Having trouble coming up with an idea for your kitchen tea, how about having a high tea hosted for you and some of your closest friends.

Kitchen tea’s have been an integral part of wedding planning for as long as we can remember.  Originally Kitchen Tea’s were put on so that the bride would be able to begin her collection of things needed for the kitchen.

In days gone by women would move out of the family home only when they married and were setting up home with their new husband. Therefore they had a kitchen tea to assist them in setting up their new home.

Kitchen tea’s have now evolved to be something so very different.  Although brides may still collect things for their kitchen, many are happy to just have a relaxing and fun day with their girlfriends and family members.

High Teas are becoming ever so popular and women of all ages are loving the fact that one of their favourite past times (catching up for a tea or coffee with the girls) has now become an even more delightful experience as scrumptious pastries and delicately cut gourmet sandwiches are also part of the experience.

Momentous Catering, the new high-tea specialists in Sydney have been busy crafting beautiful hens days and ‘kitchen teas’ since their launch in 2010.

Mother and daughter team, Cindy and Natalie, create stunning, intimate and seamless events which are glorious for guests and ever-so-relaxing for hosts.

Their aim is to make every bride feel special!

The girls at Momentous Catering can supply and set up beautiful crockery, cutlery and napery, table decorations, and of course deliver a delectable High Tea selection including scrumptious savoury and sweet food selections.

One of their most popular theme for a high tea is ‘Pretty In Pink’, however they have many other themes for you to choose from.  If you don’t find a theme that you like, the Momentous Catering team can create one specifically for your needs.

It is recommended that you book at least 3 weeks in advance for your high tea.  However the earlier you book, the more chance you have of securing your most preferred date.

I absolutely love this fantastic new concept that Cindy and Natalie have come up with, what a wonderful way to spend a day with the women closest to you;  Sipping on warm cups of luxurious tea whilst sampling a delectable range of scrumptious treats.

I’m certain that you will love every moment of your personally catered for high tea that you may even  call  the girls from Momentous Catering to come around and cater for your next girlie get together.

Natalie and Cindy

PH: 0451 825 234

Website: www.momentouscatering.com.au

Email: enquiries@momentouscatering.com.au

Facebook: www.facebook.com/momentouscatering

Warm Regards

Gisella

Working at Exclusively Bridesmaids, I get many requests from women who are looking for plus size bridesmaids dresses but are unable to find a style that is flattering for their figure and also suitable as a bridesmaids dress.

Many women dread the task of looking for plus size bridesmaids dresses as they have a pre conceived idea that it is going to be difficult.  This creates fear and disappointment for plus sized women as they enter store after store and are told that they either do not stock plus size bridesmaids dresses.  Or that they can order in a plus sized bridesmaids dress for them, however there is no sample in their size that can be tried on before ordering.

Not only is the task of finding plus size bridesmaids dresses depressing for these women.  It is also frustrating for them, knowing that as equally paying customers they do not receive the proper advice and are not as abundantly catered for like the women who are not plus sizes.

One of the reasons why we wanted to open a store like Exclusively Bridesmaids was so that we could ensure that women looking for plus size bridesmaids dresses could be catered for with a variety of styles in plus sizes.  We also made it our mission to educate ourselves and our team of consultants, so that we could give plus size women the most accurate and professional advice when it came to choosing their bridesmaids gowns.

With so many styles in store, whether you are a plus size or not, it is sometimes difficult to know where to start when looking for styles for your bridesmaids.  Therefore I have surveyed our team of consultants and we have come up with our top 5 styles for plus sizes.

Top 5 choices for plus size bridesmaids dresses

Lily

A fantastic choice which is very flattering and feminie, The lux chiffon just floats over the body and creates an image of elegance.

This gown is structured with boning to the waist and offers very good support with the boning and the one shoulder feature.  The bloused bodice assists in concealing any lumps or bumps underneath.

Paris

A fantastic style whether you choose to have it in cocktail or full length.  This gown has a lovely sweetheart neckline with gentle pleats sweeping across the bodice in a flattering and body minimising diagonal line.  The pleated skirt allows for extra room around the hips which is not only comfortable but also great for women who want a bit of volume to hide under.

