Bliss Weddings & Homes November 2016

Issue 31 NOVEMBER 2016

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A cottage-style townhouse

AMAZING DRESSES

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Real Wedding Stories

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latest

WEDDING trends

contents ISSUE 31 · NOVEMBER 2016

REAL WEDDING page 17

WEDDING TRENDS page 54

Fashion & beauty 13 BRIDAL TRENDS 61 FIT FOR A QUEEN

Interview 90

IT STARTED WITH A DANCE

Weddings & honeymoons 17 27 37 45 54 69 87

DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT LOVE BY THE LAKE AN INTIMATE AFFAIR A SUNSET CELEBRATION WEDDING TRENDS CRUISING THROUGH THE BALTICS WEDDING DIRECTORY

Homes

75 A TOWNHOUSE WITH A COTTAGE FEEL 83 THE KITCHEN OF YOUR DREAMS

our cover

DRESS: Princess style dress by Rosa Clara at Ivory&Co. JEWELLERY: Jewellery designed by Diamonds International.

Available from Diamonds International, Valletta.

BOUQUET: Debbie Cassar, Floral Artist for Romano Cassar, using white hydrangeas, blush pink roses, hypericim and other fillers.

Location: Palazzo Prince d’Orange, Valletta Photographer: Valentina Lupo (www.facebook.com/ valentinalupophotography) Photo Shoot Coordinator: Sarah Micallef Hair: Laura Calleja Schembri, Fuss Hair & Beauty Make-up: Jennifer the Make-Up Artist ModelS: Lucia, Supernova Model Management.

10 bliss NOVEMBER 2016

Issue 31 Saturday, November 5, 2016 Bliss is a weddings and homes magazine distributed with The Times – making it the largest weddings and homes magazine in Malta.

Editor Sarah Micallef Publisher

editor’s letter

T

he special November edition of Bliss Weddings & Homes is here, and it’s celebrating its 10 year anniversary.

In this issue, we learn the stories behind four fantastic couples who recently celebrated their big day in totally different ways. From Tamara and Ken’s glamorous chandelier-filled affair to Diandra and Dan’s elegant destination wedding at Lake Como; and Marlis and Neil’s intimate and stylish celebration to Petra and Gordon’s beautiful sunset wedding – there’s so much romance in the air! And if that weren’t enough, our usual bridal and wedding trends pages offer up the latest must-haves, not to mention our luxurious shoot at Palazzo Prince D’Orange, showcasing a selection of gorgeous gowns.

Our honeymoon couple this issue takes us on a tour of seven countries on board the Regal Princess, while actress and writer Jo Caruana lets us in to her newly renovated townhouse in Balzan.

Elsewhere, we discover the latest trends wedding TRENDS page 54 in kitchen design and turn back the clock to Charles and Mary Bezzina’s 1976 BRIDAL SHOOT page 61 wedding. real home Enjoy the issue.

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Content House Group, Mallia Buildings, 3, Level 2, Triq in-Negozju, Mriehel BKR3000 Tel: 2132 0713 info@contenthouse.com.mt www.contenthouse.com.mt Distribution:

Design Box Design – Antoinette Micallef ant@box-design.net Printer Progress Press Ltd. Contributors Laura Calleja Schembri; Jo Caruana; Jennifer Dimech; Marie-Claire Grima; Martina Said Photography Alan Carville; Mark Cassar; Valentina Lupo; Kris Micallef; Rene Rossignaud Advertising Content House Ltd – Tel: 2132 0713 publication sales manager Jessica Catania Advertising sales coordinatorS Lindsey Napier; Marvic Cutajar All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written authorisation of Content House Ltd. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information contained in the magazine, the publishers cannot be held responsible for any errors it may contain.

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Send your answers, as well as your telephone number, to media@contenthouse.com.mt or in writing to Bliss Magazine, Content House Group, Mallia Buildings, 3, Level 2, Triq in-Negozju, Mriehel, BKR3000.

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Last issue Alexia Aquilina won a Carolina Herrera CH Men Prive EDT 100ml, courtesy of Ta’ Xbiex Perfumery Ltd.

Bridal Trends § NOVEMBER 2016 bliss 13

Bridal

trends

words by SARAH MICALLEF catwalk shots courtesy of Barcelona Bridal Week

Boho The bridal runways took on a bit of a Coachella vibe this season with a number of boho-style dresses giving proceedings a festival flair. Think lace, macramé and flowing silhouettes worn with a hint of nonchalance and not too much fuss.

Left to right: Inmaculada Garcia, Naeem Khan, Marylise & Rembo Styling

Off-shoulder A beautiful silhouette we’ve seen in both fashion and bridal wear is the off-the-shoulder look, and when it comes to wedding dresses, it looks elegant while giving a bit of sex appeal.

What’s more, an off-shoulder detail looks great regardless of your chosen skirt style – be it A-line or fishtail.

Left to right: Justin Alexander, Rosa Clara , Galia Lahav

14 bliss NOVEMBER 2016 § Bridal Trends

Capes Whether it’s to beat the winter chill or just to cover up during the ceremony, recent bridal collections have offered up an array of interesting capes to choose from that complement the dress rather than just serve as an afterthought – a sure-fire trend for 2017.

Left to right: Inmaculada Garcia, Naeem Khan, Jesus Peiro

Real Wedding § NOVEMBER 2016 bliss 17

ara Tam and h Kennet ion ny locat iema ceremo , Sl Church renu a z z Na g venue , weddin , The Hilton ebo z a The G n’s St Julia

Dancing in the moonlight

It was twinkling lights and a one-of-a-kind upside down cake that set the scene for Tamara Webb’s wedding to Kenneth Cauchi on 11th June 2016 – and the results were absolutely stunning. Here Tamara talks Jo Caruana through the run-up to this truly extraordinary occasion.

P H OTO S B Y K R I S M ICA L L E F

18 bliss NOVEMBER 2016 § Real Wedding

“

The dress was timeless but high fashion and I know I will look back on it and love it forever.

”

S

ome things are just meant to be and, when it comes to the way fashion photographer and company director Tamara Webb and IT Engineer and company director Kenneth Cauchi met, well, their story was definitely written in the stars… or perhaps in cyber space!

“I was 14 when I first laid eyes on Ken, when he came over to repair our family computer. I was wearing huge PJs and fluffy slippers at the time, and didn’t take much notice of him. When I wandered into the kitchen, my mum pointed out his beautiful, blue eyes… but even they didn’t sway me! I guess I was too young to really care,” Tamara smiles.

It was a couple of years later that Kenneth actually got in touch with Tamara, over the social networking site Hi5. “He asked if I remembered him, which I didn’t – that is until I saw a profile picture featuring his eyes! I recognised him and we started chatting – and we

haven’t stopped chatting since. I knew immediately I had met my soulmate and we’ve barely ever been apart. They say that ‘when you know, you know’, and I knew,” Tamara says.

The couple were together for a blissful six years before Kenneth proposed.

“Everyone knows I am very detailobsessed and Ken knows me especially well, so I always imagined his proposal would be very particular,” she smiles.

“It happened when we were in Torino, skiing. We were having the most wonderful time and then headed back to

the hotel to get ready for dinner. I had just jumped out of the shower, still with my towel round my hair, and was looking for my socks when I spotted Ken on one knee.

I thought he was doing his laces at first, but suddenly realised he was proposing!

Instead of getting all emotional I burst out laughing and couldn’t stop – while Ken was crying! I came round after a few minutes and, of course, said yes. It turns out he had hoped to propose on the mountains but was afraid of dropping the ring in the snow! Either way, it was the perfect proposal for me.” Ò

Real Wedding § NOVEMBER 2016 bliss 21

details

Chandelier details

ÔThe couple bought 50 chandeliers to brighten their big day, and they ended up becoming something of a theme. They even inspired the wedding logo that Tamara designed, which was used on everything from the invitations to the souvenirs.

Tamara and Kenneth set the date for two years later: June 2016. Planning it became a family effort, especially as Tamara’s dad, Richard, who is operations manager for the Hilton Hotel, had long dreamt of organising his little girl’s big day.

“Although we didn’t start planning for a while, once we did, we all got really into it,” says Tamara, who was very hands-on throughout the process. “I wanted the wedding to feel different and current, so I knew we would have to source a lot of the items ourselves and get very involved.”

While Tamara’s dad worked hard on the logistics and venue, her mum, Ingrid, was focused on the dresses. “I was sure of what I wanted when it came to my dress – a blend of haute couture and something more classic,” says the bride. “I opted for

Fashion

ÔAs a fashion photographer, Tamara loves fashion, and that underpinned a lot of her choices for the day. From her own dress to the unique style of her bridesmaids’ dresses (which incorporated tulle skirts and handmade French lace tops), the whole event felt very fashion forward.

