Blog | First Comes Love

Rock your frock: The Apple body shape

Posted on September 27, 2017 by firstcomeslove | Make a comment

Flattering will get you everywhere (see what we did there?!). Flattering the natural shapely shape of your body, that is. By finding the party frock that best fits your figure, you’ll feel in fine form and confident being the centre of attention.

Dress your body in ways to highlight the features you’re damn chuffed with, without getting hung up on what’s disappointing you – we don’t believe you anyway! Every last bit of our bags of bones are beautiful. So complex and extraordinary and in all ways amazing. Ready to be filled up with wine and song and dinner and dancing and smiling and loving. Fretting about baggy or bony bits is a waste of perfectly good frolicking time.

Grab yourself a tape measure, take a good look in the mirror, and give some thought to what shape you are. Then the fun part – finding the frock to rock it!

This is the fourth in our series of blog posts featuring custom-designed and ready-to-wear gowns from our fave First Comes Love peeps. They’re all available here in WA – how great is that?

And if you missed the first four posts in the series, why not go peek at The Arrow, The Hourglass, The Pear and The Pencil body-rocking frocks too?

1. Amelia by Sally Eagle, available at Through the White Door
2. Custom design by Cleo Borrello
3. to 8. Custom designs by Elvi Design
9. Custom design by ILKA
10. to 12. Custom design by Loui Col Designs
13. Custom design by Maevana
Illustrations: Angela Mitchell from Mitchell & Dent

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Rock your frock: The Arrow body shape

Posted on September 13, 2017 by firstcomeslove | Make a comment

Grab yourself a tape measure, take a good look in the mirror, and give some thought to what shape you are. Then the fun part – finding the frock to rock it!

This is the fourth in our series of blog posts featuring custom-designed and ready-to-wear gowns from our fave First Comes Love peeps. They’re all available here in WA – how great is that?

And if you missed the first three posts in the series, why not go peek at The Hourglass, The Pear and The Pencil body-rocking frocks too?

1. Agnes Fashion Group, available at Calla Lily Collection
2. Rue De Seine, available at Through the White Door
3. to 5. Custom designs by Cleo Borrello
6. Diana by Cathleen Jia, available at Through the White Door
7. Kierra by Cathleen Jia, available at Through the White Door
8. Custom design by Loui Col Designs
9. Isadora by Sabina Motasem, available at Through the White Door
Illustrations: Angela Mitchell from Mitchell & Dent

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Karlee & Shriv Lovebirds Shoot

Posted on August 30, 2017 by firstcomeslove | Make a comment

The everso talented Ali from Fields & Skies offered a Lovebirds giveaway at the Fair last October. Here are the adorable images from the shoot! Ali tells us, “I meet so many lovely couples at these fairs and I wanted to give something back. So what better way than a ‘Lovebirds portrait session’ (my fancy way of saying an engagement shoot). After chatting to numerous couples at the fair and dozens of entries, I thought the only fair way to choose a winner was if my one year old daughter chose the entry. I was stoked when she picked Shriv & Karlee, they were the last couple I met on the day and they were such a hoot. On the day of the shoot, we went to Cottesloe Civic Centre and down to the beach, they live locally and spend a lot of time here, so the location means something to them, which made the shoot even more special. Seriously these two were just the best fun, both have a top notch sense of humour and they clearly adore each other, one of my favourite lovebirds shoots to date.”

Karlee & Shriv had known each other for a few years from social events at work. However, it was the tri-hospital NYE party 2012 where he managed to sneak in a cheeky kiss just after midnight! It wasn’t until the next hospital party in early 2013 that he struck up the courage to ask Karlee out on a date!

Describing the proposal, Karlee said “Shriv had finished his Radiology exams & I was three weeks post a knee reconstruction. It was a cold, wet Friday evening in September 2016 & Shriv organised a delicious cheese board with cured meats & pate along with a beautiful bottle of red wine for us at home. Unbeknown to me, I assisted in ‘setting the mood’ with candles & music because I knew we couldn’t venture out due to me being on crutches. It was the perfect setting, in our home, with our fur son Finn when Shriv dropped to one knee & asked me to marry him!!! I was speechless! Of course I said yes & without a doubt he certainly managed to surprised me!”

