A Royal Wedding...

Today was a big day in history... Prince William & Catherine Middleton married!

Friday 29 April, 2011 they married at Westminster Abbey. The wedding reception will be held at Buckingham Palace and will be hosted by Her Majesty The Queen whom today announced their new title of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Miss Catherine Middleton’s Wedding Dress was designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen. The lace appliqué for the bodice and skirt was hand-made by the Royal School of Needlework, based at Hampton Court Palace. Hand-cut English lace and French Chantilly lace has been used throughout the bodice and skirt, and has been used for the underskirt trim. The dress is made with ivory and white satin gazar. The skirt echoes an opening flower, with white satin gazar arches and pleats. The train measures two metres. The underskirt is made of silk tulle trimmed with Cluny lace. It really was a stunning gown for a princess.

The veil is made of layers of soft, ivory silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers, which was embroidered by the Royal School of Needlework. The veil is held in place by a Cartier ‘halo’ tiara, lent to her by The Queen. The ‘halo’ tiara was made by Cartier in 1936 and was purchased by The Duke of York (later King George VI) for his Duchess (later Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother) three weeks before he succeeded his brother as King. The tiara was presented to Princess Elizabeth (now The Queen) by her mother on the occasion of her 18th birthday.

Her earrings where specially designed to match the tiara and a gift from her parents on her wedding day. Such a lovely touch.

The couple then travelled along the procession route in the 1902 State Landau carriage Landau. It was specifically built for King Edward VII. It carried them on their way back from the service at Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace where the Queen hosted the reception at Buckingham Palace for around 650 guests drawn from the wedding service congregation. After this will be another private party for very close friends and family only so the bride and groom can let their hair down.

It was lovely to watch and I can't imagine how nervous they both must have been. My favourite part was the 2 kisses he gave her on the balcony - very sweet.

{Ha ha, love the little girl on the left}

It's so exciting to see something like this. It feels more personal for me because we are engaged and I love that I ca be having this wonderful moment in my life at this time.

Candy Bar...

I have ordered all my candy for the Candy Bar now! $103 worth to be exact... but I got some great bulk buys... I might even have a little too much! lol

I have ordered:
- Allens Chicos (1.3kg Bag)for $11.35
- Allens Milk Bottles (1.3kg bag) for $11.35
- Chocolate Hearts with Light Blue Foil (1kg bag - approx 125 pieces) for $34.75
- Chunky Funkeez Cola Bottles (Approx 300) $11.71
- Jelly Belly Gourmet Jelly Beans in Berry Blue (1kg bag) $31.06

I also already had a big box of blue Clouds and bags of mints. I might buy a few bits of chocolate or marshmallows if I need to bulk it up more, but I think I will be ok.

I was very happy with the online company I used called The Professors Tasty Technology. If your interested go to www.theprofessors.com.au

The shipping is free after the first $80. I hope the delivery isn't too long, the website said 4 days, but I have only given myself a week before the party so fingers crossed! I will call come Tuesday if they haven't arrived.

This is one of the pictures I am using as inspiration. Going to try and set the glasses up tonight and see how it looks.

Dress to Impress...

So I got my dress on the weekend!

I was a little worried I wouldn't have a new dress to wear, but while in Wollongong for the Easter long weekend I tried on a whole range of dresses at City Chic. I had picked one out I had seen on the website but when I tried it on it make me look frumpy. I then tried on a further 8 dresses and none of them did much for my shape.

I finally decided to try this one dress on that I hadn't really liked on the model but once I tried it on it was perfect! It covered every lump and bump and really flattered my shape. So I am happy. I ended up buying it online as it was 30% off this weekend.

E is going to wear some nice dark wash jeans and a collard shirt. We will need to pick him a shirt sometime this week.

So here is my dress...

Table Decorations...

I went to Wollongong to see a friend of mine and we nutted out what the table centerpiece would be. I didn't want to spend to much money, but I did want a beautiful look. I really wanted roses. I love the look of them and went put together they looked beautiful.
{See down}

But the roses are very formal and too much like a wedding - so I thought something more mixed. I liked the tulips, lilly's, carnations and berries mixed together. But the sample shown was using lots of bunches so it would have cost a lot more. {See down}

The biggest problem with both of these was for me the bunches wouldn't allow the soft candle light to reflect through them. So I went with this in the end...

It's dodder vine and white Singapore orchids immersed in water. It sits on top of a mirror, which helps bounce the light into the water and around the room, creating a 'sparkling' look. I'm very happy with this, the look is more casual and it's very cheap too! I think when each table has it, this will look wonderful. Also in a few different spots around the room I will have tall long round vases with the same thing in it and a floating candle on top.

At the press...

I have sent my invites to the printer!!! {Thank God}

It was really starting to stress me out. I had intended to send them 5-6 weeks before but it's kind of turned into 4 weeks. I am going to try and get them all out in the next day or so {once I can pick them up}

I have ordered DL invites, on metallic pearl white 260gsm stock, CMYK, single sided. I had 80 printed - bit worried I wont have enough, but should be ok. I was really worried at first I would have too many people but now I am starting to worry that no one will be able to make it. I hope it's just me being paranoid, but we have so many out of town friends and it really is a pain for them to travel here. Keep my fingers crossed.