Purple Fantasy

nyone who knows me would know that I love purple. It swings both ways as the only colour that can switch from cold to warm. From royal to lilac or plum to lavender, purple is such a versatile colour that can work in variation depending on the mood you want to achieve. Deep, dark purples suggest sophistication, richness and regalia. Pastel shades of purple evoke romance; feminine and delicate. Purple is mystical but it can also be whimsical depending on the colours you pair it with. For today’s Wedink Style, we’ve decided to combine royal purple with a tinge of pink for an ultra feminine wedding that is stylish but not over-the-top for an outdoor wedding.

Vintage Love – Colour Themes

Today’s post is all about finding your style and making it your very own vintage – inspired wedding. Deciding on a suitable colour theme is one of the hardest part of planning a wedding. It is not because couples do not know how to do it. It is simple because all colours are so pretty that it is difficult to decide on the colour combination. To help you get started, we got four wedding experts to put together individual colour palettes. If you like any of these suggested colour themes below, feel free to stop by the contributors’ sites  or drop them an e-mail. After all, they are just one click away!

1940’s Shanghai by wedding planner, Eileen Lui of Nupts & Such:
The roaring 40’s was an era of opulent sophistication that was sexy and dangerous, a juxtapose of the east and the west. When working on this theme, don’t be afraid to go all out and bring out that glam factor in you.

Claire de Lune by wedding planner, Natasha Khoo of The Peak Xperience:
Inspired by the reflection of moonlight just after dusk, the look is mysteriously charming but never showy. Illuminate with lots of candles and flights of fairy lights for an elegant evening of pow-wow celebration.

Periwinkle by event designer, Desmond Khoo of La Flaire:
A combination of lavender blue and pastel shades of indigo for a look that is feminine and evergreen but never dull. Think lush blooms of hydrangeas, crochet doilies, crystal droplets and trinkets of something old and blue.

Ye Olde English by wedding planner, Sharon Ho of Signature Weddings Malaysia:
So Jane Austen, this palette of colours immediately conjure in one’s mind, overflowing beautiful fresh garden roses, chandelier, vintage linen and lace, romantic embellishments, beautiful calligraphy stationery and charming pieces to tie it all together. The end result is a wedding that’s whimsical, breathtaking, yet infused with a sense of relaxation and pure joy.

Flight of Fancy

is for Flight of Fancy, featuring three (highly) imaginative moodboards inspired by the underwater sinkholes of The Bahamas. Yes, you read me right. It came about during one of my conversations with an old friend as we were discussing about diving. After a little research about tiger sharks, one site led to another and I was instantly mesmerised by this image below. I am a firm believer that inspiration comes in many forms. The process of materialising the conception is one of the most gratifying feelings. That’s why I love my job so much!

The Cascade Room, some 80ft beneath the surface. Photograph by Wes C. Skiles of National Geographic

Of the more than one thousand blue holes believed to be in The Bahamas, less than 20% have been probed, and Brian Kakuk, one of world’s best cave divers, estimates that three quarters of those contain passages never seen before. Dean’s Blue Hole located in a bay, west of Clarence Town on Long Island is the deepest blue hole in the world measuring 663 ft (202m) deep and one of the seven Wonders of Nature. Only one person, Jim King, has ever reached the bottom (in 1992).

According to Andrew Todhunter of National Geographic, “inland blue holes are the scientific equivalent of Tut’s tomb. From a diver’s perspective, they’re on par with Everest, requiring highly specialized training, equipment, and experience. Even more than high-altitude mountaineers, cave divers work under tremendous time pressure.”

Here’s the first Flight of Fancy moodboard.

1. HONEYMOON IN THE BAHAMAS
The attractions of the Bahamas sun, sea and sand have been beckoning the rich and famous, divers, lovers and beachcombers for decades. Shakira has settled in Nassau and Johnny Depp has found his heaven on earth on a 45-acre cay in the island of Exumas. From the reclusive paradise for honeymooners to dancing in the moonlight with locals, there is definitely something to suit your whim and fancy. Do your research well, as honeymooning in the Bahamas is expensive in US dollars and everything you consume will cost double from stateside prices.