Their big day will be at Meneghello Estate, Carbunup River (just outside of Dunsborough) for NYE 2017!!! “We thought it’d be a fabulous way to bring in the new year with our nearest & dearest. Our story started with out first kiss on NYE & this NYE we’ll seal the deal!!” said Karlee.

We cannot wait to hear all about these two lovebirds tying the knot very soon! Thank you to Ali from Fields & Skies for her very generous prize and capturing this beautiful trio.

Photography Fields & Skies

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It’s a Wrap – First Comes Love Fair April Highlights

Posted on April 9, 2017 by firstcomeslove | Make a comment

This is quite possibly our second longest blog post ever. But, hey! We make no apologies. Every image to follow is warranted. Every single one. In fact, there was probably 150% more that could have been included.

Our eighth First Comes Love Fair took place at MosArts on Sunday 2^nd April and it was spectacular. Every year, we cannot possibly imagine how it could be better than before – and then the exhibitors go and do THIS. And these pics barely scratch the surface of all the swoon-worthy goodness that was on show. That is why you need to leave your lounge rooms, folks! And come out to meet in person all of the creative souls in the Westralian wedding and event industry. They’re pretty great.

From the floatiest of veils to the sweetest of scented blooms to the tallest towers of cheese, the slinkiest of gowns to the golden-est (we swear that’s a word) of vintage caravans for hire – we recommend you take a thorough gander below and then visit the MosArts 2017 Fair page to find the who’s who.

And if something in particular tickled your fancy, and you’re not sure who the responsible party is, do please leave a comment below and we’ll let you know just who to seek out.

We thank the always incredible Amelia Claire , Lifa Wall and Sara Hannagan for sharing their images with us and Ben from Little Friends Films for capturing some video footage of the fair. They’re all tops too!

And as for the rest of the pics we mentioned at the top there, guess where you’ll see them all? We recommend you follow @firstcomeslovefair on Instagram.

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Oh Yes! It’s Free

Posted on March 28, 2017 by firstcomeslove | Make a comment

There will be a whole host of winning to be had at the First Comes Love Fair on April 2nd. We recommend that you seek out the giveaways and competitions and discounts that many of the generous souls exhibiting will be making available to you (psssst! we’re giving you a little hint below!). You might win. We hope you do. Good luck!

ANNI MARIA PHOTOGRAPHY

Head over to see Anni Maria and enter her competition to WIN a FREE engagement / pre wedding photoshoot for one couple.

CALLA LILY COLLECTION

On the day of First Comes Love, Calla Lily Collection is offering $100 DISCOUNT vouchers! In order to receive one you’ll have to visit their stall and to join their mailing list to stay up to date with new collection announcements, dress shopping tips etc and you’ll receive one of the $100 vouchers at the same time.

CAKE DATE

If you visit the Cake Date‘s exhibit you will be in for a delicious treat, as they are giving away FREE SAMPLES of CAKE (until supplies run out!), so get there quick! And that’s not all – visit Nadia at her stall to enter a competition to WIN a macaron tower (80 macarons included!).

CLAIRE RANDALL CREATIVE

Pop along to see Claire Randall Creative, she will be giving you the chance to WIN FREE hair and makeup for a bride and a Becca Cosmetics Gift Pack PLUS a special offer of $50 makeup trials to any bride who books and pays for their trial on the day of the fair.

COLLEZIONE BRIDAL

Collezione Bridal will be running a competition to WIN $500 towards your dream wedding gown. Awesome!

FIELDS & SKIES PHOTOGRAPHY

Pop along to see Ali at Fields & Skies Photography for a chance to WIN a FREE lovebird shoot for one couple.

