Article by Johanna Osborne

We were thrilled to have such a positive response to our first edition of Mr and Mrs magazine. Those of you that have flicked through the gorgeous pages will have noticed the immaculate layout, tasteful design and beautiful images. Much like a make-up artist produces a flawless face, Graphic Solutions are the people that make our print and web work pleasing to the eye and provide that all important striking visual aesthetic. Often it’s the little elves behind the scenes do the most important work, and Graphic Solutions are no exception. These guys are creative geniuses, and very little is too much trouble for them. Specialising in a host of services including brand identity, websites, print and lots more, you can find Craig and his talented (and totally fun!) team of designers working hard in their very cool office in upper Willis Street, nestled amongst the famed Moulin Bakery and Piccolo Pizzeria . For a techno-phobe like me it’s wonderful to have a team of knowledgeable and down-to-earth people to work with who make my ideas comes alive and look pretty!

Article by Johanna Osborne
 

Here at The Wellington Wedding Show (and Mr and Mrs magazine) we love to keep our finger on the pulse of fashions worldwide –particularly when it’s about bridal trends. We are excited to share some of our favourites with you.
 

1. Lace sleeves – The royal wedding inspired designers the world over, and for a great majority this meant lace sleeves. Taking the old-school style and working it into sleeker and more contemporary designs has been a god-send for brides looking for something different, and just a little regal.
 

 

2. Blush coloured gowns – Whilst the departure from shades of white has been considered a bold one until recently, more and more brides are opting for a softer and more unique option. And what’s more sweet and romantic than a pale pink coloured gown? Done right with appropriate flowers, this is beyond chic! Reese Witherspoon led the style revolution and many brides followed suit.
 

 
3. Ditching the veil – We are big fans of the romantic and love a pretty veil, but there is something to be said for the current trend of sparkly headpieces, twinkling clips and glittering tiaras. These accessories can be real show-stoppers, and have the potential to create a true movie star look. In order to avoid being led astray and accidentally crossing over from glam to gaudy, it’s wise to steer in the direction of vintage inspired pieces that accentuate the hair, and add a touch of old school glamour. Brooches can also be used and attached to hair, bouquet handles or the wedding gown waist for a striking effect.
 

 

4. Colour me happy – The most popular colour for bridesmaid’s dresses is black, can you believe it? And whilst black is always chic, a bit of colour on your happy day will never go astray. Some gorgeous colour trends at present are, of course, shades of nudes and blush, watermelon, violet, lemon and tangerine … all perfect colours to bring out a rosy summer glow and best of all, these hues flatter most skin tones. For winter weddings nude, bronze and deeper, bolder shades are very much in vogue right now.
 

 
5. Make up faves – Pink lips! We just love a pink lip on a bride, and nothing says “kiss the bride” better than cotton-candy, rose or fuchsia coloured smackers. Tones of pink are easy to wear and you will feel girly and feminine. Alternatively a bold red lip screams vintage glamour- totally to die for! And of course there’s the smoky eye. It still rules supreme in 2012, but our advice is to go subtle. Finish off the look with some great mascara and add in some fake lashes on the outer corners of your eyes for really dramatic look!

 
Stay tuned, plenty more to come!

We just have to tell you about these divine macaroons that we just love. Nikki from Creative cooking very kindly gave us a sample box to try and I can assure they didn’t last long. They truly are the most delicious little mouthfuls of joy and they look so cute. Perfect for weddings as favours or dessert, I know your guests will love them as much as we do.

Article by Johanna Osborne
 

“Anyone can catch your eye, but it takes someone special to catch your heart.”
– Anonymous

Happy Valentine’s Day from us here at the Wellington Wedding Show!

We hope today will be a special day appreciating all the love you have in your life. Whether that’s with a husband, boyfriend, lover or simply time spent with your most special friends, it’s never a bad idea to celebrate love.

Those looking for a last minute heartfelt token of their affection on this special day, look no further! We have compiled a rescue-remedy list of short-notice gift ideas to put a smile on your Romeo or Juliet’s face.

• There’s seldom a lady who doesn’t appreciate beautiful blooms, and Valentine’s Day is no exception. How about a dreamy bouquet from the divine Scent Floral Boutique on Johnson Street, who will whip you up the most gorgeous flowers you have ever seen. Or Black Rose Florist who never disappoint and always produce a gorgeous bunch, even at the 11th hour for those last minute love messages. And it doesn’t just have to be today… any day is a great day to say “I love you”.