Kayla

This showstopper is an elegant and modern style.  The sweetheart bust line is very flattering as it reduces the bust whilst still flattering the bust.  The rouched bodice is full of texture, and an ideal slimmer as it wraps around the bodice in a diagonal flow of gathers.  The skirt is soft and flatters all shapes and sizes with its long length to elongate the body and soft vertical gathers to slimline the hips and legs.

Charlotte

This perfectly structured one shoulder masterpiece is a favourite in store and we know exactly why.  Each layer of pleats has been perfected to wrap around the body in intricate lines to ensure that it creates the look of slim and sexy.  The skirt is soft and elegant, with ample room around the hips and legs.  This dress is a must to try on, I can assure you, you will not be disappointed.

Savannah

An elegant timeless gown which not only looks like a million dollars, but when you try it on it feels like it too.  The corseted bodice has amazing sweeps of fabric which elongate and slimline the body.  The skirt sweeps up to the hip and has soft gathers which minimise the hip area.  The lace up back is a great feature as it can then be adjusted according to your requirements on the day.

My top design tips when looking for plus sizebridesmaids dresses

• Sweet heart neckline (ensure it has enough depth in the bust)
• Corseted or structured bodice (to the waist if possible for extra support)
• Diagonal gathers or pleats which sweep across the bodice
• No horizontal gathers/pleats or seams
• Sweeping gathers in skirt or vertical pleats/gathers

For more tips on choosing flattering gowns for your bridesmaids, visit us in store

Until Next Time

Warm Regards

Gisella

5 Simple Rules to help you and your bridesmaids find the perfect dress

Many brides and their bridesmaids dread looking for bridesmaids dresses.  They fear the imminent task of visiting store upon store unsuccessfully searching for something that the bride loves and the bridesmaids feel like a million dollars in.

With so many opinions and feelings at stake, I don’t blame them.  Whenever in your life are you going to be in search for something that needs to be glamorous and fit perfectly on every single bridesmaid; be within your price bracket, suit the style, theme and colour of your wedding and complement your wedding gown?

Along with this finding a time that everyone will be available to go dress shopping together with you and hoping that all the girls will be in a bright happy mood for your special shopping day.

With so many factors involved it’s no wonder that sometimes bridal parties are seen to be anxious and on edge as the tension in the group escalates towards boiling point.

All of this anxiety and tension can be avoided by following 5 simple rules.  From my experience working at Exclusively Bridesmaids, I believe that these simple rules can assist bridal parties in having a clear direction and focus when searching for gowns.  This in turn will make your and their experience a memorable and happy one for all of the right reasons.

Anyone For Coffee?

Before embarking on your journey to search for the perfect bridesmaids gowns, arrange for you and your bridesmaids to meet for a coffee to discuss your upcoming shopping event.  This is a fantastic time to discuss what you envisage your wedding to be like and how you believe your bridesmaids will be a part of your ideal wedding.  Discuss styles and colours that you like and ask your bridesmaids if they have any worries or concerns.  It’s best to iron out any concerns now rather than when you are all out shopping for gowns and caught up in the moment.

Budget

Ensure that you have a clear idea of what you realistically want your budget to be.  If you are asking the bridesmaids to pay for their own gowns make sure you are clear with the fact that they will be paying for their gowns and the maximum they should expect to pay. This ensures that all of your bridesmaids are aware of the costs involved before they embark on their shopping expedition.

It’s My Day

With the popularity of shows such as Bridezilla and Four Weddings depicting brides to be very demanding and highly strung women; brides are now reluctant to be too forthcoming when it comes to their weddings as they don’t want to be seen as a “Bridezilla”.  However you have to remember that it is your day and although you will be open minded with meeting your bridesmaid’s needs, at the end of the day you do want certain things the way you dreamed they would be.

Bridesmaids should be made aware that it is an honour to be asked to be a bridesmaid and they should respect your wishes when it comes to certain aspects of your wedding.  Reassure them that you will not make them look hideous or unflattering in any gown, however the colour and style is ultimately your decision and ask them to respect this.

