Bridal emergency kit

by Kathleen Brewster. Posted on April 17, 2015

17 Apr

I have packed a few emergency kits in my time. I think it is my sewing skills that get me the job. Here for the benefit of brides everywhere is my must have kit.

Water – If you need a Panadol it is likely that what you really need is water.
Panadol – Especially when drinking in the sun.
Baby wipes – Not only are they a wonder for a freshen up but for any marks on the dress they are the perfect spot cleaner. They are always damp and have some soaps in them that will lift most small marks.
Safety pins – Not supermarket ones as they will just bend if put under any stress, go to the dressmaking shop to get some. They are ideal to re attach a broken strap.
Needle and thread – The little ‘sewing kits’ you can buy are hopeless, if you need to sew something you don’t want to be dealing with cheap and nasty thread. Using good cotton I like to cut the thread to lengths and actually thread them on the needle. Wrap the threads around some card and poke the needles through. As well as a small needle with regular sewing cotton bring along a heavier one with some stronger thread. (top stitching thread is perfect) The best solution to a broken zip is to sew the dress closed and you will need a heavy thread for this.
small scissors – If you have to sew a dress closed she will eventually have to get out of it. Also handy if a veil gets a hole somewhere near the edge before photos the edge can be trimmed to take the hole off.
Sore tummy fixes – if you have a nervous tummy make sure you have something to settle it. Ask your pharmacist what will be best for your nervous tummy type.
Snacks – something small for an instant pick me up. If you have a friend who is a cyclist get them to make you something small and packed for ease of eating on the run and full of energy.
bobby pins – Not being a hair expert myself I will leave this blank for advice from your hairdresser, they will know what you will need.
Lipstick -as bobby pins
Medication – If you take something regularly in the evening make sure you have it around and remember to get it over and done with after cake. If you take something you can not miss, set an alarm in your or a bridesmaids phone.

pack all this in a small bag, choose something cute if you can as it will be hanging around all day. I hope you don’t need any of it but you will be fully prepared if you do.

Feminist Killjoy ruins wedding jokes.

by Kathleen Brewster. Posted on December 16, 2014

16 Dec

This morning I found this ‘hilarious’ pair of socks on the feed of one of a large number of wedding sites I follow. It actually made me feel a little bit sad.

What we say, even in jest actually matters. These socks say Men are hopeless commitment phobes ands marriage is the worst. They also more subtly bring up the worst stereotypes of women as being the one who really wants to get married and doing anything to get it then quickly regressing into a nagging unsexy housewife.

I know all this this because there was no lady equivalant sock.

Just like there is no lady equivalant of the ‘last chance to run’ sign. Great article here on Offbeat bride.

I was going to give amazon the benefit of the doubt when I saw they had a ‘reluctant bride’ as well as a ‘reluctant groom’ cake topper but a quick scroll down showed the actual ratio of toppers following the theme of reluctant groom to bride is 6 to 1. A small selection below, google ‘funny cake topper’ if you need more proof.

Silk v Nylon

by Kathleen Brewster. Posted on December 15, 2014

15 Dec

A little discussion about tulle. The exact weaving technique is what defines tulle but the material it is made from makes it behave as if it was an unrelated fabric.

Silk tulle

Bought back into the spotlight by Katherine middleton and worn perfectly. Silk tulle is made of the same technique as nylon tulle but it looks and feels completly different. It has more drape and inertia than nylon and depending on the quality can look a little more opaque.

Kate shows the way is falls straight down, looking lovely over the face. She also has a wide attachment around the whole front of her tiara. this holds the tulle open so its sheerness can be seen. A narrow atachment lets the tulle fall straight and none of its transparency can be seen. I personally think that the kate method is the only way to use silk tulle.

2 veils showing the fall of a silk tulle veil with a narrow base, lady Mary showing how seemingly silk tulle works best with tiaras.

Nylon Tulle

Normally my fibre snobbery would prevail and I would prefer silk fabric over a synthetic but not when it comes to veils. The threads the fabric is made of are much finer and lighter than silk so the tulle has a lightness and can be incredibly sheer. It also has some stiffness which holds it more open and allows the sheer layers to all be seen. It is also quite inexpensive and available everywhere. I have also seen it in more shades than silk which is usually only white and ivory if you are lucky. Nylon tulles come in white, ivory, The poorly named ‘nude’,champagne and almost caramel (as well as almost all bright colours if you want a coloured veil, I should make a post about coloured veils, against a white dress they are brilliant)

A simple light circle from bhldn (look at the distance from her shoulders the veil is sitting compared to lady Mary), A 60’s bride showing what is possible when you embrace the pouff, A tiny little blusher in an almost invisible whisp of tulle.

Backyard weddings

by Kathleen Brewster. Posted on November 9, 2014

If you are looking for an informal wedding the backyard is number 1 on the list for me.

Location – the sucess of the backyard wedding obviously depends on the house, if your house isnt up to scratch or size, consider your extended family. You may be able to borrow a house if you can assure its owners that they wont have to lift a finger other than to drink their champagne.

A great space for a reception may not have the ideal ceremony location. If you don’t want to hold the ceremony elswhere then you can make a backdrop of the ceremony. Streamers, baloons, bunting, candles…the possibilities are endless. A quick search of pintrest for wedding backdrops will yield a thousand wonderful ideas. I love the idea below to bring some colour to the location.

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Having access to the location for at least the day before is a huge advantage. You can mannge the decorations and set up well before the wedding. much less stressful than having only a few hours to set up and having to rely on the venue to do it or pay your florist extra.

Below friends and family install an amazing branch chandelier in a marquee set on the driveway.

Time – you will have full controll over the time, no need to start later or finish earlier than you would like. Make sure you do consider the neighbours, better yet, invite them.

Children – In most cases a backyard wedding is ideal if you will have children attending. There may even be a few spare rooms where the little ones can be put down for a sleep. The bigger ones can be set up in another room with a perpetual loop of Frozen.

Drinks – Alcohol can be a large expense. If you purchase it yourself it can save you a lot of money. Using a venue with a liquor liscence you wont be able to do this. I spent a weekend scouring hunter valley cellar doors for a mix of great wines at a much better price than retail (and Dan Murphys is hard to beat).

Beers and ciders can be served in the bottle (with cute straws where appropriate) Most bottle shops and supermarkets can get you a few cases of little mineral waters or ginger beers if you want. Set the tables with some ice buckets and allow the guests to get their own bottle from the bar to share at the table. This avoiuds the need for anyone to serve drinks.

Flowers – When working with a florist consider asking them to order you what you will need for the table decorations. They can apply their skills to the technical bouquets and you can collect the flowers the day before and make simple bunched in vases for tables the day before the wedding. The florist wil be able to advise you on the flowers who will still look amazing the next day.

The flowers below a mix of florist supplied and garden collected made the day before, proving that Australian natives are a great choice.

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Relaxing – Finally the most lovely thing about being at home is the ability to relax. You and your guests can take off their shoes at the end of the night, chairs can be shifted and cars can be left to be picked up tomorrow.

Finally one of the most lovely parts of the backyear weddings I have attended has been the guests who are able coming over the next day to help clean. It is a great time to catch up and polish off the last wine and cheese. Delegate someone to cook the egg and bacon rolls on the bbq while the others rinse and stack glasses. This is the perfect antidote to waking up the next day and feeling sad because it is all over.