The cake

ÓThe upside down, floral cake the couple chose was one of the most defining aspects of their wedding. Tamara’s dad helped design the structure to support the cake, while Hilton pastry chefs made it and Qronfla florists decorated it just an hour before the guests arrived.

an all-white look, inspired by Lebanese fashion designer Zuhair Murad. The base of the dress and the extra material we needed came from Alamango, where the team was so helpful, and I then had it altered by seamstresses so it was completely original, with an embellished floral headband that really brought the look together. The result was timeless but high fashion and I know I will look back on it and love it forever.”

The family’s hands-on approach continued in the run-up to the wedding.

Tamara herself designed the wedding logo, while Ken designed the lighting for the venue and all the technical requirements. Tamara’s sister Nevise, a

foodie, was responsible for the menu with Hilton executive chef Joe Vella, while Ingrid was also involved in the dress designs for the bridal party. “It was so wonderful because everyone really wanted to help us have the best day possible,” says Tamara. “They pulled out all the stops and we felt so supported.”

The months flew by and soon it was just a week to go until the wedding. “That last week was an emotional one. I was actually quite unwell – including on my hens’ night – but I knew I had to keep going to ensure everything was finished in time. Plus, my sister Nevise had organised such a fantastic hens' do that I didn't want to miss it! Thankfully, by the time the night before the wedding rolled around, I was really relaxed! Ò

22 bliss NOVEMBER 2016 § Real Wedding

“

No one prepares you for the love you will feel on the day.

”

Ken and I, along with the bridal party and our families, spent that weekend at the Hilton, preparing and enjoying ourselves.

We had a great time – myself, my mum and dad, Ken and his dad Silvie Cauchi, his best man Emmanuel Mifsud, witness Jonathan Zammit, my best friend Miguel Tabone, and our bridesmaids.

We’re all very close so it was a very special, low-key time.”

One very magical thing did happen the night before the wedding, though. “Just before midnight, Ken called me and asked me to head down to the venue to check the lighting. When I got there, the place looked stunning – all beautifully lit with fairy lights and 50 chandeliers. Music was playing and, as I was directing Ken to lower the lights, he walked towards me, got down on one knee and proposed again! Our family and friends were all there and it was a very, very special moment. We cried buckets until it was time to head up to bed – separately of course, as it was now technically the day of the wedding.”

Tamara and her bridesmaids had a sleepover the night before the wedding, which relaxed her and put her in a brilliant mood, although she woke up bright and early… to check the weather! “Believe it or not, it was June but it had been raining for two consecutive years on that date, so I was eager to see if we’d broken the curse,” she grins. “Thankfully we had – as we didn’t have a backup, indoor venue!”

Her morning was spent getting ready with her maid of honour, Jeanique Testa, and bridesmaid Salomé Catania, as well as her flower girl Nina, and her mum and sister. “It was absolutely lovely. Justin Brincat did our make-up and we enjoyed getting dressed and having our photos taken by Kris and video by Malcolm Debono. The bridesmaids’ dresses were beautiful, and I think we all enjoyed feeling pampered. It was emotional too, especially when my dad saw me in my dress and started crying; that was a beautiful moment I will always treasure.”

Later in the day, the whole bridal party headed to Nazzarenu Church for the ceremony. “I had actually considered a chapel ceremony early on in our preparations, but was swayed when a friend who had gotten married in a chapel said the aisle felt too short! I knew walking down the aisle with my dad would be a moment to treasure and I wanted to make the most of it, so that was partly why we picked Nazzarenu – it has a lovely long aisle and is absolutely beautiful, plus we’d been going to church there as a family for a while. The ceremony was wonderful and very emotional; Ken and I both cried as we made our vows.”

After the ceremony and just 15 minutes of photos (the couple capped it at that as they didn’t want to spend more time away from their guests), the newlyweds made their way to the venue – the Gazebo in the Hilton grounds. “While I hadn’t been sure about that particular venue early on, my dad persuaded me it would be right for my vision, and boy was he right!” Tamara grins. “When I finally saw it all laid out it was exactly as I’d imagined – and so much more.” Ò

24 bliss NOVEMBER 2016 § Real Wedding

The rest of the day went off without a hitch and there were many memorable moments for the couple. “The whole evening was full of love, and I think everyone could feel that. One of my favourite moments was dancing with my nannu, as he’s such an important part of my life.

“Another was when the boys (including my dad and Ken’s dad) burst into dance and surrounded me! It was hilarious, but also so sweet because Ken’s actually a terrible dancer and I could see what an effort he’d made. It was amazing to think how much time had gone into that, and I

truly appreciated every second.”

There were lots of personalised elements too, from the bespoke cocktails made by Damian’s Cocktails (the most popular of which was named after Tamara’s flower girl) to the incredible cake. “I guess the cake would have to be one of the most original parts of the wedding too,” Tamara reminisces.

“It was upside down and covered in beautiful flowers from Qronfla! It was certainly a talking point for the whole event.”

As the night went on, fireworks filled the sky and all the guests took to the

dancefloor. The couple’s first dance – Xemx

by Domenic Grech – was also very well received. “It was unplanned and we didn’t even practice it, but it was a moment full of love and one we will treasure. We then closed the wedding with music by Puse, before moving into an after-party where we danced until 3.30am – and some guests even left after we did!”

Looking back, Tamara recalls so many perfect moments and successful details but, she says, none of that really mattered. “Yes you can make thousands of preparations for your perfect day, but there’s no way you can actually prepare for the love you will feel – for your husband, your family or your guests. When the moment came I didn’t notice anything anymore – not the lighting, or the food, or even my hair and make-up, I just cherished the moment and had the most amazing time with Ken. I’d like to think that it’s that special feeling that marked the perfect start to our marriage.” n

Real Wedding ยง NOVEMBER 2016 bliss 27

Love by the lake

The picturesque landscape of Lake Como set the scene for the elegant nuptials of Diandra and Dan. Sarah Micallef learns all about their stunning big day.

P h otos by Kr i s M i c a llef

Diand and ra Dan ceremo ny loc ation Lakeside Lake ComoVilla, , It a ly weddin g ven Beach Lido, La ue ke Como

28 bliss NOVEMBER 2016 § Real Wedding

D

iandra, 31, and Dan, 34, met through mutual friends, and over the course of their relationship, it became clear that they were meant to be together. “It was just so natural,” Diandra says.

Dan surprised Diandra with a proposal just as she returned from a short course in Beverly Hills, and from then on, preparations for their June wedding in Lake Como, Italy, began.

“We decided to get married abroad

“

I thought I would be really emotional as I walked down the aisle, but I just had this huge smile on my face.

As I walked in with my dad, we were giggling. since I work in the wedding industry and I thought it would be exciting and different to get married abroad – that way, it would feel different and not just like another day at the office,” says make-up artist Diandra. “Years before, I remember telling my friends that if I ever got married, I wanted it to be at Lake Como… they used to tease me about being a diva! But Dan felt the same way about the place – he used to pass by

”

Lake Como on holidays with his parents when he was younger – so it was a no brainer,” she continues.

“I just wanted to make sure that we both really enjoyed it and wanted to make it about us, not about what anyone else thinks. There were many people that I wished to invite, but it would have been impossible. We ended up having 130 guests – all of our closest friends and family,” she says. Ò

Real Wedding § NOVEMBER 2016 bliss 31

details

Three-layer cake Ó“We tasted three different flavours

at our cake tasting – chocolate and raspberry, orange and cream, and strawberries and cream, and we couldn’t decide which we liked best, so we got all three in different layers,” says Diandra. The elegant cake was decorated in white, and finished off with a grey bow.

Make-up artist at work

Ó“I did my own make-up as well as my mum’s, while friend and fellow make-up artist Schevon Camilleri helped me with the rest,” explains professional make-up artist Diandra.

Since they were going abroad for their wedding, the first thing they secured was a wedding planner. Being a very relaxed person, Diandra valued the help: “the planners guided me throughout and made life much easier.”

Taking care of most of the elements of the wedding herself with Dan’s approval, Diandra selected a lot of her wedding team from Malta – people she had worked with and felt comfortable with – but she did have her heart set on one thing that Dan needed a little convincing about: a videographer. “I sent him an email with comments from people who had had a videographer and those who hadn’t, and listed why we should have one… I really had to sell it! In the end the selling point ended up being the fact that we wouldn’t even notice the videographer, and it would mean that Dan’s grandparents would get to see the wedding, since they couldn’t make the trip,” she says. “We went for Studio Konnekt and were really pleased with the results.”

The elegant setting on the lake guided the look of the wedding, which Diandra describes as relaxed, romantic

and elegant all at the same time. Opting not to have a theme, the pair felt that the stunning venue didn’t need much dressing up. “We had a beautiful garden within the villa and the venue alone was enough – it was really out of this world.

In fact, we only had a few flowers down the aisle, as the place on its own was so beautiful,” Diandra gushes.

When the big day arrived – 7th June 2016 – Diandra, who had stayed in a different hotel to Dan, in keeping with tradition, woke up feeling excited. Ò

32 bliss NOVEMBER 2016 § Real Wedding

“I had a lovely little attic room, and a lot of my family were staying in the same hotel.