FOOTE & FLAME

Daniel at Foote & Flame will be offering 15% DISCOUNT on orders placed at the fair. Sweet!

GREAT KOMBIS

Great Kombis will be hanging out in the Picture Garden offering 10% DISCOUNT on bookings placed at the fair.

GREY RABBIT DESIGN

If you visit the lovely Emily at Grey Rabbit Design, she’s hosting a competition where you could WIN a custom designed invitation suite (printing not included). Wowsers!

M EVENT HIRE

Any order placed with the kind souls at M Event Hire between now and 31st May 2017 will receive a 15% DISCOUNT on their gorgeous HIRE ITEMS. Visit their stall to collect a VOUCHER.

MABLE & CO.

Mable & Co. will be offering 20% DISCOUNT on any bookings made from the fair by the close of April 2017, in addition to running a First Comes Love Fair competition to WIN a $200 voucher towards any Mable & Co package (minimum 2 hour service). Awesome!

MEETING GRACE

Visit Meeting Grace to collect a card entitling you to $500 OFF a custom made gown. Nicey nice.

MISS HIGH T

Miss High T will be offering 15% DISCOUNT if you visit her at the fair, and book any services (high tea, hire or style). Not only that but Tam will also be handing out FREE tea samples at her stall!

ROSE & BEAU

The folks at Rose & Beau are offering a very generous 15% DISCOUNT on any of their services when booked by 31st May 2107. The generous souls are also OFFERING any couple who book their planning and coordination package by the end of April the opportunity to WIN their design and styling services for FREE.

SYNAPSE EVENT LIGHTING

Visit Synapse Event Lighting at the fair to enter a competition to WIN THE LIGHTING for your wedding (to the value of $1000)! If you aren’t the LUCKY winner, they are also offering a 15% DISCOUNT for lighting bookings received from brides/couples who visit their stall and book by 31st May 2017. Nicey nice.

THE HANDSOME STRANGER

The Handsome Stranger will be offering 20% DISCOUNT if you visit them at the fair, and book their services before the 16th April 2017. Check out your goodie bags too as they are also giving away vouchers for FREE coffee!

THE PUBLICAN GROUP

The Publican Group will be offering not one but TWO GIVEAWAYS! Firstly, book your wedding at either The Aviary or The Guildford Hotel to secure one of the following exclusive offers:

Upgrade to French Champagne in your beverage package
Complimentary signature cocktail included in your beverage package
10% off styling including florals, with Willow Lane Creative

Secondly, they also have a special offer if you stop by their stall and say ‘hi’ you can enter into a COMPETITION to WIN a Magnum of G.H. Mumm Champagne. (Winner drawn on Friday, 7^th April and announced via email)

ZOLOTAS AUSTRALIA BRIDAL

This ones a pretty easy one to follow, Zolotas are OFFERING an opening SPECIAL of 20% OFF their gowns. Sweet!

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Styled Shoot: Ferguson Foundry

Posted on March 4, 2017 by firstcomeslove | Make a comment

Do we ever love it when a crew of creatives get together to combine their goodness, showcase their skills, and work as a team to devise something delicious to help folks see beyond the commonplace?! It is inspirational to be able to peek at what we might see at the weddings and shindigs of our nearest and dearest in the future.

Concepted and styled by Bloom Tribe and Turtle & the Pelican and photographed by Anthea Auld Photographer – this shoot took place at Ferguson Foundry. Samara from Bloom Tribe describes the inspiration behind the shoot;

“The shoot was created and styled by Bloom Tribe to showcase the new wedding venue “Ferguson Foundry” which is located 5km from the Perth CBD adjoining one of Perth’s coolest art galleries.

My inspiration was first and foremost the venue itself. I love layered whites, creams and greys and this worked perfectly with the venues concrete floor and white gallery walls. The Ferguson Foundry is an art gallery so I wanted to introduce some soft colour, textures and creativity to the theme.

