Bliss Weddings & Homes

Issue 25 NOVEMBER 2014

YOUR weddings & homeS magazine

latest

BRIDAL trends

Big celebration or intimate gathering?

Planning your guest list

special

25th edition

Home Decor Embracing vintage design

11 WEDDING SHOES

LOCAL WEDDINGS

Real couples share their experiences

contents 8 bliss NOVEMBER 2014

ISSUE 25 · NOVEMBER 2014

Wedding shoes page 61

REAL WEDDING page 24

Fashion & beauty 13 Bridal trends 51 Autumn bride 61 Wedding shoes

Interviews

17 Little or large?

90 You had me at hello

Weddings & honeymoons 23 24 33 41 65 87

Wedding trends A feast for the senses A tale of two lovers Written in the stars Honeymoon dreamland Wedding directory

Homes

73 A home fit for royalty 81 Embracing nostalgia: vintage décor at home

our cover

DRESS: Elegant and stylish long sleeved, body hugging macramé gown, Ivory & Co. JEWELLERY: 18 karat white gold earrings with diamonds, 18 karat white gold ring with solitaire diamond and diamonds on shoulder, and Anteo diamond wedding band, Vascas Jewellers.

Location: Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa, Attard Photographer: Valentina Lupo (www.facebook.com/ valentinalupophotography) Photo Shoot Coordinator: Sarah Micallef Hair: Svetlana – Toni & Guy Artistic Team Make-up: Caroline Bond (née Camilleri) using Make Up Store (7906 1197) Model: Chanelle Muscat at models.com.mt Bouquet: flowerarts.net

10 bliss NOVEMBER 2014

Issue 25 Saturday, November 1, 2014 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

I

’m so pleased to welcome you to this extra special edition of Bliss. Not only is it our biggest of the year, but it also marks Bliss’ 25th issue – that’s a lot of blushing brides, wonderful weddings, hot trends and gorgeous homes!

Join us as we relive three stunning couples’ celebrations, each fabulous yet unique. Read about how one fun-loving couple rocked up to their reception on a yacht, another couple’s stunning attention to detail and how a wedding doubled up as wedding TRENDS page 23 a celebration of the newlyweds’ culture.

BRIDAL SHOOT Among the latest bridal and wedding page 51 trends, you’ll find our pick of the hottest vintage home bridal shoes and two couples’ views on page 81 going for a large celebration or an intimate gathering. We also love this issue’s bridal shoot featuring the lovely Chanelle, shot at the elegant Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa, which served as the perfect backdrop for some truly gorgeous gowns.

Elsewhere in this issue, we speak to popular TV presenter Gloria Mizzi about her wedding to her husband Frank over 50 years ago – and how things have changed since then!

Keeping to the nostalgic theme, we also explore vintage interior design ideas for your home, while in our Real Home feature we take a few leaps into the future – exploring an ultra-modern and sophisticated house in Iklin.

Enjoy the issue.

Sarah JOIN US ON

Win with

Bliss

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Content House Group, Mallia Buildings, 3, Level 2, Triq in-Negozju, Mriehel QRM3000 Tel: 2132 0713 · Fax: 2132 0714 info@contenthouse.com.mt www.contenthouse.com.mt Distribution: Design Box Design – Antoinette Micallef ant@box-design.net Printer Progress Press Ltd. Contributors Caroline Bond; Jo Caruana; Martina Said; Svetlana Toni & Guy artistic team Photography Lionel Galea; Hype Dubai; Pinkishline; George Scintilla; Matthew Mirabelli; Andrew Rizzo; Alan Carville; Valentina Lupo Advertising Content House Ltd – Tel: 2132 0713 publication sales manager Diane Scerri ADVERTISING SALES EXECUTIVE Sabina Attard Advertising sales coordinator Lindsey Ciantar 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.

Participate in our competition and you may win a Paco Rabanne Lady Million Eau My Gold, courtesy of Ta’ Xbiex Perfumery Ltd. To enter the competition all you have to do is answer the following question:

WHICH ARTICLE OR FEATURE DID YOU MOST ENJOY IN THIS ISSUE, AND WHY?

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, QRM3000.

Competition closes 30th November 2014. One entry per person. Terms and conditions apply.

Last issue Dorianne Gauci Hili won a Paco Rabanne Black XS for Her Eau De Toilette (50ml) and Body Lotion (100ml), courtesy of Ta’ Xbiex Perfumery Ltd.

Bridal

Bridal Trends § NOVEMBER 2014 bliss 13

words by SARAH MICALLEF catwalk shots courtesy of Barcelona Bridal Week

ethereal lace

trends

Think wood nymph or delicate fairy with a Victorian twist – ethereal lace dresses have an otherworldly quality that is distinctly light, feminine and beautiful.

Paired with flowing locks and minimal jewellery, this trend is set to be a winner.

Left to right: M&M, Cymbeline, Yolan Cris

fine mesh Touches of mesh on your wedding dress could provide just the right measure of modesty while still allowing you to show some skin, as well as allowing for lace details and beading for a delicate touch.

Left to right: Pronovias, Miquel Suay

14 bliss NOVEMBER 2014 § Bridal Trends

something blue Soft hues in shades of duck egg, powder blue and lavender will have you feeling anything but blue on your wedding day. For the bride that’s tired of white, ivory and cream, these powdery tones of loveliness are sure to make a worthy contender.

Left to right: Matilde Cano, M&M, Ana Torres

Cover Story § NOVEMBER 2014 bliss 17

little or large?

Do you want a very intimate wedding with a small number of guests, or a huge celebration encompassing hundreds of friends and family? Either way, the choice is yours and the results will be beautiful – as Jo Caruana finds out when chatting to two brides whose weddings were at opposite ends of the scale.

Alexandra’s tip for planning a large wedding: “Make a realistic list, as this will put you in the right mind set for the size of wedding you are going to have. And keep calm! I have to admit that I found it pretty overwhelming when I was writing out all the invitations, because that’s when it first felt real. Plan ahead and everything will go smoothly.”

Photo by Lionel Galea

Alexandra and Andrea

A crowd of over 900 guests celebrated the wedding of Dr Alexandra Mizzi and Dr Andrea Micallef on 29 June 2011.

Looking back, Alexandra tells us that she loved being surrounded by the many people who had touched her and her husband’s lives over the years.

wwwROSSIGNAUDcom 340

“When Andrea and I first started planning our wedding, we imagined we’d be inviting around 200 people – but that number quickly grew! Our wedding was such a happy day for everyone involved

that we didn’t want to leave anyone out, and we wanted our parents to be able to invite their friends and colleagues too.

And why not?

“It was a big wedding but it wasn’t

off the scale – I know of people who have had 3,000 guests or more, so it is all about perception. 900 was the number that was right for us. Of course there was a lot to think about when it came to planning – but I think it is much like planning any wedding as you always want the details to be perfect, it’s just the scales that are different.

“Certain things had to be thought about though, of course, such as our choice of venues. We chose Ta’ Giezu Church in Rabat and the Monte Kristo Estates because they would both accommodate the numbers we wanted, and it worked out beautifully. Ò

18 bliss NOVEMBER 2014 § Cover Story

“

I can remember looking around at the large crowd and knowing that they were all there to celebrate with us and wish us well for the future.

”

Naturally the food quantities had to be sorted out, but our catering company was very helpful and it was all arranged very easily.

“We also found that it was important to speak to other couples who had recently got married, and their advice was invaluable. They were able to recommend suppliers and ways of doing things, and it helped to have their input. On the day we chose to hire a ‘professional best man’, or coordinator, who oversaw all sorts of things – from the amount of alcohol that was required to the timings of the food. That was great because it meant that our wedding party didn’t have to worry about all of that stuff and it freed them up to enjoy the day. I would certainly recommend that service to anyone having a bigger wedding, as it was fantastic to know that everything was under control.

“Looking back, both Andrea and I enjoyed every aspect of the day and having all those people there added to the experience.

I can remember looking around at the large crowd and knowing that they were all there to celebrate with us and wish us well for the future, and it felt absolutely out of this world.”

Lorinda and Randolph

It may be unusual for a Maltese wedding, but Lorinda and Randolph Mamo absolutely loved the intimacy of their 12-guest wedding, which was held at Ta’ Frenc in Gozo on 18 September 2011.

“Randolph and I always knew we wanted a small wedding and set out to invite around 100 people, but we quickly realised that it would be difficult to limit it to that number. We both felt that the wedding could easily get out of hand, both in terms of cost and scale. We did consider postponing our big day and saving up so that we could have a larger wedding but decided against it pretty quickly.

