Away from the prying eyes of their 70 wedding guests, Katie and Anthony shared their own private moment on their wedding day with a “first look” prior to their wedding ceremony. It is non-traditional, but a growing trend in weddings that we are quite keen on, as a matter of fact. It’s really sweet to have that intimate moment between two people, who are about to become husband and wife.

This pair, who met on Australian dating site, eHarmony, are definitely not ones to be tied down by tradition. They put their own personal flair on their Caloundra wedding day by having a paper bridal bouquet, and even having their bridal party photo shoot take place in the Caloundra Air Museum. 

Photos of this unique wedding were taken by Glen and Fiona Photographers. 

////

“The first look was amazing and special. We got to spend that first moment without the nerves of 70 people watching us.”

“We used one of the lobby’s of the hotel we were staying in (Oaks Oasis Caloundra) for our ‘first look'”

Katie & Anthony’s Hand-picked Dream Team

Photographer: Glen and Fiona Photographers

Venue: Caloundra Powerboat Club

Cake: Judith Brosnan Cakes

Transport: Redback Car Rentals

Makeup Artist: TF Makeup

Hair Stylist: Charly Angelz

Decorators: Beedazzled Events

Dance instruction: Five Star Dance Academy

Gift registry: Myer

Celebrant: Vikki Speller

Wedding Night Accommodation: Oaks Oasis

“Ask your photographers to provide a copy of photos for both parents as a pledge before the wedding. Then your family (especially those in the front row) can relax and enjoy the moment without their cameras. Plus then your awesome professional photos aren’t ruined by family holding cameras in front of their faces or holding up iPads.” 

“If you ask Anthony what the best part of the day was, he would say it was going to the Caloundra Air Museum. For me it was dressing up and being the centre of attention! Marrying my sweetheart was all that mattered in the end.”

“As part of our ceremony Anthony and I exchanged love letters and put them in a time capsule to open in 5 years time along with a bottle of wine.”

“I  had 3 bridesmaids, my best friends Fiona, Michelle and Amanda. I was blessed to have a lot of family from NZ fly over too.”

“I roped in the bridesmaids to spend hours making flowers for the bouquets.”

Wedding Secrets Revealed

Best money saver: I made origami flower bouquets, which were much cheaper, but still looked awesome.

Bridal gown: Maggie Sottero

Accessories: Silver Shop

Shoes: Suna Shoes

Bridesmaid dresses: Alfred Angelo, shortened by Marilyn Crystelle

Bridesmaids’ accessories: Silver Shop

Groom and groomsmens’ suit and shoes: Spurling

Rings: Wallace Bishop

DIY: We made the flowers, invites, seating charts, menus and table numbers ourselves, and my mum, Annette, made the flower girls dresses. 

Music: Our DJ played a mix of modern party tunes and classic pub rock.

Number of guests: 70

Wedding budget: $18,000

The post Real Wedding: Katie & Anthony in Caloundra appeared first on The Bride's Tree.

A beach wedding can be as casual or as classically elegant as you see fit, lovely Sunshine Coast brides. Take our gorgeous model, Kirra, here. Sporting a relaxed chignon hair style and natural, but striking makeup, the elegance is amplified in a couture gown by Erin Clare Couture. 

“Ella” was created with laser cut lace and layers of soft tulle. The illusion neckline and plunging back are delicately embellished with this unique lace.

Adding to the polished bridal look, an exquisite posy bouquet of cream and dusty pink roses with dusty miller leaves, and an arrangement of fresh florals in Kirra’s hair. 

These images were ones taken on a recent fashion shoot for our Summer 2015 free online magazine, but alas we did not have room to show off all of the inspiring beauty. These are never-before-seen shots from our shoot at Shelly Beach in Caloundra. 

The Dream Team

Photography: Terri Hanlon Photography

Concept and styling: Sally Townsend

Flowers: Magnolia Grove

Hair: Sass & Niki’s Wedding Hair

Makeup: Sally Townsend Makeup Artistry

Dress and jewellery: Erin Clare Couture

Model: Kirra 

The post Classic Beauty for the Beach Bride appeared first on The Bride's Tree.

We love this bold look for a bride, it’s something different to wear on your wedding day, but not too far out of the box, either. This bride’s gorgeous look was created by Sunshine Coast wedding makeup artists from Boudoir Blush, and the girls’ hair was styled by Sass & Niki’s Wedding Hair. 

Photos by Ruth Ryan Photography. 