The picture above shows the unassuming Dean’s Hole at Long Island from a bird’s view. It is very safe to dive and snorkel but non-swimmers should stay away. The drop-off from the sandy beach into the hole is extremely sudden and eerily spooky (watch the VIDEO). If you are a scuba diver, the best way to explore Long Island is by getting friendly with the natives. There are a lot of very good divers there and they will be interested in what you are doing. The natives are fantastic people, but the culture takes some understanding. Bahamians don’t like to tell you ‘no’. Often, ‘yes’ really means ‘no’. For more travel tips and information, check out the Bahamas Tourism site and Lonely Planet.

2. FREE-DIVING IN DEAN’S HOLE, BAHAMAS
This picture is the backbone of our first moodboard. It features world champion free-diver, Guillaume Nery, in one breath, base-jumping from the underwater cliff and falling through space with a head-first decent in a breathtaking fashion until he reached a surface . He then sprung upwards and scaled the hole’s walls like a rock-climber in zero gravity. You must watch the VIDEO! The video took four days to film and was taken with just one camera by his girlfriend Julie Gautier (a French model, recordholder in free-diving and underwater performer) with the aim to shed light on the artistic potential of this extreme sport.  You may have seen Julie Gautier from the acclaimed Ashes and Snow Photography Exhibition which was widely circulated via e-mails as she was the underwater model for the project.

3. AGAPANTHUS
Agapanthus is also known as Lily of the Nile, but it is not a lily and all of the species are native to South Africa. They come in various shades of blue and white. Check with your local florist and floral designer for more details.

 

4. CUTTING EDGE FURNITURE
Designer Dror Benshetrit’s Cappellini Peacock chair features looping folds of felt with minimal metal frame to create a comfortable lounge chair. The Peacock chair is produced by Cappellini who is famous for cutting edge modern furniture and is available in most parts of Asia including Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Bangkok. Check out their site for more details.

5. PEACOCK WEDDING DRESS
A US$1.5 Million wedding dress made from 2,009 peacock feathers from a factory in Nanjing, China which took two months to make by eight craftsmen. The wedding dress also includes a bodice featuring brocade and Suzhou embroidery.

Enthusiasts of the deep blue ocean may consider an unconventional engagement photography session. The photo below features Guillaume Nery and Julie Gautier by Paris Match.

Here’s the second Flight of Fancy moodboard for beach bummers.

1. BELIZE, HOME TO GREAT BLUE HOLE & MORE
Belize is not located at The Bahamas but it is a part of the Caribbean zone. It is probably the least desirable getaway destination among Asians, perhaps due to limited flight connectivity and distance from Asia but it’s time we explore away from Bali, Phuket, Maldives, Mauritius, Guam or even Hawaii. For more information on Belize, check out Belize in Love.

To help you narrow down your search, The Condé Nast Johansens 2010 Awards for Excellence has awarded Mata Chica Beach Resort for the ‘Most Excellent Romantic Hideaway’, Victoria House for ‘Most Excellent Beach Resort’ and Chan Chich Lodge for the ‘Most Excellent Lodge’. According to Conde Nast Traveller, the Meso-American barrier reef that runs along the coast of Belize is second only to the one off Queensland in terms of size and marine life it supports. The best time to visit Belize is between September and May.

2 & 6. PRADA SPRING/SUMMER 2010 COLLECTION
The fashion may be last season but for weddings, it’s evergreen. For the modern bridal party with a cool sense of fashion and charisma, these styles are perfect for a beach wedding.

3 & 5. FLORAL DREAM
If you intend to host a destination wedding in a remote island, remember to include the Flora Guru, Razak of Flora Etc (Malaysia) as your must-have wedding companion. As a celebrity floral designer whose clientele include the whose who of society and royalties alike, Razak and his team will transform any given space into an amazing room full of artful floral creations.

4. COOL COASTERS
These cool coasters are designed by Parliament of Owl (New York).

7. STALAGMITE FOREST AT STARGATE
The Stalagmite Forest is a wonder of nature, a fragile thing of beauty and of danger, such that it necessitates precision diving. Our second moodboard is inspired by this picture, taken by the late Wes C. Skiles, a renowned underwater photojournalist, cinematographer and explorer who was killed during a marine life scientific research expedition off the east coast of Florida. In his 27 years career, Wes C Skiles “escaped from a collapsed ocean cave off the Australian coast and was among the first people to set foot on the largest iceberg in Antarctica. At one time, off the coast of South Africa, a shark jammed itself into his protective cage. The burly photographer beat the creature back with his heavy, waterproof camera, taking pictures throughout the episode, and had close-up photos of the great white’s jagged teeth as a token of his survival.” James Cameron’s new 3D action thriller movie Sanctum is dedicated to Wes C Skiles, of which the movie plot is based on one of Wes C Skiles’ expedition experience.

