This is nixietrix's Green Wedding!

Hi All, Hope you are all well and your wedding planning is going well. Girls, I have some handmade items for sale. Check out the photo's or visit me on my Etsy page at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/nicandclay

FOR SALE:

HANDMADE FAUX PEARL NECKLACE - This Faux pearl and glass bead five strand necklace makes the perfect compliment to any Bridal gown or outfit.
This gorgeous necklace has been handmade using upcycled faux pearls, freshwater pearls and glass beads, all of varying sizes and colours.
This piece is the creative result of materials that have been reused, recycled and redesigned to create this truly one of a kind unique set.
Beautiful vintage look piece comprises of silver clasp, classic look faux pearls, latte coloured faux pearls, fresh water pearls and clear glass beads giving the set an ecelectic, antique feel.
The necklace is handmade of five strands. Three strands being a combination of faux pearls and glass beads, and two being made of glass beads. Measurements of the necklace are (shortest strand to longest) 42cm, 45cm, 47cm, 52cm, 58cm.
Cost: $60USD

HANDMADE FAUX PEARL BRACELET - This Faux pearl and glass bead three strand bracelet makes the perfect compliment to any Bridal gown or outfit.
This gorgeous bracelet has been handmade using upcycled faux pearls, freshwater pearls and glass beads, all of varying sizes and colours.
This piece is the creative result of materials that have been reused, recycled and redesigned to create this truly one of a kind unique set.
Beautiful vintage look piece comprises of silver clasp, classic look faux pearls, latte coloured faux pearls, fresh water pearls and clear glass beads giving the set an ecelectic, antique feel.
The bracelet is handmade of three strands. Two strands being a combination of faux pearls and glass beads, and one being made of glass beads. Measurement of the bracelet is 16cm.
Cost: $30USD

HANDMADE FAUX PEARLS NECKALCE AND BRACELET SET - as above
Cost: $80USD

HANDMADE WINE GLASS / DRINK CHARMS - Set of 8 hand-made Drink Charms/Wine Glass Charms with differing design / themes.
These gorgeous drink charms are perfect to use at Weddings, Engagement partys or as wedding favours etc. for guests to easily identify their own glass.
Fits around the stem of most Wine glasses and cocktail glasses. Also great to clip around the handle of coffee mugs/tea cups, and can be used on disposable foam cups (simply pierce through the lip of the cup).
Hand-made in Perth, Western Australia by nicandclay.
Silver coloured wire rings with pearl look beads, glass beads and unique charms.
Different themes available on request (eg. Wedding etc).
Perfect for: Gifts
Wedding Favours
Bridal Shower/Baby Shower
House Warming Gift
Engagements
Christmas
Dinner Parties
Birthdays
BBQ's
Parties
Functions
Cost: $10USD per 8 peice set

We just got back from our honeymoon in Vietnam yesterday after our 'Wedding of the Century' in Bali! Thank you for all your kind wishes, and I can report that the Wedding went without a hitch.

We arrived in Bali about 10 days before the wedding and a few days before our guest’s began arriving, to meet with the Wedding Co-ordinator, to get a few things organised and to relax before the big day. The co-ordinator and staff at the venue in Bali were fantastic making us feel at ease and organising everything for us. We really enjoyed spending quality time with our family and friends in Bali before the wedding, which helped to calm our nerves and preoccupy our minds from worrying about the big day.

The Monday before the wedding day we had our Hens/Bucks Party day. All the boys headed out for a day of Jetskiing and adventure sports whilst all us girls enjoyed massages, reflexology, facials, manicures and pedicures. It was so nice to relax and be pampered with the group. We all met up -boys and girls for dinner and drinks afterwards to compare stories about our day, and needless to say crawled into bed early the next morning after a very late night out with too much drinking , too much dancing and so much fun!

Thursday was the big day! We had decided to buck the tradition of sleeping apart the night before the wedding as we only had a 3 night ‘honeymoon’ package at the hotel and it was just too beautiful and luxurious for one of us to miss a night. So we woke up together the morning of the wedding in our gorgeous hotel room with magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and could see the wedding ceremony being set up with white chairs and flowers by the river. I was excited whilst Clay was nervous. I enjoyed a huge breakfast whilst Clay merely picked at his, unable to eat due to nerves. At midday it was time to part ways to get ready.