“After discussing our options we whittled them down to what we really wanted: to get married and have a nice meal with our close family, so that is what we did. We had more people at the ceremony, which took place at The Immaculate Conception Chapel in Qala, Gozo, and they joined us for champagne after the mass. Then it was just ‘us’ for dinner – my husband and I, plus our 12 guests. It was so romantic, with delicious food, drinks and good laughs, and we made really beautiful memories. Ò

Cover Story § NOVEMBER 2014 bliss 21

Lorinda’s tip for planning a small wedding: “Just because your wedding is small, that doesn’t mean it’s going to be less expensive; you can spend just as much on 15 people as you do on 100. It’s all about the details and you shouldn’t compromise that for a small wedding. Plus, I would suggest getting a good photographer, as, while you may not have so many guests to take shots of, you will still want beautiful photos of your loved ones and, of course, of the bride and groom!

“It was very personal for other reasons. We made many of the things for the wedding ourselves – my mother made my dress, and my sister’s maid of honour dress. I crafted special keepsake paintings for our families and cootie catcher souvenirs, while the invitations, wedding programme and table settings were all made in a blue colour that I chose.

“Three years on, our memories of the day are so special and wonderful.

I think there are very few differences between a large wedding and a small one, except when it comes to the level of intimacy you have with your guests and maybe how tired you are at the end of the night! It was absolutely perfect for us and I wouldn’t change one thing about it.” n

“

After discussing our options we whittled them down to what we really wanted: to get married and have a nice meal with our close family, so that is what we did.

”

Fi n e r Ho s p i ta l i t y, Cate r i ng a nd Ev e nt s

Show us your dream wedding and we will show you its realization.

+356 22567567 or 21450560

weddings@xarapalace.com.mt

xarapalace.com.mt

Wedding Trends § NOVEMBER 2014 bliss 23

A trend that’s been popping up everywhere is the chalkboard – on everything from signs, tags, place holders and photo booth props. Make yours pop with great typography.

www.etsy.com

www.homylicious.com

www.koruwedding.blogspot.com

Chalkboards

Winter wonderland

Crystal accessories

Wedding trends

We just love looking out for new trends in the bridal world and sharing them with you! Here’s what’s been making waves lately.

www.pinterest.com

Pink and gold

ÒPicking a colour scheme is an important factor in determining how your wedding will look. Blush pink and luxurious gold go so well together that they’ve become a major new trend.

www.cmywedding.co.uk

www.fabmood.com

For the bride that likes a little sparkle, crystal accessories are sure to add some shine to proceedings. You can add bling through hair accessories, jewellery, belts and even shoes.

www.crystalbridalaccessories.co.uk

ÓWhile we might not have snowy nights and snowflakes during our winters, there’ no reason we can’t have them at our wedding – a winter wonderland theme goes down a treat at this time of year.

Bridal crop

ÓWant a modern take on classic bridal gowns? A twopiece style featuring a crop top is current while still being sophisticated, and is also great for a skirt switch come reception time!

24 bliss NOVEMBER 2014 § Real Wedding

A FEAST FOR THE SENSES

High-flyers Andrew Scerri and Lisa Zammit Scerri don’t do things by halves. From the memorable proposal right up until the last moments of their extravagant wedding, the fun-loving pair tells Sarah Micallef how they marked the start of their married life with a bang.

a Lis d an w Andre

tion ny loca ian’s ceremo h, St Jul urc h C h ris Pa e ta u en gv Ballu weddin lletta elsior, Va Hotel Exc

Photo by Pinkish Line

Photo by HYPEDUBAI* Faab Oc

Real Wedding § NOVEMBER 2014 bliss 25

H

aving met in Dubai where they both work as cabin crew for Emirates, Lisa, 30 and Andrew, 28, share a love for adventure as well as each other. After going out for eight months, they started talking about getting married, but while shopping for rings was done together, Andrew wanted the proposal to be a surprise.

Lisa looks back on the day fondly, explaining, “it was his birthday, and I wanted to surprise him, so I blindfolded him and took him to Skydive Dubai. What I didn’t know was that he had put an engagement ring in a little plastic bag – because I would have noticed a ring box – and pinned it to the inside of his pocket. He wanted to turn the surprise around on me. After the sky dive, he landed first, and I landed after him. I was still in shock after having jumped out of a plane, and he ran towards me and proposed!”

“I had a lot of different ideas on how I wanted to propose, but I just waited for the right moment,” Andrew says with a laugh. “There was loads of adrenalin. I told the lady that was strapped to me when we were half-way down, ‘listen I have a ring in my pocket, I’m going to propose’, so she quickly unstrapped me once we landed so I could go to Lisa.”

After the exciting proposal, it was time to plan the wedding. Living in Dubai and knowing they wanted to celebrate their wedding in Malta, the couple decided on a twoyear engagement in order to plan things out properly. Andrew explains that they chose to organise the wedding themselves.

This worked out perfectly for Lisa. “Andrew was the one that was running around with the diary, and I was the one choosing things,” she laughs. “I’m very fussy . For me, knowing exactly what I wanted and him being able to organise and help me with everything – we made it work.”

While Andrew would have been happy with a simple family dinner however, Lisa had something else in mind for her big day. “She wanted everything to be extravagant,” Andrew says good-naturedly, with a look that shows he’d do anything to make her happy. “There were times when we started seeing all the expenses rising that it became too much for me. At one point I decided I needed to draw a line, but the line never came until she got everything!” Ò

Photo by Pinkish Line

26 bliss NOVEMBER 2014 § Real Wedding

Photo by HYPEDUBAI* Faab Oc

This is not to say that all went by without a hitch, however.

Lisa recalls a particularly stressful point in proceedings, when disaster struck just a few short weeks before the big day. “The bridesmaid dresses arrived, and were completely different to what I ordered,” she recalls, “I was devastated”. Luckily, she had a flight to Sydney on her roster, which is where Lisa is originally from, and where her maid of honour and one of her bridesmaids live. “As soon as I landed I was on a mission to find replacement bridesmaid dresses. We were so lucky that in the last shop, we saw a dress – I looked at my best friend and said ‘that one!’ She tried it on and it looked amazing.” The blush pink colour of the new dresses also went on to reflect the colour of the flower bouquets and arrangements on the day, she continues, which were beautifully designed by Alistair.

As for her own dress, Lisa decided to get it custom-made.

She met up with dressmaker Olga from Violet Brown and explained what she wanted, though admits it changed a few times! “Every time I managed to get a flight to Malta I would go to the dressmaker and kept making changes. Right up until a few days before the wedding, I decided I wanted a split in the front. My mum was like, ‘what? There’s still more to change?’ but the dressmaker said we still had time, so we did it!”

The resulting dress was one-of-a-kind – featuring a plunging

“

I was still in shock after having jumped out of a plane, and he ran towards me and proposed!

”

Photo by Pinkish Line

Photo by HYPEDUBAI* Faab Oc

V-neck and figure-hugging silhouette using beautiful white lace from Gaudi at JB Stores in Malta. Lisa gushes, “I loved it. I was speechless… I couldn’t believe it turned out the way it did.”

When the big day finally arrived, everything began falling into place… even Andrew, who was unexpectedly a little worse for wear. “I initially just wanted to go out to watch a football game the night before, because the World Cup was on.

I planned to be home by 9pm and get some rest, but since we had a lot of people here from overseas it turned into a party. Ò

Photo by HYPEDUBAI* Faab Oc

Thankfully I don’t suffer from hangovers!”

Undeterred, he woke up the following morning feeling excited. Admitting that he’s quite an emotional person, he recalls, “it hit me that I was getting married. I had put everything aside and not actually thought about my emotions, but even later on in the church, when I saw her walking in, I just burst into tears – I

Photos by HYPEDUBAI* Faab Oc

”

couldn’t help it.”

Lisa describes her feelings on the day as overwhelming. “I’m a very relaxed person, but it started to hit me when I got in the car. My dad was squeezing my hand and saying ‘no crying today!’ and every time he saw tears building up he’d look at me and say ‘you’re going to ruin your makeup!’”

The ceremony took place at Balluta Parish at 4pm, in order to make the most of the day with an extended reception, though they admit, “for anyone in Malta, 4pm on a Saturday afternoon in summer was unthinkable!” Following the ceremony, the newlyweds released a pair of doves provided by Doves D’Amour to mark the occasion. Their 300 guests then made their way to the Excelsior Hotel,

Real Wedding § NOVEMBER 2014 bliss 29

details

Photo by Pinkish Line

“

When I saw her walking in, I just burst into tears – I couldn’t help it.

The infamous ice sculpture

A sore point for Andrew when it came to Lisa’s extravagant wedding requests was the ice sculpture. Lisa laughs, “I think it was the last straw when I said I wanted an ice sculpture. He said ‘you’re definitely not getting an ice sculpture!’” Andrew chimes in, recalling, “I just wanted to put my foot down and not give in to one thing!”

“It was so funny because a couple of our friends who knew I wanted this sculpture were like ‘come on Andrew, just make her happy’, and he kept insisting, ‘no, no ice sculpture!’” Lisa says with a chuckle.

“I swore I wouldn’t give in. A couple of friends of ours actually made a bet between them about whether she’d get her way,” smiles Andrew. And of course, she did.

where drinks and canapés were waiting while Lisa and Andrew had photos taken and proceeded to the reception venue a little later, in characteristic grand style.

