Portobello Bride 'Girls Night In' Morning Tea

Last Tuesday we held a 'Girls Night In' party to raise vital funds for Women's Cancer. It was the first one I have organised, and I loved every minute. I am already looking forward to next years. It's the perfect occasion to gather together your girlfriends, taking time out of your busy lives to celebrate friendship and womanhood whilst offering support and awareness to a very relevant and important cause.

I had decided on a Bright Pink and Daffodil Yellow theme, the colours of the "Girls Night In" charity.  I called on lovely Portobello Bride Members to help me create a morning tea like like no other my friends had experienced.

First on my 'To Do' list was the invitations. Samone, one half of Cake Ink, created an original stationery suite for us. I wanted something in bright pink, that was very 'Portobello'. The first design Samone sent me was perfect, the Bottoms Up coasters were the most talked about detail of the day, the girls loved them!

Lucky you, we will be providing a free printable version of the Stationery suite for you with compliments from Cake Ink! Check back soon...

The most important detail of the day, the Sweets was next! Juli from One Sweet Girl went above and beyond anything I imagined for our dessert buffet. There were chocolate cake pops, brownies, cupcakes, marshmallows, cookies and the piéce de resistance, a white chocolate ganache with fresh raspberry ribbon cake. 

Flowers are a must have when ever I am entertaining. I called on the lovely Virginia of The Bouquets of Ascha Jolie to arrange the most beautiful pink and yellow blooms for the party. Everyone commented on them, and I really appreciated the extra loose bunches Virginia provided for me to use throughout my home to complement our Girls Night In spread. That's what I love about all our members, the service they offer is simply exceptional.

The finishing touch was the pretty vintage glassware and crockery we hired from A Vintage Affair. Lee Elizabeth George from A Vintage Affair provided the perfect ensemble of coupette glasses for our champagne and daiquiris, cake plates and the cutest cake forks I have ever seen.

Floral arrangements by The Bouquets of Ascha Jolie

I placed photographs of the important women in my life throughout the desserts by One Sweet Girl.  

My favourite sweet of the day, chocolate brownies with raspberry icing.

Bottoms Up! Cake Ink printable coasters- you can get yours here soon!

Pretty drinks in pretty glassware by A Vintage Affair!

My niece, Eliza Valentine sneaking a cake pop!

 

Not forgetting the reason for our fabulous do! The girls donated generously to our 'Girls Night In' fundraiser. Thank you xx

The most divine cake I have ever tasted. Juli is certainly One Talented Sweet Girl!

The ever cheeky Lucy, kicking up her pretty heels!

I must make a special mention to Lisa of Who's A Clever Girl? Photography who travelled to my home on the Peninsula from Melbourne to photograph our event for you all to see. Lisa worked her magic around us all, blending in and capturing so many sweet moments.

Thank you also to all who donated online to our Portobello Bride page on The Girls Night In website. We raised just over $500, and we look forward to raising more in the coming year. The winner of our two tickets to a Portobello Bride event in 2012 is, Kylie Blake. Congratulations Kylie, and thank you again. 

all images captured by Lisa Kerr-Atkinson of Who's A Clever Girl? Photography

Getting To Know... Who's A Clever Girl?

With the Boutique Wedding Market rapidly approaching we at Portobello Bride wanted to help you get to know the fabulous people who will be a part of the event! We spent some time with Lisa Atkinson, the delightful and talented Photographer behind Who's a Clever Girl? to talk weddings, cocktails, gifts and more..

What’s your favourite part of your job? 
There’s so much that I love, but if I had to pick one thing, I get to meet some great couples, and the bond and fun we have on that one day is fantastic.  It’s a bit clichéd but I really do feel it’s an honour to work so closely with a couple on a day that means so much to them, so I try to make it a choice that they don’t regret.  I hear a lot of stories about obnoxious photographers who ruin the day, and I never want to fall into that category. 

I also love when they get to see the final results of my work, and the memories I have captured for them.

What are you reading at the moment? 
Decoded by Jay-Z.  I’m not really a rap fan, but I used to work in the music industry, and I’ve always had a fascination for music in all its forms.   This is a really insightful book not just about rap music and the industry, but also about rising up from your circumstances, making a name for yourself, and business in general.

What are you lusting after at the moment?
A full night’s sleep! {I have a 3 month old daughter}

Top three songs on your play list?
I’m going through an ‘albums’ phase at the moment.  These three are all oldies but goodies!
Tears for Fears – Tears Roll Down (Greatest Hits)
Chicane – Far From the Maddening Crowds
Faithless – Saturday 3am

What is your favourite moment during a wedding?
Again, so many… Photographically some of the best candid shots happen straight after the ceremony when the bride and groom are being congratulated by their family and friends.  The ‘hard part’ is over and everyone is relaxed, happy, and on a real high.
On a non-photographic level, I actually really love the speeches.  As not much of a public speaker myself, I am always amazed how many funny, touching, witty, emotional speeches I hear.  It’s a fine art, and I am in awe of a great speech.

Who inspires you?
Fortunately I don’t have to look too far out of my circle of girlfriends to be inspired.  I recently celebrated a ‘milestone’ birthday {not telling which one!} with a girl’s lunch at my favourite restaurant, Donovan’s in St Kilda. As a looked around the table I saw a dozen gorgeous, talented, funny babes, many with their own successful businesses, and they inspire me to be worthy of their company as a friend, in a creative sense, as a wife & mum, and also as a businesswoman.

