WHAT INSPIRES US...

 Our clients are constantly asking us to come up with new ideas, unique concepts and that ultimate venue that has yet to be used by anyone else  – and all on a budget, of course! Sometimes these budgets can be challenging and we have to figure out the most cost effective solutions, and other times we can have a little fun. But at the end of the day we find our inspirations in much the same way.

Here are some of the things that inspire us:

FASHION – the runway, in particular Paris Fashion Week, is an endless source of inspiration. The fabric, the texture, the colours and then the parties of the luxury fashion houses – think Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Valentino – they’re epic, they’re groundbreaking and they’re beautiful.

TRAVEL – today we are lucky enough to have travel at our fingertips. We can jump in the car, on a plane and get to places that used to take days, weeks or months in a matter of moments.  Traveling is the best time to immerse yourself into other cultures and expose yourself to new trends and objects that you can’t wait to incorporate into your next project.

RELATIONSHIPS – by exposing ourselves to a range of talented and exciting individuals, we allow ourselves to see things from a different point of view and to learn new ideas, often in new environments. This is also the case when working with new client. More often than not, they will come with an idea that opens up a whole new way of thinking about the project at hand.

MOVIES – the world of film is a magical place and often provides me with my greatest source of inspiration. I love nothing more than watching a visual feast of images and events come together in a great movie. Some of my favourite films for inspiration have been Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette, Tim Burtons’ Alice in Wonderland and Baz Lurham’s 

Romeo + Juliet.

BLOGS – the Internet and particularly the explosion of blogs over the past few years have opened up a whole new world of inspiration. Whether their focus be on design, food, entertainment or travel they continue to inspire us daily.

There are days where you just can’t muster up any form of inspiration, even after drawing on the elements we’ve listed above.  Our advice? Just keep at it!  Somehow, in the end it all comes together resulting in an incredible sense of achievement. 

INSPIRATIONS...Coloured Glassware

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again! Here at Marilyn Grace we LOVE coloured glassware. We can’t get enough of it  - whether it’s a featured drinking goblet on the table, a bright vase filled with pure white flowers, tea light votives to glisten in candle light, or just because – it always gets us very excited!

Coloured glassware adds that extra layer of depth to any special occasion, especially on a table top, and best of all it can easily be incorporated into your next event regardless of your budget.

WINTER WEDDINGS

Winter is a great time to get married in Australia. There’s less rainfall through the months of June to August compared to the ever popular Spring months; you are more likely to secure your preferred venue; beautiful flowers such as sweet peas, camellias, tulips, freesias and hyacinths are at their prime; and being outside the peak season for weddings prices can be more affordable. And if that’s not enough you to sway you, after it’s all over you can escape the winter blues and head off on a romantic, sun-filled honeymoon in Europe or the United States! 

VERA WANG OPENS IN SYDNEY

Last night, we were lucky enough to be invited to attend the opening of the VERA WANG first stand-alone bridal boutique in Australia and view the stunning Spring/Summer 2012 Bridal Collection. And what a magnificent night it was!

The store which occupies 140 square meters in Sydney’s heritage InterContinental hotel is both minimalist and mysterious, which leaves the romance to the bridal dresses showcased beautifully on mannequins within the boutiques arched windows. The opening of the boutique in the InterContinental follows in the tradition established when Vera Wang opened her first store in the landmark Carlyle Hotel in New York. The boutique stocks Vera’s signature bridal gowns and accessories from footwear to corsages, as well as fragrance and highlights from the designer’s Wedgewood home collection.

The collection itself is breathtaking and represents an ode to the Paris Opera, with inspiration taken from the works of famed French artist Edgar Degas. Think floating natural-waist ballerina ball gowns, layers and layers of tulle and degrade floral laser-cut organza. A collection described by Vera Wang as “artful and adorable”

The store is a welcomed arrival for Brides across Australia who no longer have to dream about wearing a VERA WANG creation on their special day. It can now be reality without having to get on a plane to make it happen. Spend more on the dress and less on the travel!

The VERA WANG bridal service is by appointment only and is the first time that Australian brides have had the opportunity to experience the complete range and will also hold trunk shows in the boutiques twice a year.

Be sure to get in touch quickly to make appointments, as no doubt these appointments are going to be hotter then a Hermes Birkin bag waitlist for Australian brides!

FUDGE...An Evening of Artist Inspiration

Last Wednesday at Luxe Studios in East Sydney, over 100 guests gathered to celebrate leading hair care brand – FUDGE.

Guests were treated to a world-class presentation from Creative Director John Vial and Fudge Global Session stylist Snowden Hill, the originators of International hair trends for over 17 years. Both have been responsible for creating the looks for fashion shows for designers Alexander McQueen, Valentino, Prada and Versace to name a few.

The main aim of the event was to re-establish the brands position in the Australian marketplace, remind the audience about the quality and performance of the brand and launch their new range Textures.

On the evening guests arrived to an orange carpet where the gorgeous host of the evening, model Nikki Phillips, interviewed guests on what Fudge meant to them. From there guests entered an orange washed room with an installation of eight beautiful models with incredible, sharp, edgy hair styles and were styled by Fernando Frisoni in outfits by some of Australia’s leading fashion designers including Alex Perry and Ellery. The AV element of the evening was very fierce, capturing the essence of FUDGE and a high voltage presentation of four looks on stage by John and Snowden were showcased on some very willing models.

Throughout the evening guests enjoyed sipping on a signature FUDGE cocktail created for the evening, delectable canapés including tiramisu whilst listening to the cool beats from DJCasette before leaving with a jammed packed FUDGE gift bag.

FUDGE Global Session stylist Snowden Hill  with a guest

The models' getting final touches backstage

Gorgeous host Nikki Phillips with FUDGE Creative Director John Vial

Models showcasing amazing runway looks

FUDGE TEXTURES Range

Snowden Hill recreating the UFO look from the Alexander McQueen Paris show

COUNTRY WEDDING IN THE CITY

We were lucky enough to work with an incredible couple late last year to create their dream wedding. It was important to the couple to bring together their traditions, beliefs, heritage, sense of fun and most importantly their love of travel and food on their special day.

The bride and groom wanted to make their wedding the ultimate party for their 200 guests, while still respecting the traditions of marriage. They also wanted the event to reflect their upbringing - the groom from the country and the bride a city girl who spent a part of her childhood in the English countryside where her mother was from.

And so the goal was to create a Country Wedding in the City, and they had their hearts set on the picturesque Lachlan Swamp in Sydney’s Centennial Park. After gaining approval from the Parklands to build a temporary structure in the swamp, it was time to focus our efforts on taking their inspiration boards and turning them into reality.

This included an outdoor ceremony and dance floor, live music, loads and loads of food, the bride’s family famous banana rum, tongue-in-cheek royal tea towels, and plenty of colour on this September evening . . . in a swamp!

 We faced a number of challenges, to say the least! We were experiencing some unseasonal rain, coupled with the need to fit a marquee in a designated spot without damaging any of the hundred year old paperbark trees (in particular their extensive root systems!) and this was all before the big day had even arrived, which happened to coincide with the park’s busiest day of the year.

It was certainly a challenge, but well and truly worth it when on the day the clouds parted to leave a perfect spring day in Sydney, with plenty of sunshine for the outdoor ceremony, and a party that went well into the night.

Here’s how it all came together…