Wanting to make an entrance every bit as extravagant as the rest of their wedding, the newlyweds boarded a yacht with their bridal party from St Julian’s, and surprised their waiting guests at Ò

the Excelsior by arriving in style. “We left in cars so the guests wouldn’t realise.

They went straight to the hotel, where they had a reception. They were then led outside before we arrived on the boat for the sit-down dinner,” says Andrew.

After dinner came time for the couple’s first dance, and as ever, the spotlight was truly on them. “We had our first dance just after the main course, because we wanted to do it while everyone was still seated,” Andrew explains. “People often miss the first dance at weddings,” Lisa continues, “but it’s important to the couple." They danced to ‘I Belong to You’ by Eros Ramazzotti and Anastasia. Music on the night was

Everyone kept coming up to us and saying ‘you really had a fairy tale wedding’ and that’s exactly what I wanted. courtesy of Visage Sound.

With extravagance being the theme of the evening, it reached its culmination in the cake. True to form, Lisa wanted the cake to be a little different to the norm.

“Most wedding cakes have three tiers and I wanted to be different so we had five.

I designed every tier myself and gave it to the head chef, who did a fantastic job.

The inside was a combination of baci and traditional almond.”

Looking back on their special day, the couple maintain that they truly enjoyed it from start to finish, and wouldn’t do anything differently. “It just exceeded everyone’s expectations as to what a wedding should be like in Malta,” Andrew

”

says. “Everyone kept coming up to us and saying ‘you really had a fairy tale wedding,’” Lisa smiles, “and that’s exactly what I wanted.” n

Photo by Pinkish Line

Photo by HYPEDUBAI* Faab Oc

“

Photo by Pinkish Line

30 bliss NOVEMBER 2014 § Real Wedding

Real Wedding Real Wedding § NOVEMBER 2014 bliss 33

LARA

and

TYRONE ceremony loca tion Metropolitan Cathedral of St Paul, Mdina wedding venue Palazzo Parisio , Naxxar

Photo by George Scintilla

A tale of two lovers Hot on the heels of their picture-perfect wedding day, Martina Said speaks to Lara Cutajar Cassar and Tyrone Cutajar about their dream wedding, the sheer attention to detail and how, in hindsight, they wouldn’t change a thing.

T

yrone Cutajar and Lara Cutajar Cassar’s journey together first began 12 years ago, when the two met through mutual friends. They parted ways a few years down the line to pursue their own goals, but it became clear that fate had different plans in store for them, and since rekindling their relationship, they’ve never looked back.

“When we first met back then, nothing really came of it, until we met again by chance two years after that and started dating.

We went out together for around two years until I decided to move to the UK to continue my post-graduate studies,” says Lara, 33, a dental surgeon. “Since I didn’t know when I was coming back to Malta, we agreed it was too difficult for a longdistance relationship to work for such a long time.”

Lara admits it was the hardest decision they ever had to make, “but at the time, we both felt it was the best one. For the five years I was abroad, we talked regularly, confiding in each other, but I always secretly hoped that when I’d return, we would continue our relationship from where we had left it.”

And that is precisely what happened. When Lara returned to Malta after finishing her studies, they embarked on a relationship which culminated in a romantic wedding proposal.

Tyrone, 33, who is an IT systems administrator, says, “talking

about marriage and spending our lives together was always a very natural thing for us. Quite frankly, I couldn’t imagine my future with anyone else.”

Lara describes the proposal as a dream scenario, which was exceptionally special to her as Tyrone is not the romantic type.

However, that night, he pulled out all the stops and succeeded both in surprising her, and moving her to tears. “We had just bought our dream home and were having our first candle-lit dinner underneath the gazebo. It was a starry spring night and everything seemed perfect. After dinner, while enjoying a glass of wine, Tyrone said to me ‘it’s perfect here, but there is one thing which would make it complete’. That is when he took out the ring and proposed. We held our engagement party in our house two months later.”

Due to her busy work schedule, Lara had no option but to start planning the wedding well in advance, avoiding excessive and unnecessary stress ahead of the big day. While she handled most of the preparations, Tyrone contributed by choosing the wedding music, drinks at the reception and bridal cars.

“He always imagined himself sipping high quality whisky and smoking a cigar at his own wedding, so he made sure these were provided to all the guests. Everything else was my choice,” Ò

says Lara, “with no expense for detail spared.”

Lara and Tyrone were adamant on the choice of venue for their wedding reception – “Palazzo Parisio, with its beautiful surrounding gardens, was the obvious choice for our dream wedding reception,” says Lara. “Inspired by the magnificent décor of the palazzo, the grand ballroom and the landscape of the gardens with the twisting paths through the orange grove, we wanted to create something opulent, but at the same time colourful, to set off and complement the golden tones of the palazzo. We

also opted for a vintage glamour theme for our wedding as we felt it perfectly complemented the venue.”

The pair were also sure they wanted their beloved dogs, Ted and Luna, to be part of the wedding. They hired a dog sitter who brought the cute canines to greet the newlyweds as they exited the cathedral in Mdina, which is where the wedding ceremony was conducted. Lara gushes that it was a joyous, emotional moment for everyone. “Having the harp at the wedding ceremony accompanied by a lyrical singer and violinists was also very important for both of us. Ò

“

Photos by George Scintilla

34 bliss NOVEMBER 2014 § Real Wedding

Talking about marriage and spending our lives together was always a very natural thing for us. Quite frankly, I couldn’t imagine my future with anyone else.

”

LIVE THE DREAM

LIVE THE MAGIC

MAKE IT REALITY

EVERY WEDDING DESERVES PALAZZO PARISIO

29, Victory Square, Naxxar - Malta • weddings@palazzoparisio.com www.palazzoparisio.com

Real Wedding § NOVEMBER 2014 bliss 37

Photo by George Scintilla

“

I wanted a timeless look, which I would still love years down the line, and I immediately fell in love with the final result.

”

fine French lace. I wanted a timeless look, which I would still love years down the line, and I immediately fell in love with the final result.” She also wanted a fun, short wedding dress for the after-party, and set about designing one herself, retaining a cute yet elegant feel, which she then presented to her dress maker, who again managed to fulfil her vision.

Immense attention to detail was directed to all aspects of their wedding, including the flower arrangements by Flower Arts, the wedding invitations and the souvenirs. Designed by her sister, the invitations boasted an elegant Ò

Thank you gifts

“We gave out locally produced pretty jam jars as a thank you gift at the end of the wedding, which everyone absolutely loved.” – Lara

Photo by Matthew Mirabelli

We also wanted them to perform for the first hour of the wedding reception for those who had missed their music during the ceremony. The choice of church was based on the fact that we both love the Silent City in all its charm, and, adding to this, it seemed fitting as Tyrone is from Rabat.”

Amid the numerous items on Lara’s to-do list for the wedding, which she admits was her favourite part of the preparations, was shopping for a wedding dress. “All the wedding dresses were beautiful, but I couldn’t find one that reflected my character and style perfectly. I started researching different designer dresses and sketching what I had in mind, before presenting them to my dress maker, Noel Muscat,” says Lara. “I wanted it to be stunning, yet romantic and elegant, and we settled on a low-back fitted dress made entirely of

Photo by George Scintilla

Photo by Matthew Mirabelli

Photo by Matthew Mirabelli

details

Charming sweets

The elegant wedding cake was complemented by a charming patisserie table, which guests happily indulged in after the couple cut the cake.

38 bliss NOVEMBER 2014 § Real Wedding

“

actually really enjoyed it.”

Much to the surprise of those around her, Lara says that on the big day she was completely calm from the moment she woke up to get started with the preparations, and remained calm throughout the entire day. “We wanted our wedding to fill our guests with love.

We chose fluffy blooms, vintage bits and delicate laces in a spectacular setting with loads of sunlight. We feel our dream became a reality.”

The couple shared their first dance to Michael Buble’s ‘Everything’ – “it was so much fun dancing the choreography attentively prepared by our friend and professional dancer Carmel Duca, and it meant a lot to me that Tyrone danced in front of a crowd because I know that he only did it to make me happy.”

Looking back on their wedding day, the newlyweds say they wouldn’t change a thing. “The ceremony was intimate and emotional for both of us, and we were

Photo by Matthew Mirabelli

Photo by Matthew Mirabelli Photo by George Scintilla Photo by George Scintilla

”

design and were presented to guests wrapped in golden French lace which was patiently hand-crafted by Lara’s mother. “In keeping with the theme, I handcrafted delicate burlap bags wrapped with lace and dried leaves, and filled with organic soaps. This took up all my spare time but I did it with love and

Photo by George Scintilla

I enjoyed a fun dance with my father on the day as it happened to be father’s day, which was a surprise to everyone, including my mother.

so pleased with the way everything tied in together at the reception,” says Lara.

