Loving the Lace ~ FALL 2013 Vera Wang Bridal

The 2013 Fall Bridal Collection from Vera Wang reflects an exploration of laces all handwrought, pieced, appliquèd and tossed onto an assortment­­ of light, airy confections with a casual nonchalance. This study in femininity and romance celebrates the wedding gown in a new take on classicism and ornamentation.

Look 1: Strapless mermaid floating lace gown over web lace with horsehair and tulle shrug.

Look 2: Strapless corded bodice ball gown with lace and organza wave flange skirt. Floral corsage at hip.
Photography: Dan Lecca

Look 3: Draped tulle and Chantilly lace bodice ball gown with crystal and organza embroidery details.

Look 4: Strapless modified ball gown with ribbon embroidered bodice and textured organza skirt over honeycomb crinoline. Silk organza hand rolled petal collar at neck.
Photography: Dan Lecca

Look 5: Strapless draped tulle bodice ball gown with crystal embroidery accented by floating pleated detail at the hip.

Look 6: One shoulder drop waist classic lingerie inspired ball gown with hand pieced organza petal details and floating tulip and rose lace accent.
Photography: Dan Lecca

Look 7: Floating corded leaf and embroidered circular lace strapless mermaid gown with bias organza and lace flange detail accented by crystal and pearl cluster embroidery at hip. Basketweave silk gazaar corselette under bust.

Look 8: Corded leaf lace over web lace modified mermaid gown with hand appliqued lace accents and English tulle and horsehair flange at train. Silk organza hand rolled petal corsage at neck. Silk organza corselette at waist.
Photography: Dan Lecca

Look 9: Strapless micro flange bodice modified ball gown with silk organza and mixed lace wave flange skirt. Blossoming hand rolled organza petal corsage at waist.

Look 10: Strapless floating tulip and rose lace ball gown with open back and classic corset detailing.
Photography: Dan Lecca

Look 11: Stretch mikado mermaid gown with floating tulip and rose lace overlay accented by table pleated organza rosette skirt.

Look 12: Strapless modified ball gown with Chantilly lace bodice accented by organza petal and pearl embroidery with hand draped textured organza skirt over English tulle wave flange detail. English tulle and horsehair ruffled collar at neck.
Photography: Dan Lecca

Look 13: Floating Chantilly lace ball gown with bias organza and tulle wave flange detail. Basketweave gazaar bralette with classic lingerie details.

Look 14: Tulip Chantilly lace mermaid gown with hand pieced circular flange train and mum garden hemline. Silk organza mum and tulle corsage at neck.
Photography: Dan Lecca

Look 15: Strapless ball gown with ribbon embroidered bodice and silk organza floating flange skirt accented by lace applique detail at hem.

Look 16: Strapless drop waist modified ball gown with corded leaf lace bodice and swirling bias cut table pleat flange skirt. Silk zibeline corselette at waist.
Photography: Dan Lecca

By Vera Wang Digital

Modern Style Ideas Spring Summer 2013

Modern Style Ideas

Miranda Kerr showcases a design by Alex Perry during the 2012 David Jones S/S Season Launch - Getty Images

Whole, light, shimmering
This is the season for women to inspire
To shine, with joy, elegance, confidence

Left: Design by Zac Posen Right: Design by Reem Acra Spring 2013 during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week - Getty Images

A season with all the seasons within
Layers of the retro and contemporary and high-tech, transcending
Reflecting circles of whites, golds, silvers, powders

Left: Coco Rocha wears Zac Posen Right: Norisol Ferrari design from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2012 - Getty Images

A season for intelligence and transparency
Fine fabrics flowing, billowing
With happiness and comfort, one complementing the other

Anteprima Fashion Show part of Milan Fashion Week - Getty Images

Feel the texture, the geometry
The sheer grace of silhouettes and satin
The boldness of metallic mesh and all-overs

Jack London Suits from David Jones Spring/Summer 2013 - Getty Images

Knitted, pleated, silken, sequins…
A-lined, fluid, straight, wide…
And fine sandals with platinum heels to lift you

Many wedding dresses in China, India and Vietnam are

colored red, the traditional color of good luck and

auspiciousness.

Suit by Calibre, Dress by Alex Perry from David Jones Spring/Summer 2013 - Getty Images

This is a season embroidered with womanly beauty and light
Woven with sophistication and simplicity, softness and stamina
The woman’s body echoes everything


Feel the best this season

Paisley Blue Hues

Paisley Blue Hues

At a time when too much pattern is not enough, paisley is hot. The ornate, feathery design dates back to persia in the 1500s when royalty embellished court garments and crowns with fine detail. Rediscover paisley’s luxurious potential using a ralph lauren wallpaper and make a contemporary statement in smokey blue against bridal white.
Blue continues to be the world’s most favourite colour, so use the crowd pleaser to the hilt. In a white marquee, pedestals decorated with paisley wallpaper are used to put the blue story on show. A bold cluster of cobalt bottles looks sharp and a touch quirky, The gladioli stems add a dignified beauty and the paisley pattern ties it all together.