• What’s better and more fabulous than going out for a romantic meal with your loved one? A dinner at one of Wellington’s finest establishments is bound to reignite the fires and keep the romance alive – no easy feat in this busy day and age, where workday stresses and every day pressures sometimes get in the way of those special moments! I personally think there are few restaurants more divine than our very own Martin Bosley’s Yacht Club Restaurant in Wellington. The food and views are second to none – and the service is simply unsurpassable. The famed White House on Oriental Parade is another cornerstone of fine dining – the perfect place to woo your Valentine all over again! Surprise your significant other with a dinner voucher or impromptu reservation in the weeks to come – nothing’s more wonderful than something special to look forward to! And if you want to make a proper night of it, then what could be more decadent than turning it into a true “Wellington affair to remember”. with reserving a suite at the Amora Hotel. These are truly amazing!

• And let’s not forget the small but very meaningful gestures. You simply can’t beat a sweet treat! And if you are anything like us, you will be going ga-ga over the divine cupcakes from the Tempt in the Old Bank Arcade. Perfect as a little token of big love, these babies will do the trick every time. Not to mention they taste (and look!) like heaven. Alternatively if you are mad about cheesecake like yours truly, then you can acquire some Yummy Mummy’s cheesecakes in record time (10 mouth-watering flavours to choose from). Have them delivered to the doorstep of your Valentine any day of the week. www.yummymummys.co.nz

Whilst Valentine’s Day is the big day for grand declarations, any day of the year can be special. Don’t wait to be told when to express your love – do it when it’s least expected and it will have double the impact! Trust me! When all is said and done, nothing matters more than the person standing by your side. Make sure they know how much you care, always.

“Trip over love, you can get up. Fall in love and you fall forever.”
~Author Unknown

Happy Valentine’s Day!! Xoxo

Article by Johanna Osborne

It may have been a few years ago now, but I will never forget the day one of my very best friends tied the knot. There were many great moments, but one stand-out memory in particular was when it came time for the first dance. The rhythmic couple surprised everyone with an amazing dance routine that would have had even Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire green with envy. All the guests were jaw-droppingly impressed by the choreographed performance, and it certainly gave the already wonderful wedding a real talking point.

Dancing has never been more fashionable than it is right now. With the media spotlight on numerous dancing shows, it has become more and more in vogue to learn how to dance properly on your wedding day. Indeed a favourable alternative to the awkward shuffle, 2 minutes of teeth-clenching and nervous sweating many couples endure in front of sympathetic guests.

Speaking exclusively to us, Adam Nathanson, owner and Director of Simply Ceroc in Wellington, agrees. He shares “I have had more couples looking to learn a wedding dance through my doors in the last 5-6 months than in the past 23 years”. Cleary we are on to a trend here! Adam is one of the most well-known Ceroc teachers on the planet, and has over decades of teaching experience under his belt. His passion for dance began early when at 7 years old he watched the Nicholas brothers perform on TV, and from that moment on was totally transfixed. This early memory has stayed with Adam who dutifully explored accounting and other slightly less creative career fields, before realising that he knew what he wanted to do all along.

Adam is more than passionate about dance. He lives and breathes it. And any man with an ounce of sense would listen to Adam, for he holds the key! Adam explains “Ceroc is the most successful singles meeting place in the world, and the best thing is, it holds no stigma at all”. And he’s right. Within minutes of entering dance classes eager students have their arms around a willing partner. That kind of intimacy and bond is something that would normally take a huge amount of courage (and time!) in another setting. Adam himself proposed to his wife Mandy within 3 minutes of meeting and dancing with her. There’s just something magical about dance!

Adam explains that the beauty of Ceroc is you can dance to any genre or music. And it doesn’t have to be hard! Whilst many people choose to study dance for social reasons, there has been a huge spike in the amount of brides and grooms opting to learn from professionals before their big day. Unfortunately, much like myself prior to my own wedding, most brides and grooms don’t allow enough time and think they can do a quick one or two lessons, and suddenly and miraculously know how to dance! There’s a bit more to it than that. But thankfully if you have two left feet like me, Adam has a few tricks up his sleeve to help give the illusion you know more than you do. He can offer private lessons in his studio, at your home, in your office or wherever the fancy takes you.

The core focus of Ceroc is to give people a basic understanding of how to move.  Adam says “We teach about connection, movement and showing off how in love you are. People are amazed in the end by how easy it is”. His aim – to make it seem natural and fun!

“We teach men how to be the Antonio Banderas in the movie ‘Take the Lead’ – the suave matador who stays in control. And we show the ladies how to be light, feminine and floaty”. Whilst possibly being a somewhat old-fashioned and stereotypical concept in this modern day and age, in the world of dance it simply works. It always has, and always will. Dancers often say that the tradition and romance associated with dance will never die, and once you are seduced by it, you too will understand the allure.  As Albert Einstein so famously said “Dancers are athletes of God”.

Adam & Mandy Nathanson
Ceroc Wellington
Whitireia Performance Centre
25 Vivian Street, Wellington
info@cerocwellington.com

021 205 1202

- Here is a video of a [most impressive first dance at Allerton Castle]