A museum with a difference in Florence!

Italy, the heart of romance, with a wealth of museums for lovers of history and art. Ferrari, Maserati, Fiat and Ducati for lovers of speed. Food and wine like for lovers of fine cuisine, Rome, Pisa, Venice, Milan, Tuscany for lovers of cities and finally we have something extra special for the lovers of fashion. GUCCI! 

The Gucci museum in Florence has opened its doors, celebrating 90 years of style! 

If you are looking for inspiration for your wedding style a visit to Gucci in the heart of the city is a must! With every admission 50% of each ticket sale benefits the 'help the city of Florence preserve and restore the city;s signature art treasures' fund. Admission is 6 euros and the museum is open 7 days a week! 

GUCCI MUSEO Opening Hours

Museum 10.00 -20.00

Icon Store 10.00 – 20.00

Bookstore & Caffè 10.00 – 23.00

The museum is open year-round, seven days a week, with closures planned only for August 15th, December 25th and January 1st.

For more information, email guccimuseo@it.gucci.com or call (39) 055 29 00 17, Monday to Friday from 9am-6pm CET.

Vintage inspired wedding shoot...

I was just web-dreaming and stumbled across one of my favourite designers Charlotte Balbier photo shoot captured on a video by Silk Wedding Videos that is so much fun and full of energy I just have to share it with you all. 


The Future Of Vintage Shoot from silk wedding videos on Vimeo.

The girls from The White Closet did a great job styling the models in Charlotte Balbier dresses and I adore the hair and make up by Emma Draper MUA  whose blog shows the photographs taken on this shoot by the talented Jonny Draper .  


Check out  Charlotte Balbier fabulous designs and I will be writing to all of this team to see if they covers weddings in Italy!

Elie Saab presents his Fall-Winter collection in Paris

Something blue...

Elie Saab has presented his fall/winter 2012 collection this week and it is simply stunning!

Pure feminine designs using the lightest sheer fabrics, perfect for any destination bride and for any of the events surrounding her wedding day. I am going to let the photographs speak for themselves as Elie Saab once again takes my breath away...

A glorious tribute to 'The Wedding Dress'

If you are anything like me and are wrapped up in the romance of 'The Dress" you might want to reserve a copy of a new book soon to be released called '300 Years of Bridal Fashion' by Ewdin Ehrman 

This sumptuous book draws on wedding garments in the V&A's collection, photographs, letters, memoirs, newspaper accounts and genealogical research to explore the history of the wedding dress and the traditions that have developed around it from 1700 to the present day. It focuses on the white wedding dress which became fashionable in the early nineteenth century and is worn today by women across the world. 

The book considers the way couturiers and designers have challenged and refreshed the traditional white wedding dress and the influence of the wedding industry, whose antecedents lie in the commercialization of the wedding in Victorian Britain. The Wedding Dress is not only about costume, but also about the cultivation of the image of the bride. 

This book is a glorious tribute to an exquisite, stylish, glamorous gown, the romance of its evolution and the splendour of its design.

What to wear to a Catholic wedding in Italy...

Cathedral of Amalfi

Yesterday I met with Don Michele in the Cathedral of Amalfi to introduce him to a bride and groom getting married in Amalfi next June. During the conversation the subject of what the bride should wear and her bridesmaids and female guests came up. 

Elie Saab Auriga wedding dress for Pronovias

Don Michele was very clear that the bride should have her shoulders covered and that the veil was not sufficient as it is transparent. 

Sassi Holford

It is always best to check with the church where you will be married in Italy to ask about the dress code, some priests say they are happy with a veil covering the brides shoulders others say that she must cover her shoulders. 

Rosa Clara

Don Michele also pointed out that the bridesmaids and the other guests attending the wedding should a cover their shoulders and that the guests should wear a respectful length of skirt. If you are getting married in Italy please remember to let your guests know they should bring a pashmina with them for inside the church and remember no miniskirts! 