The sublime colours in the florist’s arrangement are breathtaking against the exquisite paisley patterned box. A striking sheath bouquet of long stemmed white gladioli is skirted with the soft-to-touch frills of silver suede foliage. The subtle charcoal velvet bow adds a truly tactile finish.

"A sapphire statement"

Following the theme, the buttonholes have been made from individual white gladioli blooms with a silver suede leaf. Their stems have been set into tiny paisley wallpaper cones and finished with the thinnest of navy blue bows.



Boxed flowers always have an ultra special feel, but when the boxes match the flowers in beauty, the effect is dizzyingly perfect. Organise lined boxes for the flower deliveries. The benefits are doublefold, the wedding day photos will show the flowers off to their best advantage and the thrill for the bridal party will be memorable.

An alternative to individual guest favours is an inviting jar of self-serve after dinner lollies on the table. The handsome glass and pewter canisters are decorative in themselves and hold mints for a post dinner treat. Cut into circles, the patterned wallpaper decorates the centre of each table, emphasising the theme of the wedding.



The classic paisley pattern lends itself to many thoughtful and interesting uses. Paper has been twirled into cones which are used to hold rose petals to be thrown rather than confetti.

The perfect detail, a letterpress placecard

in a paisley design.



Mid blue fabric has been hung as a backdrop to heighten the blue colour theme in the white marquee space. The generous use of the textile creates a swish, well decorated look and creates a contrasting backdrop for the elegant table setting. In a recent floral turnaround, white gladioli have made a big comeback and it’s easy to see why, they add height and make a classic centrepiece in a simple cylindrical vase.



A cake that really looks too good to cut; if ever there was a centrepiece on the dessert table, this ‘look at me’ delight wins on a number of counts. It’s a stand alone beauty that echoes the decorative theme of the wedding closely and does divine things to tastebuds. The nine-tiered fondant wonder is finished in a pale blue pearlescent wash and detailed with a paisley motif.


"The power of good design"

The Ralph Lauren paisley wallpaper decorated the wedding venue and inspired the artwork for the stationery suite which includes the invitation, menu, placecards and swing tags, all follow the theme.



A delightful picnic food box would be a welcome pick-me-up for the bride and groom after the reception. This idea is perfect for the occasion when ordering room service would be too much after a great dinner and raiding the mini bar would not be good enough. The box is convenient, it can be made to look like an extension of the wedding when wrapped in the themed paper binned when finished.

Preview Royal Couture For Kids From Our Winter 2012 Digital Magazine

“ Selecting outfits for your junior bridal

party members could possibly be one of your

most enjoyable experiences in the lead up to

your wedding day ”

As featured in our Winter 2012 issue 21, available now!

There’s something rather special about the delightful expression on a little flower girl’s face as she twirls around in her dress, or the proud grin of a page boy who is wearing his very first suit. Co-ordinated well, your junior attendants can enhance your entire bridal party’s look and make a stylish statement.

Esme and Grace By Nicki Macfarlane

“ Even those brides who seek fashion forward

style for their bridal party will still 

choose a traditional gown for their flower 

girl essentially because little girls look

 best when they're dressed as little girls ”

Melina Zipparo of Stellina Cute Couture For Children

Stellina Cute Couture For Children has introduced exclusively in Australia an exciting range of ready-to-wear flower girl and page boy wear by UK Designer, Nicki Macfarlane. Nicki Macfarlane was chosen to create the flower girl dresses for the Royal Wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton.

“It is an honour to be able to bring Nicki Macfarlane’s range to Australia, says Melina. Her designs are truly beautiful using rich fabrics with a clever combination of modern and traditional styling” 

Australian brides will even have the opportunity to dress their flower girls as Kate Middleton dressed her own flower girls with the inclusion of the “Eliza” dress in the new collection- a dress based on the The Royal Wedding flower girl dress design. 

For the full article and more see our Winter 2012 Issue.

Harriet and Mirabelle dresses By Nicki Macfarlane

Hair styling options now go beyond fresh flowers or the traditional tiara- hair spirals and hairpins are on trend and these can create a sweet, subtle look- a few single pearl or crystal hairpins dotted around a stylised bun creates a gorgeous hair accent. 

“ When it comes to jewellery and make-up,

less is definitely more- a fine bracelet and

perhaps a little light lip gloss on older age

flower girls is all that is needed for 

 beautiful results ”

Here's a preview of our Winter 2012 Issue 21

WSG is at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Sydney

Wedding Style Guide is excited to be at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Sydney spotting all the latest designer wedding gowns for you!

Can't wait to share all the latest with you in our Winter 2012 digital magazine which is due out in the next couple of weeks!



