20 minute read
WEDDING TRENDS
Alyssa Brooke Photography
The events of the past months will likely have a lasting effect on the world of weddings. From a focus on sourcing local to the rise of micro weddings, Martina Said picks her favourite wedding trends for 2021. Justin Alexander Authentic photography Big ballgowns The events of the past months have placed an Many of the patient brides forced to postpone their wedding day are choosing to emphasis on embracing what truly matters, and go all out with their choice of gown. Big ballgowns with personal touches, such as a couples are increasingly requesting a casual, fun hand-me-down veil or embroidered details, are expected to be popular, and, luckily, and intimate approach to their wedding photos, ballgowns never really fall out of favour! capturing the kind of fleeting moments that simply cannot be posed. Wildflower arrangements With an ever-growing appreciation for the outdoors and respect for nature, couples are opting for wild and seasonal flowers over imported ones; an eco-friendly choice which supports the growing need for sustainability in the world of weddings, and which look downright amazing too.
deerpearlflowers.com
Old Hollywood glamour Brides-to-be are looking to up their beauty game with a striking look that evokes Old Hollywood glamour – a departure from the ‘barely there makeup’ look that’s been popular for years. Think sharp lines, bold lips, and charming accessories that are anything but minimal.
Locally sourced everything Supporting local vendors has never been more crucial, and many couples are embracing this and channelling it through their wedding day choices, from food menus crafted with local ingredients to handmade décor items produced by local artisans and creatives.
Glamradar.com
whimsicalwonderlandweddings.com
Raw materials Textural details with a strong sway towards that 70s vibe are expected to be big – boho brides, rejoice! Raw and natural materials in the form of rattan décor, textured linens, wooden furniture and wildflowers will give any wedding a romantic yet laid-back edge.
Pronovias
Bold sleeves Elaborate sleeves that bring an added layer of detail and design to traditional wedding dresses are a major trend. From puffy or embroidered sleeves to structured, embellished or floaty options, letting the sleeves do most of the talking of your bridal ensemble simply screams modern bride.
elegantweddinginvites.com
Focus on ambience No matter the size of the celebration, mood-setting is becoming increasingly popular (and important) for weddings. Use lighting creatively, such as hanging pendant lights or fairy light curtains, and carve out corners at your venue that stir guests’ senses through live music, interactive food stations and tactile décor.
Micro weddings On the less lavish end of the wedding spectrum is a rise in micro weddings, typically consisting of smaller celebrations that tend to be more affordable, less stressful and a little more casual – not to mention intimate and equally stunning.
Heirloom investments Whether a stunning headpiece or decadent piece of jewellery, brides are approaching their accessories as an investment – an item they can wear time and again, and which can be handed down to future generations, creating new family traditions in the process.
THE INDIA EXPERIENCE
Nine months ago, Taryn and Matias Camilleri De Marco returned from a four-week honeymoon that, for the newlyweds, turned out to be so much more than a relaxing post-wedding trip. Martina Said finds out how they spent their time in marvellous India.
Despite having widely different expectations at the start of their honeymoon planning process, Matias and Taryn Camilleri De Marco never imagined they would enjoy their chosen destination as much as they did. As the newlyweds explain, they travelled with open minds, and absorbed every sight, sound and dish that incredible India, had to offer.
The couple met in 2008 through a mutual friend, and after dating for 11 years, they said their ‘I do’s at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St Paul in Mdina on 21st September 2019, followed by a stunning, day-long reception at Matias’s family home in Wardija.
With the flurry of wedding preparations in the months and weeks before their big day, the couple agreed to reserve honeymoon planning for a quieter time, with the aim of travelling the following January. “Matias and I love to travel and explore the history, architecture, culture and especially the food any place has to offer,” says Taryn, Marketing Manager for the automotive division at her family’s business.
“Due to our work commitments and our dogs, Penny and Roscoe, Matias and I never had the luxury to travel for long periods of time, so our honeymoon was the perfect excuse!”
Taryn explains that while her husband Matias, who is an architect, was keen to explore Africa or South America, she had her heart set on south east Asia. “We always joked that we were going on separate honeymoons,” she quips. “After lots of research, we finally agreed on India, followed by a week-long stay at the one-of-a-kind Iniala resort in Thailand – which was a perfect place to cool down after three adventurous weeks in India.”