In the morning, all my cousins came into my room and we were jumping around and getting excited! I had breakfast with some of my guests, and moved on to get ready at the Grand Hotel, where Dan was,” she says. Dan, on the other hand, was concerned about the weather. “He was seeing it get cloudy and knew that that was my biggest concern, so he was worried that I would be worrying and ruining my day. But I was just so excited that I really didn’t care anymore,” Diandra laughs.

The weather did end up being cause for concern though, and Diandra could see it all over her wedding planner’s face when she came in with bad news as the bride-to-be was getting ready.

“We had two boats booked to take our guests to the venue, which is only accessible from the lake. Dark clouds had appeared and the water got quite rough, so the wedding planner came into my room and told me we had two options: getting married indoors or postponing everything by an hour, when it looked like the weather would clear up,” she recalls.

The decision was made to postpone,

and luckily, everything went off without a hitch.

That’s not to say that there weren’t any hiccups along the way however!

Diandra giggles as she recalls forgetting important items of luggage not once, but twice before heading off to Italy.

“We had an early flight so I packed all my luggage the night before and was ready to leave the next morning. As we got to the airport, I realised that one of my bags was missing – it was the most important one, filled with all the wedding accessories and souvenirs! So I rushed back home and managed to get back to the airport in time. I played my ‘I’m getting married tomorrow’ card so everyone was extremely helpful,” she says, giving a shout out to eCabs for helping her out.

But as soon as she landed in Milan, panic struck as Diandra realised that she had forgotten something else: her make-up artist’s airbrush. “I like using airbrush on every bride I work with, so it was obvious that I would be using it on myself. When I realised that I had forgotten it I panicked. I immediately called up my friend and asked her to do the impossible. Sparing you the crazy

details, I managed to have my airbrush in my hotel room the next day,” she recalls.

Looking back, Diandra considers the intimate ceremony her favourite part of the day, particularly seeing her husbandto-be’s face when walking down the aisle, and saying their vows. “I thought I would be really emotional as I walked down the aisle, but I just had this huge smile on my face. As I walked in with my dad, we were giggling. The ceremony was very emotional, I think everybody cried!

We made it personal and wrote our own vows, which was really nice… and thank God I said my vows before Dan said his, because he totally smashed mine – they were so good!” she laughs, easy-going as ever.

Diandra wore a form-fitting mermaid dress from Camilleri Paris Mode for her big day, which was actually one of the first dresses she tried on. “I went to three different shops in Malta and Camilleri Paris Mode was the first shop I went to. This was the third or fourth dress I tried on. My mother’s jaw dropped immediately when she saw it, but I didn’t want to commit immediately. I ended up going back for it in the end!” Ò

34 bliss NOVEMBER 2016 § Real Wedding

“

I just wanted to make sure that we both really enjoyed it and wanted to make it about us, not about what anyone else thinks.

”

The bride accessorised it with a unique headband, which really wasn’t a headband at all: “my headband was actually a belt! I wanted a particular style but couldn’t find it. Then when I was in Rome with my mother to buy her dress, we spotted this belt and decided to convert it into a headband,” she laughs.

After the ceremony, the guests were treated to a sit-down dinner, which Diandra made sure to limit to an hour and a half – “I didn’t want anything more because I know how the Maltese like to party!” The speeches were included during the dinner, providing entertainment, before everyone moved on to the after-party on the beach.

For their souvenirs, the pair filled linen sachets with perlini and tied them with little bows which they made themselves.

“My dad being Italian, we wanted to include some Italian elements, so we got delicious perlini from Rome,” says Diandra. The couple also laid out shawls for the women during dinner, with a lovely note that read: ‘To have and to hold in case you feel cold’.

The newlyweds shared their first dance to John Mayor’s XO, performed by local singer Cheryl Balzan, who they’re both big fans of. Another musical treat came when it was time to cut the cake.

“As we were cutting the cake, Cheryl sang Xemx Wisq Sabiha, which has become a Maltese tradition. Especially as we were away from Malta, everyone joined in and sang along,” Diandra recalls.

The day after their beautiful wedding, the pair hopped onto Dan’s motorbike for their road trip honeymoon.

“We went through Piemonte, the south of France, Corsica, Sardinia and back down to Malta on the motorbike, with a ‘Just Married’ sticker on the back!” n

Real Wedding § NOVEMBER 2016 bliss 37

is Maarnl d Neil

ion i ny locat a, Qrend ceremo , Maqlub pel a h C e hew u en att v M g St weddin Club, Harbour a Vallett

An intimate Affair

Marlis Zammit and Neil Farrugia wanted their wedding day to be an occasion where they could celebrate their love and spend time with their closest family members and dearest friends. They tell Marie-Claire Grima all about how they planned their small but stunning wedding in just a few short months.

P H OTO S B Y M A R K CA S S A R

A

bout eight years ago, a computer shop sales assistant named Marlis Zammit was at a party with some friends, when out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a strangely familiar face. The face, she realised, belonged to Neil Farrugia, who had recently visited the shop where she worked to buy a television. The two started talking and hit it off immediately, and after a year of casual dating, they decided to make it official. Neil popped the question a few years down the line.

“We were in Valletta, the quiet part of the city where the ferry leaves to cross the harbour into Sliema. It was the place where we had our first date,” smiles Marlis, who is now the traffic manager for a marketing agency and a make-up artist.

“We were all by ourselves, and suddenly, he proposed. It was totally unexpected.”

The pair were engaged for about three years before they started planning the wedding. They decided to have a small celebration, with only 30 guests,

comprised of their immediate family members and their closest friends. “At every big wedding you go to, you’ll see a handful of people on the dancefloor all night with the bride and groom, while everyone else stays on the side lines. We decided that that handful of people would be our entire guest list,” says Neil. “We didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, but we didn’t want to invite a huge crowd of people and end up only spending about 15 seconds with each person either.” Ò

38 bliss NOVEMBER 2016 § Real Wedding

The newlyweds hosted a pair of housewarming parties for family members who had not been on the guest list at their flat in Qormi a few weeks after the wedding – one for Marlis’ side of the family and one for Neil’s. Marlis wore her wedding dress to both.

Ah yes – the dress. “When I was 14, I went to this wedding where the bride had a long dress with a detachable skirt. The image remained with me after all this time. My mum realised that what I had in mind could be done with this particular dress, so we asked the seamstress if she could customise my dress in that way,” Marlis says. Ò

“

At every big wedding you go to, you’ll see a handful of people on the dancefloor all night with the bride and groom, while everyone else stays on the side lines. We decided that that handful of people would be our entire guest list.

”

Real Wedding § NOVEMBER 2016 bliss 41

details

Say yes to the dress(es)

It’s becoming increasingly popular to have a dress for the ceremony and one for the reception. In Marlis’ case, her mermaid-style wedding dress was customised so that the bottom part could be removed once the ceremony ended, turning a wedding gown into an elegant cocktail dress.

The seamstress took the gown, an elegant embroidered mermaid dress, and installed a zip between the bottom of the gown and the tail. “After the ceremony, I just unzipped the tail and went on enjoying the evening in a comfortable cocktail dress!” On the day, Marlis’ platinum blonde hair was coiffed

by Roderick Muscat, a talented stylist who was one of the guests.

Marlis and Neil got married on 13th June 2016. They exchanged vows at St Matthew Chapel in Qrendi, a chapel they had often strolled by during walks in the countryside, and had long admired. She was driven to the church in her brother’s 60-year-old Peugeot 403 which used to

be their grandfather’s, and expresses the pure delight she felt on the day; Neil adds that the only nervousness he felt was thinking about whether he would stumble over his vows – “other than that, I was really relaxed!”

The wedding took place on a Monday morning. “We wanted to get married the Monday before that, because the following Tuesday would be a public holiday,” Marlis explains. “But we found out from a friend of ours who works in a Carnival troupe that some preparations would be taking place on that day, and we wouldn’t be able to enjoy the view from the Harbour Club where the reception was held – so we pushed it back by a week.” Ò

Hand-made souvenirs

Since Marlis and Neil’s wedding party was made up of their very nearest and dearest, they were able to create a personalised souvenir for each person – a frame decorated by hand, with photos of each guest with either the bride or the groom over the years.

42 bliss NOVEMBER 2016 § Real Wedding

“

After your parents get over the shock that they can’t get all the extended family in, you’ll find that people are really supportive, and enjoy the fact that you were able to spend more quality time with them on such an important day.

”

At the venue, Marlis, Neil and their guests enjoyed welcome drinks and appetisers, and a three-course lunch, followed by an open bar. Guests were presented with incredibly thoughtful souvenirs – framed photographs showing them in the company of the bride and groom over the years. “It was something we could only get away with because it was such a small, intimate wedding,” says Neil.

“It still took an age to put together!” The floral arrangements and table ornaments were designed and created by their good friend, James. “The decorations reflected our tastes so much that we took most of them home and they became part of our permanent knick knacks,” says Marlis, gesturing to a painted glass jar full of dried flowers – it’s next to the television that she sold to Neil all those years ago.