Bridal sample sale: Jenny Packham

Jenny Packham designs are so beautiful and perfect for a destination wedding that I am delighted to inform you that  Jenny Packham is having a bridal sample sale with up to 70% off dresses, accessories, shoes & jewellery!

Not to be missed! Please see the invitation for details.

Oscar fashion 2011

In the early hours of the morning I stayed up and watched the Oscars. The glamorous dresses, beautiful men and the accessories! Love it love it love it!
Lets take a look at some of the beautiful leading ladies fashion at the 2011 Oscars, who knows maybe it will inspire your bridal hairstyle or your rehearsal dinner dress or even your wedding dress!

Hillary Swank

 

 Hailee Steinfeld, Michelle Williams, Mandy Moore and Halle Berry looked so beautiful as they walked the red carpet in elegant gowns.

Marchesa; Natalie Portman; Michelle Williams; Mila Kunis and Gwyneth Paltrow 

Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Lawrence, Penelope Cruz and Sandra Bullock were classically glamorous in red!

My favourite dress of the night... If I had to select only one it would have to be  Mila Kunis who looked delicately pretty in lavender Elie Saab lace,  but I would have her a joint winner with so many of the leading ladies last night!

source Getty



Is Bruce Oldfield Kate Middleton's Wedding Dress Designer?

As the heat is turned up on speculation on what Kate Middleton will wear on her wedding day, we wait with our greedy eyes trained for any hints about the designer; the style; the veil; the shoes!!! Basically any information we can find on the much awaited  Royal wedding of Prince Williams and Kate Middleton, everyone here at The Italian Wedding Planner are devouring!
While rumours are putting  Bruce Oldfield in the top of the bookies list as the designer of Kate's wedding dress, the man himself is staying tight lipped. However he has given his opinion on the style of Kate's dress or should that be dresses?


Oldfield said Kate Middleton may wear a conservative dress for the ceremony and change into another outfit for the later reception hosted by Prince Charles. The designer predicts Kate's gown will be "modest" and that a sleeveless style is out of the question. ""It will have sleeves," he said. "It has to have sleeves. You can't walk down Westminster Abbey in a strapless dress."

Lets take a look at some of the wonderful wedding dresses by British designer Bruce Oldfield.




Lady Tamara Grosvenor

Queen Rania of Jordan http://www.bruceoldfield.com/

Wedding dress that flatters big boobs!

Girls with naturally big boobs come in many shapes and sizes, not all of you are plus sized! Some of you ladies will have the perfect hour glass shape, others will be a bit more curvy, others will be skinny with big boobs! What we all have in common is the nightmare of finding a bra that fits, dresses that don't look like maternity smocks, strapless that can support the weight of your boobs and dresses that hide your bra straps oh and let us not forget keeping a level of decorum and not showing a mile of cleavage!

So here are some tips on trying on a wedding dress

1. Make sure you buy a bra that fits perfectly. Do Not go shopping for your wedding dress in an old, saggy sports bra.
2. Go shopping on a day when you feel great. If you're having a bad hair day or PMSin', you're setting yourself up for a rough time. Make an effort get your hair done in the morning, wear pretty knickers etc.
3. Take one or two trusted friends with you. They won't be afraid to tell you their opinion and point out which wedding dress flatters a big bust.
4. Call the Bridal boutique before you go and let them know you're coming. Some shops require an appointment. This might seem like a hassle, but it will insure that you have an attentive, supportive sale person totally focused on you.
5. Be honest with the designer or sales person.  She will have a very good idea about what will work for you. However don't let her push you into something that's not what you want. If you're just not 'clickin' with her personally, go somewhere else.
6. Because of your larger bust, you may have to go up 3 or 4 sizes. Do not let this send you into a hopeless depression! It's totally normal. It's just a number, forget about it. They will adjust the dress to fit your slim frame!
7. Try on lots of different dresses. You might be surprised what style you like and what styles work for you. When you find the perfect dress you'll know, but make your dress prove itself by trying on several dresses even after you have the one.
8. If you are going strapless make sure they bone your dress so it gives you enough support but does not make you look like your boobs are resting on a shelf. Trust me I was a bridesmaid at my sisters wedding in Thailand ,my dress with built in scaffolding made my boobs look as if they were sat on the perfect shelf! I cringe still when I see the photos, whereas my sister who has also been gifted with big boobs looked amazing with a stunning strapless dress and a delicate wrap lace over coat...