The hotel had kindly booked us another room closer to the ceremony where I could get ready whilst the boys could use our room. So I headed down to the room where I met my Maid of Honor and the hair and make up artist. Time flew from this point and all of a sudden I was made up, hair done, dressed and ready to walk down the aisle! Everything fitted perfectly and looked amazing, however at the last minute I decided against wearing my handmade Birdcage veil as it didn't sit well on the day. My parents arrived and were both in tears, but I still didn’t feel nervous. I was sooo excited and eager to see Clay. My Dad linked my arm and lead by my Maid of Honor, we began the walk to the ceremony with photographer’s snapping our every move. We rounded a corner and there he was, standing patiently waiting at the altar for me with a crowd of our nearest and dearest all seated in front of him. The path we walked had been blanketed in flowers and the ceremony site looked beautiful. My Dad guided me to the altar and after shaking hands with Clay, my future husband took my hand and there we were ready to make our commitment. The reading of the vows went smoothly and a reading performed by Clay’s grandmother on behalf of all the grandparents was spoken with heart. After exchanging the rings and being announced as ‘Husband and Wife’ it was done! We kissed in front of the crowd and basked in the applause. It was magic! The certificates were signed and we were showered with flower petals as we walked up the aisle cheered by everyone.

A cocktail party with drinks and canape’s followed the ceremony with live traditional Balinese music for the guests whilst we had photograph’s taken. We had beautiful clear skies the day of the wedding, however the ground we still a little wet from rain the day before, so it was a bit hard to move around on the grass with my heels sinking into the ground and the bottom of my dress getting soiled, but we managed to move around and get all our photo’s taken at many locations around the venue.

We then headed up the very steep property to the lobby where we had a drink before the final climb to the reception venue. The hotel had organised as a surprise precession of another traditional Balinese band to play for us and follow the precession of all our guests to the venue. We arrived at the venue and the guests were seated before we made our grand entrance as ‘Mr and Mrs’. The reception was held in the courtyard and was so beautifully decorated! Our long table was decorated with candleabra’s and flowers and all around was the decorations I had handmade for the day. It was indescribable to see everything all set up and looking so amazing. The wish tree I had made was set up next to the table and looked perfect.

We cut the cake in front of all our guest first, then we were all seated for dinner and to watch the Balinese dancing. The dancing was amazing! All our guests were so impressed by the venue, food, service, the entertainment and decorations. There were so many compliments.

We followed dinner with our first dance which went without a single stumble, and then invited all the ladies to the stage for the throwing of the bouquet which was thrown to ‘All the single ladies’ by Beyonce. My Maid of Honor caught the bouquet which was not rigged at all, but very fitting!

Speeches followed and were made by Father of the Bride, Father of the Groom, Best man (Clay’s brother) and by my new Husband. They were so well done. All entertaining, thoughtful and very heart-felt.

We all danced the rest of the night away and before we new it it was all over! In hindsight I can look back and honestly say it was the best and happiest day of my life. I wasn’t nervous at all and cherished how special it was to make the commitment in front of the most important people in the world to Clay and I. The memories will last a lifetime…

WEDDING VENUE: The Royal Pita Maha Resort in Ubud, Bali
WEDDING PLANNER AND CO-ORDINATOR: Bali Weddings International
PHOTOGRAPHER: Bali Photo Factory
BRIDAL GOWN: Maggie Sotero - Stirling from Dion in Leederville, Perth
BRIDAL SHOES: Georgie's Bridal Shoe's from Leederville, Perth
JEWELLERY: Pearl necklace and Bracelet hand-made by myself, earrings from Myer, Perth
FLOWERS: teardrop shape bouquet with White Orchid's from Bali Weddings International
HAIR AND MAKEUP: by Stacey, at Bali Weddings International
SUITS: Tailor made in Bali by Anika Taylor, based on Armani Suits
BOUTTONERIES: handmade by myself
WISHING TREE: handmade by myself
STATIONARY: handmade by myself
CAKE: handmade by the Royal Pita Maha

Note: These are not the professional Photo's. These photo's were taken by family.

This is my last post before I'm a Mrs! We're flying out to Bali tomorrow morning for the Wedding on the 24th June 2010. I'm nervous but sooo excited.

Wish me luck!...