“I enjoyed a fun dance with my father after the first dance as it happened to be father’s day, which was a surprise to everyone, including my mother, and the after party on the balcony terrace in the evening was incredible as everyone was dancing. In the end, we are both thrilled that we were united in what we hope will be a marriage of mutual love and respect, which are key to everlasting happiness.” n

NOVEMBER 2014 bliss 39

Noel Muscat exclusive custom-made bridal and evening wear Noel Muscat is a professional dressmaker specialising in exclusive custom-made bridal and evening wear. Noel also has vast experience in curtain-making. He is currently repairing and restoring an antique piece which was found and reclaimed from a small chapel in Paris.

The photos show one of the dresses made by Noel Muscat for Roberta Taliana, who got married in Milan. Roberta wore her bridal dress for the second time here in Malta, a few weeks ago.

The dress reflects the simplicity of Roberta’s character. The vintage look, together with the combination of two delicate fabrics, make the dress beautifully unique. The fresh flower bouquet and the gypsophila tiara complement the pleasant flow of the dress.

“It is very important to get to know the person who you are designing for, the character, their lifestyle and most importantly to ensure that the person is comfortable in what they are wearing, reflecting their personality.” – Noel Noel Muscat offers one-to-one consultations, from the initial stages of every dress to all the fine details, while focusing on the final look which every bride dreams of. A dress is usually made in four phases. The measurements are taken during the first few meetings. Then, Noel works on the base of the dress and makes sure that it is crafted according to the bride’s figure.

Once the base is ready, the bride tries on the gown for Noel to adjust the final touches, before the last trial. This is done with

the complete outfit until Noel and the bride are fully satisfied that the outcome is perfect.

Contact Noel on T: 2141 6874; M: 9982 2892; E: noelmus@onvol.net

Real Wedding Real Wedding § NOVEMBER 2014 bliss 41

Gaanbdy Andrè

tion ny loca ceremo urch, Siggiewi h C s a St Nichol g venue Park weddin age ne Herit iewi to es m gg The Li dens, Si and Gar

Written in the stars With strong Maltese undertones, Gaby Azzopardi and Andrè Ferrer Haigh’s romantic wedding was truly a celebration of the culture they both love. Here, Gaby tells Jo Caruana all about her memories of their very special day.

P h oto s by A n d r e w R i z z o

Y

ou could say that the stars aligned perfectly on the day when Gabriella (Gaby) Azzopardi, 30, met her future husband, Andrè Ferrer Haigh, 44, in 2010. Gaby, a nurse, had left Malta for Sheffield in the UK, where Andrè worked as a dentist at the family practice where Gaby had been employed.

“That in itself isn’t much of a coincidence,” says Gaby, “but the back-story makes it a little more special. You see, although not Maltese by blood, Andrè was born in Malta to a French mum and English dad while his dad was in the army here. When we met, our Maltese link was fodder for conversation and, as we both love our birthplace dearly, it was an instant connection.”

After two years of dating, Andrè popped the question in a traditional manner on Christmas Day in 2012, having already asked Gaby’s dad for her hand in marriage. Planning then started in earnest in early 2013. “We weren’t rushed at all and took things in our stride,” says Gaby, who travelled back and forth between the UK and Malta to ensure everything was taken care of.

“I enjoyed my mini breaks here, as they gave me the time to book things and decide what would work best for us. As I wasn’t in Malta all the time, though, I chose to get a helping hand from wedding planners Marygrace Lynch and Stephen Chircop at

Dreemz Planners, and they were extremely supportive every step of the way.”

It was during one of her Malta trips that Gaby finalised her dress. “It was just what I’d always wanted,” she says. “I had long been fascinated by Charlize Theron’s golden dress in her perfume advert on TV, and wanted to find something as similar as possible. So I chose to have my dress made by Tania Potter, who came highly recommended, and she crafted a design that was just what I had dreamed of and which really suited my figure. Combined with handmade jewellery, the look was absolutely perfect. I loved walking down the aisle in it, accompanied by both my mum and dad, and with my four beautiful bridesmaids dressed in baby-pink ahead of me.”

The couple chose St Nicholas Church in Siggiewi for their ceremony – the church where Gaby was baptised, had her first Holy Communion and was confirmed. “Aside from the huge sentimental value, it is also a very beautiful church,” Gaby continues. “We wanted a traditional village wedding so it proved to be ideal. Both Andrè and I are proud of our Maltese legacy so the church was very important to us, as was our chosen reception venue – the Limestone Heritage – which is also a celebration of strong local roots.” Ò

42 bliss NOVEMBER 2014 § Real Wedding

Gaby and Andrè’s day was split into different phases. First the guests enjoyed pre-wedding drinks at Ty’s Bar in Siggiewi, while the bridal party got ready and had their photos taken.

This was followed by the celebration of mass at 4pm, which was presided over by Gaby’s uncle, Fr Francesco Calleja OSA, and was given a Papal blessing.

“That all meant so much to my family and I,” smiles the bride.

Of course, it was an added bonus for those present that both of the venues were within easy walking distance of one another. “We made quite the wedding procession as we walked between one and the other, with our guests holding over 200 pearl and baby-pink helium balloons!” Gaby grins. “Passers-by hooted their horns and waved at us, which made it even more magical, and it was all such fun.”

There were all sorts of unique moments that made Andrè and Gaby’s reception special too. “Along with our 250 Maltese guests, another 100 people had joined us from all over the world, so we wanted to give them a true taste of what Malta is about.

“We had a Maltese folklore performer who kept us entertained for around 40 minutes and that really got the party going. All of the guests got up to dance, and they even got Ò

“

I loved walking down the aisle in the dress, accompanied by both my mum and dad, and with my four beautiful bridesmaids dressed in baby-pink ahead of me.

”

details

Real Wedding § NOVEMBER 2014 bliss 45

Invites to entice

ÒThe couple wanted to have invitations that were a little different, so they designed an A4 poster to send to all their guests.

“We gave them some information about Malta to get them in the mood for their visit, and also wrote about what they should expect on the day… although we did keep a few surprises up our sleeves!” says Gaby.

“

We made quite the wedding procession as we walked between one and the other, with our guests holding over 200 pearl and baby-pink helium balloons!

”

to wear the ghonnella and peasant costumes, which added a different dynamic.”

The couple had other entertainment throughout the evening, including a live photo booth and fire jugglers, whose performance led up to the cutting of the cake. “It was quite spectacular!” says Gaby. “We also had a fireworks display while we cut the cake, which was something that both our local and foreign guests enjoyed.”

The bride also had her own surprise for her new husband – her rendition of a song, supported by the Mics Band. “A few months before the wedding some friends dared me to sing for Andrè on the big day and, because I love singing, I took on the challenge!” Gaby grins. “I practised for six months or so and arranged it all with the band, and it was such fun on the night. Ò

A touch of Hollywood

The dress code for the wedding was a ‘touch of Hollywood’.

“All the guests made a real effort!” says Gaby. “It was great to see them so dressed up and glamorous – and it made the results of the photo-booth even more spectacular.”

National pride

There was definitely a sense of patriotism running through Gaby and Andrè’s wedding. With over 100 guests arriving from overseas, they wanted to give them an introduction to their beloved island – so they chose a very traditional church, a venue that is known for highlighting Malta’s history, and provided entertainment with a Maltese touch. “Plus, instead of flowers, our groomsmen wore Maltese brooches, which also gave the outfits a very local flavour,” says Gaby.

46 bliss NOVEMBER 2014 § Real Wedding

“

Along with our 250 Maltese guests, another 100 people had joined us from all over the world, so we wanted to give them a true taste of what Malta is about.

Asked about other highlights, Gaby also has a fond memory of finally sitting down for something to eat with her new husband. “Island Caterers provided our food and they were very sensitive to us; it was so nice of them to bring us over a plate so that we could take a break – especially as we were far hungrier than we had noticed!

It was at that point that Andrè and I were able to take a good look around to see everyone in such high spirits. I remember that we both looked at each other and smiled.”

Now, looking back on the day, they have nothing but happy memories.

“All of the planning was completely worth it and the day was a wonderful stepping-stone to the rest of our lives,” smiles Gaby. “We’re so grateful to

Andrè enjoyed it of course, but he did later say I should stick to karaoke and not give up my day job!”

As for her own favourite moment, Gaby recalls her father-daughter dance with her beloved dad. “It was so special,” she smiles. “Plus, half way through, my sister and mum joined us on the dance floor and that was very emotional. We’re a very close-knit family and the fact that both my sister and I live overseas means that it was particularly wonderful for us to all be together on such an important day.”

”

everyone for being there, and especially to our parents for the love and support they have given us over the years.” n

“

We also had a fireworks display while we cut the cake, which was something that both our local and foreign guests enjoyed.

”

Jewellery § NOVEMBER 2014 bliss 49

A wedding ring like no other

Your wedding is one of the most special and memorable events of your entire life. Planning your big day is exciting but choosing your wedding ring is even more exhilarating as unlike the actual event, it will last a lifetime.

