We don’t mind saying, we put together The Best bridal photo shoots for our free online bridal magazine. Capital ‘T’, capital ‘B’.

Today I wanted to show you a little sneaky look at what goes on behind the scenes at one of our shoots. Namely, this one that took place in a mansion private estate in Buderim for our most recent volume of The Bride’s Tree Magazine.

Vendors

The Location

Malumba Estate is breathtaking 10-acre retreat, is as glamorous and opulent as it is relaxing – think ocean views, lavender, wisteria, Verve Cliquot, and lawn games. The house itself is a sprawling Hampton’s haven with all the mod cons alongside its modern classic decor. A truly luxe setting for an ultimately private wedding.

Ceremony and Reception Styling

Our styling and floristry teams worked hard all day to install an epic reception table setting, complete with lighting tunnel. If you can have one big impact styling element like this one by Splash Events at your wedding, it will never be forgotten! Meanwhile, we can tell you that what might seem like a super glam job, being a florist involves a lot of climbing ladders and hard work along with the pretty designing side. Branch & Blossom definitely make it look effortless, though, and the result is nothing short of superb. 

The Beauty Team

Our hand-picked team worked together to come up with a romantic, natural hair and makeup style. Evalyn Parsons created voluminous curls in our model, Maddyson’s, long locks, while Melita from Boudoir Blush Makeup Artistry applied a gorgeous warm smokey-eye makeup design. Our celebrant, Beth, of I Heart Ceremonies  was also given the royal treatment – she looks right at home in  hair and makeup! 

Recreating a Pampering Morning

For this shoot, we really wanted to showcase the experience of having a wedding day morning in a luxury estate. Aside from the gorgeous location, it’s all about the little moments and special details, like putting on those pretty Pjs, and receiving a thoughtful gift. We dressed our model in the Hydrangea Blue Maggie Set by Piyama, and her gift box came from The Wholesome Gift Box.

The Cake

If you thought we were all tucking into this three-tier cake at the end of the day, I’m sorry to report that’s not the case. Cakes for styled shoots are typically made on foam blocks! However, the ever-lovely Jessie & Co. kept us all sustained with some extra treats she brought along to share. If I close my eyes, I can still taste her brownies… mm-hmm…!

Mock Ceremony

Our models, Tino and Maddyson, are a real life couple, who recently became engaged for reals! So it was very sweet to watch on as they experienced a mock wedding for the first time with Beth Stevenson fromI Heart Ceremonies. Then The Famos. Duo serenaded us all, putting everyone in the mood for romance!

Signature Cocktails

A luxe addition to any style of wedding is a signature cocktail… or several! We invited The Cellar Van by Vanteen Catering to come along and create their most aesthetically pleasing cocktails for us. Gosh, they didn’t disappoint, just look at these delightful drinkies!

The post Behind the Scenes on our Bridal Magazine Shoot in a Mansion appeared first on The Bride's Tree.

When we put together a styled bridal inspiration shoot for our magazine, it really does take a village. Of course it’s a very exclusive village with only the best most talented taking up residence. 

Our summer free online bridal magazine featured one of our absolute favourite shoots to date. We brought Palm Springs style to a rooftop at Mooloolaba’s Beach Club Resort for a fresh theme we haven’t seen here on the Sunshine Coast, and we must admit – it was like a match made in heaven. 

You, our lovely readers, have lapped it up, sending big love our way for this summer style, a perfect fit for our coastal vibes here on the Coast. So today you get a little peek behind the scenes at the crew who make these images of utter bridal perfection come to life. 

Images by SimonJCoulson

The first person to get her hands on bridal model, Kate, is Natalie Hunter, wedding makeup genius. As this shoot was all about warm colours and that tropical vibe, Nat set to work creating a bronzed look on Kate, and vamped it up with a blood orange bold lip. 

“It’s the constitution. It’s justice. It’s the vibe of the thing.” Chris, our groom-like model, recounts his appeal to the judges of his latest body sculpting competition. The girls just take it all in.

While the hair prep is underway with Evalyn Parsons on the tongs, the talented Miss Judy Copley is busily sorting out That Amazing Dress. Still in my honeymoon phase with this ruffled blush beauty.  Chris getting his suave on in his threads from Suits Direct. 