I have at many times witnessed bridesmaids “pulling rank” when it comes to choosing a style or colour as they begin to give too much of their opinion as to what they would wear and what they like.  It’s not uncommon for a bridesmaid to be in need of a little reminder that it is not her day and she can have that certain shade or style when it is her turn to be the bride.

This will ensure that you do not have loads of opinions from numerous people creating confusion in your decision making as you try to please all of them and all of their opinions.  As much as you would like to please everybody it is impossible, understand that they will be happy with your final decisions.

Do Your Homework

As your time may be limited to one day of shopping, make sure you research the places you would like to visit with your bridesmaids.  Do your research on their website as to what their opening hours are, if they run by appointment and what styles they stock.  Contact them via phone or email and ask as many questions as you need to assist you in finding out all you can about their company.  By the end of your conversation you will have a feel for the store and you can make a judgement as whether they are the perfect store for you and your bridesmaids to visit.    This ensures that your day is successful and you accomplish what you set out to achieve – finding bridesmaids dresses.

Keep An Open Mind

When you are in store and your bridesmaids are trying on gowns, do not be disheartened if the dress that you loved on the floor does not look flattering on your bridesmaids.  Your consultant is there to assist you, so keep an open mind that you may need to alter your idea slightly to find a gown that is perfect for all of your bridesmaids.

This is very common and if you have an experienced and professional consultant, she should be able to find a gown which is perfect fitting for all of the bridesmaids as well as keeping within your wedding theme and style.

By following these simple rules you will find your shopping experience to be pleasant and rewarding as you embark on finding the perfect bridesmaids gown for your special day.

Best of Luck

Gisella

Your closest and dearest friend has asked you to be her bridesmaid.  Full of excitement and honour you have accepted, dreaming about the gorgeous gown you will wear and how your hair will sweep to the side in soft curls.  Then you stop and say to yourself “apart from being glamorous on my friends wedding day, what else am I meant to be doing?  What are the Bridesmaid’s Duties?”

To be asked to be a bridesmaid can be a real honour, you have been chosen to play an integral part in the bride’s special day.  However for some women, it can become a total nightmare, and they begin to wonder why they agreed to be a bridesmaid in the first place.

Some girls find that they cannot meet the needs and demands of the bride. This becomes such a burden for them,  that eventually they quit before the day even arrives.  The Bride on the other hand is beside herself as she feels her bridesmaids are not performing normal “Bridesmaid’s Duties”.  In the end she either grudgingly does all of the work herself and never forgives her bridesmaids for their lack of interest.  Or she becomes so irate, that she demands they pick up their act or they will be booted out of the wedding party.

Working closely with brides and bridesmaids day in and out, I hear similar stories of conflict all the time.  I sit back and listen to the arguments and misunderstandings and I think to myself.  “If only they knew what a bridesmaid was meant to do, then all of these close friendships and bonds would not be lost”.

So apart from being a glamorous attendant to the bride, what is a bridesmaid’s REAL Duties?

Courtesy of the movie Bridesmaids

When you accept the honourable task (I call it a task as there is a job to do) of becoming a bridesmaid you have in a way accepted to do what the bride requests of you regarding her wedding day.  Some bride’s can take their requests to the extreme and the bridesmaid does have the right to refuse her request if it is out right ridiculous.

In my many years in this industry I’ve had the pleasure of hearing about these absurd requests.  The most ridiculous story I have heard so far was when a bride asked her bridal party to bleach their hair blonde so that they could all look the same on the day.  Needless to say this request was met with a stern “No” from all involved.

Being a bridesmaid is an exciting time for all involved, from the initial planning all the way to the big event.  Bridesmaid’s duties can be fun filled and enjoyable as long as everyone involved has a sense of humour and you all remain calm during the stressful periods.

Below is a list of tasks a bridesmaid may be expected to undertake during her time as bridesmaid.

Pre Wedding Tasks

• Accompanying the bride to the bridal store and assisting her in deciding on her bridal gown.  This may also involve attending bridal fittings with her.  (This task may be requested of the Maid of Honour instead of the whole bridal party).