T

he wedding ring has symbolised love and devotion for many years, with the Egyptians believing the circle of the ring symbolised eternity whilst the hole in the centre represented the gateway to future events together.

The physical structure of the ring has changed with different civilisations; however the personal meaning behind the ring has remained constant throughout time. Wedding rings represent the mutual promise of love and commitment, whilst also being an expression of you and your loved one’s individuality.

When buying a wedding ring, your personal preferences will influence the style of ring that you will opt for. There are various factors to consider, with the most common being the quality, design and cost. However, you must also make a decision on the materials to be used and whether your wedding ring is to be two-toned, white gold or yellow gold.

The UNICA brand, available at Classic Jewellers, offers you the ideal personalised wedding ring, designed exclusively for newlyweds-to-be and inspired by your individuality.

You and your partner are invited to participate in the creation of your rings by choosing the materials, combining designs and finishes, and ultimately signing and dedicating the wedding seal to each other. With UNICA, couples can choose the number of stones and setting, the shape, as well as the thickness and engravings of the rings. The result is a unique and special pair of rings that you will enjoy for many years.

The UNICA collection at Classic Jewellers is exclusive, stylish and timeless. The wedding rings are made with the highest quality materials and by the most skilled craftsmen to really add value to your timeless piece of jewellery. In fact, the hand-selected diamonds depict the uniqueness of each piece. This ensures that every ring chosen or made exclusively is no compromise on quality or standard.

You can also make use of the fully equipped workshops and in-house designers at Classic Jewellers. An expert in the field, Classic Jewellers offers a wide selection of wedding rings for your unforgettable day. The company has invested heavily not only

Size 10 for her with 1 diamond – €505, Size 20 for him – €530

Size 10 for her – €915, Size20 for him – €645

Size 10 with 4 diamonds in 2 colours for her – €645, Size 20 for him in 2 colours – €565

in its range but also in the training of personnel to ensure customers are given the best advice and experience when purchasing such a meaningful piece of jewellery. With an in-house team of professional goldsmiths and gemmologists, Classic Jewellers is able to guarantee quality and excellence with every piece made. Today, it continues to employ the best available craftsmen and designers on the island, and to invest in the latest jewellery manufacturing technology, thus being able to offer customers exclusive pieces that meet their desires.

If you have a specific design in mind and want your wedding ring to be unique, Classic Jewellers is your go-to boutique for a limitless choice.

Remember that unlike shopping for an engagement ring, purchasing your wedding ring is something that is generally done together as a couple, so have fun picking out or designing these symbols of your future life together. n

Fashion Fashion§§november NOVEMBER 2014 bliss 51

DRESS: Swarovski beaded designed ball gown, Ivory & Co. JEWELLERY: 18 karat white gold diamond bangle, solitaire brilliant cut diamond earrings, 18 karat white gold wedding ring, and solitaire, brilliant cut engagement ring, Vascas Jewellers.

Autumn

bride Location: Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa, Attard Photographer: Valentina Lupo (www.facebook.com/valentinalupophotography) Photo Shoot Coordinator: Sarah Micallef Hair: Svetlana – Toni & Guy Artistic Team Make-up: Caroline Bond (née Camilleri) using Make Up Store (7906 1197) Model: Chanelle Muscat at models.com.mt

52 bliss NOVEMBER 2014 ยง Fashion

DRESS: This romantic styled ball gown dress beautifully combines satin, lace and tulle details to create an exquisite piece. These details, combined with a waist defining satin belt truly ensure a dream dress. Dress available at Alamango Bridal.

JEWELLERY: 18 karat white gold diamond earrings with South Sea pearl, 18 karat white gold chain with South Sea pearl, 18 karat white gold ring with South Sea pearl and 18 karat white gold wedding ring, 5.9grams with diamonds, Classic Jewellers.

Fashion ยง november 2014 bliss 53

DRESS: Stunning bridal gown in duchess satin by AD of Pronovias Fashion Group. Designed for the most sophisticated of brides, this elegant dress has a boat neckline and lovely bow detail that is reminiscent of the 60s. Bridal gown and accessories only available at WEDDINGBELLS. JEWELLERY: 18 karat white gold diamond earrings with 4.86cts of diamonds, Classic Jewellers.

54 bliss NOVEMBER 2014 ยง Fashion

DRESS: One shoulder pure silk tulle gown with ruched bodice and delicate crystal beading, Mariage.

JEWELLERY: 18 karat white gold diamond bracelet, solitaire brilliant cut diamond earrings and Anteo diamond wedding band, Vascas Jewellers.

Fashion ยง NOVEMBER 2014 bliss 55

DRESS: Stunning ball gown with full skirt and dropped waist corset in beaded French lace. The ultimate fairy tale wedding dress, Mariage.

JEWELLERY: Akoya cultured pearl earrings and bracelet, Anteo diamond wedding band, brilliant cut diamond solitaire ring, and 18 karat white gold chain with Akoya cultured pearl pendant, Vascas Jewellers.

56 bliss NOVEMBER 2014 § Fashion

DRESS: Marte wedding dress from Pronovias’ 2015 collection. Mermaid dress in petit pois tulle, guipure with gemstone embroidery appliqués. Bodice with sweetheart neckline and wide straps, Pronovias.

JEWELLERY: Pasino 18 karat yellow gold necklace with gemstones, Pasino 18 karat yellow gold bracelet with gemstones, Pasino 18 karat yellow gold earrings with gemstones, 18 karat gold ring with gemstones, Borsari silver 925 cuff in a yellow rhodium plating and Vezzaro silver 925 ring in a yellow rhodium plating, Gaba Gioielli.

Fashion ยง NOVEMBER 2014 bliss 57

DRESS: Amaris cocktail dress featuring a geometric beaded print, Pronovias.

JEWELLERY: Vezzaro silver 925 earrings in a yellow rhodium plating, Borsari silver 925 cuff in a brown rhodium plating, silver 925 bangle in a yellow rhodium plating with zircons, Vezzaro silver 925 bangle in a yellow rhodium plating, Vezzaro silver 925 ring in a yellow rhodium plating, Vezzaro silver 925 ring in a brown rhodium plating and Vezzaro silver 925 ring in a brown rhodium plating, Gaba Gioielli.

Wedding Venues § NOVEMBER 2014 bliss 59

Malta’s iconic luxury hotel

lends vintage glamour to your wedding celebration We all yearn for a little luxury. Especially on the most special day of our lives. At the classic Hotel Phoenicia you could live in a five-star bubble permanently.

M

ost Maltese know the Phoenicia by reputation. The name itself conjures up images of old world elegance, of ladies who lunch and a bygone era when class and distinction were of upmost importance. Certainly when Hotel Phoenicia was first built in 1939 it embodied all these things and more. It was the destination for Malta’s socialites and the hotel of choice for dignitaries and celebrities such as Queen Elizabeth II and the Prince Consort, Alec Guinness, Gerard Depardieu, Oliver Reed, Derek Jacobi, Joaquin Phoenix, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Andrew Morton and Patti Smith, to name just a few, and has been the hotel of choice for some of the most important and famous visitors to Malta for almost seven decades.

The Phoenicia is most famous for its sumptuous weddings. Imagine buckets of champagne and a tiered cake to tempt even the most selective sweet tooth. Given its impeccable credentials the Phoenicia creates a warm atmosphere that will set the right tone before you even walk in. This venue is impeccable with 7.5 acres of lush gardens, a poolside setting and a Grand Ballroom all in one space.

These days, the five-star bastion maintains its reputation and takes

its guests on a journey back in time.

Heritage listed, the Phoenicia is like a real life time capsule. You get the feeling that if the walls could talk, they would whisper secrets of luxe and love; of gracious weddings and the type of elegant romance that comes with wealth and status, and occurs safely behind closed doors.

Hotel Phoenicia was Malta’s first five-star hotel, giving it a wealth of history and a unique charm, standing proudly at the gates to Valletta. An imposing Art Deco influence and some truly majestic panoramic views combine with the stunning gardens, perfect for a summer wedding. The retro mood and styling here are just perfect. There are some modern touches of course, and the Phoenicia’s own Wedding Planner is always on-hand to help brides and grooms with all their wedding arrangements. Customised menus compiled by Executive Chef Saul Halevi and his award-winning brigade of chefs are tasted with the couple ahead of their big day. Having attended to so many brides and grooms over the years, practice makes perfect.

There is a repeat element throughout this hotel’s distinguished history: time. Time brings couples together, and it is sometimes a long

period before they finally tie the knot, in true Maltese fashion. A bride’s grandmother or grandparents may have married at the Phoenicia and to keep the family tradition alive today’s bride and groom choose the same path, and who knows it may be passed on to the generations to come.

