
-who's the 1st one to make up after a fight
-who's the one that started the fight in the first place
-who's the most likely to wake up grumpy in the morning
-who's most likely to wake up with a hangover in the morning
-who's most likely to be running late
-who spends more money
(always ask this next question last)
-and finally... Who do you love the most in the whole wide world...

*****

Find a picture of you and your groom and print out large enough so that all your guests can see it. Make sure it's an older photo that looks like various situations may have occured. Ask your guests to then write down what they think you and you're partner are saying/thinking. Collect up the answers and read out the funniet ones. Whoever's is closest to the actual event wins a prize.This is sure to gain a number of laughs!

*****

After you and the groom have had your first dance, gather up all the single ladies in the room.

Auction off your new hubby (the bride gets to keep the cash) and the winner gets to be the first to dance with him after your waltz.

******

Have the bride try to pile on as many Chocolate Kisses as she can onto the groom. She can place them wherever she wants to but he cannot drop them! All the guests can be involved cheering the bride as she piles the Kisses higher and higher onto the groom! (Toronto Brides 2010)

******


Pre-arrange to have the groom put on the garter (without anyone noticing, of course!). Sometime during the reception, gather all the single men and announce that the garter toss is about to begin.

Have the groom act as though he will be revealing the garter on the bride. Now, flip the switch! Play frisky music as the groom begins to pull up his pant leg and hear the guests roar with laughter! Let the bride slowly take the garter off the groom.... (Toronto Brides 2010)
******

Our garden wedding....

With our lovely hot climate, summer heats up here in central Queensland, a garden wedding makes for an elegant and cool celebration.

For that light and graceful style we suggest dressing in organza, tulle or chiffon.

Add a either a parasol, fascinator or veil to complete your stunning look.

Material Matters!

Organza: This translucent material has a glittering sheen that adds a modern elegance to wedding gowns. More commonly used on a tiered skirt or as an overlay, organza creates a light, soft look, whist giving body to the shape of a dress. Although crisper than chiffon, organza too makes for a beautiful beach or garden look.

Chiffon: Soft, flowing and light, in summer you’ll look fresh and bubbly in this gorgeous fabric. For the bride that wants simple grace, chiffon gives subtle movement to even a motionless gown.

Charmeuse: With a lustrous silky finish, charmeuse flows smoothly and gently. Lighter than satin, this material is opaque, but not see through. Fantastic for the months in the year that are slightly cooler.

Taffeta: A crisp fabric that is shiny on both sides, taffeta is perfect for giving gowns lots of body while still remaining lightweight. Taffeta holds its shape well and can be used to form a more distinct, gorgeous ruffle.

Satin: This glossy, smooth material is thicker than organza or chiffon, and therefore suits brides wanting to marry in the winter months as it holds in more warmth. Like marzipan icing, the texture of satin is rich and gleaming and is perfect for a more sophisticated look.

VIVACIOUS VINTAGE!

The horse drawn carriage slowed and the crowd of loved ones held its breath.  The dark oak door was opened by the attendant. A lace glove upon a pale white hand was the first of the bride the guests saw. Ducking her head as she left the carriage, the birdcage fascinator helped to shade her eyes from the sun. Stepping out, in all her glory, as the bridesmaid straightened her train; she looked into the eyes of her soon to be husband. Stunning lace, like a waterfall, fell softly over her.  She took a breath and stepped forward to marry the man she loved.....

Your wedding day will be something you will remember for the rest of your life. When we were at kindergarten and the boys were in the sand pit playing with trucks, we were imaging the day we would be married. Here at Hills in Hollywood, our aim is to make your dream of your special day a reality. If vintage is your style, then elegant lace is just for you.

With our American Designer Allure wedding gowns, we guarantee we will have something in store for you.   

All of our dresses are available in white or ivory and sizes 2 to 32.

Call us for a bridal appointment to find the dress of your dreams.