James Packer & Erica Baxter Wedding

Since writing my article on Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch's wedding, I began to realize just how popular the former Supermodel is. So actually, the reason I write about the wedding of James and Erica Packer is ... just quietly, because it's a great excuse to add a few more photos of the ever-glamorous Sarah Murdoch.... sssshhhh... anyway ...

James Packer, 39, and Erica Baxter, 29, spared no expensive when they married in June 2007. After exchanging vows in an intimate civil service, five-days of extravagant celebrations followed, with an estimated cost of around $15 million.

Erica wore an elaborate white John Galliano for Christian Dior gown, rumoured to cost $100,000. Guests included Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes among other Australian media executives.

Preston Bailey worked his magic on Hotel du Cap Eden Roc in Antibes

Michael Baxter escorted his daughter along the arbour of white flower-bells

A special blessing ceremony was held in front of 200 guests,

along with a beach party.

Packer's luxury boat Arctic P was the venue for more wedding celebrations

Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch chat with newlywed James Packer

Erica Packer had a weekend of designer Wedding dresses.

As always, Sarah Murdoch looked stunning at the wedding celebrations.

Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise also attend the celebrations.

Photo credits: The Daily Telegraph, Fotobank, News.

A Note To My Wife

"I want you to wear me comfortably, as you would a dress,

Or a silver necklace that you wear around your neck.

Comfortably, so that i am always next to you.

But most important, something you decide each morning to select"

-Robert Kogan

Photo: Elizabeth Messina

Your Love Takes Me Higher

I think every bride magazine and every bride blog / website has written a feature on balloons, and as much as I tried to not be the same as everyone else, I simply can't resist.

When i was growing up I always dreamt of being proposed to in a room filled with balloons. I imagined opening the door to this stunning room over-flowing with balloons. Then, my Frog Prince would appear amongst them, and ask me to be his Princess. Of course, I'd reply 'yes'. Then the fun begins !! He'd tell me that I have to find my diamond ring. That it is hidden in one of the many balloons in the room and it is up to me to find it (although I think in reality it might be safer being a cheap replica of the engagement ring put inside the balloon. It would be just my luck that it would go missing or something).

Well a girl can only dream. hhhhhmmmm... actually it would be perfect because then our engagement and wedding photos / theme could incorporate balloons because of their significance... i'm back off to dream land now.

Row 1: Jill Thomas, Wish Special Events, Motley Photos

Row 2: Michele M Waite (both photos)

Row 3: Max Wagner, Studio This Is (via Betsy White), Cosmopolitan Bride

Row 4: Bride To Be Magazine, Dior Advertising Campaign, Martha Stewart

Row 5: Amy Atlas, Martha Stewart

Row 6: Studio This Is, Jose Villa

Row 7: Boutwell Studio

Row 8: Md Turner Photography, Flickr

I'll keep dreaming that one day it will be me in these photos searching my room full of balloons for my diamond engagement ring... with little breaks for sips of Champagne to celebrate, and tons of kisses xxx

John Campbell & Leanne Donnachie Shabby Chic Wedding

I've been wanting to post photo's of my girlfriends wedding for a long time now, and finally I've done it.

It was the perfect English, shabby chic wedding. An English town, a garden wedding and, as it turned out, one of the wettest weekends on record in Britain !!! But nothing took the smiles off the beautiful couple, John Campbell and Leanne Donnachie.

After exchanging vows at All Saints Church, Marlow, England, guests (minus a few who didn't make it due to road closures and flight cancellations), were taken by chartered bus to the couples home for a garden reception.

Following drinks and canapes on the lawn, guests then filed into the decorated marquee (which looked like it had been sprinkled with a Rachel Ashwell wand) and enjoyed a superb three-course meal. At midnight a BBQ was fired up, refuelling the party-goers for more dancing and celebrating till the early hours of the morning.

During John's emotional speech, the 100 guests discovered that the enchanting decor was all thanks to the talent and skill of his wife. "In the year leading up to the wedding Leanne scoured yard-sales, antique stores and flea markets, the world over, for things to decorate the reception. Every time Lea came home from a trip she had something new to show me," John explained. "We have run out of space to store it, so please take what you want from the tables!" he joked. Creatively, Leanne had 'something old and something new' on each table.

At times the spectacular decor stole the beauty of the day, but then the loving couple came into view and stole it back. Twirling around the dance floor to Barry Manilow's song Can't smile without you, the pair looked the picture of love.

How To Get That Look:

The Dress: Leanne wore a strapless, boned bodice of Chantilly and duchess

satin, pinch skirt.

The Shoes: Adding drama and fun to the day, Leanne wore a pair of chic,

pastel coloured snakeskin heels by Aldo. Later, along with her

bridesmaids, she swapped them for a matching pair of wellies.

The Veil: Instead of a veil, Leanne draped her grandmother's crystal

necklace around her elegant chignon.

Bridesmaids: Four bridesmaids wore rose-petal pink dresses. Each one was a

different style to enhance the girls' individual figures.

The Cake: Guests were spoilt for choice with a savoury and a sweet cake.

A tower of four round cheeses was created with a caricature

cake-topper of John and Leanne. Mother-0f-the-bride, Vera,

also made a traditional three-tier fruit cake as a surprise for

her daughter.

The Flowers:Leanne choose whimsical bouquets featuring antique roses,

hydrangeas and lisianthus, to place in vintage ceramic jugs to

make the stunning table centrepieces. The same flowers were

used in the bridemaids' poises.

Photography: Northern Exposure