• Visiting Bridesmaid’s stores to find a bridesmaids gown.  Bridesmaids must remember that this is the bride’s special day and therefore she ultimately does make the final decision on the gown style. Bride’s do want to ensure that their bridesmaid’s are happy and comfortable in the chosen style, so bear in mind that your bride will not make you wear something hideous.  However she may ask you to wear a style which you would normally not wear.  This is where you must remember it is the bride’s theme and colour that she likes and you will have your chance to choose your bridesmaid’s style and colour when you have your special day.

• Assisting the bride in making decisions regarding her wedding decorations, invitations and reception menu.  The bride may even ask you to assist in making the invitations or the decorations if she has decided to do these tasks herself.  Think of this as an opportunity to spend quality time with the bride and a chance to bond with the other bridesmaids.  It doesn’t all have to be serious, you can have some fun with this.

• Organising the Bride’s Kitchen tea and Hen’s night is high on the list of bridesmaid’s duties.  Many bridesmaids enjoy this task as they know it is going to be a celebration and they want to make it the most memorable and fun filled event for the bride and her guests.  To make this task enjoyable and stress free for all, remember to ask the bride for some suggestions as to what she would like to do regarding her kitchen tea and hens’ night.  There is nothing worse than spending all of your time organising a fantastic event if you have organised something that the bride does not wish to do.

• When organising the kitchen tea and hen’s night make sure to discuss with the bridesmaid’s and the bride exactly who will be paying for the event.  Most of the time you will find that the guests will individually pay for themselves and they will all put in a certain amount for the bride.  You need to ensure that it is clear as to who will be paying as you do not want to end up short of cash and then you have to make up the difference yourself.

• Bridesmaid’s must also be aware that they may be required to pay for their own bridesmaid dress and accessories including jewellery, hair accessories and shoes.  You may also be required to pay for your own make up and hairstyling on the day.  These costs should be discussed prior to your bridesmaid’s shopping day, so as to alleviate any misunderstandings or embarrassment when it comes time to pay.

Tasks on the Day

All brides behave differently on their wedding day.  Some may feel irate and irritable due to

nerves and others may feel relaxed and happy that the day has finally arrived and they are about

to become married to their soul mate.

Whatever feelings the bride may be displaying on the day, the bridesmaid’s should be aware that she will be very emotional and she will need emotional support from her closest friends.

The duties a bridesmaid must perform on the wedding day are essential in ensuring that the bride has a relaxed and fun filled day.

These duties include:

• Providing emotional support for the bride on the day

• Assisting the bride in getting dressed before the photographer arrives.  You must ensure that the bride is ready before you begin to dress as she will be required for photos before the bridesmaids will be needed.

• Ensuring that the bride is flawless before she leaves the house to travel to the ceremony.

• Assisting the bride in and out of the vehicle once she arrives at her destination.

• Attending to the bride, her dress and her veil when required during the ceremony, photos and the reception.

• Making sure that the bride has a fantastic, fun filled and memorable day.

The above tasks are best performed when you are doing them out of love and kindness towards the person receiving them. They only begin to feel like duties if you are doing them for someone you don’t really care about.

Bridesmaids must always take a moment to assess if they are being a bridesmaid because they care about the bride.  Or are they doing this task for the pure fact that they were asked and they didn’t know how to say no.

There is no fun in being a bridesmaid if you don’t enjoy what you are doing. So make sure when you do say yes to be a bridesmaid, you decide to do it as it is an honour and you really want to be part of the brides special day.

Until Next time

Happy Weddings!

Gisella

When it comes to awards ceremonies, my favourite part of the whole event is watching the red carpet glamour before the ceremony even begins.

There is nothing like a good awards ceremony to get me excited about all of the amazing new design trends, fabrics and colours which will inspire designers from all over the world to create amazing designs.

The red carpet is a platform for many designers to showcase their elegant and innovative new designs that will be adored and envied by many fashionista’s all over the globe.

I love to see designers incorporating inspiration from the red carpet glamour into their bridesmaids.  Allowing bridesmaids the rare opportunity to wear a little piece of Hollywood Glamour.

Below are my top 6 picks from Exclusively Bridesmaids extensive range of gowns which can give you and your bridesmaids that little piece of Red Carpet Glamour.

