West Aussie Wedding

Del & Charlie- WA wedding!

Prepare yourself for some West Aussie Wedding Gorgeousness..!!

The lovely Del and Charlie got married late last year.. their beautiful wedding was full of laid back charm and beautiful personal touches... all set against a beautiful West Aussie Hills backdrop! My favourite!

Del talks us through her wedding planning...

Mr. and I are not religious and always wanted a garden wedding followed by a
fun, light and easy reception with great food and loads of laughter. After
dragging ourselves to every winery in the valley we decided that actually
none of these suited or had the feel of what we were after. My Aunt and
Uncle had recently purchased a 25 acre block in Glen Forrest - they had lots
of trees and  enough space for a marquee!

We felt unsure about how they would respond to us saying "So....can we have
our wedding at your place?" But we plucked up the courage and they not only
said YES but were ecstatic at the thought. In fact they were building a big
deck around their new home which overlooks the valley which we could use
instead of worrying about a marquee - perfect

I began to draw loads of inspiration from bridal blogs particularly of West
Aussie Wedding and Ruffled. We wanted the overall event to be unique, fun
and to reflect our personalities. There was so much DIY that I loved even
though I would not consider myself to be crafty, I picked a few favourite
projects to have a go of.

Invitations
My father is an extremely talented photographer and very good at graphic
design so it began with the invitations. I wanted a silhouette of us and in
the background our high school (we are high school sweethearts - not sure if
that is cute or cringe worthy.)

We then also took a picture of the tree we decided we were going to have the
ceremony under and used that image in the invitation.

 
photo by Odelia Sarre
 
photo by Odelia Sarre

Ceremony Seating
I had seen hay bale lounges covered with quilts everywhere and loved it! My
grandparents are farmers and my grandmother makes everyone in my family a
quilt when they have a big birthday. So we had enough quilts and ordered
bales after I convinced my grandparents they didn't have to grow hay that
year "just so that it would be the right colour.

 
 

Dress
My favourite gown I found was on West Aussie Wedding blog it was by
Castigliano International. I hit many of the "off the rack" bridal stores
and found nothing to my taste, they all looked the same, white with beads. I
then hit a few of the couture designers, I still felt they did not
understand what I was after, that was until I went to Kevin at Galleria
Couture. Those of you that have been to him will be able to relate - he just
gets it and he was the only one who didn't constantly go on about how little
time there was left. You have to have faith in him right until the end
though as I really didn't feel as though I knew what my dress was going to
look like until my final fitting one week before the day!

  
photo by Rob Alla
 
  
photo by Rob Alla

 
photo by Rob Alla

Food & Booze
The beauty of having the ceremony and reception on a private property meant
that we could have anything we wanted! We found an amazing local caterer
Brush Fork and Pencil who offered incredible cocktail menus (so substantial
that our guests didn't have to hit the McDonalds drive thru on the way
home.) We also selected our favourite spirits and did a delicious raspberry
cocktail. I also bought water bottles and covered them with personalised
labels I designed myself, this was actually the easiest project to DIY.

 

 

 
photo by Odelia Sarre

Cake
I loved the cake that I had seen everywhere with the rustic wood stand. Mr.
doesn't like cake (and yet I still married him) and asked if we could have
"that stuff they put on top - the chocolate bit." My favourite dessert is my
grandmothers hedgehog - she suggested we have a hedgehog covered in white
chocolate ganache! DEAL we said! She made this for us a few days before the
wedding along and covered it with organza flowers (another DIY favourite on
all the wedding blogs.) She made the flowers well before the wedding - in
time for her singed eyebrows to grow back she reckons (if you have seen the
project you will understand.)