Taryn admits that, due to their widely different expectations, they only started making reservations for their honeymoon one month before their departure. “It was only thanks to the invaluable help of our good friend, Joanna Briffa, who has organised incredible trips across India for
many years, that we managed to settle on our destinations within two weeks. She helped us put together the perfect itinerary, guided us to the best hotels and made sure we had Raghu, our fantastic guide and a driver wherever necessary.”
Due to the challenges for both Taryn and Matias to organise and free up a whole month off work for their honeymoon, the couple was adamant to make the most of their trip, with their dates set for 2nd to 27th January 2020. “We really wanted to go on a life-changing holiday where we could learn about new cultures, explore, and meet new people. India is a sub-continent comparable in size to Europe, so we decided to focus on the north (Delhi, Agra, Rajasthan) and spent a couple of days in Mumbai.”
And a life-changing holiday it truly was. Taryn describes the country as “chaotic, beautiful, spiritual, unique, overwhelming and fantastic”. Due to the sheer enormity of the country, they prioritised what they wanted to experience and planned the holiday around their expectations.
“India must be looked at as an experience not a destination,” says Taryn. “You will meet people who love it or hate it, depending on what they experienced on their journey. Matias and I travelled there with open minds, and our main priorities were to feel safe while travelling, relax in nice hotels and make the most of the adventure we were going to embark on.”
Upon arriving in India, the newlyweds started off their adventure in the Captial of India – New Delhi. “Here, we spent two days making our way around on a tuk-tuk, taking in the millions of faces, scents, sounds and the beauty of the monuments, temples and mosques, that have witnessed the rise and fall of long-gone empires. New Delhi gives a good introduction of what made India the country it is today!” Taryn explains.
“We moved on to Agra, as a trip to India would not be complete without visiting one of the World Wonders – the Taj Mahal. Referred to as the ‘Jewel of Muslim Art in India’ by UNESCO, this majestic marble mausoleum was built by Emperor Shah Jahan solely for his beloved Wife’s tomb. We found ourselves overwhelmed with emotion, gazing at the white façade that shimmers in the sunlight and that boasts flawless symmetry! It was hard to leave.”
Following their short stay in Agra, the couple made their way to the ‘Land of the Kings’ – Rajasthan. “Rajasthan, in Northwest India is by far the most vibrant and colourful state in India, offering diverse scenery ranging from lush forest safaris, to the golden sand dunes of the Thar Desert. We started off with a two-day safari in Ranthambore in search of rare Bengal tigers. During the last hour of our safari, we were lucky to see ‘Fateh’, the oldest tiger that lives in the Ranthambore National Park.”
After that captivating experience, Matias and Taryn spent the following two weeks exploring the most famous Rajasthani cities that distinguish themselves by colour. They visited Jaipur, known as the Pink City; Udaipur, known as the White City or as some call it, ‘Venice of the East’; the Blue City of Jodphur and ending their Rajasthan adventure in the Jaisalmer Thar Desert – known as the Golden City.
“Rajasthan is an unparalleled destination, rich in culture, heritage and history, making it the perfect introduction to a trip to India. Rajasthan’s royalty and history can be best experienced through its historic elegant palaces, forts, stunning havelis and sacred temples,” she explains. Besides the many stunning sites, Taryn adds that Rajasthan is also famous for its warm and luxurious hospitality and is home to some of the world’s top hotels.
In fact, the couple had the opportunity to stay at one of the most romantic hotels around the globe – The Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur. This majestic palace, built in 1743 by Maharana Jagat Singh, floats in the middle of Lake Pichola. “This hotel also served as a backdrop for the famous James Bond film, Octopussy, in 1983!” she explains. “The experience was breath-taking and the service we received was flawless! In general, the standard of hospitality we experienced across our trip was beyond exceptional.”
Another highlight for the couple was the Galta Ji Hindu Temple, located just outside Jaipur. Here, they spent an afternoon interacting with hundreds of mischievous monkeys who only obey their keeper, the world famous ‘Monkey Man’. “Matias and I love animals, so it was a great experience for us!” says Taryn.
Taryn and Matias moved on to Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, for a couple of days. Mumbai is India’s captivating and ambitious city of dreams. It is also India’s financial district, home to Bollywood, Asia’s largest slums
and a population of 24 million people. “While exploring the heart of the city, you can witness some of the grandest colonial architecture, built under British rule, discover India’s fashion epicentre and feed off the energy this city radiates at any time of the day,” says Taryn.