Favourite Cocktail?
Passionfruit margarita.  I made one just last night.

What does it take to impress you?
A lot, and at the same time not much.  Weird huh?

What is the best piece of advice you were ever given?
It was in 2002, from my former boss as I was finishing up my job to pursue my passion for photography  “Don’t waste this opportunity”… I never want to have to go back to 9-5, so I think of that every day.

Favourite way to spend a Sunday?
Relaxing and having family time, especially if I’ve done a big wedding the day before.  Going to South Melbourne market in the morning with my hubby Matt, and daughters Finlay and Lila for breakfast at Café Panette, and doing our weekly fruit, veg, meat and deli shop.  Everyone having a little nap when we get home, then heading across to our local playground in the afternoon.  Take away for dinner, a passionfruit margarita, and an early night.  Bliss!

Black Tie or Casual?
Somewhere in the middle… “Comfortably glam”!

Your suggestion for a new name for ‘Hens party’. 
“The Last Hurrah”

Your favourite hostess gift to give?
Grown up lolly bags.

What’s the best gift you have ever received?
My engagement ring.  It was a huge surprise and it was {and still is} beautiful.

Three words that describe you best.
A juggling act.


Thanks Lisa for taking the time to let us all get to know you a little better!

You can find out more about Lisa and check out her work through the following links:
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook

Don't forget that tickets for the Melbourne Boutique Wedding Market are now on sale! Buy yours today!

Portobello Bride Real Wedding - Emily & Chris

I may be biased but I love Melbourne weddings and today's wedding captured by Lisa Atkinson from 'Who's a clever girl?' would have to have my favourite bride that I have seen this year. The entire wedding is resplendent of old Hollywood glamour, taking inspiration from art deco designs and themes. 


Emily and Chris met through mutual friends whilst Chris was working in Melbourne and Emily was studying medicine. Their friendship blossomed into a romance on NYE 04/05 with Chris popping the question on what would have been their anniversary in 2009. Emily actually sabotaged the proposal by falling asleep on the couch when Chris wanted to take a walk on the beach and propose. Luckily he kept his original plan and asked her the following day. 

What a beautiful shot. The wedding dress material is exquisite.

The lead up to Emily and Chris' stylish wedding was just as elegant as the day itself. I love the way they celebrated with their friends. 
Emily's girlfriends held a Mad Hatter tea party for her, complete with hats for everyone to wear, and Emily as 'Alice'. Chris and his mates won't forget their day in a hurry; celebrating at Flemington Races on the day Melbourne experienced the worst storm in its history. 
The night before their wedding, Emily spent the night at The Royce South Yarra with her bridesmaids and celebrated with her parents with dinner at Baccash, South Yarra.  Chris and the boys relaxed at The Hotel Lindrum, South Yarra playing poker and pool.  

Emily included Paloma's Nest charm on her bouquet from White Moss.

Emily reminds me so much of a favourite style icon, Audrey Hepburn. Emily said she absolutely adored her dress and felt like a 1950's movie star. She certainly looks like one, with Chris a very dapper leading man.  

Love the bridal party outfits. Superb!

Emily and Chris planned their entire wedding themselves, deciding on an Art deco theme from the artwork and decor at their wedding reception venue, Church Street Enoteca.  The couple incorporated the elegant and classic style throughout every detail, from the black mustang cars to Emily's stunning dress by Amaline Vitale and her stylish hat by Ann Shoebridge. Emily and Chris also took dance lessons to perform a choreographed dance to Michael Buble's version of "Crazy little thing called love". They had so much fun and their guests loved it! 

There were a few handmade details to the day as well; a favourite at Portobello Bride.  The couple made beautiful fans for the guests to use at their garden ceremony. They designed their invitations, which were printed professionally and made badges with hand tied ribbons. I loved the vintage typewriter set up at the reception for their guests to type the newlyweds little notes of love for them to keep forever, a really simple but memorable touch. 

You can see again, why I love Melbourne weddings so much. They seem to have a very simple, classic elegance to them, with a twist. Maybe it is because so many of our beautiful restaurants and venues have a classic, artistic feel to them allowing couples to really make the most of the style and incorporate it into their design.  Emily and Chris have done this with perfection. 

Love the Vintage  Photobooth set up at the reception.

Thank you Lisa Atkinson from 'Who's a clever girl?' for sharing your beautiful photography with us. Your timeless style has complimented Emily and Chris' day perfectly.
Emily, thank you for sharing your story with us. We wish you and Chris all the happiness in your life together as husband and wife.  Enjoy!    

The Wedding Team:-

Wedding Dress: Ameline Vitale

Shoes: Tony Bianco

Jewellery: Swarovski

Flowers: White Moss

Beauty: Ellen Mugavin

Fragrance: Emily forgot her Georgio Armani Mania and wore her bridesmaids Lovely by SJP instead

Grooms Attire: Suits by Browse, Geelong and Ties from Tied Up

Ceremony Venue: Pioneer Women's Memorial Garden, Kings Domain

Reception Venue: Church St. Enoteca

Function Hire: Complete Function Hire 

Celebrant: Denise Martin

Transport: Mustangs in Black

Photographer: Lisa Atkinson -'Who's a clever girl?' 
Photo Booth- Vintage Photobooths 

Dance Instructor: A Signature Wedding Dance

 First Dance Song: Crazy Little Thing Called Love-Michael Buble' version