 

Flowers
I wasn't really bothered with bouquets and centrepieces, we were having a
cocktail reception as we felt people would mingle more. I did however like
the idea of a hanging arrangement. Luckily I have brilliant grandparents who
designed and built from scratch two hanging baskets -more  6 feet in
diameter which the day before we filled with native bush and chrysanthemums

 

 

Photography
Being in the photographic industry and knowing many of the wonderful
photographers we have in Perth - this for me was the most difficult decision
to make. I had been watching Robert Alla's work and knew he would hit it off
with the Mr. He brought his friend along on the day hoping I wouldn't mind,
Rocco Ancora (Australian Wedding Photographer of the Year who flew in from
Melbourne.) I had high expectations and they went along with all of my ideas
- even jumping on the trampoline!

 
photo by Rob Alla

 
photo by Rob Alla

 
photo by Rob Alla

Photobooth
Worth every cent! We got guests to put one pic in our "guest book" and write
a note. It was an absolute hit (especially the props) and the photos still
crack us up!  

 
 

 We had an amazing day overall, if we can continue to surround ourselves with
the beautiful love that was there that day emanating from our friends and
family I'm sure married life will be a success. I didn't have all the things
people said I "had to have" (such as favours) and am glad I didn't. To other
brides - it is totally worth all the preparation on the actual day and don't
be dramatic it's not that hard to plan a wedding. Have your favourite things
and invite your favourite people and at the end of the day so long as you
are married to your sweetheart that's all that matters.

Love your work Del!

You can check out more of Del's magic at Sarre Photography

 

wedding season

It's in full swing!

I have to note that since our own wedding earlier this year I have simply loved being a guest at other peoples weddings.

Compared to being the Bride and Groom it's just so easy. And so fun. All you have to do is rock up in your favourite outfit, eat, drink and be merry! No stress or fuss or planning required.

I have been to some gorgeous weddings this spring and summer.

They've all been so different, but all so cool.

 

image via WeHeartIt

I will be back with some of my favourite details soon.

In the meantime... I hope all the summer brides are enjoying their wedding planning!!

 

Perth Hills Discovery Centre

This is our wedding venue.

It's on Allen Road in Mundaring, behind the Visitors Centre, nestled on the edge of the National Park.

There is the bush ampitheater where we have our ceremony, and less than 500m away is the open sided pavillion where we have our reception.

These photos were taken by me a year before we had the wedding

 
 
The Perth Hills National Parks Centre is open to the public from 9am-4pm each day, and we hired out the whole site including the camp ground for about $450.

You are renting just the space so you can BYO alcohol and use any caterers you chose. You can decorate how you want. You can make as much moise as you like and stay as late as want. It has power and lights and there are toilets on site. There is lots of parking and there are some rooms also available for hire.

We timed our ceremony for 4.30pm so that the Visitors Centre would be closed and we would have the place to totally ourselves. It is a good time of day up there as the ampitheatre is in complete shade and the kangaroos start jumping around in the bush.

You probably remember the hiccup we had with our booking, but I wouldn't want that to put anyone off having their wedding here. It was a double booking caused when they changed computer system, so would be unlikely to be repeated.

I feel so lucky to have found this beautiful bushland venue! 

high brow beauty

I decided we should indulge in some pre-wedding pampering the day before the wedding.

Originally I had this grand plan to book us if for the Bridal Party package at Escape Day Spa.

You get to chose get three mini treatments (mani, pedi, exfoliation, facial, massage or aromatherapy shower) and it goes for an hour and half. It would mean fluffy gowns, scented candles, soft background music...

But it has been canned because:

We will have had our fake tans, which rules out most of those treatments listed.

BM1 couldn't do it too late because her boyfriend is arriving from Melbourne that afternoon

And BM2 couldn't do it too early as she has to work

And it costs $210/pp which is a bit steep.

So instead we are going to slum it down at the local shopping centre.

image via MixnMatch

We will head to Nails Today where the Vietmanese girls in dust masks to file our toe and fingernails into perfection for $60 and you don't need an appointment

Then we can go to the Beauticans inside the hairdressers, where we can listen to 92.9 fm blaring away while they tint the hairs we like, and wax the hairs we don't.

We will come out looking the same as if we'd been at Escape.