After Marlis and Neil cut the cake, a fabulous pink confection from Busy Bee, and enjoyed some cookies gifted by The Baking Addict, the bar opened and the tables were swept aside. The couple opened up the dancefloor by sharing their first waltz to an acapella cover of Creed’s With Arms Wide Open. After the party started winding down, the couple left in their prized Mini Moke; in a strange twist of fate, it was a car that had at different points in its life, belonged to members on either side of the family. However, the festivities went on at one of their favourite bars, where they were joined by most of the guests (who really didn’t mind that it was a school night after all).

The two concluded their first adventure as a married couple with a honeymoon in dreamy Santorini. “Can you believe it was the first time we had been abroad together?” Marlis laughs. “All our holidays before that were with a group of friends.” They spent seven wonderful days riding around on quad bikes, exploring the island and relaxing on the sumptuous beaches.

“A wedding doesn’t have to be a huge affair to be special and meaningful. I really don’t have anything against people who have big weddings, but it just wasn’t for us in our case. With our wedding, we felt like it was truly our day, because we were able to plan it in just a few short months, and celebrate the way we wanted,” says Neil. Marlis agrees. “After your parents get over the shock that they can’t get all the extended family in, you’ll find that people are really supportive, and enjoy the fact that you were able to spend more quality time with them on such an important and meaningful day.” n

Real Wedding § NOVEMBER 2016 bliss 45

A sunset celebration From sipping champagne at dusk to dancing until the early hours, newlyweds Petra Urso and Gordon Borg recount their unforgettable wedding day with Martina Said.

P H OT O S B Y R E N E R O S S IG N A U D

W

hen Petra Urso and Gordon Borg first exchanged glances in 2011, with Petra accompanying a colleague to a meeting in which Gordon would be present, it was a case of strictly business.

But a mere few months later, something more would begin budding between the loved-up pair, despite both of them not thinking very highly of each other at the time, as Petra claims.

“I basically thought he was a show off, and he felt the same way about me,” she jokes. “But he got in touch with me one Sunday morning – we both used to attend the same club on Saturday nights and often noticed each other there – asking me to meet and discuss work-related queries. After this meeting, our opinions of each other completely changed,” says Petra, Deputy Head of Sales at Content House Group.

The couple began dating in 2012 and, three and a half years later, Gordon,

Marketing Manager at db Hotels + Resorts, surprised his soon-to-be fiancé with a carefully orchestrated proposal that he had planned down to a tee. “It was my 30th birthday – 23rd April 2014, and I had often expressed to Gordon that I would have liked to be married by the time I turned 30. I’m not the most adventurous of people, but Gordon decided that this needed to change once hitting the big 3-0, so he organised a camping trip. I remember taking a day off and packing several items I never thought I’d use, such as sports shoes and a hot plate.”

The first surprise was a diversion to a five-star hotel rather than a camping site, and the second was one she wasn’t expecting. “He asked me to wait for him in the lobby while he took up my belongings, and sent me a message with the room number. I made my way there,

Petra and Gordo n ceremo St Agath ny location a Churc h, Rabat weddin g ven Villa Arr ue igo, Naxxar

and when I entered, I saw Gordon on one knee, and ‘will you marry me’ written in red rose petals on the bed. I had to pinch myself to see if I was dreaming – I know I’ll never celebrate another birthday like my 30th.”

Wedding preparations soon ensued, and the couple set the date for 30th April 2016, with mass celebrated at St Agatha church in Rabat followed by a reception at Villa Arrigo. Ò

46 bliss NOVEMBER 2016 § Real Wedding

The couple were adamant about the venue, as well as photographer Rene Rossignaud, who Petra says found out that they were getting married before some of their very own family members.

“Gordon sent him a message within hours of me saying ‘yes’, and even though we changed the date a few times to secure the venue we wanted, we made sure that the photographer was available too. I was also dead set on having Floreal take care of all flower arrangements, which they did a brilliant job of.”

Petra says that, during the months

“

of wedding planning, she and Gordon appear to have reversed roles. “I was fine and he was rather stressed about a lot of things, when it’s usually the other way around. One of the few disagreements we had involved the catering – my mother and I were panicking about the number of items on the menu and thought we should order the same number of each item as the number of guests attending the wedding, but Gordon was sure we wouldn’t need that much. Other than such minor disagreements, it was pretty plain-sailing.”

Given their respective experience with planning events, Petra and Gordon didn’t think it necessary to rope in the help of a wedding planner. “We both knew what we needed to do, and it was actually fun doing it ourselves. We also had a very

We wanted an early mass so that we could enjoy sunset at the venue.

”

good best man and usher, both of whom did a fantastic job throughout the entire wedding.”

The couple envisioned a sunset wedding, and that’s exactly what they had. Upon their arrival at the reception shortly after 5pm, every item outdoors, ranging from the dainty décor and wedding tables to the bars, was bathed in a soft evening glow, setting the tone and mood for the rest of the wedding.

“We wanted an early mass so that we could enjoy sunset at the venue, and we can truly say that we were satisfied with the way it all panned out.” Ò

Real Wedding § NOVEMBER 2016 bliss 49

details

Sumptuous food

Ó“We left all the catering in the capable hands of John Vella Galea and Luca Selvaggi of Villa Arrigo, who even catered for our coeliac guests,” says Petra. “They came up with a variety of cool items for the after-party too and fulfilled everything we wanted from start to finish.”

A pictureperfect cake

ÓThe head chef, Luca Selvaggi also teamed up with Floreal to bring the vision of Petra and Gordon’s dream wedding cake to life. “We simply supplied a picture of a cake we liked and he got it. The fresh flowers were delivered to the venue that day and the final creation outdid our expectations.”

The couple chose a colour scheme of navy blue and fuchsia which they carried out throughout: the eight-strong bridal party team wore navy blue dresses with fuchsia shoes and a matching bouquet while the groom and his seven-strong team of groomsmen donned navy blue suits from JD Formal Wear, the souvenirs consisted of fuchsia and navy blue pashminas which guests were very happy to use once late evening set in, and the flower arrangement on the cake had touches of the same tones.

Petra says that, despite feeling calm on the day, knowing it was the last time she’d be waking up and getting ready at her parents’ home that morning made the reality of what she was about to do sink in. “The initial feeling is that you’re never really quite ready enough, but it all falls into place once you’re walking up the aisle. Also, the priest who conducted our ceremony, Fr Michael Bugeja, who is my cousin, made the ceremony very light-hearted and personal, which we truly cherished. He also insisted we put the ring on the wrong hand, which is something I’ll never forget. In fact, in the photos and videos, we’re seen having

an exchange about this at the altar, with me insisting that the ring should go on the left hand and him insisting it should go on the right. He then approached me at the reception to tell me I was right.”

Petra’s choice of gown was a case of third time lucky, but not without a few let-downs in between. “I always wanted a princess-style wedding dress with a big skirt, but my mother who accompanied me to fittings and whose opinion I value, didn’t quite agree with me on the style, and the buzz of that was killed pretty quickly when I tried on a few dresses and got compared to a loo paper doll,” says Petra. Ò

50 bliss NOVEMBER 2016 § Real Wedding

“Despite insisting to try on a dress in this style, the ever-helpful Marquita Kemper at Wedding Bells convinced me otherwise with a fitted mermaid dress and lace bolero, which I loved and ended up buying a year before the wedding.”

Looking back, Petra says the only thing she would have done differently is her hair, although she had no way of knowing how the driver of the

convertible car they chose would drive on the day. “The car company called me that morning to ask if I wanted the car with the top down or not, and my hairdresser advised me to opt for the top down as the chauffeurs always drive quite slowly.

Ours didn’t drive slowly at all, and the drive from my parents’ house to the church turned my hair from bouncy curls to waves!”

The newlywed couple shared their first dance to Christina Perri’s A Thousand Years, which Petra claims she was rather nervous about. “Gordon loves dancing, but I’m not much of a dancer myself and although I was quite nervous about our first dance, I think I was more nervous about sharing a dance with his father! Despite that, we pulled it off, giggled a lot and had a great time.” n

52 bliss NOVEMBER 2016

OurWedding.com.mt

turns one

Just over a year ago, the team behind OurWedding.com.mt was in the final, nervewracking stages of pre-launch preparation. With the benefit of hindsight, we now know that unforeseen hiccups, impromptu decisions and sheer anticipation are all part of the fun of debuting a new project, and although we certainly hoped so, we couldn’t have known that the wedding portal would reach the level of success it has in just one year.

And what a journey it has been.

O

urWedding.com.mt has proven to be more than just a handy tool for soon-to-be-married couples – it’s been the bearer of wonderful engagement and wedding announcements, tearjerking stories, exclusive real weddings, relationship advice with input from professionals and much more, constantly evolving into a bigger and better version of itself.

During the first six months of 2016, OurWedding.com.mt worked its way up to become Malta’s number one weddings portal on the global ranking site Alexa, and has held its position since. During the

same time, the site enjoyed over 95,000 unique visitors and over 60,000 returning visitors, garnering the attention of thousands of readers every month.