One shoulder gowns are in again, this year Ellie Kemper and Kate Flannery opted for the Chic and elegant one shoulder gown.  My tip for the one shoulder look is Lily by Exclusively Bridesmaids.  Luxuriously soft in Lux Chiffon with dainty flowers wrapping over the shoulder.  Soft gathers draping so elegantly down to the floor.

Red is so hot right now and many glamorous women opted to out shine the red carpet with this colour, including Sarah Hyland and Kate Winslet.  To achieve the red hot look for your bridesmaids try Exclusively Bridesmaids Paloma in Garnet, this dress is available in full length or cocktail.

Structure is back!  Many figure hugging gowns could be seen on the red carpet with lots of structure, boning and corsetry.  These styles are bound to be popular as they flatter all types of shapes and sizes.  Kylie Richards and Nina Dobrev dazzled on the red carpet with their timeless figure hugging gowns. My choice for a flattering and glamorous structured gown is Indiana at Exclusively Bridesmaids.  The belt can also be chosen in a different satin colour to the rest of the gown.

We can’t get enough of high necklines right now.  As seen on Kim Kardashian and Katie Holmes at this years Emmy awards red carpet.  My pick from Exclusively Bridesmaids is the lovely Kimberly Style which is available in many colours including “Sterling” a silver shade which is very much in vogue.

Everybody loves a low back – sexy, sophisticated and daring.  Lea Michele and Minka Kelly brought sexy back when they opted for a low back number for the Emmy’s.  To get the low back look I suggest Katy by Exclusively Bridesmaids.  Your bridesmaids will look fabulous in this innovative low back number.

Top pick number six is Sexy, Sexy, Sexy!  Splits are back and they are absolutely fabulous for showing a hint of sexiness without being too revealing!  Not to mention how much easier it is to walk in a gown with a split.  Christina Hendricks and Jennifer Carpenter were two daring actresses who strutted their stuff on the red carpet, showing off their long luscious legs!  To recreate this look for your girls my Exclusively Bridesmaids pick is the gown Kylie.  It has a split down the front ruffle, however it is not too revealing which makes it perfect for bridesmaids to wear.  This is a perfect choice for bridesmaids who “dare to bare” a little.

A special Emmy award winning mention has to be made for Modern Family’s gorgeous Sofia Vergara who managed to look absolutely stunning in a Red, One Shoulder, Structured and Figure Hugging floor length gown.  She is my choice as the number one best dressed at this years Emmy awards.

My head is spinning with so many ideas and inspiration for creating gorgeous and stunning bridesmaids gowns.

I can’t wait to see what all of our designers have to offer after this spectacular event.

I’ll keep you posted……….

Warm Regards

Gisella

When I think about Spring I think of fresh flowers in a rainbow of pastel colours, mild sunny days spent outdoors soaking up the warm sunshine and of course weddings!

Spring time is a fantastic time to get married.  After a chilly winter spent rugging up and shying away from the chill outdoors, Spring brings on warm nights, long sunny days and new beginnings.

After a cool dreary winter, spring becomes the time to shed your dark winter colours and bloom with bright fresh hues that represent the essence of the season of Spring.

As the weather heats up, alfresco garden and beach weddings begin to grow in popularity.  Spring has warm weather without being uncomfortably hot, therefore it is the most popular time for bride’s in Australia to wed their grooms.

The Spring bride will choose colour themes for her bridesmaid’s that represent her chosen wedding theme and incorporate the fresh new season ahead.  She wants something that is light and refreshing to welcome in the beginning of the warmer season.

The palate for spring is filled with subtle light pastels and smoky neutrals.  Picture elegant and soft floaty sheer chiffon gowns in light gelato shades such as strawberry, pistachio, lemon and blueberry.   Complimenting these dainty colours are creamy white flower bouquets with small bursts of pastel shades peeking through.  These tones represent the refreshing new season of Spring with flowers in bloom and bright sunny days.

Many Spring brides are also turning back the clock and opting for the elegance and class of the vintage era which is evident in the styles which are now taking vogue. Smoky neutrals, charcoal greys and dusty pinks are elegant feminine shades which are also in high demand for Spring.  Garden weddings are celebrated with the influence of the “English Tea Party” and the Jane Austin novels.