Top Ten Wedding Day Dos

Vera Wang, leading fashion and bridal couture designer, released her Top Ten Wedding Day Dos which we would like to share with you.

What works fashion wise for that trek down the aisle?

"1. Feeling comfortable in your appearance is incredibly important. If you feel comfortable with the way you look, you will radiate the most confidence."

Brittany Baldwin married Mitchell Clough
at the Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast.
Their Real Wedding features in The Bride's Gown Look Book.
She radiates confidence on her special day!

"2. Determine what kind of wedding you are having. The volume, silhouette, proportions, amount of adornment, tailoring and other elements of the dress should have a lot to do with not only where you have your wedding, but what time of day it is being held and what the temperature is. The dress is not only about how it looks on your body."

Lou Fitzhardinge & Paul McDougall
A Real Wedding in The Brides Gown
Lou is dressed beautifully for a wonderful cold Autumn wedding.

"3. It's really important to see the whole look - the dress, the headpiece, the size of the bouquet and the shoes. I would go so far as to include the makeup. A lot of girls put a tremendous amount of effort into the dress, but they don't give a lot of thought to the headpiece, tiara, barrettes or other accessories. Very often they are an afterthought."

Kimberley & Daniel Tuillo featured as a Real Wedding
in our Autumn 2012 Issue 20 digital magazine.
Great hair do, tiara, matching earrings and complimentary makeup!

"4. Go easy on the bouquet. Bouquets that are too large or too loud will detract from the dress."

Katie and Matt - The Secret Garden
Such an intricate dress of beauty subtly complimented by the bouquet!

"5. Hem lengths are very key. You have to make sure you don't see the shoes. The dress should definitely be floating above in the front. If it is too long in front, it's treacherous. In order to make a wedding a success, the bride should not have to lift the dress. Someone tripped in my most recent show. It can be a particularly long walk down the aisle."

Natasha and Paul Cooper featured
as a Real Wedding in our The Brides Gown Look Book.
Natasha negotiated the stairs out of the church with no trouble at all !

"6.  Makeup is another thing to think about. I'm not crazy about strong red lipstick with a white dress. If you never wear blue eyeshadow or purple eyeshadow or glitter, why wear it on your wedding day? You want to avoid any makeup that makes you look disguised or that makes you no longer look like yourself. That is huge. It should be the same with the hair. Sometimes stylists can get too elaborate with hair styles and colours. Wearing hair accessories and bobby pins are very much about editing."

Hannah and Rhys Clark featured as a Real Wedding
 in The Brides Gown Look Book
Her makeup is professionally applied and accentuates her natural beauty!

"7.  I have to say I prefer a shoe on the quieter side whether it is a fashion shoe (though it doesn't have to be) or something with a bit of a wedding feeling. I like a shoe with a tapered toe box. I'm not someone who is into a full-on Swarovski-covered glittery shoe. I don't think you want that much attention. A little kitten heel is nice if you are marrying someone shorter than you, or a platform if you are marrying someone taller."

Amy and James Tracy-Inglis are featured
in our Autumn 2012, Issue 20 digital magazine
Amy's shoes are from Kurt Geiger 

"8.  It is just as important to have black-and-white photography done as it is to have colour. Black and white is chic and timeless."

Leonie and Chris Davenport featured as a
Real Wedding in our Autumn 2012 Issue 20 digital magazine
Black and white is chic and timeless!

"9.  Step into your dress whether it is large or narrow. There are things no one can compensate for. I once had a bride get red lipstick on the front of her dress when she pulled it on over her head. Keep anyone with colourful drinks, beverages or makeup away from you."

May and Adrian Wong featured as a Real Wedding in our
Autumn 2012 Issue 20 digital magazine
May is carefully helped into her gown by her bridesmaid so as to not
disturb the gorgeous hair do.

"10.  Savour the moment. There's a tendency when people get married to rush down the aisle as soon as the ceremony has ended. I'm not sure if it's relief or what. But you have to remember the guests have spent most of the time looking at your back during the service. So much work goes into planning. Take your time when walking back down the aisle. Let them see the dress."

Amy and James Tracy-Inglis are featured
in our Autumn 2012, Issue 20 digital magazine
Gradually and happily walking down the aisle after a beautiful ceremony!

Great advice! Thanks Vera!



Vera Wang

Bibilography:
1: Studio Sixty Photography & Todd Hunter McGraw
3: Jennifer Oliphant Photography www.jenniferoliphant.com
4: http://www.styleandbride.com/2012/02/katie-and-matt-the-secret-garden/
5. Ryan Heywood www.ryanheywood.com
6: Ryan Ahern www.ahern.com.au
7 & 10: Popcorn Photography http://www.popcornphotography.com.au
8: Tim Coulson Photography  www.timcoulson.com
9: Pobke Photography  http://www.pobkephotography.com