The team of writers leaves no stone unturned to ensure that couples who are due to tie the knot are equipped with the latest updates on everything they could need to know when planning a wedding – from bridal trends to the latest in men’s suits, jewellery trends to bouquet ideas, venue décor tips to the latest wedding cake designs and so much more. All this without forgetting the essentials, of course – want to know the legalities

What makes OurWedding.com.mt the number one wedding portal in Malta?

1.

The portal is run by a team of journalists, editors, photographers and stylists

2. Fresh content is published every

day – Monday to Sunday – with the latest wedding trends, real weddings, tips and advice

3. A fully populated interactive Wedding Directory has over 300 suppliers on board

4.

Content is useful not only for the bride and groom but also for the bridal party, family and guests, as well as individuals and couples

NOVEMBER 2016 bliss 53

“

Take your pick from the portal’s extensive directory, which features over 300 suppliers from a variety of weddingrelated sectors.

”

behind flying a drone at your wedding?

We’ve got you covered. Want to up the security at your reception? You can read all about that too.

And in offering such informative articles, the OurWedding team provides you with the contacts you need to make the magic happen. Looking for a dream florist to fulfil your vision? Or a particular kind of venue for that gorgeous backdrop you always longed for? Take your pick from the portal’s extensive directory, which features over 300 suppliers from a variety of wedding-related sectors.

And if that’s not enough, turn to the Real Weddings section to draw inspiration from a number of real

weddings that have been hosted on the islands by both local and foreign couples.

From stunning visuals to heart-warming stories, couples’ real weddings can help you realise your own dream wedding, while enjoying a good read.

To celebrate its first birthday, the team behind OurWedding.com.mt has

given the portal a fresh new look that builds on its elegant design, making it even more fun to browse through.

Whether you’re planning your wedding or would just love to find out what’s hot and what’s not in the bridal world, OurWedding.com.mt is just what the doctor ordered. n

54 bliss NOVEMBER 2016 § Wedding Trends

Floral-free arrangements

www.whichgoose.com

ÒIf you’re not a big fan of flowers, simple arrangements of leaves, branches or palms are being used to great effect, from flowing bouquets to décor. Add dramatic effect by going for tall vases of greenery on the wedding tables, or incorporating a canopy of foliage hanging over guests’ heads.

www.thegoldengirlblog.com

www.bhldn.com

The second dress

ÖThe precursor of the second dress was the ‘going away outfit’, which the bride would change into after the celebrations are over and the newlyweds were heading off. But many brides are now opting to change into a fun, flexible number right before the party kicks into high gear, in order to dance the night away.

Wedding trends

From food and fashion to décor, here are our top picks for the hottest wedding trends of the season.

Semi-naked cakes

www.angelashae.com

ÔLove the simplicity of naked cakes but can’t let go of frosting completely? An inbetween option may help you bridge the gap.

Dressed up with artistic drizzles of caramel or ganache, with a thin veil of frosting that lets just a bit of the cake show through and topped with www.lyst.co.uk a stunning array of seasonal produce, these cakes are as beautiful as they are delicious.

Crystal palace

ÑÓGeodes have become unlikely but irresistible wedding accessories. Working equally well as place settings, sugar-spun cake decorations or wedding favours to take home, these glimmering pockets of stone lined with crystals provide a totally original way to add the wow factor to your celebrations.

Petra Veikkola Photography

Monsoon Kids, Sliema

Trendy page boys

ÓMake sure your page boys fit the romantic winter ceremony theme with modern checked suits and a touch of velvet to lend an air of elegance to their look. And if you’re after something a little different, opt for a grandad collared shirt – perfect for winter nuptials!

56 bliss November 2016 § Wedding Venues

Your wedding at

Valletta Waterfront

Located close to central Valletta, Valletta Waterfront offers the perfect backdrop for your wedding, with flexible indoor and outdoor options. Eighteenth-century warehouses with their iconic coloured doors stretch along the water’s edge against a backdrop of historic fortifications and venues.

Under the Marquee: Located on the Valletta Waterfront quays, the marquee offers protective cover for up to 1,400 persons in a uniquely magical location.

Magazino Hall: Renowned for its

versatility, Magazino proudly displays its historical features from a glorious past.

Built in 1727 to store oil for street lamps, it was later incorporated in the island’s first power station. Once inside, there is an impressive arched ceiling and the golden limestone glistens with the cast of soft lighting. An adjoining outdoor courtyard nestled among the historic bastions can be used as a breakout area or as a standalone venue. Magazino can comfortably accommodate 400 persons.

Old Power House: The original

building came about during the construction of Floriana’s fortifications in the 1700s. This building has taken many

turns in history, before being transformed and operating as Malta’s first electricity production plant. This building offers a fascinating layering of spaces and reflects the multiplicity of activities forming part of Malta’s Grand Harbour over the centuries. The rustic structure with high ceilings displays an interesting contrast between the old and the new.

The Sagrestia Vault: Located directly on the Valletta Waterfront is a hidden treasure unknown to most – the Sagrestia Vault. Annexed to the 17thcentury vault is a small but beautifully detailed chapel dedicated to the Flight of the Holy Family to Egypt. In combination with the Sagrestia Vault, the Chapel can be utilised as a receiving area. It is truly a little gem on the Valletta Waterfront.

Under the Stars: The possibilities are The Promenade: A 275-metre

endless – the open-air venue is an artistic blank canvas with the Grand Harbour as a backdrop on one side and the Valletta Waterfront buildings on the other. The location is breath-taking and lends itself to the typical Mediterranean al fresco lifestyle.

strolling promenade offers the perfect staging with a variety of outlets, also with a private area, for more intimate weddings.

Civil wedding ceremonies can be officiated in Magazino Hall, and also on the quays. Meanwhile religious weddings can be celebrated in the Chapel on the Valletta Waterfront.

One may opt for the caterer of choice in any of the venues. Parking for coaches, minibuses and private cars is readily available. n For further details or to view any of the venues contact Anna Maria Cardona Schranz or Christian Saliba on T: 2567 3114; E: info@vallettacruiseport.com

Beauty § NOVEMBER 2016 bliss 59

Photo by Kris Micallef

A word from Jennifer the Make-Up Artist

What advice would you give brides-to-be in terms of skin preparation in order to ensure that they look great on their big day? And when do you suggest they should start this preparation?

It is important for all of us to take care of our skin everyday... but the stress you go through before the wedding makes it more important to take care of your skin. Skin preparations need to start at least six months ahead of the big day – it is very important to drink lots of water, as water keeps your skin hydrated and this will make it easier to apply the right products.

You don’t want to look dry on your big day, but nice and glowing!

Do you recommend that brides and bridal parties carry out make-up trials before the actual day?

Yes it is very important to do a trial. First and foremost this is beneficial for the bride to build a relationship with the make-up artist and for the latter to be aware of whether the bride and her party have any allergies or particular reactions to certain products. It is also important for you to be comfortable in your own skin on your day and not scared of what or how the look might suit you. A trial will definitely contribute to ensuring that you are confident and relaxed on the day.

What are the current looks of the season for brides? And how do they vary between day and evening weddings?

I don’t really believe that one should follow fashion trends in the world of bridal make-up, for the simple reason that you will be looking at your wedding photos for many years to come,

ABOUT JENNIFER THE MAKE-UP ARTIST

long after current trends disappear. The safest bridal look is a glowing, natural, soft look. Having said that, I do not discourage brides who want to experiment. It is just very important for the bride to be comfortable on the big day.

Morning make-up should be more matte due to exposure to the heat and sun, and it should be subtle, as you have to keep in mind that there will be natural daylight. In the evening you can apply more shine and shimmer, and give an overall heavier application to the eyes.

Do you offer guidance to your clients on the type of make-up they and their bridal party should go for? Can you share any?

Yes I do. This is the main reason why it is important for me to meet clients ahead of their big day and to follow up with makeup trials. I normally stress that your bridal party is comfortable and happy with the look… that each individual wears the look that suits her but that uses the same colour scheme, to achieve a cohesive look for the party.

Do you have any tips you can share to ensure that make-up stays on for longer during the big day?

You will definitely need to touch up your lipstick and maybe powder up a bit during the wedding. You want to look good throughout the wedding and in all the photos! The advice I like to share overall though is: less is more. n Contact Jennifer on M: 7923 2369; E: dimechjennifer@gmail.com; Fb: Jennifer The MakeUp Artist

"I’ve had a passion for art and beauty since I was very young, and my inspiration since those early days was local make-up artist Diane Nikolic.

Today, through hard work and dedication, I can proudly say that I have realised my dream of working in the make-up industry. I believe that everyone is beautiful and I love the fact that through my work, I make my clients feel comfortable in their own skin, with a natural flawless look. My greatest satisfaction is receiving grateful messages and seeing my clients’ happy faces. I specialise in high fashion, celebrity and bridal make-up, and my dream is to become an international make-up artist, working with international designers and campaigns – I have actually started this beautiful journey as I have just come back from this year’s Milan, Paris and New York fashion weeks. I believe in aspiring high and that nothing is impossible!"