Wedding gowns are crafted with soft delicate vintage lace, and adorned with subtle pearls and diamantes. The bridesmaid’s gowns are thoughtfully created in soft dreamy georgettes and chiffons with shades such as smoky quartz, dusty rose, charcoal grey and creamy mocha which complement the bride and encapsulate the vintage era.

From September through to April thousands of bride’s will take the plunge and walk down the aisle to marry their groom.  Spring will continue to be the season that begins the endless summer of wedding festivities.

The Spring bride is the first to showcase her wedding colour, theme and style to future brides marrying in the months ahead.  Therefore she plays a key role in setting the trend for the current colours of spring which will be marvelled and envied by many brides who want to ensure that their wedding is also in vogue.

Warmest Wishes

Gisella

It’s always good to know a little about the author of the blog that you are reading.  Therefore my first blog is a snapshot of who I am, what my passions are and my experiences along the way.

A little about me……

My name is Gisella and I am the director of Exclusively Bridesmaids, a store that is solely dedicated to assisting bridal parties in finding the perfect bridesmaids gown.  This store was the brainchild of myself and my brother and business partner Andrew.

Our concept store is not an overnight thought, or some bright idea we congaed up after experiencing weddings ourselves.  It is something that we have spent extensive time planning and researching to ensure that we are meeting all of the needs and desires of our customers…. The Bridesmaids.

We are constantly evolving and changing our store to ensure that we are always up to date with meeting all of these needs.

So where did it all begin…………… where did the passion come from?

Growing up I used to spend many afternoons after school in my father’s tailor store.  He and his brother ran a tailoring business in Sydney for over 25 years.  Fashion has always been in my family’s blood and it extends back to my grandfather who was a tailor back in Italy.

My father and his brother played an integral part in assisting the labels Marcs and Cue in becoming well known and respected fashion labels.

During my schooling I elected to study textile and design, completing this subject at the highest level for my HSC and passing with credits.

I then went on to Study Fashion Design Custom clothing at the Sydney Institute of Tafe.  I absolutely loved this course as it allowed me to use my creativity in design as well as teaching me all of the skills necessary to design, pattern make and create garments to fit each individual person perfectly.

Following my graduation I worked for a period in a bridal salon in Sydney before returning to work at my father’s business.

In 2000 I decided it was time to spread my wings and I boarded a plane bound for London.  Here I set about finding employment within the bridal industry.  I was very fortunate to find employment with Virgin Bride near Trafalgar Square.  Virgin Bride was one of Richard Branson’s creative brainchild’s.  Following this employment I spent time working in another high class bridal boutique in London.

On my return to Australia I began my craft of designing and creating custom garments for bride’s, bridesmaid’s and Mother’s of the bride.  Buy creating custom garments I was able to listen to the customers needs and create exactly what they were desiring.

After many extensive years of servicing the bridal industry with custom and off the rack clothing my brother Andrew and I decided to launch Exclusively Bridesmaids.

The birth of an idea!

Hearing from many women how difficult it was to find bridesmaids dresses and  hearing and experiencing first hand what bridesmaids wanted, we decided to create the “Ultimate Bridesmaid’s Destination”.

Our store is very unique and individual, we take the time to have one on one consultations with our bridesmaids.  Our consultants are experienced professionals who are there to assist the bridal party in finding the perfect bridesmaids gown that makes all of them feel like a million dollars when they put it on.

Our main focus is on customer satisfaction, we are not interested in a quick sale.  We have created this store because we love to see customers happy and content with what they have chosen.  We understand how important a bride’s wedding day is and for this reason we endeavour to ensure that the part we play on her big day is without fuss and stress free.

Sharing the Love

I now want to be able to share my knowledge, expertise and experience with you so that you can be better informed when it is your turn to make the decision on which bridesmaid’s dresses you will choose.

My blogs are fun, upbeat and very informative.  I will discuss fun topics such as the colours and styles for the season.  As well as taboo topics such as How to fire a bridesmaid who you no longer want to be part of your special day.

I hope that you enjoy reading what I have to offer, and I hope that my abundance of knowledge that I share can benefit you and assist you on your journey to the altar.

Warmest wishes

Gisella