When one of our readers, Monique, sent me pictures from her recent wedding, I fell completely in love. Granted, I only feature weddings that I love as much as my own on Style Me Pretty, but this one is particularly beautiful in an incredibly glamorous way. The wedding was held in Auckland New Zealand in an intimate, European inspired affair…
Monique has been sweet enough to share some of the details and inspiration with us…
I met Ben 7 years ago when we both worked together at a local restaurant…we were married this Autumn with a vintage, french cafe inspired wedding. We exchanged vows at a catholic cathedral located in the central city, then with 80 of our closest family and friends went on to our intimate reception at Mantells, a gorgeous European styled venue.
My color theme was a simple classical ivory and black with a touch of soft green, inspired by a black and ivory dotted ribbon which I incorporated into my invitations, menu, programmes and table settings. All of which I designed and made myself with a little help from my bridesmaids. My gifts were small takeaway boxes filled with homemade fudge and finished with the ribbon and the M & B emblem I designed, only costing about $1.50 each. My table seating board was embellished with crystals and sat on a gilded gold stand ( An idea I got from Style me Pretty! )
My biggest splurge was my dress…a pure silk strapless dress by Jane Yeh adorned with swarovski crystals and an ostrich feather skirt, which was hand dyed ivory. My Bridesmaids dresses were inspired by the famous Marilyn Monroe dress and featured gorgeous pearl and swarovski broaches.
Oh, this wedding is so beautiful! Thank you so much to Monique and Ben for sharing their day with us!
Comment by Kelly: purple.lemon.designs on 20 May 2008:
Gorgeous! Her wedding dress is to die for!
Comment by Sacramento Wedding DJs on 20 May 2008:
That is an amazing dress!
Comment by Zoë on 20 May 2008:
Oh my goodness! That is so incredibly beautiful. Her dress is STUNNING, something I’d never have the guts to wear but really wish I did!
Comment by TCB on 20 May 2008:
Omgosh - that cake is so awesome.
Comment by Inspired Events By Nycia on 20 May 2008:
OH-SO STUNNING!!! I LOVE IT!!
Comment by Kathryn on 20 May 2008:
I love bridesmaids in white - so elegant!
Comment by lindsay on 20 May 2008:
any idea where the bridesmaids’ shoes are from? SO cute!!
Comment by Lara @ bliss event group on 20 May 2008:
This is GORGEOUS! I am in love with her dress and all of the simple and sweet details. Perfect!
Comment by Melissa at MasterPiece Weddings on 20 May 2008:
Oh this wedding is so lovely! I love that her bridesmaids are in white! The cake, the setting, it’s all gorgeous!!! I can see why you love it so much!
Comment by Heidi @ Zenadia Design on 20 May 2008:
Her dress is SO beautiful! As are the bridesmaid dresses. This whole wedding is just stunning and so chic! I love every last detail!
Comment by Christen on 20 May 2008:
Absolutely stunning!
Comment by Lillindy on 20 May 2008:
I love it all! Her dress is to die for! So are those bridemaid shoes and all the little details.
Comment by Jennifer on 20 May 2008:
Please tell me where you got the GMs tux!! Love them! Gorgeous wedding! thank you for sharing!
Comment by Jessica on 20 May 2008:
That dress is so Ginger Rogers it makes me swoon!
Comment by carrie m on 20 May 2008:
sigh! it’s so, so dreamy. and that’s the right way to do matching bridesmaids!!!
Comment by Loora on 20 May 2008:
It’s so beautiful, I’m speechless.
Comment by Letizia on 20 May 2008:
WOW what a beautiful wedding. Everytime I look at stylemepretty I want to change my whole wedding… Where on smp did you find how to make the table numbers? I love them
Comment by Monique on 20 May 2008:
Hi There answer to one of your questions I bought the bridesmaids shoes from Mi Piaci in New Zealand try http://www.mipiaci.co.nz.
Thanks for all your lovely comments
Comment by Monique on 20 May 2008:
the suits were from
http://www.exclusivesuithire.co.nz
and the idea for the table numbers came from SMP How To section Rhinestone Monogram which I adapted slightly.
Thanks again
Comment by Ana on 20 May 2008:
So beautiful! This looks likes it’s styled by a 40’s film set designer!
Comment by Kirsten Rutherford on 20 May 2008:
Can I just say YAY!! for seeing a Mantells wedding and a Jane Yeh dress on Style Me Pretty!
(As an ex-Aucklander I agree that Mantells is one of the most beautiful venues in the city, plus Jane has designed my wedding dress for later this year).
Congratulations on a stunningly beautiful day.
Comment by Kelly Oshiro on 20 May 2008:
I love black and white and I want the brides maids shoes!
Comment by Kelly Oshiro on 20 May 2008:
I love black and white and I want the brides maids shoes!
Comment by Saphire on 20 May 2008:
Awesome wedding, where did you get the umbrellas for the girls.
