Getting to Know... A Vintage Affair

A Vintage Affair | South Melbourne VIC | Website | Blog | Facebook

What’s your favourite part of your job?
Wow so many things….. I get to spend my days travelling to quaint little country towns, treasure hunting for beautiful vintage pieces, what could be better than that?  All my clients are embarking on the happiest time of their lives, it is really special to be able to share that time with them.

What are you reading at the moment?
My French Life by Vicki Archer.  Not so much reading but looking at the pictures with envy!

What are you lusting after at the moment?
A gorgeous 1950s cocktail dress on www.lovemissdaisy.com – a UK site that sells amazing vintage frocks.

Top three songs on your play list?
The Hotel Costes series on random shuffle, 
L.O.V.E. by Nat King Cole 
and anything by Hall and Oates (sad but true!). 

What is your favourite moment during a wedding?
The anticipation right before the bride is about to enter. It’s the culmination of all that preparation, it’s that one magic moment in a wedding when it’s all about the bride... the atmosphere is electric!

Who inspires you? 
All the gorgeous artisans I get to work with, other stylists, photographers, catering geniuses that make each wedding so personal and truly stunning. The creativity and style within the boutique wedding space is amazing and they are all such wonderful people. And Parisians who are so stylish even if they are only popping out for milk and bread.

Favourite Cocktail?
If it’s the beginning of the night, French champagne. If it’s close to the end of the night, an Espresso Martini, so that it’s not almost the end of the night anymore.
 
What does it take to impress you?
People who are true to themselves and forge their path by doing what they love to do, not what they think they should.

What is the best piece of advice you were ever given?
Happiness is up to you.

Favourite way to spend a Sunday?
A slow breakfast at a small café, coffee and baked eggs reading both Sunday papers cover to cover, a drive through the countryside listening to jazz, discovering unexpected treasures at flea markets or small country towns, followed by a big Sunday roast and red wine with friends.

Black Tie or Casual?
Black Tie always

Your suggestion for a new name for ‘Hens party’.
I wish I had one.  ‘Hen’s party’ just conjures up terrible images of stretch Hummers, sparkly pink veils, sambuca shots and bad strippers.  I love that ladies are now hosting a High Tea for Bridal Showers and Kitchen Teas, it is such an elegant way to celebrate.

Your favourite hostess gift to give?
French Champagne.

What’s the best gift you have ever received?
My antique emerald and diamond engagement ring from a small antique store in Paris. It makes me smile every time I look at it.

Three words that describe you best.
Champagne and red lipstick.

Getting to Know... James Tudball of The White Tree

What’s your favourite part of your job?
Getting to rock the Grease Megamix at every wedding The White Tree Band play at.  No we don’t do that.  Probably just the versatility of it all.  One moment I’m editing a wedding film, the next thing I’m playing drums at a wedding.  It’s good fun. 

What are you reading at the moment?
Just another one of the many biographies on John Lennon. 

What are you lusting after at the moment?
Sleep.  It’s 6:45am and the builders have arrived.

Top three songs on your play list?
Probably Empire State of Mind (if the couple book our rapper), 99 Luft Balloons, and This Old Love by Lior. 

What is your favourite moment during a wedding?
The dance sets, when everyone let’s their hair down and has a good time.

Who inspires you?
Richard Branson, currently Anna Bligh, and pretty much any African American jazz musician.

Favourite Cocktail?
Long Island Ice Tea’s at the moment.  They can pack a punch.

What does it take to impress you?
Originality.

What is the best piece of advice you were ever given?
My grandfather would always say “Patience is a virtue my lad”.  I like to remind myself of that.

Favourite way to spend a Sunday?
If the weather is good, just getting outdoors – perhaps a Sunday session with mates at a place like Belgian Beer Garden or the beach in general.

Black Tie or Casual?
Hmm... What context? I think black tie looks sharp.

Your suggestion for a new name for ‘Hens party’?
Literal suggestion = “Drunk Chicks Gone Wild”  More marketable suggestion = “The Little Secrets Evening”

Your favourite hostess gift to give?
Oh geez.  What is a hostess gift?

What’s the best gift you have ever received?
Probably a gigantic advent calendar my girlfriend gave to me when she went overseas.  She made it herself and it count down the days until her return. 