 And we’re off to the beach for our Palm Springs wedding ceremony shots, where Anna (Made to Match Events) and Chonnie (The Orange Blossom), stylist and florist respectively, have been setting up in the hot sun. These gals are serious troopers, who worked flat strap all day to make everything look perfect. Aside from a short Frosty Fruit break, I never saw them stop till the job was done.  It’s always nice when you work with models, who can have a laugh on the job and make the day relaxed and enjoyable. Our Palm Springs wedding couple were always laughing.  Underneath her dress, Kate is standing on a box just so she can get stung in the eyes by some harsh afternoon glare. As they say, beauty is pain. So true, just see the results… 

Class all the way..!  Later on this set up became our amazing rooftop Christmas Party with all of our wonderful vendors, who made our year so fantastic. We even ate all the donuts made by Chocolate 2 Chilli. 

Photography: SimonJCoulson | Venue: Beach Club Resort Mooloolaba | Styling + decor: Made to Match Events | White bamboo chairs: Simply Style Co. | Flowers: The Orange Blossom | Stationery, geometric + lettering laser cutting: Stimuli Couture Design | Dress: Judy Copley Couture | Bracelet: Cherrywood Designs | Groom fashion: Suits Direct | Donuts: Chocolate 2 Chilli | Catering: Capelli Foods | Hair: Evalyn Parsons Hair | Makeup: Natalie Hunter Makeup Artist | Models: Kate Radin + Chris McGeary

Coming up this week… More from our Palm Springs wedding styled shoot 

The post Behind-the-Scenes Magazine Shoot| Palm Springs Wedding appeared first on The Bride's Tree.

A charming light-filled chapel location, two beautiful models, a rack full of couture bridal gowns, candles and vases, organic locally grown flowers, and an old piano = heavenly bridal magazine fashion shoot. 

We put together our dream team for our fashion shoot in our winter online magazine with great care and consideration. The results speak for themselves, but if you wondered what it’s like behind the scenes at a bridal fashion shoot with The Bride’s Tree team; here’s a little picture story for you, as captured by Chesterton Smith Photography. 

Concept + coordination Joelle Spinola, The Bride’s Tree | Photography Chesterton Smith Photography | Location Woombye Chapel | Flowers + vases Woods & Bloom | Dresses + accessories Erin Clare Couture | Hair BySARAHJANE | Makeup TF Makeup | Models Lauren Wheatley + Monique Turner 

The post Behind the Scenes: Magazine Bridal Fashion Shoot appeared first on The Bride's Tree.

One of the most commonly asked questions our A-list makeup artists field is “Do I really need to have a makeup trial?” The very gorgeous and talented Natalie Hunter Makeup Artist allowed us to tag along on a makeup trial to get this important concern addressed once and for all, as well as take us through absolutely everything that’s involved in a bridal makeup trial with a professional wedding makeup artist. 

Images by Life and Love Photography

Nat, why is it important for you as a makeup artist to have a trial with the bride? 

What kind of information do you take from the meeting to help you with the real thing on the wedding day? 

////

How do you help a bride who walks into your studio with no idea of what she wants? 

Do you find many brides who are unfamiliar with makeup?

Do you think it’s most important for a bride, who loves her makeup, and is very particular, to have a trial? Or is it more imperative a bride without specific wants to get a taste of what’s to come? 

When brides come to you, are they most concerned with working out what colours you will use for eyes, lips and cheeks? Or is it foundation coverage that’s most important? 

Is it easy to organise the makeup trial to coincide with another event, so the bride can take advantage of her spiffy makeup? 

Do you recommend having the hair trial on the same day? 

Are makeup trials free, or is there a charge involved?

If a bride lives interstate or overseas and cannot make a trial, or it simply doesn’t fit in the budget, is that okay? 

Thanks to Sandi from Willow Bud for volunteering her lovely mug for this article. 

The post What to Expect at Your Bridal Makeup Trial with Natalie Hunter MUA appeared first on The Bride's Tree.