Hotel Phoenicia is also home to Malta’s longest-established wedding fair, Inspirations Wedding Fair which takes place on 27 and 28 February 2015, and on 1 March with over 40 exhibitors taking part – from wedding services, car rental and honeymoon packages to pre-nuptial events, home furnishings, photographers and entertainment services – all under one roof, in the magnificent Grand Ballroom of the hotel.

Charles Azzopardi, General Manager says “every bride and groom qualify as ‘Distinguished Guests’ at Hotel Phoenicia. Some of our clients have even celebrated their 50th and 60th wedding anniversaries here at the Phoenicia. We wish all the couples who come through our doors a happily married life ever after.” n To find out how you can put the magic into your wedding, call 2291 1061, email weddings@phoeniciamalta.com or visit www.weddings-malta.com

Wedding Shoes § NOVEMBER 2014 bliss 61 Sergio Rossi

Bettye Muller

Love Art Wear Art

Wedding SHOES With so much focus on the wedding dress, let’s not forget about shoes! Here are our picks of what’s hot in bridal footwear.

Badgley Mischka Sergio Rossi

Nicholas Kirkwood

The Dessy Group

Charlotte Olympia

Jimmy Choo

Christian Louboutin

62 bliss NOVEMBER 2014 § 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.

The Sagrestia Vault: Located directly on the Valletta Waterfront is a hidden treasure unknown to most – the Sagrestia Vault. Annexed to the 17th-century 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.

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 stand-alone 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 operated 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.

Under the Stars: The possibilities are endless – the openair 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.

The Promenade: A 275-metre 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 on T: 2567 3114 or E: amcardonaschranz@vallettacruiseport.com

Honeymoon § NOVEMBER 2014 bliss 65

HONEYMOON

dreamland From snorkelling in the stunning Blu Bay to a barbecue in the desert, Justine and Joseph Sammut tell Martina Said about their unforgettable honeymoon on the gorgeous island of Mauritius and the fascinating city of Dubai.

P

lanning a honeymoon was not high on the agenda for Justine and Joseph Sammut amid time-consuming preparations for their wedding last May. However, after an unforgettable 12 days in Mauritius and Dubai, they’re glad they didn’t pass up the opportunity of a lifetime.

Justine, 27 and Joseph, 30, met through family members.

While they spoke on a few occasions prior to the start of their relationship, it wasn’t until Joseph mustered the courage to invite Justine for a chat in order to get to know each other better that they began their journey as a couple. Six years later, they tied the knot, and marked their first travel experience

“

I always wanted to go to an island with lovely beaches and plenty of sun; anywhere really where we could have a memorable time, relax and most importantly have summer weather.

”

together with an unforgettable honeymoon that was planned down to a tee.

“Last November, we met up with a good friend of ours who works with the Cruise and Travel group, and was happy to plan our honeymoon for us,” says Justine. “It was after we got to know more about the island of Mauritius and got to see photos and read books about the place that we both started to feel excited about our honeymoon.” Joseph agrees, adding “it was something I was looking forward to as we had never gone abroad together before. It was important for me as we needed to spend some time together and relax after planning the wedding.”

Mauritius, however, was not always at the top of their list of destinations. Justine says that she dreamed of travelling to Hawaii, Ibiza or Venice for her honeymoon, but none of them really seemed to appeal to Joseph. “I always wanted to go to an island with lovely beaches and plenty of sun; anywhere really where we could have a memorable time, relax and most importantly have summer weather,” says Justine. “Our friend had suggested Mauritius to us, and after researching a bit about the island, we agreed to go there.” Ò ABOVE LEFT: The couple enjoying the greenery and fresh air at Casela Nature and Leisure Park.

BELOW: A day spent relaxing by the Zen pool, surrounded by the Indian Ocean.

66 bliss NOVEMBER 2014 § Honeymoon

atureitasnd N la se a C ed it is v e W re Park, taking in Leisutiful gardens and animals. beau

Just like Justine, Joseph had other destinations in mind: “when we set the date for our wedding, I was hoping to go to Brazil for our honeymoon. I’m an avid Brazil football fan and wished to see a World Cup match; however, buying tickets was too difficult.”

Having both agreed on the destination, the newlyweds set off on their 12-day adventure, with the first seven days spent at Club Med’s La Plantation D’Albion in the Mauritius, followed by five days in Dubai, at the Hilton Jumeirah Beach. “Upon arriving at the resort in Mauritius, we were treated as important guests and offered one of their famous tropical teas. They took us round the resort for us to get more familiar

“

I was looking forward to our honeymoon as we had never gone abroad together before.

”

with the place, and one of the porters drove us to our room,” explains Justine.

“We spent our first day at the resort relaxing by the pool sipping on cocktails and checking out excursions for the rest of the week. Later in the evening we had dinner in the main restaurant, followed by an entertaining show, which the animators prepared every night for guests. Ò

Honeymoon § NOVEMBER 2014 bliss 69

Atlan Water tiPsark in Dub great fuain. was

We also had a different dress code every night – for the opening of the World Cup, for instance, everyone had to wear green or yellow.”

Throughout their stay there, Justine and Joseph took in as many diverse experiences as possible: “we enjoyed a boat trip to La Pointe aux Canonnies, which is another resort close by and a trip to Blu Bay, where we did lots of different activities such as snorkelling, paragliding and feeding monkeys. We also went sailing in the resort we were staying at, and visited Casela Nature and Leisure Park, taking in its beautiful gardens and animals, and enjoyed a tour round the place driving quad bikes. We

“

spent another day in the resort at the Zen Area, where we enjoyed à la carte breakfast, a massage, a Chinese bath and general relaxation.”

Following seven days in paradise, the couple travelled to the bustling city of Dubai for a further five days. “In the few days we spent there, we went on a Jeep safari and ended the evening with a barbecue in the desert, followed by a belly dancing show. Ò

We spent our first day at the resort relaxing by the pool sipping on cocktails.

”

70 bliss NOVEMBER 2014 § Honeymoon

e oppo. rtunity We haed athca mel to rid

We had the opportunity to ride a camel, found time to go swimming in one of the Jumeirah beaches, and also made time for shopping. The day I enjoyed most in Dubai, however, was when we visited Atlantis Water Park – it was great fun and I went on water slides that I would have never dreamed of going on.”

Joseph says he particularly enjoyed Dubai in the evening – “there are many things to see and do outside of the hotel, including plenty of lovely beaches.

Visiting the aquarium was incredible, as we saw a large variety of fish including sharks, sea bream, perch and many

different colourful ones.”

Though their entire experience was blissful and memorable, Justine and Joseph have a particularly fond memory of the time they visited Blu Bay with a speed boat, where they spotted dolphins, tried out paragliding and had lunch on the beach. “The meal we shared on one of the beaches of Mauritius when we went to Blu Bay was memorable. We met other couples, enjoyed relaxing music played by one of the staff, and simply took in every minute of it,” says Joseph. “But if I could

re-live one experience, it would be sailing, as it was something I always wished to try.” Justine says she would opt for paragliding – “seeing the entire island beneath me was unforgettable.” n

Royal Travel – The honeymoon experts The 2015/2016 honeymoon brochure by the local honeymoon experts ROYAL TRAVEL will be launched at the Weddings Fair.

The brochure also features supplementary pages on Mauritius, Secrets/Dreams resorts in the Caribbean and Africa, as well as several cruises.

The ideas put together in this brochure are a few of what Royal Travel has to offer. Besides the packages in the brochure more information may be found at: WWW.ROYALTRAVEL.COM.MT Be sure to visit Royal Travel’s stand at the Weddings Fair being held at MFCC between 6 and 9 November. Collect a copy of their honeymoon brochure and meet with the professional travel consultants to discuss your honeymoon plans.

Check out this 100-plus page brochure, packed with honeymoon ideas and exciting packages.

Royal Travel is introducing packages to the Philippines and to Nepal – home to the Himalayas.

Also featured for the first time are other destinations and resorts such as Kilimanjaro, Cappadocia, Abu Dhabi and the unique hotel Six Senses Zighy Bay in Oman.

Royal Travel Ltd, 68, Triq Geronimo Abos, Iklin.

T: 2141 8888; E: info@royaltravel.com.mt; www.royaltravel.com.mt

Home § NOVEMBER 2014 bliss 73

A home fit for royalty

Photos by Alan Carville

From a luxurious living room and sizeable kitchen to intelligent lighting and a splendid infinity pool, there was no room for short-cuts with the construction and design of this stunning Iklin home.

Martina Said meets its owners just over a year and a half since moving in.

A

s I set foot inside the home of Bjorn Kuijt and Moira Kuijt Scicluna, shutting the wooden panelled gate behind me, I am transported to a place that appears very far removed from the average Maltese household. The parameters of the house are cordoned off with tasteful wooden decking, and the path to the main door of the house accentuated by turf to its left for the kids to play on. From such a vantage point, a view of the silent city is vividly in sight, bathed in balmy evening light, giving the entire vista an incredible aura.