Queen fit for a

Fashion § NOVEMBER 2016 bliss 61

Location: Palazzo Prince d’Orange, Valletta Photographer: Valentina Lupo (www.facebook.com/ valentinalupophotography) Photo Shoot Coordinator: Sarah Micallef Hair: Laura Calleja Schembri, Fuss Hair & Beauty Make-up: Jennifer the Make-Up Artist Models: Lucia, Supernova Model Management.

Jack, Yazmin and Micha (flower girls and page boy).

DRESS: Soft and chic wedding dress

by Blumarine at Ivory&Co. JEWELLERY: Damiani jewellery from the Juliette collection, available at Diamonds International, Valletta.

62 bliss NOVEMBER 2016 ยง Fashion

DRESS: Stunning strapless ball gown in lace and crystals with matching caplet in tulle. The vintage inspired headpiece completes this look, which will undoubtedly make any bride feel like a princess. Dress available at WEDDINGBELLS. JEWELLERY: Jewellery designed by Diamonds International, available at Diamonds International, Valletta.

BOUQUET: Debbie Cassar, Floral Artist for Romano Cassar, using white hydrangeas, blush pink roses, hypericim and other fillers.

Fashion § NOVEMBER 2016 bliss 63

DRESS: Elegant romance is found in this soft fit and flare gown, constructed of delicate tulle and lace with pearls.

Finished with illusion neckline, dramatic illusion back, and pearls, Lilly Lou Bridal.

JEWELLERY: Marco Bicego jewellery from the Goa collection, available at Diamonds International Valletta, Piazza TignĂŠ, Portomaso.

64 bliss NOVEMBER 2016 § Fashion

DRESS: A classical fishtail fit dress with elaborate lace overlay, long tulle sleeves and illusion back, Alamango Bridal Ltd. JEWELLERY: Mikimoto earrings from the Milano collection, available at Diamonds International, Valletta, Piazza TignĂŠ, Portomaso.

CAKE: Caffe Cordina.

Fashion ยง NOVEMBER 2016 bliss 65

YAZMIN: Laurenza dress, lace and gem sparkle butterfly shoes, fancy beaded bando and cosmic charm bracelets.

JACK: Albert three-piece suit.

MICHA: Odette maxi dress, diamante strap mini heel shoes, fancy beaded bando and cosmic charm bracelets.

All available at Monsoon Children, Bisazza Street, Sliema.

66 bliss NOVEMBER 2016 § Fashion

DRESS: Elegant evening dress

by Aire Barcelona at Ivory&Co. JEWELLERY: Jewellery designed

by Diamonds International.

Available from Diamonds International, Valletta, Piazza Tigné, Portomaso.

Honeymoon § NOVEMBER 2016 bliss 69

Cruising through the

Baltics From St Petersburg, Russia, to Estonia’s Old Town in Tallinn, Jessica Cardona Zahra and Kyle Cardona visited seven capital cities in 12 days.

They tell Martina Said about their memorable honeymoon on board the Regal Princess.

T

wo months after tying the knot last June, Jessica and Kyle, both 27, flew out to Copenhagen for a honeymoon cruise spanning 12 days and seven countries, and an additional three days exploring Denmark’s capital on land. From breath-taking views to adrenaline-fuelled theme park rides, the couple enjoyed a little bit of everything on their two-week trip last August, booked through Daniela at the Cruise & Travel Group, including getting lost for miles while cycling through the streets of Copenhagen.

“We managed to get lost on the first day of our honeymoon with rented bicycles,” says Kyle. “We had spent roughly seven hours cycling – which is something we hadn’t done since we were kids – in cold, wet and windy weather, without much of a clue as to where we were, and where we were going. Although we were a bit uneasy about it at the time, we now look back on that first day and laugh.”

This didn’t, however, deter them from enjoying every minute of their first trip as newlyweds, despite spending much of the

“

The Grand Palace at Peterhof in St Petersburg was incredible, with lots of gold gilding on the inside and enormous landscaped gardens all around.

”

Grand Palace at Peterhof, St Petersburg, Russia

rest of their holiday with sore and achy muscles from an unexpectedly long day of cycling. They departed Copenhagen for Oslo, Norway, where they visited a number of museums and world famous sites, including the Fram Museum and the Norwegian Folk Museum.

“The Fram Museum, which tells the story of Norwegian polar exploration, was particularly interesting, but the site we probably enjoyed most from this stop was a visit to the observation deck at the top of the Holmenkollen ski jumping hill – the view from that point was incredible,” they say.

They continued on to Berlin, Germany, followed by Tallinn, Estonia, on board the lavish Regal Princess, which forms part of the Princess Cruises fleet. During days and nights at sea, Jessica and Kyle enjoyed a number of the ship’s luxuries, such as themed dinners complete with traditional fare from the different countries on their itinerary, a wine tasting event and various entertaining shows ranging from tribute bands and musicals to folk performances.

During their stop in Russia, Jessica and Kyle visited a number of the best sites that St Petersburg has to offer, one of them being the Catherine Palace, named after Catherine I, the wife of Peter the Great. With its striking blue and white façades and sculptures gilded in gold, they say that the magnificence and size of the site were simply amazing. Ò

70 bliss NOVEMBER 2016 § Honeymoon

Ice Bar, Stockholm, Sweden

Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen, Denmark

SkyView, Stockholm, Sweden

“The Grand Palace at Peterhof was also incredible – with lots of gold gilding on the inside and enormous landscaped gardens all around. The sites we visited in Russia were among the most unforgettable,” they explain. The couple continued on to Helsinki, Finland, where they stopped to observe various marvels such as the Sibelius Monument, made entirely out of empty welded steel cylinders, before heading on to Sweden, their last stop before returning to Copenhagen. In Sweden’s capital,

Stockholm, they attempted the SkyView, a popular attraction that takes visitors to the top of the world’s largest spherical building, the Ericsson Globe.

“We also visited the Ice Bar, which was a cool experience but way too cold – the jacket they supply you with to enter the bar does more to protect the ice than to keep you warm. I doubt we lasted longer than 20 minutes in there!”

Kyle considers a visit to Tallinn’s Old Town, or historic centre, to be one of the highlights of the trip. “Everything there was so picturesque it was like walking through a large museum, but we also very much enjoyed the one day out at sea when the sun came out. That day, we got to enjoy a number of the ship’s outdoor activities, although there were too many to fit in.” The couple also enjoyed a number of Tivoli Garden's many attractions during their last day in Copenhagen at the end of their trip.

With its lush gardens and various themed rides and amusements, it made for the perfect ending to their unforgettable honeymoon experience. n

“

The Ice Bar in Stockholm was a cool experience but way too cold – the jacket they supply you with to enter the bar does more to protect the ice than to keep you warm.

”

Sibelius Monument, Helsinki, Finland

Jewellery § NOVEMBER 2016 bliss 73

Damiani wedding rings a testimony of everlasting love

Since ancient times, human beings have used spherical objects to symbolise love, continuity of life and perfection. Long before wedding bands as we traditionally know them, ancient Romans used to wear rings made out of a variety of metals to symbolise the eternity of endless love. The custom of wearing the wedding ring on the third – or ‘ring’ – finger also comes from ancient Rome. In those days, there was the belief that the ‘vena amoris’ – or ‘love vein’ – passed through this finger and went straight to the heart.

Over the centuries, wedding rings have been attributed with different meanings and purposes, often becoming a testimony of wealth and means, much like the dowry, rather than a celebration of love and a life in common.

Today, on the contrary, choosing the wedding bands is a key moment in the organisation of this important event.

Together, the bride and groom choose

the precious jewel to be worn for their entire life, symbolising their loyalty to each other – the love that binds them and the direction they have chosen to take together.

Traditionally, yellow gold has been largely preferred by jewellers for wedding bands, but in recent years, different colours and materials have been adopted, such as platinum wedding

bands, which are more exclusive but still traditional, pink gold wedding bands, which are sophisticated and slightly retro, white gold wedding bands, which show originality, and gold and diamond wedding rings which express class and romance. n

Discover Damiani wedding rings at Diamonds International at Portomaso, Valletta and Piazza Tigné. T: 2203 5201.

A townhouse

Home § NOVEMBER 2016 bliss 75

with a cottage feel

Actress, writer and STYLE editor Jo Caruana bought this Balzan townhouse back in 2014. But while she is the first to admit not quite seeing its potential from the start, two years on, with the help of TBA Periti architect Gaston Camilleri and the talented team at Nine Yards Design Studio, led by Paul Hyzler and Luisa Diacono, the property has gone from neglected old townhouse to a stylish and inviting home, with more than a little nod to Jo’s love for the typical English country cottage. Sarah Micallef pays a visit.

P H OTO S B Y M A R K CA S S A R ST Y L I N G B Y L U I S A D IAC O N O AT N I N E YA R D S D E S IG N stud i o P R O P S B Y L U X O N A S , R A B AT

“I

t started out as a two-storey property, and it is now a four-storey property, with one additional floor and a mezzanine squeezed in,” Jo explains.