I have chosen a teardrop shape bouquet with White Orchid's and some green folliage for effect. Whilst recently looking at our families Wedding photo's I have found that the teardrop shaped bouquet is a tradition. Our 4 sets of grandparents and both our sets of parents all had the Bride carrying the teardrop shaped bouquet with white flowers and some green folliage. So I feel quite proud to carry on the tradition...

Are you having a ring pillow? I always thought they were a bit pointless really and vowed not to have one, but then I found these cute ring pillows on the internet, and now I'm thinking twice.

13 days to go before the Wedding and I'm still thinking of new 'stuff' to buy. Will it ever end? Do you get to a point where you think you are ready, and have bought everything you need, or do you keep looking right up to the actual day?

Do I really need a ring pillow?

Are you having a ring pillow?

I finally picked up my gorgeous Maggie Sottero dress today and had my final dress fitting. Apart from a couple of tacking stiches to prevent the deep V line back from gapeing it was a perfect fit - made for me! I'm sooo in love with my dress I keep peaking at it when FH is not looking. I'm so in love with it I can't keep it secret anymore.

The dress is Maggie Sottero - Sterling, and is a slim-line gown in ivory with gathered Gossamer Chiffon that spills from an empire waistline and is highlighted with pewter coloured beaded embellishments on the shoulders and around the empire line circling from front to back. It has heavily ruched shoulder straps that plunged into a deep V-neckline both in the front and back.

I bought the dress from dion for Bride's in West Leederville, Perth and had fantastic service from assistance to selecting the dress, fitting appointments to alterations. I highly recommend Dion's for Perth Bride's, and they are only one of two retailer's in Perth that stock Maggie Sottero gowns.

Here is the link to my pictures of my dress (no peaking FH!)...

http://www.maggiesottero.com/dress.aspx?page=15&style=A3283

Awwwwww, thanks to missylou, ileigha and dahliadarling for listing me in their Blog Awards. Thanks guys!

""But the catch is that if YOU are the recipient, to Pass it Forward! You have to award 5 other brides in your post, list 5 things about you. ANY 5 things

Here's my fav 5!

ccranetobe (Orange Wedding)
nickim (Pink Wedding)
dahliadarling (Purple Wedding)
katavery (Purple Wedding)
ileigha (Purple Wedding)

And 5 things about me.

I'm addicted to travel and have been 25 different countries and counting...
I met my FH at the Acropolis in Athens, Greece whilst travelling...
I have a cat named Sui...
I dream of being a designer one day...
I loooooove coffee way too much!...

It's 2 weeks till we fly to Bali today, and 22 days till the 'Big Day'.

I feel a little nervous and very excited. I have constant 'butterflies' in my tummy. It's the last thing I think about before I go to sleep and the first thing I think about when I wake up. It's consuming my life! I really can't think about anything except the wedding. It's a bit like wearing blinkers, and it's all I can see. I guess this is normal?

And as much as I am really looking forward to the Wedding I am also looking forward to getting our lives back again, and being able to talk to each other about anything and everything except the wedding.

Is this something everybody feels right before the wedding?

I love my earrings and can't wait to wear them. I love that they look a little vintage, and the they will go with my dress well.

Here are our 'Drink me' swizzle sticks. They will be served in the drinks during the cocktail party at the wedding. They carry the 'Alice in wonderland' theme through the cocktail party. I made them using bamboo skewers and card with 'Drink me' printed on them. And easy and fun decoration for the cocktail party.

We are soooooo looking forward to the 5 weeks off we're taking for the Wedding in Bali and Honeymoon to Vietnam and Cambodia. We plan to travel North to South along the coast in Vietnam and then travel to Angkor Wat in Cambodia. It's just what we need after throwing ourselves into Wedding planning for the past year. 30 days to go...

Yesterday I finished off the boys Bouttonieres. I just love them! I ended up making them from some leaf skeletons, latte coloured Ostrich feathers, a spotty feather, a drinking straw wrapped in green and black ribbon, a silver flower (from an old brooch I had), a brooch backing, some green beads and to top it all off a clock hand charm from the charms I had ordered from My Vintage Charms ( to keep with our theme). Another DIY item to check off the list. Tick...

UPDATE: I bought: the feathers, ribbon, brooch backing and skeleton leaves from the local craft store, and the charms from myvintagecharms.com. I had the beads and silver flower from some old jewellery I had.