The exterior of the house is painted white, a theme that continues inside, albeit with touches of bold colour that inject a contemporary feel into the space.

Before even seeing the rest of the house, it is easy to realise that their spacious kitchen and living room were given their undivided attention.

“What I realised over the past 15 years is that my husband and I live and entertain in the living room,” says Moira.

“I discussed some necessities with the architects from Forward Architects before we started building, to ensure that what we wanted was possible – which was a living room with a view, so that being inside makes you feel as though you’re outside. I also knew I didn’t want a formal dining and sitting room as people no longer use them; we wanted separate work spaces since we work from home; at least four bedrooms because we get a lot of visitors and family from abroad coming over to stay with us; and of course we wanted to keep the view with the pool and living area all at one level.”

From the outside, the size of the building looks moderately large, but it is deceptively bigger from the inside.

It is 54 metres long and full of glass, giving the property its modern edge, and accentuating the stunning view, which is, Moira believes, the best aspect of the house. “Being high on a hill and exposed to all the elements, we had to be very careful when selecting the glass for the façade. The picture window at the front of the house weighs over 1,000 kilos alone, and was a massive job by itself.

Upstairs, 75 per cent of the façade is glass, the rest is stone. In fact, people tease us that we live in an aquarium.”

Because they wanted to enjoy the view in the living area, the house had to be constructed in an ‘upside down’ way, with the bedrooms downstairs – of which there are three, all en suite, and the master quarters with an adjacent walk-in wardrobe – together with a games room and gym, while the living and kitchen area are upstairs. Ò

74 bliss NOVEMBER 2014 § Home

“

The picture window at the front of the house weighs over 1,000 kilos alone, and was a massive job by itself.

”

“The architect cleverly designed the lower floor with large doors of three metres in height for plenty of natural light, so that you never feel like you’re actually downstairs. There’s also a courtyard with a lawn adjacent to the master bedroom, and another two courtyards in the rest of the living quarters, which allow all the rooms downstairs to have natural daylight.”

An unmistakable feature of the house is its extensive use of technology. “You’ll notice there are no boxes around the house – DVD players, internet boxes and such, which is aesthetically pleasing,” says Bjorn.

“Same thing with the sound, we didn’t want visible speakers in sight, because as nice as they look nowadays, you don’t really want to see them. So we built all the speakers into the ceiling, and installed a singular server system where all audio and video devices come together. Ò

Home § NOVEMBER 2014 bliss 77

All the TVs in the house are connected centrally to that server, and the remote controls allow you to select what you want to watch, what music you want to hear, in which room, at your leisure. Music settings for different zones in the house can also be operated from our phones or tablets.”

For the most part, the walls inside the house are painted white or decorated with neutral wallpaper, just like the custommade furniture all around the house, which is mainly sand, taupe, brown, black and white in colour, and accessorised with bright items in a consistent theme. “We kept the base neutral with touches of colour, such as the living room which is finished with turquoise accessories, namely vases, cushions, paintings and armchairs. If we decide to vary the colour scheme, then for the armchairs, for instance, the upholsterer will only need to change the front fabric as the back is a plain dark colour. Changing the details will transform the whole face of a room.”

Moira adds that one of the main reasons they opted for custom-made furniture, such as the dining table and large sofa, is for the flexibility of accommodating lots of people at once Ò

In spite of the house’s modern and high-tech appearance, Moira says it is practical and suits the family’s needs to a tee.

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when entertaining in large numbers, which they often do. “On Sundays we have lots of family over, sometimes over 14 people and I hated the fact that when we entertained in our previous house, there would only be space for eight people to sit. I would always be the one sitting on a puff or on a chair because as a host you ensure your guests are comfortable first, so I wanted to make it possible that if a number of people were over, they would be able to sit down on the sofa. Same with the table, which is why we have a 14-seating table to accommodate everyone.”

In spite of the house’s modern and

high-tech appearance, Moira says it is practical and suits the family’s needs to a tee. “I would say that the style of the house is modern but contemporary.

I don’t like uncomfortable chairs just because they’re modern and we made it a point to include the things we make daily use of and that work for us,” she asserts.

“For instance, since we travel a lot, we wanted a good alarm system in place, which allows us to monitor our home from overseas. Since we entertain so much, we wanted a large living room and spacious outdoor area. My husband loves coffee so he wanted an inbuilt coffee machine and I love cooking so I wanted a well-furnished kitchen.”

The outdoor area is equipped with a fascinating infinity pool that enjoys the same view as the living room and a spacious barbecue area for hosting parties. While work still remains to be done inside the house, the couple is proud of how far it’s come in such a short space of time. “We managed to dig, build and finish the house in 15 months, which really was a record time, although I was there every single day to monitor its progress,” says Moira. “But we love it just the way it is – up on this hill, you forget you are on a busy island, and hear nothing except for birds and crickets, which we think is one of the best parts of living here.” n

Home § NOVEMBER 2014 bliss 81

Embracing nostalgia vintage décor at home

Looking to the past for inspiration when decorating your home has become a popular design trend, with many homeowners looking to infuse a little nostalgia into their modern space.

Sarah Micallef discovers how to successfully pull off a vintage interior design style while retaining a contemporary edge.

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vintage design style when it comes to decorating your home is a major trend at the moment, but what many people don’t know is that the trend draws inspiration from a specific era and sensibility, and does not simply refer to anything that ‘isn’t quite new’. What’s more, vintage pieces should be paired intelligently within a space to achieve the desired modern look and avoid looking old-fashioned.

Vintage interior design largely refers to the distinct mix and match look reminiscent of the forties and early fifties, drawing inspiration from the design feeling at a time when decorating started to become fun again, after a long period of ‘making do’ during World War II. The increasingly popular trend nowadays is characterised by upcycled or reproduction vintage bric-àbrac which, when teamed with the right colours and textures, can really elevate your space. Here’s how to achieve a vintage interior design look in your home:

ÓHandpainted vintage Sideboard by Ruby Rhino

Colour

Opt for neutral tones surrounding a bolder colour for added impact. Avoid colours which are too bright as they might overshadow and jar with this design style – instead, go for muted tones and pastel shades to make the most of your vintage details. Off white for example goes perfectly with pale colours like eggshell blue and mint, and muted, natural tones like mushroom add an elegant air. Natural textures like wood grain and slate also make for a beautiful backdrop when showcasing vintage details.

ÓDining Room by Frans Uyterlinde

Walls .com

ÓBathroom via Mcgore

There are a few options to consider when selecting wall treatments to go with your vintage design style. Whitewashed walls provide a modern backdrop which can place the focus on bold furniture pieces, while floral or bold patterned wallpaper can also add something special to the space – just be careful it doesn’t start Ò

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looking too busy by striking a balance with additional patterns within the room.

Moreover, while exposed brick works beautifully with this style overseas, our own exposed limestone walls can also lend themselves well to the style, particularly within character homes.

Floor

Floors that complement this style the most include hard wood flooring, comprising either parquet or floor boards. The ch Cottage ÓVintage décor by A Bea natural colours and textures of the wood carry on the elegant colour scheme and add warmth to the space. Another choice that is gaining popularity locally is traditional patterned Maltese tiles. If you’ve purchased an old house that already has these, look into restoring and cleaning them to bring out their bright colours.

ÓStudy via Yitlo.com

Top Tip

FLOORS If your house didn’t come with traditional tiles, you can either order new ones from one of the small number of traditional tile makers that are still in operation today or look into acquiring old ones which have been removed from a house whose owners are no longer interested in them. Try online forums or resources like Recycle Malta or Malta Park to track these down.

Furniture & Décor

Pieces of furniture like sideboards, cabinetry and display units are standout pieces within this design style. To avoid making your space look old fashioned, go for a curated mix of elegant, modern furniture with distressed vintage pieces in coordinating colours and finishes for an authentic feel. Aside from buying modern pieces in vintage styles, you can also opt to upcycle and renovate old pieces if you fancy (and are good at) a bit of DIY. Ò

ÓKitchen by Madeleine Pettersson

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Retro Appliances

Vintage style dresser via Home Interior Designs (www.aldovega.com)

Top Tip

Furniture & Décor Hunt for interesting items that could use a bit of TLC at flea markets and charity shops – you could find some gems at rock bottom prices this way, and the possibilities are endless in terms of techniques you can apply, ranging from distressing to painting, spraying and decoupage.

Alternatively, if you’re not interested in treating old pieces yourself, you can seek out original pieces which are in good condition from antique dealers and auctions – but these will, more often than not, fetch a pretty penny.

Desk setup by Ikea

If you’re looking to add some vintage flair to your kitchen without making it look dated, the same formula applies – mix and match old and new. A number of companies are also catching on to this trend and designing retro style appliances including refrigerators, toasters, cookers, kettles, weighing scales and mixers, to mention a few. As with other rooms in the house, opt for a neutral palette to complement the style, choosing an interesting accent colour to bring everything together.