The ground floor comprises the living and dining area, in which Jo enjoys entertaining and hosting dinners with her partner, Bruce. Beyond that is the kitchen, which directly overlooks a pretty garden – the area which sealed the deal when Jo was property hunting. “I had just sold my apartment and was asking everyone if they knew of a house with a garden which was for sale. That day, I was in a shop, met someone I kind of knew and inevitably asked if he had a house with a garden. He said yes, and that very moment I came to see it,” she laughs. Ò

76 bliss NOVEMBER 2016 § Home

The stairs from the ground floor take you up to a small landing which Jo uses as a reading nook, and lead on to the new mezzanine level. Meanwhile, the second floor features two bedrooms and the main bathroom, with the new level upstairs housing a flatlet for when friends stay over, as well as a laundry room and terrace.

Looking back at photos of the house

in its pre-converted state, Jo admits, “to be honest, at first I didn’t see the potential, because it was in a terrible state. It was a typical townhouse that hadn’t been lived in for a couple of years, and I had never planned on a renovation project.” She explains that, since she had already sold her apartment, she wanted to buy a house that was ready to move into. “Still, somehow it stayed in my mind and I decided to come back with my dad and my architect friend Gaston a few days later,” she continues. The rest, as they say, is history.

“I always wanted a pretty, Britishstyle home,” Jo admits, “so Gaston’s job was to create a cottage out of a Maltese townhouse! I think he managed to give it a feel of that. His vision was incredible from the very first time he came to see the property.”

The renovation project took roughly two years from applying for permits to moving in, and consisted of a complete demolition of the previous structure (excluding the façade and back garden), extensive plumbing and electricity works, which were carried out by JM Installations, and rebuilding a new internal structure from scratch, which Edge Turnkey pulled off beautifully. Ò

A PIECE OF CREATIVITY “There were a few items in the house that got left behind, and although I didn’t have space for all of them, I did keep a sewing machine that belonged to the previous owner. He was a tailor, and it meant a lot to me, as a creative who works a lot from home, to have a piece of his creativity in the house. The team at Shabby Chic then took it, a sewing machine that was falling to pieces, and turned it into a piece of art.”

Home § NOVEMBER 2016 bliss 79

“When you think how much time it adds to the process, it’s not very helpful, especially if you have a mortgage to pay. I am grateful that my parents gave me a roof over my head for the time it took to do the project, but not everyone has that luxury, and paying a loan at the same time as you’ve got other expenses of living somewhere else is difficult,” she adds. “Having said that, I still wouldn’t put anybody off,” Jo continues, softening, and likens the process to oft-told tales of childbirth – “the process is tough, but once you move in, you love it so much and forget all about the struggle!”

The result is a beautiful, warm and airy home which Jo describes as shabby chic and eclectic. A number of statement pieces and talking-point items are offset by natural textures and pastel colours, which give the townhouse that distinct cottagey feel she was after. Attributing her main sources of inspiration to travelling and boutique hotels, as well as stylish restaurants and magazines, her aesthetic was pulled off beautifully

by Nine Yards, with a fair bit of input from Jo herself. “I knew exactly what I wanted and the vision was clear. I was very involved as I didn’t want a house that was ‘in’ and trendy. I just wanted it to look soft and timeless,” she says. " Luisa was great at taking my ideas and making them happen." Ò

RESTORED CHANDELIER “The above chandelier was hanging in the old house – it was in a very hard to reach place and falling to pieces, and, in the panic of the days before demolition, I was just going to let it go down with the house. But, unbeknownst to me, Tom Camilleri – one of my best friends who helped me with so much during the renovation – found a way to get it down and saved it. He restored it, even finding replacement crystals at the Birgu flea market over the course of the year, and gave it to me as a surprise housewarming present when I moved in, along with a video of the house before works started. I treasure them both.”

Yet while it was structurally a big task, Jo quips that “the most painful part of the process” was getting the necessary permits.

“I feel very strongly that when you are trying to renovate an old property, you should be supported, whether it’s tax credits, support or simply making the process easier for people who are doing up an old property rather than building a new one. There are currently about 40,000 vacant properties in Malta – enough to house the entire population again,” she asserts

80 bliss NOVEMBER 2016 § Home

And while the renovation process is finished and Jo moved in six months ago, she adds, “I think that the fun thing with a house is that it’s never finished, and I’m enjoying that,” pointing out little things she’d like to do here and there. Now that she’s settled in, Jo says that her favourite space in the house is the landing.

“I just love landings – there’s something very British about having these higgledy piggledy kinds of houses, with stairs that are not just stairs, but have a purpose. The landing is filled with my nanna’s bureau and some other knick knacks that I’ve picked up along the way. I love sitting in the chair and looking out into the garden,” she says.

The kitchen is also close to her heart, and helps give the warm and welcoming feel she was after thanks to its wood countertops and dainty features. And through the large windows is the pièce de résistance – the garden – an absolute must for Jo and her dogs.

“When I was looking for a house, the garden element was so important, mostly for the dogs – Pip and Summer spend their entire day chasing lizards! I wanted an English country garden with rose bushes, and that’s what I got. The pomegranate tree was already there, and I’m so happy it survived the conversion.

Designer Bratislav and gardener Mario from Piscopo Gardens did a phenomenal job. They put it all together in two days, and installed an irrigation system which is really convenient as it needs no maintenance. It really was a dream which they made come true,” she gushes.

STATEMENT BATH “I’d always wanted a stand-alone bath and was looking locally but couldn’t find what I wanted, so my dad ordered one online from the UK and had it delivered as a birthday present. I love it!”

And next on the agenda for Jo is celebrating her first Christmas in her new home.

Bruce, her partner, spends half of his time in Japan, but when he is in Malta, they love to spend time in the house and entertain together, and Jo says it is interesting how the Japanese influence comes across in the cuisine at their dinner parties – “the food is such fun to prepare!” But for Christmas, she’s planning a traditional dinner by the cosy stove, with an endless supply of mulled wine.

“I’ve already bought all my decorations! It’s going to be very busy as Bruce’s family will hopefully be in Malta for Christmas, and I’m going to be in Comedy Knights again – so not sure when I’m going to cook the turkey and do all the Christmassy stuff, but it’s going to happen!” she laughs. n

Home § NOVEMBER 2016 bliss 83

the kitchen of your dreams

The heart of the home not only has to look good, but it also has to be functional and suitable for couples and families with increasingly busy lifestyles.

Marie-Claire Grima looks at the latest trends in kitchen design.

Curved spaces ÑCurves will play a major role in kitchen design in 2017, creating a contemporary, streamlined and elegant statement within the space where you cook and eat. The austereness of sharp angled interiors is offset by more gentle shapes, creating a desirable warmth and softness. They’re an ergonomic option too – in a well-planned curved kitchen, all of your everyday kitchen essentials will be swept into easy reach.

sncollection.co.uk

Tuxedo kitchen cabinets

ÔThe days of perfectly matching cabinetry are coming to an end, and two or more complementary colours within the same unit are becoming de rigeur. Expect to see more tuxedo, or two-toned painted cabinets where the top and bottom doors are painted in perfectly-paired colours such as navy blue and soft grey or charcoal grey and beige. lincolnbarbour.com

goldenboysandme.com

Easy-access storage

ÓÒEasy-access storage options are more popular than ever. Pocket doors that hide appliances or bulky shelving out of sight are making all the difference when ikea.com it comes to creating a sophisticated look for your kitchen.

For further organisation, drawer inserts can also be put in to declutter the space where your pots, pans and other kitchen utensils are kept. Ò

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Concrete measures

ÒStylish, concrete-effect surfaces are in vogue due to their effortless cool and their fingerprint-free finish. They create a subtly rustic but totally modern effect, and the neutral grey hue is ideal for the current trend of incorporating and layering different briers.ca textures and colours within the same kitchen space.

shootfactory.co.uk

Horizontally oriented

ÑSquares and vertical rectangles are still the preferred designs for kitchen cabinets, but a rise in horizontal cabinetry has certainly been noted. As cabinets get wider, there is less of a need to stack cabinets (if you have enough storage). This not only makes access much easier, but gives your kitchen a cleaner, more refined look.

inspiredkitchendesign.com

Satin finish hardwood floors

ÒGrey and blonde hardwood were very popular flooring options for kitchens this year, and seem poised to remain that way for some time to come. As for the finish, most decorators recommend a satin-level finish; not only does it look neat and smart, but it also shows less of the scratches, blemishes and imperfections that inevitably arise over time. n cococozy.com

wedding directory

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Alamango Bridal

ÓAs one of the oldest and most trusted bridal establishments, representing some of the top names in the industry, including Maggie Sottero, Meri Lee, Mon Cheri and Sophia Tolli, Alamango is the obvious choice for your special day. With a wide selection of wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, flower girl dresses and bridal accessories, you will be spoilt for choice. Our policy ensures that we stock one unique wedding dress for each bride.

95, Manoel De Vilhena Street, Gzira.