So yesterday it was finishing off the Bouttonieres, and today it was the DIY strings of pearls and beads to hang from my DIY wishing tree/ guestbook tree. I've made 22 strings in total, all differing in composition of beads/pearls and slightly different lengths. I used fishing line to thread the beads/pearls onto and used charms to hang from the bottom of the lengths. I love that all 22 of them are different. Now for the tree, but I'll have to source that one in Bali when I arrive there before the wedding. Thank goodness I have 10 days in Bali before the wedding to get it done...

We decided to get our Bestman (FH's brother) a Pocket watch (Fob watch) for his gift. We picked it out today. It's gorgeous! It flips open to show the watch face, but the back also opens to show the back of the watch and all the inside mechanisms moving and working. It's pretty cool! Can't wait to see his face when he opens it...

I love this idea! I am going to copy it for my wedding. I will make some strings of glass beads and small paper tags for people to write their messages on, and I've bought cute little tiny pegs to hang them on the tree. Now just for the actual bits of branch and twig, but this I'll have to source in Bali as it will be too hard to transport it over there...

My FH is quite a good dancer, and wants us to take a couple of dance lessons before the big day to learn a dance for our first dance. He wants to do something different than just kinda shuffle around looking awkward. In fact, he wants to dance the Cha Cha to Sway by Rosemary Clooney. My only problem with this is that I know I'm a terrible dancer! And I've told him this, but I don't think he knows just how terrible I actually am at dancing. Anyway, he's so excited about the lessons I just can't let him down, so I'll have to go and let him discover just how awful I am at it. Well, at least it will be a laugh!...

I thought I'd share with you some websites and blogs that have given me so much inspiration in the planning of my wedding. I love seeing what other people have done/are doing with their weddings, and adapting ideas I love into my own wedding. Please share your list of sites that offer you inspiration, and in the mean time please enjoy mine...

http://www.kissthegroom.com/
http://www.eatdrinkchic.com/
http://www.projectwedding.com/
http://weddingstyleguide.blogspot.com/
http://www.amouramour.com.au/
http://www.summerpicnicwedding.blogspot.com/
http://www.polyvore.com/
http://100layercake.com/blog/
http://www.stylemepretty.com/
http://offbeatbride.com/
http://cocoandbella.blogspot.com/
http://weddingbug.blogspot.com/
http://www.verawangonweddings.com/
http://www.cristinare.com/
http://www.pronovias.com/
http://au.tiffany.com/
http://blog.idoityourself.com.au/
http://www.etsy.com/
http://www.featherlove.com/
http://www.weddingchicks.com/
http://greenweddingshoes.com/
http://www.inspiredbride.net/
http://www.recycledbride.com/
http://modernvintagebride.blogspot.com/
http://www.thevintagebride.com/
and of course http://www.weddingbycolor.com

We recently received our beautiful Apothecary Glass Candy Jars via courier across the country from Melbourne the other day. Unfortunately one of the taller jars had broken in transit, so a replacement is on the way. However we just couldn't wait to start buying all the candy to fill them. So today we bought some sugared almonds in blue (traditional), green and white for one jar, and some licorice allsorts for the other. We have ordered some multi-coloured conversation heart candies for the other jar when it arrives, with cute sayings like 'be mine', i love u' 'forever'. I think the colourful jars with look great as our candy bar, and the small glass jar in the foreground of the picture is our bonbonierie (favors) for our guests. Our guests can help themselves to the candy bar and fill their jars to take home...

Today we finished off printing all of our various stationary etc. We printed off our 'Alice in Wonderland' inspired swing tags, Bachelorette/Bachelor party invites, welcome to Bali message, welcome bags, Mr and Mrs swing tags for chairs etc. I think I can finally tick that job of the to do list now! And they look great!...

I have decided to get this watch for my FH for his gift. He had mentioned a while back that he liked this Seiko Arctura - Kinetic Chronograph watch and had even tried it on. So I'm going to buy it for him as a suprise as his Groom's gift. I think he'll love it!...

I've finished my handmade garter and I'm so happy with the result. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I was having trouble finding the perfect vintage inspired garter, so I decided to make my own. And viola! What do you think?...