 

 Unfortunately I do not have a photo of my sisters dress which was so simply stunning!

  

Shapes that flatter big boobs!

1. Strapless, Sweetheart, V-neck, or Scoop Neck are Flattering. Avoid high neck lines and I personally think avoid halter neck lines. Get your dress maker to bone your dress so you are fully supported or buy a great bra. Try Bravissimo (they ship worldwide!)
2. A-line dresses tend to be more flattering, stay away from empire line as they might not be so flattering!
3. Corset style dresses work really well at pulling you in and creating a flattering stiletto.
4. If you like a dress with lots of detail, try and keep the details on the lower half of the gown so it draws the eye away from your bust line.
5. Remember when trying on wedding dresses to bend over and look in the mirror, you will be bending over to sign the registry and your photographer will be taking photos along with all your guests.
6. I have big boobs but I also have the skinny legs, so I keep looking at short wedding dresses thinking how a stunning pair of shoes would bring the eye away from my bust!  Make the most of your other assists! 

Katie Price in one of her wedding gowns. 

Top tip

Jump up and down at the fittings to make sure you can not fall out!



Getting a tan for your wedding day

Living in Italy with my perfect white Irish skin, I have become a bit of an expert on applying my fake tan in the summer. Even with all my practice I do occasionally have a fake tan disaster. I have learnt that you can not swim in a swimming pool as the chemicals will strip your fake tan off you faster than bleach, which reminds me, fake tan does not mix with jolen!

After a lot of trial and error I have decided the St Tropez mousse applied with the mitt is the one that works best for me, but there are a lot of down sides to fake tan...

Sometimes like Geri Halliwell we forget to cover areas...

Gerry forgets to cover behind her knees

Sometimes in areas that will show up in the photos...

Cheryl Cole remembered to wear gloves but...

Then there is the problem which I have yet to find a solution for, fake tan rubbing off on a beautiful white wedding dress. With the heat in Italy brides do glisten on occasion and unfortunately this makes the tan more susceptible to rubbing off under her arms on to the wedding dress.

Also remember if you are getting married in Italy, it is almost impossible to find a beautician who is experienced in putting on fake tan or spray tanning. You will have to bring the product that works best with your skin type with you and most importantly is moisturise!

My advice is not the healthy option, but to avoid fake tanning disasters and fake tan rubbing off on your dress a few months before your wedding start slowly building up your tan using tanning showers. I know I can almost hear the gasps, but I am not saying you should be like the Italians and start using sun beds in January! I am suggesting short term usage to get a nice tan and get your skin ready for the strong Italian sun. Nothing worse than a bride with bad sun burn!

2011 Organic bridal wear

With the growing concerns for the environment and the increasing demand for fair traded products it is a pleasure to find a designer who not only creates beautiful wedding dresses but is also conscientious of the environment. Tammam White is a unique bridal collection of eco-luxe designer wedding gowns created and hand crafted in House of Tammam's fair trade atelier in India. The wedding dresses are made with

exclusively developed luxury eco fabrics including organic-certified wild peace silk, sustainable bamboo satin, and 100% organic fair trade cotton satin jacquard and linings.

Created with the bride's budget in mind the five piece range includes a hand embellished fishtail gown, a layered gown with detachable skirt, a simple cotton satin dress with silk sash, a full length coat dress and a satin cape. Prices range from £300 and from £100 for rental.Click here to find out more