T: 2131 4331; E: bridal@alamango.com.mt; www.alamango.com.mt

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Alamango Textiles

ÔAlamango Textiles provides the best quality and latest fabrics on the market. Our wide range of luxurious fabrics has elevated us to one of the most sought-after stores by dressmakers and fashion designers alike. All our plain fabrics are made to match perfectly with all the lining and accessories such as guipure and laces. Our in-house team will create and make your perfect dress a reality.

We also offer unique pieces of material to the mother of the bride.

95, Manoel De Vilhena Street, Gzira.

T: 2131 4331; E: textiles@alamango.com.mt; www.alamango.com.mt

Wedding Directory § NOVEMBER 2016 bliss 87

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db Hotels + Resorts

Ô We invite you to meet us and appreciate our wide selection of venues with fantastic views for your special occasion. Our hotels have the perfect facilities to organise your reception indoors, by the pool or on the roof terrace enjoying panoramic views. Meet us at the Weddings Fair between 3rd and 6th November to discuss our All-Inclusive packages and special offers.

For further information contact us on T: 2350 3750/1; E: events@dbhotelsresorts.com; www.dbhotelsresorts.com

candylicious

ÔMake your wedding a sweet one with a sweet bar or candy cart that will not only make your guests feel like kids again, but will also brighten up the venue. Candylicious has gained a reputation for offering a lavish and unique sweet display for your wedding, birthday party and events. We can create a beautiful display in a particular theme or colour range, and you can take your pick from a rainbow of yummy sweets. Our displays are all designed with you in mind and to suit your budget – something different, unique and unexpected for your guests that will make their lasting impression a sweet one.

6, St Francis Street, San Gwann. T: 2702 9117.

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Diamonds International

Ø We hear wedding bells!

Preview our exquisite and vast collection of wedding rings that represent the epitome of class and elegance. 18-carat white and rose gold rings with satin finish and 11 diamonds for ladies, and 18-carat white and rose gold rings with satin finish for gents. Each ring is especially made for each individual with customisable width, colour, finish and diamond quality. Visit our outlets in Valletta and Piazza Tigné to find the ring of your dreams. T: 2203 5621.

Hand Creations

By Margot

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Cefai Formal Wear

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ØCefai Formal Wear specialises in superior quality fashion and tailoring expertise at a price that fits your budget. Our team is trained to ensure your tuxedo or suit is properly measured to give you an elegant fit. For a complete look, patent shoes are available, along with cufflinks and suspenders, as well as a vast range of waistcoats, ties and bows in different colours to match your bridesmaids.

Mosta and Xewkija, Gozo.

T: 2141 9040; www.cefaiformalwear.com

Ô Specialising in luxury wedding invitations, stationery and accessories using only top-quality imported materials, we offer a bespoke service aimed to create timeless and unique wedding stationery, with a definite wow factor, that sets the scene for your wedding day. Wedding stationery collections are available in a variety of styles and colours to suit your wedding theme including elegant, glitz, glamour, pearls, lace and more. M: 7955 8795; E: handcreationsbymargot@gmail.com; Fb: Hand Creations By Margot

88 bliss NOVEMBER 2016 § Wedding Directory

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Palazzo Parisio

ÔAnne Hathaway wrote, “Weddings are important because they celebrate life and possibility.” Let Palazzo Parisio help you celebrate the start of your new lives together – we’ll do all we can to make the impossible possible! Our expertise and inimitable style will make a wedding day to remember.

T: 2141 2461; E: info@palazzoparisio.com; www.palazzoparisio.com

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KG Events

ÓWedding and event planners and coordinators in Malta do not come any more meticulous in organisation, care and creativity than KG Events. In today’s stressful life, organising a wedding can be demanding and can lead to oversights during the actual day. The synchronisation of all sectors involved plays a crucial part in the success of memorable events and we ensure that it is reflected on your big day. Our commitment is evident in the successful weddings and events that we have lovingly organised.

M: 7761 8905; E: gattkatia@gmail.com; www.kgeventsandco.com

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SmartCity Malta

STYLISH BOOTH

ÓNowadays, to start your party with a bang, mirror booths have become an absolute essential. If you want to give your guests a permanent photographic memento, and a good laugh, then look no further than a stylish mirror booth. The mirror booth is fun, featuring a touch screen, and you will also have a fully stocked prop box. Whether you are planning a wedding ceremony or other event, hiring a mirror booth will add an extra dose of fun to your function.

582, High Street, Hamrun. T: 2147 0584; M: 9986 2855; E: testatesmar@gmail.com; www.stylishphotobooth.com

ÔWith its magnificent lagoon, lush promenade and fairy-tale setting, Laguna Walk at the heart of SmartCity Malta is undoubtedly the ideal venue for your wedding day. Ringed by a shaded, verdant promenade that leads out onto grand steps, Laguna Walk’s breath-taking views of the beautiful and expansive lagoon and the Mediterranean Sea are nothing short of enchanting. The highlight is the island’s largest animated fountain which powers choreographed jets of water into the clear blue sky, to create a magical ambience befitting the day you say ‘I do’.

Lilly Lou Bridal

ÓOur bespoke designs of bridal and evening gowns are notably weightless thanks to their luxurious fabric. We left no stone unturned in our efforts to bring a new look to the bridal industry. Our design philosophy embraces the idea that every wedding gown should evoke the feelings of splendour, passion and grace. Come and visit our shop to try our exquisite dresses or if you have something in mind, we can design and have it made for you.

Visit us at 16A, Triq Haz-Zebbug, Attard.

T: 2713 3178; M: 9975 7778; E: admin@lillyloubridaldesigner.com; www.lillyloubridaldesigner.com

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THE VILLA

ÓImagine having your civil ceremony set up on our beautiful terrace with breath-taking views of the glistening Mediterranean Sea as a backdrop. Imagine your guests sipping on a welcome cocktail as the picturesque Balluta Church gleams in the setting sun.

Imagine having your first dance in the magical surroundings of the fairy-lit garden terraces.

All this and more could be your wedding day at the Villa. For further details T: 2311 2273; E: info@thevillamalta.com

90 bliss NOVEMBER 2016 § Vintage Wedding

It started with

A DANCE

A month shy of their 40th wedding anniversary this December, Mary and Charles Bezzina recount fond memories from their first meeting and special day with Martina Said.

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Photo by Alan Carville

espite having known each other by sight, Mary and Charles Bezzina only formally introduced themselves to one another at a dance one night in February 1972, when Charles invited his future wife to take to the floor with him. “We were both from Birkirkara – we had met a few times before that night, but it was that first dance which actually brought us together,” says Mary, who was 20 at the time, and Charles 24.

“I was there with two friends and him with his brother, and we agreed to meet again the following day at another dance that was being organised in Rabat,” says Mary. “Of course, we went there separately, and I made sure to buy my own ticket so he wouldn’t think I expected him to buy it for me!”

The couple continued dating until their engagement three years later, which they celebrated with a party at home in 1975, followed by the wedding a year after that on 15th December, 1976. Mass was celebrated at Ta’ L-Ibragg parish church, followed by a seated meal held at the University hall.

“We handled all the wedding preparations ourselves – we

had no more than 60 guests, and being such a small wedding, we were able to relax and enjoy the evening fully,” they say. Mass was celebrated by a fellow classmate Charles attended school with as a young boy, while the church music was in the hands of a fellow school teacher and colleague of Mary’s, who led a choir of children from the same school.

The venue provided its own catering, which they say had exceeded their expectations. “We had pre-dinner drinks with canapés and hors d’oeuvres, followed by a three-course dinner which everyone enjoyed, and later moved into a separate room within the same hall to cut the cake,” they explain. “It was a very low-key affair with our closest family and friends, but it is what we wanted and were able to afford at the time.”

The bride wore a simple, elegant gown sewn by her sister, with long sleeves and high cuffs, a flared skirt and hooded cape with a fur trim. “The cape and hood were a little unusual back then, but I enjoyed straying from the norm with my dress sense,” she says. And while the entire evening sailed by without any hiccups, Mary recalls only one small let-down, which she recounts with a heartfelt laugh. “As the bride and groom, we were served slightly different plates to the rest of the guests.

The prawn cocktail was having its moment back then, and I was pleased to see that it was being served to guests for starters.

I was looking forward to my plate, until they brought us a different dish with sardines instead! Other than that, the entire meal was very pleasant.”

Sitting at the table during the wedding dinner, watching guests eating, drinking and enjoying themselves, was Charles’ favourite part of the evening. “Till this day, when our family is gathered around the table at home or at a restaurant, I get a flashback of that feeling of satisfaction I had on our wedding day, and recall watching everyone having a good time.”

The couple departed for their 18-day honeymoon in London the day after the wedding, which they packed with museum visits, sightseeing and a number of live football matches. Mary and Charles went on to welcome four children, Clive, Konrad, Niki and Christine, and today, they are the proud grandparents of four children. Their advice for a healthy marriage: “patience and understanding,” they say. And after 40 successful years, there’s good reason to believe it. n