“We had the chance to go on a 5am tour around the Sassoon Dock local fish market and the flower market of Mumbai,” she adds. “We felt like we were at the stock market but for fish and flowers! It was interesting to see how thousands of people work in such an orderly manner in a restricted space.”
While in Mumbai, the newlyweds indulged in a stay at the heritage Taj Mahal Palace hotel, based right opposite the Gateway of India, in the Colaba region. “Back in 2008, this hotel was one of the main sites targeted during the Mumbai terror attacks,” she explains.
Adding to India’s charm and distinctive offering is its food, and Taryn has a hard time singling out specific gastronomic highlights from their trip – with too many to choose from. “Rajasthani food is unique, colourful, spicy and rich, just like its culture. It is common to find Hindus who will avoid eating meat to avoid hurting other forms of life. Matias and I really loved this outlook and opted to eat a lot of vegetarian dishes over the holiday. We were particularly impressed with the creative ways in which vegetables are cooked across India.”
Mumbai, on the other hand, lived up to its fame as a cosmopolitan city, “packed with trendy cafés, restaurants and buzzing street food stalls with a wide variety to tickle anyone’s taste buds. Matias and I love seafood and we must have had the best crab we ever tasted, and even got to try the Bombay fish at Mumbai’s famous seafood restaurant, Trishna,” she recalls. “One thing that we do miss, is starting and ending our day with a comforting, authentic cup of Chai Tea!”
Having planned their honeymoon in record time, Taryn says they were surprised that everything went according to plan – thankfully, they never fell ill, and the weather was also very much on their side. “We were lucky that the COVID-19 pandemic had just started in Asia when we were at the end of our honeymoon. People kept stopping us at the airport to ask why we were wearing masks,” she says.
Meanwhile, Taryn and Matias are already planning to revisit the country that left such a profound impression on them once travel resumes, and they hope they’ll be able to experience the country again fully, absorbing its many places of interest. “This trip by far exceeded our expectations,” she says, “and we’ve already started planning another trip there, but this time, we can’t wait to see what the south of India
has to offer.”
AN ODE TO MEDITERRANEAN LIVING
Having lived in the UK for 15 years, Simon Abela and Andre Schlagowski wanted their second home in Malta to be a quintessential Mediterranean retreat where they could escape the hectic pace of city life in London. Here, they tell Sarah Micallef how they turned a neglected old house in Cospicua into a stylish yet relaxed ode to island living.
PHOTOS BY ALAN CARVILLE
Aconverted corner house set along a narrow alleyway within the historic city of Cospicua is a Mediterranean home away from home for Simon Abela and Andre Schlagowski, who are based between Malta and London.
While they’re not sure how old the property is, they estimate it to be over 200 years old. “It must have been hit during World War II, as it has a mishmash of features which show the building was rebuilt at a point,” explains interior architect Simon, reflecting on the state of the house when the couple first purchased it in 2017.
Admitting that it wasn’t habitable at the time, he reveals that while it didn’t require much structural intervention, the new owners needed to undertake a complete rewiring and replumbing, as well as install new bathrooms, kitchen, and finishes. “We also added an extra floor on top and a pool, which required additional reinforcement works. We kept all of the original tiling apart
from in the hall, which unfortunately needed to be dug up to pass drainage,” he says.
Now, the historic property shines with a new lease on life, hinting at what’s to come right away as one enters from a grand entrance that leads into an enclosed courtyard. “We flipped the house round so that the bedrooms are downstairs, and the living areas are upstairs because we wanted to maximise the daylight,” Simon explains, referring to the two bedrooms downstairs – a main bedroom with an ensuite and a walk-in wardrobe, and a guest bedroom with a separate bathroom. A traditional Maltese staircase leads to a kitchen/dining area upstairs, which openly connects to the living space, while a mezzanine landing takes you up to the roof, where a study and chill-out space leads onto a roof terrace with a plunge-pool. Just above, a remarkable second terrace with exceptional views of the Grand Harbour steals the show. “The main thing that sold it to me
when we first saw this house is the unobstructed view of Valletta and the Grand Harbour from the roof! It actually sold it to me more than it did for Simon, since he’s Maltese,” admits Andre, who is originally from Germany, adding that the view helps give it a holiday feel.