And what font did you use for the table numbers (script)
Comment by Kate on 20 May 2008:
I love the group photo. Y’all look like a fashion spread in a magazine! I also LOVE your venue! Such a beautiful courtyard.
Comment by Kara on 20 May 2008:
love, love, love! reminds me of fred & ginger! the bridesmaids shoes are awesome! very chic! but, i’m dying to know where the parasols came from?
Comment by Kara on 20 May 2008:
p.s. i think this is the best execution of a classic black and white wedding that i’ve ever seen.
Comment by Nikki on 21 May 2008:
It’s all so perfect ! I particularly love the cake stand - where did you find it ? I love how it is embellished with the tulle !!! Stunning !
Comment by Monique on 21 May 2008:
Hi I bought the parasols from http://www.redcurrentathome.co.nz they will order them in for you if you call up and ask.
The Font I used on the table numbers is Feel Script you can purchase it at http://www.veer.com
The venue supplied the cake stand which did look beautiful and they lady who made my cake added the tulle.
Thanks for all your wonderful comments!
Comment by Kellie on 21 May 2008:
Hi Monique
I am an Auckland bride too and am going to Jane Yeh on the weekend for first appointment! Have been to quite a few weddings at Mantells and it is just gorgeous - yours looks amazing!
Do you mind telling me who did your flowers ?
Comment by Monique on 21 May 2008:
Hi There,
Jane was amazing my dress was perfect.
My flowers were done by angie.j@xtra.co.nz …she is a family friend and specializes in wedding flowers, the flowers turned out exactly how I wanted and I would definitely suggest using her!
Mine was the first wedding I had attended at Mantells. I am currently a graphic designer and am thinking of starting up a wedding invite business in my free time..so if you need any help with invites let me know.
Anyway best of luck with your wedding planning.
Comment by Louann on 21 May 2008:
I’ve been a wedding florist for over 16 years - and I’ve seen and done very beautiful weddings. But this one is outstanding! The simplicity of everything from the flowers to the bridesmaid gowns create a beautiful backdrop for bride!
This is absolutely stunning!
Comment by Louann on 21 May 2008:
Kelli . . .I see your comment about designing your own wedding invitations. I current own both a wedding flower info site (teaches brides step-by-step how to create their own flowers, etc.). I am looking for creative people who are interested in adding products (such as wedding invitations)that can match other themed products in my store. Check it out at http://www.wedding-flowers-and-reception-ideas.com.
If you are interested - drop me a line on my contact form. I can tell your taste is superb with the way your wedding is pulled together.
Comment by Louann on 21 May 2008:
Kelli . . .I see your comment about designing your own wedding invitations. I current own both a wedding flower info site (teaches brides step-by-step how to create their own flowers, etc.). I am looking for creative people who are interested in adding products (such as wedding invitations)that can match other themed products in my store. Check it out at http://www.wedding-flowers-and-reception-ideas.com.
If you are interested - drop me a line on my contact form. I can tell your taste is superb with the way your wedding is pulled together.
Comment by ShirleyG on 23 May 2008:
I wanted a nice REAL wedding until I found out I could not afford it. greatweddingdate.com is helping me get the Hamptons 8/8/08 wedding I always wanted.
Comment by Reese on 25 May 2008:
Are there more pictures? I am so curious about the reception.
Comment by Kellie on 27 May 2008:
Hi again - would love to talk to you about wedding invites - I actually bought your font because I loved it so much . My e-mail address is kelliedaly@hotmail.com if you e-mail me with your details I will get in touch with you#
Cheers Kellie
Comment by Erin on 28 May 2008:
Where did you find that great stand for the table seating numbers?
Comment by Monique on 28 May 2008:
Hi Erin,
Sorry I borrowed the table number stands from my sister in law who owns a cafe.
Thanks
Monique
Comment by Erin on 28 May 2008:
Monique- Including the gilded gold stand where you have the seating table chart? I can’t seem to find the right combination of words to google.
Comment by Rachel on 14 June 2008:
What font did you pair with Feel Script? I’m using that for my invitations, and the one used on your program looks perfect. Thanks!
Comment by Monique on 26 June 2008:
Hi there the other font is called BaseNine Small Caps
Comment by Tania on 3 July 2008:
Hi Erin,
I think the gold stand is from here:
http://www.antiquereproductions.ca/catalog/item/2417223/1876134.htm
or if not, it’s very similar!
Comment by Jane on 25 July 2008:
This is one of most beautiful, stylish weddings I’ve ever seen. Love it all! Monique you look just amazing! If you don’t mind me asking, who made your cake and who was your photographer? Please do tell, as I am getting married in Auckland too and am totally stuck on these things! Thank you so much!
Comment by Monique on 1 September 2008:
Hi,
Thanks my photographer was http://www.jowickham.co.nz she did a fantastic job!
Comment by Jane on 16 September 2008:
Thanks Monique! And the cake?
Comment by Mandy on 17 October 2008:
Fabulous! Everything, first class!