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...

Glamorous wedding weekends in Italy

This look is great for a formal party that located at near beach or formal pool party.

Chanel Spring Summer collection 2011

A destination bride does not just have to think about her Wedding dress but she also has to think about all the outfits for the other events surrounding her wedding day. After all, everyone has traveled to spend the weddingmoon with bridal couple and all eyes will be on the bride!

This year we have several  wedding's where timeless elegance and glamor are the key elements. One of out bridal couples, getting married in Venice, have invited their guests to a host of events including  a black tie rehearsal dinner on the Grand  Canal  and a day on a yacht cruising the Venetian lagoon!


It has me thinking about old fashioned glamorous wedding weekends in one of the most glamorous countries in the world, Italy! Be it a high society wedding in Venice or a chic wedding in Ravello, a country wedding in Tuscany or a intimate wedding on Pantelleria let's bring back Glamour!

Collette Dinnigan is one of my favourite wedding dress and formal wear designers.
Issa London's beautiful vivid colours in the 2011 collection are stunning mixed with feminine tailoring .

Issa Spring 2011

Audrey Hepburn style cigarette  pants by Lara Miller are a timeless dress up or down wardrobe must!

D&G spring/summer 2011 offer a fresh floaty maxi dress for 2011

Heidi Klein is your one-stop destination holiday shop for bikinis and swimsuits to flip-flops and kaftans

Heidi Klein

With exquisite designs and bold styles Caterina Zangrando offer key pieces that will dress up any outfit and add a quirky sense o fun. Definitely one to watch!

Let us not forget.... Shoes!

These perfect summer strappy sandals in chic patent leather are a new addition for CHOO
I think I will have to do a blog just on shoes!

What to wear to a destination wedding in Italy

Men have it easy when it comes to what to wear to a wedding!

It is January and I have just received the first wedding invitation of 2011 to a friend’s wedding. I was delighted to see they stipulated the dress code (white tie) and it made me think, what will I wear! You would think when it comes to the question of  what to wear to a wedding I would not have to even think about it, but unlike my staple wardrobe of dresses and outfits for work, when I am climbing up ladders and carrying massive vases of flowers, not to mention the running through the streets of Siena in 40 degrees heat, this time I am a guest and I need to find a full length evening gown!

I think because I think it is so important that guests also look fab, I put a lot of pressure on myself. There is a need for extra effort to be put in so that my friend knows it was an honour to have been invited to her very special day and as a mark of respect I will dress up and look glam for the occasion!

It has made me think about the guests who will be receiving their invitations in the post in the near future for a destination wedding in Italy. How to make it easier for them to decide what to wear? What should they take in to consideration? Below is some ideas that will hopefully help your guests get ready for your destination wedding in Italy!

Nothing is more garish at a country wedding than edgy couture. Stick to pastel tea-length or eyelet dresses and peep-toe flats so you don’t get you Louboutin heels stuck in the cobbles in the sleepy Tuscan village!

Designer: Carolina Herrera

The long, print maxi dress was made for hot destination weddings and prints are back for 2011. Since you've spent your savings on a ticket, skip the shoe splurge and slip into metallic gladiator sandals. The 5'4" groomsman will thank you.

Designer: JS Collections Print Chiffon Gown 

This season is full of colour and in the chic cities of Rome, Florence, Milan and Venice, make a statement with a splash of colour!

Designer: Versace

Jemma Kidd and Arthur Wellesley at Prince Nikolaos wedding

Remind your guests if you are having a Catholic Church wedding in Italy, to bring something to cover their shoulders. On a practical note a shawl will also keep the sun off delicate pale skin and as the sun goes down keep the evening chill away!

Wedding in Positano
Walking back down the hill from the town hall of Positano located at the top of the town... resulting in rushing in to shoe shops on the way down to buy flip flops!



Wearing closed shoes in the summer time in Italy is a definite no no! It is just too hot!  With the amount of walking I do on the day of a wedding  a pair of flip flops or elegant sandals to slip on is a must. Let your guests know if the streets are cobbled or if there is any walking involved on the day of your wedding so they are forewarned and can decided on the correct foot wear.

Jenny Packham Brides

A Jenny Packham bride radiant in the Tuscan sunshine...

Many congratulations Peter and Kate who were married last Saturday near Siena....

With friends and family arriving throughout Thursday and Friday we were able to squeeze in a trip to the town hall on the Friday evening to complete the legalities.

Kate is a stunning bride and with the opportunity to wear two wedding dresses, she rose to the challenge!

Arriving at the town hall in a London Taxi!

Her first wedding as the state official at the town hall of Castlefranco di Sopra translated by Kelly Hayes The Italian Wedding Planner

 

With Peters parents on the balcony

Kate and Peter kept it to a small group of family for today's celebrations before going in to Loro Ciuffenna for dinner and then on to a local bar to watch the world cup!

My Taxi waiting to collect the hairdresser and make up artist plus a couple of friends of the bride and groom arriving at the train station.

The 19th June 2010

On the way to the church in a London cab!

Rose petals waiting at the foot of the stairs to the Church.

Kate looking beautiful in Jenny Packham and her amazing pair of Jimmy Choo sandals!

Prosecco greeted the guests as they came out of the church...

Back to the villa

Keeping it simple white on the green lawn the stunning marquee greeted all the guests

With Tuscan cigars for the men and white pashminas and bottles of olive oil for the women the setting was set...

A Tuscan feast!

A mix of vintage vases and postcards decorated the guests tables

Whilst some guests enjoyed a game of giant jenga...

Others took the opportunity during cocktails for  40 winks!

The swing band played and after the meal the guests let their hair down at the mojito bar...

The groom and his best man

My team of photographers and vidiographer being boys checking out the equipment...

Parents of the groom having a wonderful time while the rest of the guests danced till 0600!

Caroline Castigliano ~ A New Website and a Bespoke Wedding Dress Giveaway!

### Hot Off The Press ###
Caroline Castigliano, internationally renowned designer of luxurious bridal and evening gowns,  unveils her new website, http://www.carolinecastigliano.co.uk/.

The new website introduces a fresh visual style, revolving around the bridal 2010/11 collection to inspire brides-to-be and visitors can enjoy watching clips from recent collection showcases as well as interviews with Caroline Castigliano and behind the scenes footage from photo shoots. The new site also enables visitors to share their ‘wish list’ dresses with friends directly and via social networking platforms and to join the Castigliano Exclusives membership clubs.

 To mark the launch of the new site, Caroline Castigliano is holding a competition in which one lucky visitor will win a bespoke wedding dress valued at up to GBP 5,000. To enter the competition, simply log on to http://www.carolinecastigliano.co.uk/ and register your details ~ it couldn't get much easier!

Premier designer Caroline Castigliano is at the forefront of the UK’s luxury bridal and evening wear market. Her name is synonymous with luxurious and chic gowns, with every detail exquisitely finished and handcrafted in the United Kingdom. Whether it's the dream wedding gown of a lifetime or an evening dress for that special occasion, Caroline Castigliano offers her clients a sense of style and personal service that is second to none.

All Imagery Copyright (c) 2010, Caroline Castigliano