8. ‘GRAVITY DEFYING’ OBJECTS OF DESIRE
Preston Bailey’s  approach to every event is an inspiration for many planners and event designers. As a celebrated designer, he is renowned for his ability to translate his clients’ visions into awe-inspiring artistic installations.

If you haven’t noticed, our Flight of Fancy moodboards showcase amazing people whose work defy the impossible. Our third Flight of Fancy moodboard is inspired by Bacteria Colouring in the Blue Hole of Abaco Island, The Bahamas, yet another superb photo taken by Wes C Skiles.

Who would have thought that bacteria can be so fun to ‘play’ with! Bacteria colour the water at 30 – 36 ft in Sawmill Sink at Abaco Island and expedition divers descend into the bacterial layer of toxic hydrogen sulfide gas to gather data and to study life on the universe with the absence of oxygen. “If we can understand precisely how these microbes are making a living, we know what to look for on oxygen-free worlds,” says Jenn Macalady, an astrobiologist in an interview.

Not to sound shallow, I like the colours in the picture and used it to build a colour theme for this moodboard. If you want a dream wedding beyond imagination, do check out the work of Razak and his team at Flora Etc (Malaysia).

p/s: I was told that I am too long-winded in my posts, and at best, should try to keep it more wedding-friendly. So, should you be interested in some bed-time reading, visit these sources: Wikipedia; National Geographic

Colour Personality (Part 2)

Red is a beautiful and versatile colour that can never go wrong. Traditionally recognised as the colour of prosperity, red is culturally an auspicious colour in many parts of Asia. In India, red is associated with the Kshatriyas and Shakti, and brides of all castes have at least one red saree to be worn at their wedding. As a traditional ritual of marriage, women apply red powder on their hair parting. For the Chinese, red represents the element of fire and symbolically, it is the colour of happiness and good fortune. A person who favours red is known to be aggressive, dynamic, dogmatic and passionately diligent in all the things they aspire to achieve. Red is recognised the world over as the colour of love and passion, and there are thousands of ways to design with red at your wedding.

Pink is the sweeter side of red. If you are a fan of pink colour, then you are very much in touch with your femininity, irregardless of gender. It connotes gentle beauty and generosity. According to research, a pink person is sensitive, caring, sweet and maternal.

Pink is a very popular wedding colour.  If you favour pink, then you are privileged to choose from a wide range of flowers that come in brilliant shades of pink. If you fancy pink but do not want to appear too sweet, you can opt for the vintage shades of pink. Duskier shades of pink, such as Vintage Rose, Tea Rose or Quartz would bring a touch of sophisticated elegance to your wedding that is still feminine and romantic, but less girly. In recent years, we’ve also seen more couples using Salmon Pink, Amaranth and Coral Pink as their choice of pink.

Orange is a warm and vibrant colour but it is hardly used as the primary colour in a wedding colour palette (in Asia). It is often paired as a secondary colour to red, yellow, gold and sometimes even pink. Orange is the colour of flamboyance and youth. An orange person is more likely to be someone who is good natured, sociable, energetic and a considerate person who takes pleasure in helping others.

According to Dr Carol Ritberger, author of “What Color is Your Personality?”, yellows are often described as nonconformists and mavericks or in layman’s term, ‘they are truly square pegs trying to fit into a round world’. They are conceptual thinkers who require freedom to work and explore the world of endless possibilities. Yellow is also associated with sunlight and thus, exudes joy and cheerfulness. It is the happiest of all colours! However, in most parts of Asia, yellow is often substituted with matte or metallic gold or pastel yellow that is as pale as cream. Perhaps it is due to the available resources provided by most venue providers who often offer gold or cream coloured linen within their wedding package. We would love to see more yellow weddings at WedInk Tattle!

So now that you know the characteristics of each colour, would that affect your choice of colours for your wedding?

Colour Personality (Part 1)

olours are the visual communicator of emotions, ambience, taste and style. Before you begin working on your wedding theme, you’ll first need to decide on your colour theme. What kind of atmosphere do you want to evoke? Which colours highlight your best features? Do you want your pictures to appear quirky and whimsical, or do you want them to be sophisticated and elegant? Your personalities are reflected in the choice of colours you decide for your wedding. So for today’s post, we’ll discuss on colour personality and we’ll start with purple.