The models were chosen to give the whole shoot a more creative and alternative feel. They both have almost all black tattoos so black became the strength to the look, coming through in the horns of the amazing Oz skull, the lighting and table accents. I love natural elements and I know that the venue has been built with the environment in mind. It will be landscaped with natives and have solar power among other things, so I incorporated lots of beautiful teal grey native foliage, the natural timber table tops and used natural textiles such as linen on the tables and the stunning all cotton hand made gowns”.

Find the whole team involved below and you’ll also be able to meet many of the style-slingers in person at the upcoming First Comes Love Fair on April 2nd. They’re nice people. You’ll like them.

The Venue: FERGUSON FOUNDRY

Ferguson Foundry is a brand new wedding venue, purpose built for smaller weddings wanting something a little different, with the option to do their own catering and beverages etc. It’s a cool space with souring ceilings and concrete floors and artwork from local Perth artists that is constantly changing.

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Styled Shoot: Botanical Beauty

Posted on February 20, 2017 by firstcomeslove | Make a comment

We just love it when a group of creatives get together to showcase their talents and BOY; this styled shoot did not disappoint!! Amelia Claire has captured beautiful and elegant imagery showcasing a balance of relaxed vintage and elegant styles.

Florist, Emily Lauren describes the scene “Located in the Perth’s North, the large private property was full of lush green trees and shades of pinky peach florals glistening in the afternoon’s golden light. Elements involved; gorgeous Westralian Marri dining tables, soft water colour circular menus, matte black crockery and a stunning mix of a frosted iced and naked cake. Soft yet bold textures and colours featured throughout our brides makeup, hair and delicate full lace gown.”

This shoot was truly elegant in every way!

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Uber Cool Coupling – Wedding Styled Shoot at the New Ambrose Estate

Posted on December 4, 2016 by firstcomeslove | Make a comment

Perth couples are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a wedding venue. Be it rustic winery and hillside spaces to lavish halls; ocean, river or bushland backdrops – the possibilities are endless. However, it’s always exciting when a new venue opens offering the opportunity for a truly unique wedding day.

To celebrate the opening of Ambrose Estate at Wembley Golf Course, Anthea Auld Photographer set about organising a contemporary bridal shoot to showcase the new venue and its surroundings.

After teeing up (pardon the pun!!) some of Anthea’s fave and super talented Perth wedding vendors an epic afternoon of shooting began. And if you think these two uber cool cats look so much in love, well you’re right. The shoot features real life couple Mischa and Jez. They were so completely at ease with each other, their love palpable during the shoot. Simply a photographers dream!

Our bride Mischa arrived in an ultra chic white Jaguar provided by Belle Limousines, Mischa was a natural, oozing quiet confidence and sass in a Karen Willis Holmes fitted sequin gown paired with delicate long sleeved lace jacket.

Mischa’s hair and makeup by complemented the casual and contemporary nature of her gown and surroundings. A whimsical and yet modern bouquet featuring black roses was a perfect juxtaposition against this delicate and stunning gown.

Our groom Jez looked sharp and cut a dashing figure in his suit provided and fitted by Brittons Formalwear.

The grounds of Ambrose Estate offered endless picture perfect locations with natural bushland, rolling green fairways, city views, lakes and picturesque fountains. The new Ambrose Estate function room features a covered timber balcony which cantilevers overlooking the golf course and forms a dramatic architectural feature. This deck was illuminated by lighting guru eighty eight events’ metallic pendant drop lighting and cascading festoons. An intimate moment of our couple was captured as the cuddled on the timber ledge whilst the sun set behind.

Styling and floristry extraordinaire, Touched By Angels, created magic with table scapes featuring metallic candlesticks paired with Ecuadorian roses in mauve’s, pinks and vanilla. Cool and casual furniture such as bamboo chairs and lounge settings were provided by M Events.

The Cake and I created a stunning two tier wedding cake laden with fresh figs and dripping with rich caramel sauce.