Three words that describe you best. 
Dedicated, bold and friendly. 

Thanks so much for sharing with us today James. We are very much looking forward to having The White Tree at the Portobello Bride Boutique Wedding Market in Melbourne on March 26 and 27!

To find our even more about The White Tree and their services visit:
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Getting To Know... Ed Dixon Food Design

What’s your favourite part of your job?
In 2011 Ed Dixon Food Design is celebrating ten years!
I look back and think of all of the amazing parties, weddings and corporate events we have catered for and the highlight has been all of the wonderful people we have met along the way.

What are you reading at the moment?
I have a collection of new design and food books that I plan to take on holidays next week to Pambula. My husband and son will be treated to me testing out a few new recipes but mostly I look forward to simply devouring the beautiful food and design photography!

FAVOURITE FOOD TITLE: I’m most impressed by ‘Plenty’ by Yotam Ottolenghi.  It’s entirely vego and he references the fact that we should all consider eating meat a privilege.  That resonated strongly with me.
FAVOURITE DESIGN TITLE: Todd Selby’s ‘The Selby is in Your Place’. If you have not seen the website you must visit www.theselby.com

What are you lusting after at the moment?
We have amazing treats here at our EDFD Abbotsford headquarters.  Every day we are challenged not to eat too many.  Our brownie recipe has not changed for ten years and we have a recent addition of gorgeous French macarons.
Oh....and I would also really love a painting by Gemma Smith.

Top three songs on your play list?

• Anything on Miami Horror’s Debut Album- Illumination
• Anything by Little Red
• And my all time favourite every song on Graceland by Paul Simon

What is your favourite moment during a wedding?
As an event manager – when everyone hits the dance floor with big smiles, a belly full of delicious food ready to relax and celebrate.

Who inspires you?  
AT WORK
A wonderful group of top notch industry partners that we work with every day to produce beautiful events –

• Graphic Designers  - Flight Creative
• Florists -  Katie Marx, Cecilia Fox and Kate Main      
• Stylist - Georgie Kay at Georgeous   
• Photographers Georgie Imhoff, Sarah Wood and Erin Slattery

Just to name a few!

PERSONALLY

• Miranda Skoczek
• Davis Band
  
• Lara Merrett
• Gemma Smith

Favourite Cocktail?
Serving a cocktail or a fruity punch is a great way to kick off any event. From the EDFD cocktail menu I love - Red Tracksuit (vodka, Aperol, Italian blood orange, twist of lime).

What does it take to impress you?
A creative new idea

What is the best piece of advice you were ever given?
Be prepared

Favourite way to spend a Sunday?
Enjoying a long lunch in my garden with friends and family; dining on salads made from home-grown herbs, fruit and vegetables and pizzas fresh from our outdoor wood fired oven.

Black Tie or Casual?
Somewhere in-between.  At EDFD we are seeing a trend towards combining formality and fun. It’s not just about choosing a dress code; the style of your wedding menu has a huge influence on the overall mood.  We are increasingly customising menus so guests are only seated for the main course.  Canapés, entree and dessert are all served canapé style complimented by grazing tables of delicious cheeses, tapas and sweets.

Your suggestion for a new name for ‘Hens party’
Our chef who hosts our Hen’s Cooking Classes hears all kinds of names for Hen’s Parties.  Almost all of which I can’t repeat!

Your favourite hostess gift to give?
A bunch of peonies – I’ve never met a bride who doesn’t love peonies. 

What’s the best gift you have ever received?
My son Lofty and soon after his birth a beautiful Missoni bath robe.

Three words that describe you best.
Design obsessed, kooky, driven

Thanks so much for sharing with us today Ed. We are very much looking forward to having you at the Portobello Bride Boutique Wedding Market in Melbourne on March 26 and 27!

To find our even more about Ed and her team visit:
Website | Store

A Note From Kim... It's all in the planning

What a lovely way to start the week. Our first advertisement announcing the gorgeous members of our Boutique Wedding Guide is in the new Bride To Be Wedding Planner Annual. Yipee!

Just in time for the launch of Francesca's Style Guide and some wonderful new additions to our website in the coming month.