Stand by for black tie!

It seems like black tie wedding invitations start popping up about this time every year. Is it a more formal look for the upcoming cooler months? Is it the indoor weddings, or, well – I’m not quite sure but one thing I do know – I love it, love it, LOVE it!

Crisp, clean and always classic, the sharp pairing of formal black and white always sticks out in my mind as a time-honored tradition that can just as easily waltz a formal line as it can sweep through a contemporary venue with panache.

Nicole Kidman’s wedding to Keith Urban was a formal black tie event in Sydney, Australia back in ’06 and the pictures are simply elegant … such exquisite touches of old-world elegance! (they didn’t invite me, and I’m still a little sad about that )

An antique Rolls Royce ferried the bride to the ceremony, which took place on the grounds of a castle-like seminary overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Sydney Harbor. The white tent is where the reception took place …

The bride wore a pale ivory-colored tulle wedding gown by Nicolas Ghesquiere for Balenciaga, with softly pleated Empire-style sleeves and Cornelli lacework, complimented by Christian Louboutin heels, a sheer veil, and she carried a simple but elegant bouquet of white roses and gardenias.

Guests feasted (I love that word) on menu selections that included pumpkin ravoli, grain-fed beef with salsa verde, and poached Tasmanian salmon (oh swoon!). The wedding cake? A triple-tiered raspberry and marscapone with rose-scented raspberry syrup and organic rose petals. Here, just read the menu …

If you’re wondering what it’s like to book a wedding at this venue, here’s a link where you get all the information and forms. There’s a great virtual tour – Be Nicole For A Day! Just click on the picture below…

But let me get to my point here – Nicole and Keith’s Wedding Favors (which is what originally caught my attention). Each guest received an engraved silver clock from Tiffany’s. Retail value (take a minute and catch your breath first) – a rumored $512.00 (plus tax-per person!).

Now, I don’t know about you, but that’s a bit pricey for me. Yes, I know they can probably well afford it, and we can all dream about doing it ourselves, but I’m happy to say that our wedding favors are not only exquisitely perfect for black tie affairs, they’re also affordably priced, so everyone can can say “thank you” from the heart in a uniquely elegant way. Please allow me to share …

Love it LOVE IT! !