When it came to the refurbishment, the couple reveal that the majority of the work was done remotely from London, where they are based, with Malta being their second home. Asked if this was difficult to manage, Simon credits their “phenomenal” turnkey contractor with helping pull things off smoothly. “It was really helpful as he brought the whole team of trades together and cut down on a lot of the chasing. We communicated very well via WhatsApp and over email, and we flew down every month to check on things,” he says.
Another aspect that complicated matters is the house’s location, within a very pretty, but very small, alleyway. “They couldn’t set up any cranes, so everything had to be carried in by hand, including the steel beams that were used to reinforce the rooftop pool, as well as furniture and everything else,” Andre adds.
Speaking of their vision for the space, Andre maintains that, because their London home is quite modern, they wanted the “complete opposite” for the house in Malta. “We wanted to have a getaway for our escapes from London,” he adds.
Apart from that, the house served a very personal purpose for Simon, who grew up in Malta, and wanted it to reflect the essence of the Mediterranean lifestyle
he remembers as a child. “We wanted a quintessential Mediterranean retreat, but at the same time, for me, it was also about bringing a lot of childhood memories into the house,” he admits, which led him to incorporate items that belonged to both of his grandmothers, as well as pieces of furniture from his mother, into the design.
“I wanted the house to embody all my childhood memories of growing up in Malta – from staying at a farmhouse in Gozo to sitting in front of a fan at my grandmother’s house in the hot summer months; the idea of white-washed walls, the mystery of the nooks and crannies where my sister and I would play hide and seek – this house lent a lot of that, and I wanted to bring it back. There’s definitely an element of nostalgia,” he smiles.
The refurbishment took nine months to complete, from when building works started in June 2018 to when it was finished between March and April 2019.
As an interior architect, Simon’s experience was certainly a factor in seeing it all come to fruition, having created a full set of plans for the contractor to work from, which is helpful when refurbishing a house in general, he reveals, though particularly essential when it’s being done long-distance! “It was then a case of coming down to Malta and choosing items and making sure they were delivered on time; selecting our kitchen, tiles, and just making sure that everything fit within the programme that the builder was working to,” he maintains.
Yet while Simon admits that the house embodies what one would consider a vernacular Maltese house – equipped with traditional features like wooden beams, xorok, an internal courtyard and traditional apertures and stone – the way in which the design brought them all together is not perhaps what one would consider traditional.
“We painted the ceilings and beams in a dark grey in the kitchen and living room, so we took the traditional Maltese elements and updated them,” says Andre, as Simon smiles, “everyone that comes in and sees them for the first time comments on how ‘different’ they are!” Meanwhile, the couple also veered away from the use of bare Maltese stone throughout. “We kept the traditional stone in two rooms, and the rest of the house is plastered and painted,” Simon explains.
Another traditional feature that was given a contemporary treatment is the internal courtyard. “The courtyard features a glass top which you can walk over and look down from, and above that is another rooflight made of glass, with a second terrace on top – the idea was that the sunlight can go all the way down through the two layers,” says Andre. “We tried to keep as much of the traditional as possible while blending in our own touches,” Simon adds.
The result is what the interior architect describes as a mixture of quintessential Mediterranean with touches of European design. “It’s hard to describe as it’s peppered with pieces that we’ve brought back from our travels, as well as things we’ve bought from England, where we’ve both been living for 15 years. It’s quite an eclectic mix,” he maintains, adding that every piece has its own story.
“There are tiles from the Himalayas, different pieces from India and vintage posters from a little village in Germany where I grew up,” Andre continues, trailing off… “even brass pots from the Birgu flea market,” Simon interjects with a smile.
But what is it about the house that they like most, I ask? Simon points to the staircase leading up to the roof as one of his favourite spots, explaining, “I love that it is a traditional Maltese staircase, and it’s also got two pieces of furniture which belonged to my grandmother, so they’ve got a lot of good memories. I also love the way the light comes down from the glass rooflight – it just feels different to the rest of the house.”
Another aspect, he highlights, is “something we discovered as we went along with the refurb – a lot of blocked up windows within the house as we ripped off the existing plaster,” referring to a window on the landing overlooking the living room, another looking into the staircase, and a window through the staircase. “These created a really fun play of light and an element of surprise.”
As for Andre, it’s split between two. “I love walking into the house, and into the grand hallway with the big chandelier and Maltese tiles, but obviously, the best part is having a sundowner on the top terrace overlooking the Grand Harbour – that is the pinnacle of all of this for me.”
To see more of Simon’s work, visit his Instagram page @simon_abela_designer
