Love, Love Me Do

I got this great offer in my inbox today and wanted to share with you all! Click on the picture above to enjoy any of the following deals!

Receive 25 free cards when you purchase 75 items or more (Signature Collection only). Use code G25FF493YB. Expires 11:59pm (PT) on 8/17/09. *

Use coupon code SALE10 to receive 10% off your order of $25 or more on save the date cards, bridal shower invitations, party invitations or thank you cards. Expires 11:59pm (PT) on 7/20/09. *

Enter FREESHIP to enjoy free shipping on your non sample orders to the 48 contiguous United States. This offer may be used in conjunction with the above deals. #

* Terms and conditions apply: Offer is not applicable to previously placed orders. Offer is not valid for purchase of gift certificates. To prevent abuse, Wedding Paper Divas reserve the right to discontinue or modify these offers at any time without notice. Wedding Paper Divas reserve the right to cancel any order at any time.

# Terms and conditions apply: Offer is not applicable to previously placed orders. This offer may be combined with other promotions and discounts. To prevent abuse, Wedding Paper Divas reserve the right to discontinue or modify these offers at any time without notice. Wedding Paper Divas reserve the right to cancel any order at any time.

Our usual Spotlight column runs on Sunday but I couldn’t wait till the weekend for this! I was invited to preview the Farah Angsana Spring 2010 collection and had the privilege of interviewing the Paris couturier.

Farah’s latest collection is inspired by her Asian heritage and the cities and cultures she has experienced. The dress we are standing next to is symbolic of that. Named “Kiss of the Dragon”, the strapless gown is made of silk scales handsewn with sequin detailling.

Gowns from her past and present collections were showcased. Though Farah was born in Medan, the Indonesian designer was raised in Singapore, Los Angeles and London. She graduated from the Central School of Fashion in London and launched her eponymous line of cocktail and evening wear with great success. Believing that her next challenge laid in Paris, she presented her collection on the runways and became the first and only Indonesian designer to do so.

Farah views Madame Grès, Valentino and Jean Desses as her inspirations and you can see the influence of these fashion greats in her designs. From the masterful draping to the intricate embroidery,  each dress is created to bring out the femininity of a woman. My favourite is Varessa, third gown from the right. I asked Farah if she had a favourite too. “The collection is my vision and there is a reason behind each design.  For this reason, I cannot choose a favourite.” Which celebrity then do you think embodies the Farah Angsana bride? “Angelina Jolie. She is beautiful and sexy.”

I asked Farah if she would consider opening a bridal salon in Indonesia or Singapore since there aren’t many internationally established couturiers in these countries. She smiled in answer, “First I need to have the market for it.”

When Farah brought her business to Paris, she was advised to do menswear and sportswear but after 6 years, she found couture calling out to her and returned to designing womenswear. Her comeback collection shown at Ritz during Paris Fashion Week was lauded by critics and a hit with buyers. Building on her success, her Spring 2008 collection which showed in New York last September gained great press and reviews too. Her US team urged her to consider starting a bridal line and after much research, she launched the Farah Angsana bridal couture in 2008, exclusive to select stores.

Of course I had to ask Farah what her own wedding was like. She married her Swiss financier husband at the age of 26 in a John Galliano gown. Married for 12 years now, home is in Zurich, Switzerland. Sounds like a modern fairytale to me!

With all the jetsetting she does, I thought Farah must be the best person to ask about the perfect honeymoon spot. Her answer came without a pause and true to her Indonesian heritage, “Bali. The people are friendly and welcoming. It’s in their culture. They go out of the way to make visitors feel welcome and enjoy themselves. Their service is immaculate. Honeymoon is a special moment for newlyweds and Bali is the perfect place to spend it.”

Before concluding the interview, I asked Farah if she had any advice for our brides in choosing the perfect wedding gown. This is what she had to say.

1. Do your research with bridal magazines before going to the salon.

2. Don’t bring too many people to the bridal salon. Just your mum and a friend.

3. Look for a style that suits your body type.

Our thanks to Farah and her PR for setting up this wonderful evening!

UPDATE: Congratulations Nalie! You won a US$25 e-gift certificate from MyWeddingFavors.com!

Keisha from MyWeddingFavors.com contacted us some time ago, offering a Giveaway. Of course, we will like to pass this wonderful gift to our readers. We had a good discussion over wedding favors.

Interview with Keisha

1. Why do we give wedding favours? What’s the intention behind?

We give wedding favors because it’s the little things - a favor, a gesture, a simple thought put into action  and a nice elegant or unique favor speak volumes in all the special occasions of your lives.

2. What is your best-selling product?

Well we actually have a few top sellers, although all of our favors are awesome! But here are a few of the best selling favors:

Sterling Heart Bottle Stopper

Sterling Heart Bottle Opener

Monogram Tin of Mints

Monogram Tin of Mints

Good Wishes Pearilized Photo Coaster

Photo frame with Pearls

3. What do people consider when choosing their desired favour?

People consider awesome quality of the favor and a favor that will leave a long lasting impression on their wedding guest=unique favors!

4. What is your personal favourite product?

Hard question because I love them all but I must say I adore the Personalized Glass Jars.

Mini Candy Jars

The jars are so cute and I would love to add some yummy candy inside so the guest can enjoy!