Wedding Video by Chapman Films: https://vimeo.com/179704803

Venue: Ambrose Estate, The Boulevard, Wembley Downs, Western Australia, Australia

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Then Comes Marriage: Tanya & Jay

Posted on November 8, 2016 by firstcomeslove | Make a comment

Tanya and Jay met at a bar in Perth. She said “I was with a girlfriend for a girls’ night out. I wasn’t having the greatest night; I walked past Jay and he asked me “Do you want a hug?”. Normally this would be super creepy but he just had a sweet vibe about him. His band had played earlier that night and when he asked me if I’d seen any of the bands I replied “pfft never even heard of them! Did you?” and then he kindly told me that he had played! Oops!”. Little did she know that one day they would be wed.

Describing the proposal, Tanya said, “we had been together nearly 6 years and talked very loosely about marriage but I definitely wasn’t expecting it at all! It was 12.12.12 (he swears he didn’t even realise the date!), I was running late home from work because there was some freak December storm. When I walked in the house the first thing I noticed was how clean it was, he had tidied everything! There was some sweet soul music playing in the kitchen and a pillow pet holding a sign that said “meet Jay in the home theatre”. We had recently bought his niece a pillow pet and I had joked that they were so soft and cuddly that I wanted one myself! I walked to the home theatre and there he was kneeling down on one knee. The whole room was filled with tea candles, and there was a big heart of candles in the middle of the room with a table at the centre with a white tablecloth & a bottle of Moet on top! I don’t remember what he said, I just remember saying “jay! Jay! Jay! Jay! Jay!” and then eventually “yes!”. Then we skyped my parents who were overseas and he was so nervous/excited he dropped the bottle of Moet on the floor so we ended up drinking flat Zibbibo instead!”

Their rustic ceremony took place in the Sunken Gardens of UWA followed by a reception at Moore & Moore in Freo. “We both decided very early on that we didn’t want a traditional wedding. We wanted something fun, something personal, and something that meant something to us rather than just having the same wedding we’ve all been to before. I’m not the girl that ever pictured her wedding in her head or dreamt about it for years, but from the minute Jay proposed, I knew I wanted the ceremony to be in a pretty garden somewhere with lots of light and colours. The reception had a really nice vintage and cool feel, the food was 100% vegetarian and about 80% vegan which was very important to us. We both took our time planning everything because we wanted to enjoy the process and not get too stressed out over it. We had an incredible bridal party that just made our day so entertaining and our speeches during the reception were pretty impressive. My grandma had our guests in stitches, but my bridesmaid Lisa took it to another level by rapping her speech, it was so brilliant!”

Their day was filled with laughs, tears, heartfelt vows, gangsta moves. We thank these cool cats for sharing their trendy and very romantic day with us and their photographer Ali from Fields & Skies for capturing all the fun of the day!

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You guys ROCK!!!

Posted on October 5, 2016 by firstcomeslove | Make a comment

I would love to say a hearty thank you to everyone who came out to play at First Comes Love Fair on the weekend. The seventh First Comes Love Fair took place at MosArts on Sunday and it was spectacular. As many of you know this was my inaugural fair, and I was absolutely blown away by the talent and creativeness of everyone involved. Each and every one had poured time, effort and LOVE into their displays and WOW they were totally AWESOME! That is why you need to leave your lounge rooms, folks! And come out to meet in person all of the creative souls in the Westralian wedding and event industries. They’re pretty great.

Every nook and cranny of MosArts was chock full of inspiration (and that’s A LOT of nooks and crannies!!) – I recommend you take a thorough gander below and then visit the MosArts 2016 Fair page to find the who’s who.

And if something in particular tickled your fancy, and you’re not sure who the responsible party is, do please leave a comment below and I’ll let you know just who to seek out.

I thank Peggy Saas and Liz Jorquera for sharing their images with us. They’re pretty awesome too!

Last but by no means least, I thank my little team of FCL worker bees. I owe you foot rubs and pints of gin.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. You guys ROCK!

Clare xxx