Our styled shoots for our online magazine take a large talented team and a lot of hours to put together. Simon J Coulson was the photographer on our most recent shoot, which had an Australian Bush theme and was set at the very secluded and gorgeous The Rocks at Yandina. 

Simon has shared some of the images we couldn’t fit in the magazine, as well as some never before seen shots  to give you a little taste of what goes on behind the scenes at one of our epic styled wedding inspiration photo shoots. 

The post Behind the Scenes: Magazine shoot at The Rocks Yandina appeared first on The Bride's Tree.

One of the greatest joys of putting together a beautiful bridal magazine is the exquisite photo shoots we get to put together. Our Alternative Brides shoot in our 8th edition has been getting audible oohs and aahs across the interwebs. So today I thought I’d share a little bit of insight into what it takes to make this level of beeyootiful bridal styled shoot happen. 

////

The concept of this styled shoot was born in a conversation Emma Nayler and I had. We both love something a little bit different, yet beautiful beyond compare. We got to talking about how it would be great to create a styled shoot that had some gorgeous, tattooed and pierced bridal models with alternative looks sporting an elegant look that is not typically associated with “alternative.”

The first thing we knew we needed was a fabulous stylist, who would understand our vision and take it further. Well of course anyone knows the only thing better than one fabulous stylist is two, which is just what we found in sister duo Jacinta and Scienta from Style Le Aisle. The four of us met, further concepted the idea and formed our dream team. 

Jacinta and Scienta continued to come up with ideas that blew our minds, Emma and I went on fashion expeditions in pursuit of the perfect wardrobe for the day. Because we couldn’t decide between going completely alternative and traditional with an edge, we landed on the idea of doing both! 

After many a run sheet and concept mood board, when the day came around, it ran like a well-oiled machine. 

A good portion of the day is always spent in preparation. Having three models and two different fashion concepts meant there was a good-sized team involved in making the pretty happen in a timely manner. On a shoot day, we’re always chasing the light, especially when multiple locations have been planned. 

The girls from Boudoir Blush worked on the makeup simultaneously with the gals on hair from Sass & Niki’s Wedding Hair. Lovely girls, who do a lovely job so professionally. 

The people who never stop all day at a styled shoot are always the stylists. You honestly will never meet more hard-working people. From arranging flowers provided by the florist, Bella Flora, to lugging tables, to stringing vines and lanterns from an arbour. Setting up is just the start, and then the primping and preening for the entire rest of the day begins, and doesn’t stop until it’s time to pull it all down. Phew! That must call for a wine at the end of the day for the Style Le Aisle gals.

We spy you, Scienta! 

Concentration face! Delyse from Jasper & Ruby Visions is a whole lot of fun to have on location. Because my job involves a lot of standing around when I’m faced with the dilemna of having people that could be almost considered too competent, this leaves me a lot of downtime. And this girl is my go-to for a laugh in between her takes of the action. 

The brief moment the stylists have to take a breather – all the models are ready, the light is just right and it’s time to shoot! 

Hair and makeup preening throughout the shoot is absolutely necessary for getting the perfect shots we were looking for. 

Kris is Delyse’s partner in crime and life – another fun personality to have at our shoots! 

Our cafe location provided so much eclectic inspiration in the decor already present. There was something different in every little nook and cranny. This place is actually a fave spot for many a planning meeting for The Bride’s Tree team. 

If you have not yet seen the finished product in our magazine, you have to check it out. Thanks to Emma Nayler Photographer for sharing these awesome behind-the-scenes shots with us. 

The Dream Team

Photographer: Emma Nayler Photographer

Film: Jasper & Ruby Visions

Styling: Style Le Aisle

Hair: Sass & Niki’s Wedding Hair

Makeup: Boudoir Blush

Cake: The Cupcake Teahouse

Models: Imogen, Suzie and Elle / Florals: Bella Flora / Fashion: Eve Boutique and Elizabeth De Varga / Accessories: Eve Boutique and Elizabeth De Varga / Locations: Private Property for outdoor reception, and The Birds and The Beans Espresso Bar

The post Behind the Scenes of Alternative Brides Magazine Shoot appeared first on The Bride's Tree.