Think Vintage, Think Long Jetty - part 1

I love Vintage gear. It's the perfect combination of retro, reuse/recycle, mystery history and low cost. When I wear Vintage gear, I feel like I've truly dressed myself. No runway, no catalogue, no mix and match, just ooh, I wonder how this will go together, as you put it on and waltz out the door. It's okay if you miss the mirror, because people will tell you how well your ensemble works. "Wow, what an interesting combination!" Why thankyou, us blissfully eclectic mavens of Vintage wear think to ourselves.

The Vintage dress is, for a woman, the ultimate piece of nostalgic whimsy. Add some retro jewellery, sandals or chunky wedges, a scarf or a flower or both, and step out into the world feeling every bit the sassy little girl you usually hide except at Christmastime.

Leisa at Pumpanickle Vintage in Long Jetty, NSW, has put together a shop filled with Unique and Vintage Items. I spent a long time looking through the clothes, jewellery and other bits and pieces she's placed artfully around the store.

If you are a Vintage Style Bride, I recommend you check out Pumpanickle Vintage. Be sure to browse through every rack and explore every corner, and don't miss a single item of jewellery, from the pieces hanging on the antique looking birdcage, to those in the bowls on the tables.

The store is located on The Entrance Rd, Long Jetty, and it's easy to find. The front wall is painted a happy blue, and the blue bicycle and the big bunch of flowers will catch your eye.

You can call Pumpanickle Vintage on 0420 311 221

When you visit, say hi to Leisa for me, and let me know if she's been shopping again. Her treasure hunting trips are what will keep me going back!

Photographs by Linda Wales Photography

Leave your comments below. I'd love to hear about your Vintage Style Bride stories, or your recommendations.

Unveil your wild side,

Rachel

Bridal Expo Virgin Survives First Event!

Hello, my name is Rachel, and until Sunday I was a Bridal Expo Virgin.

The thought of holding my own stall/table freaked me out more than a little. WildSideBride.com is not exactly your traditional bridal fare, which is fine by me, but the thought of sitting at the venue, surrounded by white wedding dresses, white wedding cakes and white wedding flowers made me nervous.

When I arrived, some of the stall holders were already fully set up. Their stands were gorgeous! Carpenter-built backdrops, silver or gold tablecloths, laptops attached to big screen monitors. My hubby helped me set up the $11.95 stand I'd bought at Target, I draped my $9.95 black cloths over the stand and the 7 foot long trestle table. We placed my framed photo's of the WildSideBride logo, and framed screen shots of the website. I put out red and white striped bowls filled with Mentos and chocolates. I lined my business cards up in a row.

When I stood back and looked at my efforts, I was pretty happy with the result. As long as I didn't compare it to some of the other stands.

My stand was in the perfect spot, at the end of one of the aisles. I was right beside Jenni Darwin of Nutmeg Cakes and Cookies, with her gorgeous multi-tiered wedding cakes and her plates and plates of tasting slices. (You really should call her and ask for a tasting. Her coconut cake with jam and creamy filling is to die for!)

The first few brides who came to the end of our aisle looked over my stand and smiled and walked on. I decided to grab a few business cards and place myself in front, so I could at least offer them a card to walk away with.

This worked well! As I handed over business cards, the brides asked me about WildSideBride, and I had the chance to tell them about the blog, the fact that it was free (!), and importantly; that they would be able to share their story and info about vendors who really worked well for them.

I enjoyed seeing Brian and Alma Gammage of Two Hearts One Love again, Mel from Mel Rose Cakes and Bella from Bella Photo Art who had the mose gorgeous pink and white backdrop, built by her awesome hubby, Russel.

I was the lone ambassador of Wild, in a soft white world of princess bride-dom, but I felt at home, somehow. I would definitely participate in another Bridal Expo, and I have plans for a bigger, better, wilder stand. Watch out for me, brides-to-be, WildSideBride may appear at an event near you.

Hi to all the brides and grooms I met on Sunday! It was great to meet you all. Please leave a comment or a blog request in the comments section below.

If you know of an expo or event you think WildSideBride should be involved with, leave a comment below. I'm no Expo Virgin now!

Bridal Expo at Newcastle Diggers

WildSideBride will be at Newcastle Diggers tomorrow for the Bridal Expo!

Come along and say hi, I would love to meet you. Look for the WildSideBride logo:

Here is a link to the Bridal Expo Facebook Page. I've listed the details about the Bridal Expo below. If you'd like more info, go to the Bridal Expo Facebook Page and contact Simone.

Time	Sunday, September 18 · 10:00am - 3:00pm
Location	Newcastle Diggers @ Mayfield 58 Hanbury Street Mayfield
Created By	Simone Harvey
More Info	250 Bridal Bags will be handed out to the first 250 Brides through the door with free copies of White Wedding Magazine and Hunter Valley Wedding Planner. Prizes, Giveaways and Promotions will run to co-inside with this event. FREE entry - that's right we are doing it again! We are one of the only Bridal Expos in the region to provide FREE Entry, FREE Parking and FREE Bridal Magazines as well as FREE information on wedding suppliers. All Vendors will be ready and willing to assist you in anyway they can on the day of our expo. Don't miss this fantastic opportunity.