5. Do you think edible wedding favours are worth anything less than those that can be kept forever?

No I actually think many guest enjoy edible favors, who doesn’t like scrumptious sweets or good ole peanuts depending on the wedding theme. I just love getting edible favors, my eyes light up like a Christmas tree when I see them at ANY wedding that I attend!

6. At some weddings, guests are dismayed by the wedding favours, especially those with pictures of the bride and groom. After all, most cannot bear to have a calendar in their wallet with such pictures. How should people avoid such disasters?

Well that’s interesting because photo coasters are actually popular! But I think Brides are giving the coasters without the pictures and leaving it up to the guests’ discretion on what they want to put in the coaster. You also have to be creative, if you give your guest a photo coaster and leave it blank the guest could use it as an impromptu photo frame and sit it on their desk at work.

7. Where are your products manufactured?

We have a number of manufacturing facilities in the US and abroad.

8. Any chances that guests could have received the same item from a different wedding?

That is always a possibility depending on the taste of the brides!

Now that you’ve gotten to know MyWeddingFavors.com better, are you itching for something to take away? We have a US$25 e-gift certificate to give away! Just leave the comment ” I LOVE, LOVE ME DO “. The first to do so will walk away with this voucher. The contest will end as soon as someone posts the valid comment.

P.S. Do take note of their shipping (FAQ as posted here):

Do you ship internationally?

At this time, we do not ship outside the U.S., U.S. territories or Canada.

However, we would like to recommend two fantastic international sites. They are sure to have the perfect favor for all of our UK and Australian brides!

UK customers, please visit: www.aweddinglessordinary.co.uk

Australian customers, please visit: http://www.pinkfrosting.com.au/

I have always love Andrew Mok’s work and his latest video is no exception. Zann and Jim met at NTU and bonded over walks to their Hall, banner painting, cup noodles and a computer. Uniquely, the video is shot from the guy’s perspective. Hearing him tell of how much he loved Zann even before they got together is touching. The music is awesome too. Go see it.

If you are into a special, unqiue and fully personalized wedding, take at look at Arty Attic, a label which specializes in hand-drawn stationery. The designer loves to doodle since young and there’s something innocent and organic about her creations. In fact, she draws reference to a book “In the Attic” when coming up with the label name. In her wedding range, she came up with postcards that are centered around different themes to cater to different couples. These postcards can double up as Thank You cards or Invitations. There are movie-related, eco-themed and even those who seek thrilling sports are remembered. These creations are indeed a fresh break from the usual and definitely appeal to those who seek personalized weddings. Interestingly, when you seek things that you can identify with, you stand out immediately above the masses.

Directional Love

Directional Love is very interesting. At one glimpse, you think it’s a repetition from Titanic. The surprise is at the back of this card which quotes “Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction. ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery”. Very meaningful.

Power of Love

These postcard-size lovely creations come with passages with either humour, quotes or realizations. For example, on the back of “Power of Love“, it reads “The love between us is so hot and powerful that we can fly.” Hint: It’s the hot air balloon the couple is sitting on. These cards are fully customizable. The ease and efficiency is provided via RunRave where you can enter your requirements in text fields just next to the chosen postcard URL. You could choose to have your own passage at the back of the card or have both the bride and groom’s name to be printed. Alternatively, you could get the designer to draw up a new one!

For the nature lovers

Arty Attic also has postcards outside the wedding range which is under RunRave’s in-house wedding label, RunRave Romance. Check out the sweet Flower Guardian Angels and nostalgic Fairy Tale series. Each of the figures drawn is really a reflection of life. Be awed by the colours of life and widen your imaginary realm. Check out Arty Attic’s blog to know this up and coming designer.

Cinderella

While researching on today’s personality, I found a very long and comprehensive interview with Jose Villa. Since the interview is so recent, I shall direct you to the website rather than plagiarise. Here’s a few tidbits about the man.

Jose’s works stand out for their dreamy quality and magazine-like styling. Which would explain why he’s regularly featured on many of them including Martha Stewart Weddings, The Knot, Brides, Destination Weddings and Honeymoons, Instyle Weddings and more. He’s also a favourite of wedding bloggers and has accumulated accolades from professional photography associations.

You probably don’t realise this but Jose shoots entirely in film. There is little indulgence in taking multiple shots to get the right picture as production costs are high. On average, 800 shots are taken in a wedding and about 700 presented to the couple. When you consider the medium, that’s an amazingly high number.

Jose describes his style, “I’m trying to create images that have beautiful lifestyle elements, and also have some emotion to them.” It’s not photojournalism, it’s fine art. “I do capture moments, but I compose my shots. So, for instance, if I see something happening in front of me I’ll take the shot, but i compose it with a fine art perspective behind it. I am VERY aware of my backgrounds. I usually choose something with a white wall or use the sky. And I always utilize selective focus to achieve a true fine art image.”

Jose was born in Los Guerrero, Mexico and migrated to California at the age of 5. He picked up his first camera in high school and later studied at Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara. Based out of Solvang now, “they have the best Danishes here”, it’s a picturesque Danish town in California. Initially scared that wedding photography would be too high pressure, Jose fell into it when he realised he could use the lifestyle/fashion approach that he had developed while interning with Marcy Malloy, a fashion photographer in San Francisco. It’s been 7 years now.

Jose is involved in a new book, Wedding Photography Unveiled, a collection of 20 top photographers’ techniques, philosophies, strategies, and practices.

All photos in this post are from Jose’s blog.