There is one beauty indulgence that I won't compromise on, and that is having my eyebrows done by Ainslie.

An eyebrow shaping sets you back about $40 and usually takes at least half an hour, but this is no garden variety eyebrow wax! She assesses your face shape, your natural eyebrow contour and does some magic trick where you leave her salon looking younger and healthier and foxier than you walked in. I made my appointment with her months ago, because you have to she books out about 5 weeks in advance. Highly recommened Perthies! 

And if it's your thing, there are more Brides with ciggies here and here

two weeks

I'm in Perth this weekend because I have some practical components to do for my Gemmology Course.

I normally enjoy looking and learning about all the different gemstones, but I won't lie..

At the moment it feels like a big fat nusiance.

   
You little Bastards!       image via Can-dotownMD.org
  

I'm finding it hard to give assignments and practicals my full attention when there is two measly weeks until our wedding.

Not very long is it?!

The proximity of our wedding date hit home yesterday when I was eating some yogurt.
I noticed it had a 'used by' post-dating our wedding.. I will be married before that dairy product goes off..!   and we all know dairy has a short shelf life.. Eep!

It's also at the point now, whenever I buy or organise anything wedding related people invariably say to me 'leaving it a bit late aren't ya?'

Our friends from Overseas are starting to arrive next week. And I'm feeling guilty as I will be back up North by the time they get here, and won't be back down until the week before the wedding.

The Celebrant has sent us the first draft of the ceremony, which we have chopped and changed and ummed and ahhed over a few readings...  now waiting for the next draft.

We've had some last minute additions and subtractions to our guest list. 
An addition being a couple who we originally left off mainly because we don't catch up very often. However during lunch together last week I couldnt stop thinking 'I want you at our wedding' and the feeling didnt go away. So we asked them. I did feel a bit awkward bringing it up as obviously raises the question why werent they invited in the first place, but she is an understanding soul and was stoked to be asked and I'm stoked they're coming. Yay!
A subtraction being some of the Mr's unreliable mates who have taken the time off work to go to his bucks party but not his wedding. (WTF?)

Had my dress fitting yesterday. Three cheers for the dressmaker actually showing up!! Dress looked so good with the hem up and the sides pinned, more like wedding dress, less like little girl playing dressups. 

Still in two minds about the veil, but just like a good little consumer, I have ordered one just in case. From Wedding Veils Australia. Their website is a bit daggy looking but Pat has been so lovely and really helpful and the service is fast. I went with the Allure Veil in ivory- which is a very subtle, round cut, single tier fingertip veil. (4 days ago I had no idea what any of those adjectives meant)
It is due to arrive before my next dress fitting so will give it a test run then.

 I have updated my To-Do list for the next fortnight

 

The Wedding Workshop

The first Wedding Workshop for 2010 is being held at Villa Kula on March 24th!

It will be a cocktail style event held at this breath-taking venue.

  

The Wedding Workshop is the brainchild of Perth Wedding Planner Cathrin D'Entremont. The events have been running several times a year since 2006 and the idea is that you get advice and suggestions from variety of local vendors, including demonstrations and samples and the chance to ask questions in a low pressure environment.

If it wasn't the same week as my wedding, I'd be going just to perve on the glorious Villa Kula tent.

For more information check out The Wedding Workshop Blog

Como Croquet Club

 

I want to elaborate on my friends recent Hens party because this place totally made the night!

Everyone should have their party here! Highly recommended for a super chilled out non seedy hens option!

The Como Croquet Club is on the Como foreshore, next to a park, with a view of the river. It costs $10/head to play croquet (this includes exclusive use of the clubhouse, all equipment and instruction from the lovely club members), It's $6 to hire the bbq, and $4 if you put on the lights for the green. It's BYO food and alcohol so you can bring along whatever you like. You can stay until 10pm which is when they have to turn off the lights.

We got there about 6pm. We were shown the ropes by the sweetest, most lovely club members, who were incredibly laid back and enjoyed some Pimms and champers with us.

