WEDDING BLOG

Junebug’s New Look, New Features and New Wedding Venues Hotlist!

December 3, 2012 | editorial team

Notice anything different dear readers? That’s right! Junebug’s got a fresh new look, and some amazing new features we’re incredibly excited to introduce to you. Our site (not to mention the wedding world and the internet) have grown and changed in huge ways since we launched back in 2006, so it was high time for a spring cleaning, a reorganization, and a whole new way to look at the content we have here, and how you, our readers, can interact with it best. With that in mind we’ve been working ridiculously long hours behind the scenes to keep the signature style we’re known for, but come up with something new we think you’ll love…

First up is our brand new World’s Best Wedding Venues Hotlist! Based on our highly-vetted Hotlists of photographers, planners and designers, we’re carefully searching the globe to find the most beautiful, unique, experienced and reliable wedding venues to recommend to you. We have some truly spectacular wedding venues on our Hotlist already, including One&Only Ocean Club in the Bahamas, Great Hall at Union Station in Seattle, Gramercy Park Hotel in New York, Chateau Challain in France, Kenwood Inn and Spa in Napa, and the St. Regis Punta Mita in Mexico to name a few (photos from these properties are seen below) and we’ll be adding many more in the coming months, so be sure the check back often!

Junebug

Our nav bar at the top of the page has been simplified and reorganized, and our homepage is all new, with easy links to the newest blog posts on What Junebug Loves and Photobug, images in our Inspiration Photo Gallery and special sections and features we don’t want you to miss.

Our new Hotlist pages let you start by choosing where you’re planning your wedding, or by focusing in on finding your wedding planner, designer, venue or photographer. We’re adding fantastic wedding professionals from around the country every day, so soon, no matter what kind of wedding professional you need, Junebug will have just what you’re looking for. You can get to all of these pages from the drop-down menu in our nav bar under “plan your wedding”. (Wedding pros interested in join our community, click here to learn more and apply!)

And we even have new Wedding Planning 101 articles for you, so you can start your planning process off right by making your decisions with confidence and ease.

(wedding photo by Sarah Ainsworth)

We’re so grateful for your support and the work we get to do here at Junebug everyday, and so honored to get to be a part of your wedding. We hope that you’ll love our new look and that these new features will help you plan your wedding with minimum stress – maximum fun and a whole lot of personal style. Stay tuned for more to come, explore, and enjoy!

Sydney and Cape Town Wedding Captured by Jonas Peterson Photography – Cheree and Mitchell

November 30, 2012 | editorial team

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Cheree and Mitchell, had not one, but two gorgeous weddings, and we are so lucky that they are sharing both with us today! Cheree was born in Africa and has family in Cape Town, while Mitchell was born in Australia and raised in Malta. These days, it’s Sydney that they call home. In order to celebrate with all of their loved ones, they had a double Sydney and Cape Town wedding. They celebrated first with an elegant wedding and reception in Syndey at the iconic Opera House. Two weeks later, they did it all again in Cape Town with another set of family and friends. Their talented (though the word hardly seems adequate) photographer Jonas Peterson wrote the loveliest tribute on his blog…Look at Cheree looking at Mitchell. Look at him looking at her. Both in Sydney and in Cape Town. It wouldnt have mattered where in the world they got married. They were already home.

The Goals: We truly wanted to celebrate our marriage with our nearest and dearest in a simple elegant way. We celebrated twice, in Sydney, the city that is home to us; and in Cape Town, where we could be with family.

The Vision: We wanted to create an atmosphere that captured the essence of both our heritages. I was born in Africa; and Mitchell, although Australian, was brought up in the Maltese culture. We choose elements that were natural, simple, and that elegantly combined our two cultures. We used a repeating ikat print on the place mats, menu cards, our cake and the seating chart. The tables were decorated with tortoiseshell candle holders, pewter African pheasants and cut crystal glassware. We had eclectic flowers – David Austin Roses, proteas and ferns – raining down from wooden beams above the long rustic tables. In Sydney, we loved being on the harbour at such an iconic venue! One of my favourite touches was having teatowel favors with a caricature of us on the front. Not many people know that Mitchell collects tea towels in his travels – we have over 100 – so it really signified his obsession.

The Look: My beautiful dress was made in Melbourne by JAton Couture. The bodice was made from French lace and completely covered in beading and crystal with a tulle skirt. I wanted the palette to be a mixture of neutrals, so the mix of oyster, cafe and pearl pink colours used in the gown were perfect. I only had two fittings, once for measurements and the second and last when I took it home. It was a perfect fit, and I burst into tears when I saw my dress for the first time because it really took my breath away. My shoes were Miu Miu – love at first sight when I saw them in the store, and so comfortable! Mitchell surprised me with beautiful vintage earrings that he had picked out for me to wear. They had a central pearl surrounded by a halo of diamonds and set in platinum. Mitchell looked especially dapper in a Hugo Boss dinner suit, with Tom Ford accessories. My bridesmaids wore frocks made by a friend of mine in different neutral hues. I wanted their dresses to be a reflection of their personalities and their styles, yet still tie together.