A Wedding Harpist With a Difference

Brides, let me tell you, nothing beats the sights you see at a Medieval Festival: knights, wenches, maidens and jesters, and that's just the attendees. The people running the exhibits really go all out!

So, I was sitting on the grass with friends, watching the wonderful parade of characters, and I became aware of some really mellow music playing nearby. It sounded gentle and warm, happy and friendly. I turned around and saw the coolest sight of the day: a guy sitting nearby, playing a small wooden harp.

I decided I definitely had to meet a medieval harpist, (how often do you get the chance, right?)and so I introduced myself to Torin. This guy is a true original. He's so open and friendly and modest, and he can really play that harp! He performs at weddings, festivals and other occasions and you can tell he loves what he does even before he tells you.

His clothing and appearance are a perfect match for his skills with his harp. He is confidently soft spoken, and would fit in really well at any wedding, but especially a wedding with a medieval, folk or alternative feel. He made me want to marry my hubby again, just so I could have Torin provide the ambience!

I can imagine him playing for a bride as she walks down the aisle, and then throughout the ceremony. His repertoire is an awesome mix of ancient pieces with really interesting names like "The Fairy Queen". You can hear his music if you go to his My Space page, which is called The Wedding Harpist.

If you book him for your special day, send us some photo's. We would love to see them.

Thanks Torin, for appearing on WildSideBride. We love your work.

Thanks for reading WSB. Find us on Facebook and Twitter... come and say hi.

Tracy & Blake's Gorgeous Goth 'Til Death Themed Wedding

WildSideBrides, make way for the most gorgeous black and red wedding you will ever see. Our one-of-a-kind bride and groom chose the theme 'Til Death, and they made it work all the way from their outfits, to their black cake and their photo session in an ancient graveyard.

Introducing...

WildSideBride: Tracy Chapple

Occupation: Hospitality

Her Groom: Blake Chapple

Occupation: Retail

WSB: When did you get engaged?

Tracy: Blake proposed to me in bed, three months after we started dating, in January 2008.

WSB: Where were you married?

Tracy: We were married at Pioneer Park, Point Frederick on the Central Coast of NSW. It's an old settlers graveyard overlooking the water.

WSB: Tell us about your ceremony.

Tracy: My Dad walked me down the 'aisle', to the song Die My Bride by Murderdolls. This was definitely one of the biggest highlights of the ceremony. We had a tying of hands ceremony and we went with traditional vows, which were organised by our celebrant.

WSB: Where were your photographs taken?

Tracy: We took some photo's at Pioneer Park, and then we had more taken at the rocks near the Skillion at Terrigal, NSW. Luckily it was a beautiful day and it gave us some amazing photo's.

WSB: Where did you hold your reception?

Tracy: We went to Treetops at Avoca, NSW. I would definitely recommend them.

WSB: Tell us about your cake.

Tracy: Blake and I designed the cake, Mel at MelRose Cakes made it, and it was perfect!

 

WSB: Tell us about your outfit.

Tracy: I chose my red and black satin dress online from www.dressofyourdreams.com. They have a huge range of dress styles to choose from. My parasol was from a store in Newtown, NSW called Gallery Serpentine, who also do gothic bridal wear.

WSB: What did your groom wear?

Tracy: Blake chose his entire outfit. He found the suit on www.overship.com, the top hat on Ebay, and the cane in a costume shop.

WSB: Tell us about the rings.

Tracy: We designed our rings together. They each have precious stones embedded in them, which belonged to Blake's Grandmother. Blake's has a garnet and mine has a sapphire and two diamonds.

 

WSB: Were family and friends involved in the planning of your day?

Tracy: Yes! My best friend hand-made all of our invitations, the celebrant was a family friend on Blake's side, Blake's cousin was the MC at the reception. Blake's sister performed our tying of hands ceremony. The day was made all the better with the involvement of close family and friends in the planning.

WSB: What advice would you give to other WildSideBrides, after creating your own unique wedding?

Tracy: Do what makes you feel happy and don't listen to other's negativity. At the end of the day, it's your wedding.

WSB: Are there any wedding suppliers you'd like to recommend?

Tracy: Yes! Black Label Limousines, Treetops Avoca, Flowers 2facn8, Impression DJ's, Gary's Leading Edge Jewellers, Poppy Events and Bella Photo Art.

WSB: Is there anything you would do differently if you had your time again?

Tracy: Our wedding day was perfect, and I wouldn't want to change a thing.

Thanks so much Tracy, for sharing your truly unique and totally gorgeous wild wedding. We wish you guys a long and happy life together.

If you would like to share your wedding, like Tracy has, just email us.

Photography by Bella Photo Art