Our hot Brazilian chef cooked the bbq while we played and then we ate out on the veranda. We'd bought our own tunes and so while some people continued to play croquet under the lights, the rest of us mingled and chatted and danced to the tunes we had going. It was such a beautiful chilled out venue! 

Our Hen was saying she wished she was having her wedding there.

There were 15 of us girls and the use of the venue, bbq and croquet lessons came to $160, plus the costs of food and alcohol that we bought in. Such a good deal!

It's a nice central location.. we had some pre-drinks at the cruisy pub down the road, and had a hotel room over the road booked for later on and both were within strolling distance, which made it all so easy. 

And if you wanted to take it up a notch you could have an Alice in Wonderland Mat hatters tea party theme..

For more info:

 
  
   

Bickley Wedding

A few weeks ago one of my friends held her birthday party down at Bickley Outdoor Recreation Camp.

It went off! Such a fantastic venue for a really laid back party, complete with a bonfire, swimming, bbq and lounging in the shade. Most of us stayed the night so were able to really let their hair down

Only 30 minutes from the city and a really tranquil native setting

It's got beautiful green grass on a gentle slope with a river running through surrounded by native bush. It has a paved ampitheatre that would be a great location for a ceremony. Or there is the river bank.

It has nice wooden dormitories that sleep over 70 people. Nice bathrooms and shower facilities!

It has a industrial sized kitchen and a quaint hall as an indoor option.

Reminding me somewhat of Nanga Bush Camp

 

Gilberts Wines

There are Wine-Makers on the Mr. side of the family! Yes thats right not just drinkers, makers

My future Mother-in-laws family. They have a vineyard and winery in Mount Barker, Gilberts Wines, where we considered having our wedding but didn't because Mount Barker is just a little bit far.

But we thought it would be a really nice touch to serve their wines at our wedding.

They have lots of experience with weddings and are helping us work out the best crowd pleasing combinations to serve at the wedding. Yay for family!

For more information Gilbert Wines
  

Friday 13th

Hello Everyone.. hope you having a good Friday and nothing too spooky is going on.

 
  
image from lord of design

I've had a productive week on the wedding planning front..

I had my hair and makeup trial with the lovely and talented Thiana Sperry, which went really well, am very excited to have her in charge of making me look good!

Had a meeting with our caterers BBB to discuss the dessert options. They are not only taking care of the food but sorting out the setup of ceremony and reception for us which is cool as I know they are really on board with the vibe we want.

Ordered our wedding rings from Fabuluster! They will be plain white gold bands on the outside with an impression of each others fingerprint on the inside. We are just waiting for our wax fingerprint kit to arrive in the mail.

I ordered my wedding earrings! Yippeee!

And a less fun job we did was finalise our guest list. It involved a couple of tricky decisions and a bit of mucking around but it is done. We'll have 155 invitees and I'd love every single one of them to be there. Nice feeling.

Gemma Ward

One of Perths more successful modelling exports

 
image via Model And Me

 
image by Paolo Reversi, via A Glamorous LIttle Side Project  

 
photo by Steven Miesel via {This is Glamorous}

Another smokin' Bride here and here

This second photo has a similar mood to this one

And inspired by that last pic.. you can be a naughty ballerina or nice ballerina

 

Glam Portaloos

Ok not a subject for polite company as my Grandma would say, but it's worth a mention.

I saw an advert for VIP Restrooms in last weeks newspaper and I'm really happy this kind of service is available in WA!

Three Cheers for Portaloos that aren't rank!!

They actually look even better than not rank.. I'd say they look even pleasant.

Flowers, artwork, big mirrors, counter for fixing hair and makeup.. noice.

 
  
This would be a great option for those who are considering a big backyard or country wedding and need a bit of extra bathroom space... We considered a few more remote venues that required portable toilets and in each case decided not too because I didn't like the idea of portaloos bringing the event down.