Calendar of Bridal and Wedding Events – December 2012

November 29, 2012 | editorial team

There are some great events taking place this month, including an awesome bespoke stationery event to benefit a wonderful charity for women and children (a great holiday gift!), a rare bridal event in Tokyo, a couple sample sales that have me drooling, and an educational opportunity that mixes important business with luxurious pleasure!

Monique Lhuillier – Sample Sale

A one day only sample sale from Monique Lhuillier in Los Angeles, including bridal and ready-to-wear at 40%-90% off! Merchandise is “as is”, and all sales are final, but there may be an incredible deal waiting for you. No appointments are taken (and please note that it’s not at their Melrose boutique), so be sure to get there early!

Sunday, December 2; 10am – 4pm
1201 S. Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90015

Reem Acra Ready-to-Wear and Bridal Sample Sale

This is it! Your chance to get one of Reem Acra’s beautifully detailed, embellished, sophisticated gowns for a steal! Reem Acra is hosting a sample sale of both bridal AND ready-to-wear, so it is also a great opportunity to get dresses for your bridal party, rehearsal dinner, or honeymoon.

Preview – November 30, 12-3:00 pm
Sale – December 1, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
240 West 35th Street, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10001
917.747.3410, Walk-ins welcome!

The Big Write – Custom Stationery Benefit Event

So this is an event right after my own heart, and it’s making me crazy that I can’t attend! Please, please someone in NYC, go for me! Talented Ellen Weldon does phenomenal calligraphy (my favorite thing in the world), and is hosting her third annual benefit event “The Big Write”. For a $25 donation – a screaming deal if you ask me – you get a one-hour appointment to design a bespoke stationery set for yourself or to give as a holiday or wedding gift. You can purchase up to 10, so this could really take care of your gift list! Ellen will hand-letter the chosen name in whatever ink colors etc. that you choose, at the top of each note card in a 5-notecard/envelope set. They get packaged into a beautiful box that includes a description of the charity that all proceeds are donated to – Sanctuary for Families, an organization in NYC dedicated to helping victims of domestic violence, sex trafficking, and their children.

December 3, 4-8:00 pm
222 Fifth Avenue, Fourth Floor
New York, NY
By appointment only; RSVP to [email protected]

Marriage, Money & Merlot: Financial Planning for the Engaged Couple

This is an event for anyone who has ever thought their partner spends too much on shoes and not enough on travel; who hasnt known how to talk about whether to merge bank accounts; who has wondered what exactly is a prenuptial agreement; or has wished they knew more about financial planning. Hosted by Gabriella Risatti of Gabriella New York Bridal Salon, and held on the stunning Hornblower Infinity Yacht, the event features a panel that includes a marriage therapist, lawyer, wedding planner, and financial advisor; all there to help you navigate new financial waters!

December 8, 2:00 – 5:00pm
Hornblower Infinity Yacht
353 West Street (Pier 40)
New York, NY 10001
Visit afterido.net for more information and tickets

Sarah Seven Trunk Show at Lovely Bride LA

Shop the new Sarah Seven Fall 2013 line before it available in stores, hang out with the sweet, sweet ladies at Lovely Bride, and get 10% off orders placed during the show! Now that will spread holiday cheer!

Preview Party December 13; Trunk Show December 14-16
Lovely Bride LA
638 1/2 N. Robertson Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
310.659.2050 or www.lovelybride.com

Tokyo Bridal-Festa

Junebug members 37 Frames Photography let us know about this Tokyo bridal event that they are excited about joining this year. It’s Japan’s ONLY Bridal Fair where couples can connect with wedding pros directly, rather than go through the typical Hotel Bridal Fairs. 10,000 couples are expected over the 2 days and more professionals than ever are showing.

December 15, 12:00 – 7:30pm; December 16, 11:00am – 6:30 pm
3-21-1 Ariake, Koto-ku
Tokyo Big Sight
Tokyo ? 135-0063
Tokyo International Exhibition Center
Visit www.bridal-festa.com for more info and tickets

And if you haven’t signed up yet, this is one to jump on! In January, Junebug member Details Details is offering a fantastic (and rare) opportunity for budding wedding planners and designers, or anyone that wants to brush up their planning skills.

Coordinator Confab- Wedding Planning Seminar by Details Details

Coordinator Confab is an interactive 2-day seminar designed to educate aspiring and novice wedding planners, coordinators, and designers. This seminar is also ideal for those serious Wedding Planners who have creative design capabilities but have not received hands on comprehensive training in relation to event execution. The seminar will cover the fundamentals of Wedding Day Coordination as well as detailed instruction on how to properly execute a wedding from beginning to end. The information will be presented in a fast-paced, fun, classroom atmosphere. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn invaluable information about branding, marketing and legal issues from Southern Californias top industry professionals whose expertise has been sought out both locally and internationally.

Details Details is an event planning company who has a successful track record and reputation in the industry, and is willing to share our secrets to success. In this seminar they will open the doors of communication between the novice wedding coordinator and the Details Details Event Planning Team, giving everyone the chance to learn from real people and conquer the key essentials of wedding coordination.

January 21 & 22, 2013
Montage Beverly Hills
225 North Canon Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210

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WEDDING BLOG

Junebug’s New Look, New Features and New Wedding Venues Hotlist!

Sydney and Cape Town Wedding Captured by Jonas Peterson Photography – Cheree and Mitchell

Calendar of Bridal and Wedding Events – December 2012

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