These are our DIY Welcome bags that we've made up for all our guests as our wedding is in Bali and our guests are coming from Australia, UK and South Africa. We used plain brown paper bags and used our parasol stamp from our wedding invites to carry our theme. Then we stuck a welcome message on the front, boardered by some black Damask paper we had left over from our wedding invites as well. The finishing touch was the 'Open Me' swing tag, carrying our 'Alice in Wonderland' theme through as well. The bags are also stuffed with some green tissue paper, and of course all the goodies inside. The bags will be waiting for our guests inside their Hotel rooms (with some help from the Hotel) as they arrive. Our welcome bags include:

For the Ladies:
tin of mints
bottle of water
fan
sarong
soap
tissues
sunscreen
thank you note
itinerary + map
recommendations of resturants, attractions, activities etc

for the Men:
tin of mints
bottle of water
fan
bottle opener
t-shirt
sunscreen
thank you note
itinerary + map
recommendations of resturants, attractions, activities etc

A lot of the contents will be purchased when we get to Bali (eg. water etc.)...

40 days away from the Wedding!

30 days until we fly to Bali!

As we approach the date and begin finalizing everything we have had a lot of deliveries of wedding paraphernalia and it's mounting up! You should see my house! OMG! We've got bags and boxes and piles of stuff everywhere, which is sending me round the bend cos I'm usually a bit of a neat freak. It's all getting a little too much.

So today, my job is to sort everything out and organise it into workable piles, and stack it all in one area of the house. But as I stack it all, I wonder to myself, how are we to get all this stuff packed up and get it all to Bali??? It will never fit into our luggage! I may have to ship some stuff there?...

I finished off our DIY 'Alice in Wonderland' themed drink charms today. What do you think? I am so proud! I think they will look great around the wine glasses and really add to the theme on the day. There are teapots, teabags, teacups and keys, all finished with two small pearls to keep the wedding feel about them. I'm having so much fun with all this DIYing...

QUESTION GIRLS? : Maybe I should go into business selling them? Is this something you would buy for your reception/ bridal shower/ baby shower/ party if the theme was right? And how much would you expect to pay?...

We are unsure of which place card holders to choose for our reception. Our theme is a 'Garden Party Wedding in Wonderland' and our wedding reception will be loosely based on the 'Alice in Wonderland' mad hatters tea party. So we can't decide between the silver teapots, topiary trees or pewter chairs. Which do you think girls?...

Even though I'm painfully aware that I have no Hair and Make up Stylist booked at the moment I can't help but continue to wonder what hair style to adopt on the big day. I have long, curly brunette hair, that I usually wear down on my days off work, or clipped up into a messy up-do at work. I'm thinking hair down would be nice, maybe swept around over on shoulder with my birdcage veil placed stategically so it just covers one eye. Or is it more appropriate for a hair up style? Not sure, what to you guys think?...

I am still looking for the perfect garter. I love the idea and style of a garter, however apart from these beautiful garters pictured, I can't find any I like. I find that most of them so tacky and cheap looking. I may have to make my own, like everything else I've made for the wedding...

I had my first Wedding dress fitting today! The dress has arrived earlier than I expected, which is always good. It fits like a glove! The only thing that needs altering is the straps that are a little too long for my body at the moment. And once the heels when on with the dress, I discovered that I don't need the hem taken up either. YAY! So back to the dress shop next week to meet with the dress maker for the slight alteration, then it's all mine!

HELP! My hair and make up stylist has cancelled on me! As we get closer to the wedding I have been sending confirmation emails to all my vendors to finalise all the details. I had sent one on Friday to my hair and make up stylist - Anja Buerck to confirm, and she replied with a lame excuse of why she had to cancel my booking. Why couldn't she have sent an email earlier, as it seems quite a coincidence that she only decided to cancel me on the day that I sent her the email. Anyway, I refuse to have a Bridezilla moment over this. It was just not meant to be. So I'm now on the hunt for someone even better to transform me into a Bridal goddess on my wedding day...

UPDATE: I've found a replacement! And she's also an Aussie! Very relieved and good price too.

We are having both our Ceremony and Reception at The Royal Pita Maha in Ubud, Bali. This gorgeous venue is situated just outside of the main town of Ubud, along the Ayung River. The Ceremony will be under the gazebo (pictured) on the banks of the Ayung River, whilst the Reception will be in the Royal Convention House courtyard (main picture)...