Modern white cabinetry or natural wood grain goes beautifully with pale and pastel shades here, but you can also go for a pop of the unexpected to liven things up – think burnt orange, turquoise or even fuchsia, if you’re feeling brave! n Vintage inspired mixer by KitchenAid

Wedding Directory § NOVEMBER 2014 bliss 87

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Alistair

ÓAlistair is a floral design and décor company, run by Alistair, a freelance florist with extensive experience in wedding and events floristry who works with a small team of experienced florists and creative minds. Get in touch with us for a free consultation meeting. T: 2722 3334; E: info@alistairfenech.com

ÔElegant and tasteful music for your wedding ceremony or reception? Corazon is a young, experienced singer with a wide repertoire to suit your tastes. Various musical set-ups (duo, trio, band) are available on request, offering personalised service and attention. For a free quotation contact M: 9956 7899 or E: corazonmizzi@gmail.com

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Moulin Rouge for NYE

ÔThis New Year’s Eve the Corinthia Palace Hotel & Spa in Attard is embracing the passionate spirit of Paris for a racy Moulin Rouge-inspired extravaganza! Raise flowing glasses of champagne, dine on an exquisite six-course menu and enjoy the high-kicks and fabulous frivolity of the era’s famous showgirls. Book now. T: 2544 2101.

Alamango Bridal

ÓWith international brands such as Maggie Sottero, Mon Cheri and many others under one roof, sourcing your dream dress locally has never been easier! Alamango Bridal is now also stocking an exquisite range of plus size wedding gowns for the curvier bride, as well as offering bespoke haute couture tailoring services. Alamango Bridal Ltd, 95, Manoel De Vilhena Street, Gzira. T: 2131 4331; E: bridal@alamango.com.mt; www.alamango. com.mt; facebook.com/alamangomalta

Corazon

The Cordina €30,000 wedding bonanza

Ô20 couples are to win up to €2,000 off their wedding catering thanks to Cordina Outside Catering! For more than 175 years, Cordina Outside Catering’s service promise has been built on quality, elegance and novelty that truly offers you a bespoke wedding with an innovative twist. Contact us today to discover our latest creations and value-for-money packages. Caffe Cordina, 244, Republic Street, Valletta. T: 2124 3385; E: info@ caffecordina.com; www.caffecordina.com

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Classic Jewellers

ÓClassic Jewellers hear wedding bells!

Preview our exquisite collection of over 1,000 wedding rings that is the epitome of class and elegance. 18 karat white and rose gold rings with satin finish and 11 diamonds for ladies, and 18 karat white and rose gold rings with satin finish for gents, for only €965 and €685, respectively. Each ring is especially made for each individual, with customisable width, colour, finish and diamond quantity.

Visit our store in Valletta or Sliema today!

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Doves D’Amour

ÔMake your special day a spectacular one to remember by celebrating it with a White Dove Release, the finishing touch to any special occasion. Symbol of freedom, love and peace.

M: 9965 8640/9986 4282; E: dovesdamour@ hotmail.com; www.facebook.com/ dovesdamour.

88 bliss NOVEMBER 2014 § Wedding Directory

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Party Smart – Monsoon Children

ÔTailored just for him, our suiting pieces are a smart choice for page boys or party goers. Monsoon’s boy occasion wear ensures your little boy stands out from the crowd!

MONSOON CHILDREN, Bisazza Street, Sliema, Republic Street, Valletta and The Duke, Gozo.

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Fotogenic Studio

ÓWeddings are our specialisation at Fotogenic Studio. We cater for any wedding style and we adapt to our clients’ needs. Charles at Fotogenic Studio is the most qualified and awarded wedding photographer on the island. We accept one wedding a day, because we believe in quality and creativity. Fotogenic Studio, 34, Triq ilFerrovija, Hamrun. T: 2144 5647; M: 7945 1246; E: photos@fotogenicstudio.com

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Gaba Décor

ÓTailor your wedding list with class and exclusivity at Gaba Décor in Iklin with enduring items from their exquisite ranges of tableware, household items, glassware and crystal by an impressive line-up of world brands such as Wedgwood, LSA International, Waterford, Carrs and Murano.

E: decor@gaba.com.mt; www.gaba.com.mt

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Hotel Phoenicia

ÔTradition, coupled with constant innovation, keeps the Hotel Phoenicia at the forefront of the Malta weddings scene on the island. The hotel offers a variety of both indoor and outdoor venues so whether you are planning an extravagant, large wedding or a small intimate wedding with family and close friends, the right venue is chosen. At Hotel Phoenicia each wedding reception is specially made to suit your individual preferences. Your dream wedding starts here! Call the Weddings Executive on T: 2291 1061 or email on E: weddings@phoeniciamalta. com for more information about wedding venues and packages. Hotel Phoenicia Malta, The Mall, Floriana.

An unforgettable day needs one unforgettable dress

ÓPronovias is all about making your childhood dream of a memorable wedding, a reality. Unique timelessness and unyielding elegance distinguish Pronovias where any dress you choose will bring you sophistication and pride. PRONOVIAS Bridalwear is exclusively available locally at The Strand in Gzira. www.pronovias.com

King Shoe Shop

ÓECCO’s latest addition to their dress shoe collection – ECCO Cairo. Classic smart men’s shoe with contemporary stitch detailing across the toe for a tasteful twist on tradition. Lightweight outsole ensures comfortable and easy movement while remaining highly durable. Part-leather lining offers boosted longevity, breathability and effortless comfort. View the full collection online www.ecco-shoes.com.mt or at any King Shoe Shop outlet.

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Visage

ÓVisage offers a professional DJ service with over 15 years of experience and operation. We will supply your wedding with the best equipment and entertain any size of crowd. We have achieved it all. There is very little to say about us… Make your day memorable with Visage. T: 2146 3607; M: 9947 3535; E: info@visagesound.com/ visageltd@gmail.com

90 bliss november NOVEMBER 2014 § Vintage Wedding wedding

and catering, and that was that. We got married in December because I was a teacher and had no choice but to get married during a holiday period. I was also an officer in the Territorial Army, and exchanged vows in full uniform.”

Gloria’s wedding dress was made by her mother, using silk taffeta fabric she had bought from camilleriparismode, and decorated with handmade lily of the valley flowers on the skirt and headdress.

She was accompanied by one bridesmaid dressed in a dusty pink dress, and her niece and nephew, Sabrina and Mark, as flower girl and page boy.

“I enjoyed the whole wedding,” says Gloria, “but coming out of the church was a beautiful moment for me, walking under the raised swords of Frank’s army colleagues.” Frank says that, while his nerves got the better of him that morning, he somewhat managed to get into the swing of it, “although I kept thinking that the sooner I am out of this the better,” he jibes.

After 53 years of wedded bliss, two children and five grandchildren, Gloria and Frank say that their relationship has worked based on love, respect and meeting each other half way. “You must respect the identity of the other person,” she says. “I might be a romantic, but I believe that if you love each other, you make it work.” n

you had me atHello “I was struck by his looks,” says Gloria Mizzi candidly of the first time she spotted her then husband-to-be. “He was extremely good-looking.” Frank Mizzi smiles and nods silently, agreeing that Gloria’s looks also caught his eye first, but being eight years her senior, he wasn’t giving it as much thought as she was the day they first locked eyes on a bus.

“It was 1956, and a group of us were going on a picnic to Ghajn Tuffieha, which is something we did a lot in those days,” says Gloria. “We used to rent a bus to take us there, and we were waiting to collect the last few people who hadn’t turned up. The bus started moving, and Frank arrived just in time. That was the first time I saw him. After picnics, we used to go dancing in St Paul’s Bay, at the West End Hotel, and I obviously wanted to go this time in the hope that he would ask me to dance, which he eventually did. I was terrified of going home that night as it was later than I was allowed to stay out.”

Gloria says the first time they met left a greater effect on her than it did

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on Frank, probably because she was only 16 years old. “I was still in school, and I suppose it was quite an age gap for those days, but love is blind,” she chuckles. Frank, seated besides Gloria on their sofa, lets out a quiet laugh – “cradle snatcher”.

The couple were an item for five years before tying the knot on 26 December, 1961 at St Gregory’s Church in Sliema, followed by a reception at the Phoenicia Hotel, when Gloria was 22 years old. During that time, however, Frank was away for two years, at a stretch of one year at a time on scholarships, and once he had settled back in Malta, getting married seemed like the right thing to do. “I don’t remember him ever proposing,” says Gloria matter-of-factly, and Frank agrees that it was based on mutual consent.

“My mother planned the entire wedding. I didn’t mind as I just wanted to get married” says Gloria. Frank adds, “things were simpler then – you ordered the invitations, booked the hall

I was still in school, and I suppose it was quite an age gap for those days, but love is blind.

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Photo by Alan Carville

It’s been over 50 years since they first exchanged glances, but Frank and Gloria Mizzi have retained an infectious youthfulness that is honest and captivating. Martina Said chats to the couple about their wedding day.