From dark violet to delicate lilac, purple has been the most popular wedding colour in 2010 and we foresee purple will continue to dominate the wedding colour trend chart all the way through to the fourth quarter of 2011. Purple is often seen as a strong colour and may not be suitable for all brides. It is unique because it can cross both cold and warm hues. Often regarded as a colour of nobility, Royal Purple and Tyrian Purple are regal and sophisticated. Pastel shades of purple such as Periwinkle, Lilac or Lavender are romantic and delicately sophisticated. A purple person is creative, independent, complex and cultured with a penchant for refined lifestyle. Brides who choose to wear a dark shade of purple evening gown may come across as sensual, strong-headed and dares to be different. In Christianity, purple symbolises the sovereignty of Christ.

We’ve put together two colour charts using some of the best purple hues. The above chart is a mix of cold purple colours with Royal purple as the base. The chart below leans towards warm purple colours with Tyrian purple as the base. So, which purple are you?

Blue is a colour of peace and conscientiousness. In Asia, dark blue or Navy Blue remains the most unpopular colour for weddings. Dark blue is often associated with sombre occasions such as sickness (hospitals) or death (funerals). Ironically, those who like blue are known to be steadfast optimist, fun-loving, out-going and people-oriented. Dark blue is the essence that will bring out a unique appeal to your wedding if it is cleverly put together in a colour palette. A safer and more commonly used colour would be Sky Blue, also known as Baby Blue.

A more modern take on blue, thanks to Tiffany & Co who glamourised the colours, would be Teal and Turquoise. These colours are tranquil, trendy and sophisticated when used sparingly at any occasions.

Green is …. well, evergreen. It will stand the test of time and will always be one of the great classics at weddings. Green is a symbol of life, growth and harmony. It is the traditional colour of Islam. It is also a down-to-earth colour that is soothing, fresh and close to nature. A green person is known to be a good listener, humble, compassionate, detail-oriented and less of a risk taker. However, in Chinese culture, it is a taboo to wear green hats as it is associated with infidelity/cuckold. It is such a neutral colour that it’ll look good when paired with any other colours but be careful when choosing your green hue. We’ve put together five shades of popular greens; Jungle Green, Olive Green, Apple Green, Lime Green and Tea Green.

Chic Orient

1. KNICK KNACKS
I’m totally ga-ga over these hand-painted candleholders. Get them from Q Concept Co Ltd (91/13-15 Sukhumvit Soi 54 Bangkok, Thailand)

2. DESIGNER COLLECTIBLES
These are some seriously talented people at work! Be inspired by the vibrant colours of these designer pieces or create a focal point at your wedding with collectible furniture by Squint Ltd, available at Lane Crawford Hong Kong and Beijing.

3.PERSONALISED FANS
Aren’t these the prettiest fans you’ve ever seen? Perfect as a gift for a chic oriental wedding or tropical outdoor weddings, by SellHerOnline, Singapore.

4. ILLUSTRATIVE INSPIRATION
Photo illustration from Image Shack.

5. ASIAN KNOT BRACELETS
Instead of hand wrist corsages, consider these cute bracelets from Sun Studio which make good keepsakes for your bridesmaids.

6. A DATE WITH SPRING
A chic oriental cake inspired by blooming peonies and cherry blossoms by TrulyScrumptious!,Kuala Lumpur.

7. ARTISTIC PIECES
Another eco-friendly arrangement by the creative floral designers at Creativelines, Kuala Lumpur. Creating art pieces with Chinese red dates, ground nuts, red beans and other edible kitchen items.

Ethereal Luxe

1. IRIDESCENT GOLD
Wedding planner, Shen Yi of I Do paired up with floral designer, Wishing Tree to create a brilliant canvas of iridescent gold with eucalyptus leaves for a modern, Grecian-inspired wedding.

2. SCENT OF LOVE
Try J’Adore perfume by Christian Dior.

3. CELESTIAL GOWN
A radiant, ethereal masterpiece in crisp lines and sophisticated silhouettes by the talented team of designers at Pretty in White. Photography by Louis Pang.

4. PEARL DEBUDANTE
The Akoya Cultured Pearls on 18k Pink Gold with Diamonds by Mikimoto.

5. THE HALLMARK OF LUXURY
The Peninsula Hong Kong is a luxuriously timeless venue for a celebration of love.