The post Purple Wedding Makeup appeared first on The Bride's Tree.

In the meantime, let us take a look at the week that was, which was filled with beautiful little details, fabulous ideas, grand themes, beauty tips, awesome local finds and people we love. 

We kicked off the week on Monday with another fabulous guest blog from our resident thing finder, Hayley, from Wholehearted Studio Styling, who found a funky wedding gift idea.

Tuesday we introduced you to one of the Sunshine Coast's loveliest and most talented wedding photographers around! 

Wednesday we published a real wedding with so many pretty little details to look at, and amazing photography by Shane Shepherd Photography to boot.

On Thursday, Sally Townsend Makeup Artistry shared her Top 10 Bridal Beauty Tips to get your hair and skin wedding day-ready in no time. 

Friday was all kinds of fabulous with an ultra-glamorous 1920's Great Gatsby-inspired styled high tea wedding shoot from a new to the Sunshine Coast stylist and florist, fresh off the boat from Canada

Make sure you check out yesterday's gahmayzing Photo of the Week, and we will see all of you lovely Sunshine Coast brides tomorrow on the blog! We promise you a MASSIVE week of amazing wedding inspiration… Just quietly, there might be a magazine release involved… shh!

The post Just in case you missed it… appeared first on The Bride's Tree.

In the lead up to your wedding, it will surely dawn on you that this may be the most photographed day of your entire life. With all eyes on you both on the day and in all the photos and film later on, you want to be looking your absolute best. This means making preparations well before the big day to have your skin clear and radiant, your hair shiny as that bling on your left hand right now. 

I have a few foolproof and inexpensive ways you can give your hair and skin the best fighting chance to be at its peak on your wedding day, and improve your general health in the meantime. 

My Top 5 Tips to Beautiful Wedding Day Skin

1. Add salad to every meal. Yes, even breakfast, it’s actually easy and delicious. A piece of toast with avocado, baby spinach leaves and tomato does the trick quite nicely! Incidentally, this will also help to brighten the whites of your eyes.

2. Take a look at the daily foundation you are using. Opt for mineral powder (I recommend Young Blood or Jane Iredale) or BB Cream (Garnier brand is perfect, and really affordable!) instead of heavy oil-based foundations that will only clog your pores when used on a daily basis. But don’t throw them out, just save them for special occasions when heavier coverage is required. 

3. Moisturise. If you have oily skin, you may think you shouldn’t moisturise, but you are dead wrong. If you don’t moisturise, your skin will be more oily, as your glands go cah-razy overproducing oil to cope with the dryness. 

4. Take baths in Himalayan mineral salts. You can find these at most markets or in alternative therapy/spiritual stores. They soften your skin like nothing else, and they also help to draw out toxins and they are great for destressing from all that wedding planning. I recommend using the chunks over the granules. 

5. It’s an oldie, but a goodie – drink lots of water. This flushes out toxins and clears your skin up better than anything else. If you can get your hands on filtered water, this is even better. 

My Top 5 Amazing Wedding Day Hair Tips

1. Don’t wash your hair too frequently. What’s “too frequently”? I don’t really know, only you can tell. Personally, I try to get three days out of my shoulder-length blond hair. Day three usually involves a ponytail situation, but it means that my natural oils have a chance to work their magic on my hair. If my hair looks greasy, I will simply spray a little dry shampoo over it once it is already in the ponytail – this is key, because following the packet instructions to apply to roots all over will just lead to product build up. 

2. Massage your scalp – or have your lovely fiance do it for you! Do this when your hair is wet and has conditioner or a treatment in it. This promotes growth, which is nice if you are growing your hair for your wedding. 

3. Do regular treatments. I know they can be expensive, but they don’t have to be. Pure coconut oil, found at grocery and health food stores, is a perfect treatment.

4. Down with heat styling tools! If you can lessen your use of blow driers, straighteners and curling instruments, this will dramatically improve the condition of your hair. When you absolutely must use one of the above, make sure you are using a heat protective spray. 

5. Strengthen your hair with protein. You can buy leave in protein sprays or alternate a protein treatment with your conditioning treatment each week. Again, this will promote growth. 

Beautiful images by Sunshine Coast wedding photographer, Emma Nayler Photographer. Bridal makeup by Sally Townsend Makeup Artistry.

The post Top 10 Easy Bridal Beauty Tips appeared first on The Bride's Tree.

We have also had a wonderful week at The Bride's Tree HQ, as we have found ourselves terribly inspired by all of the amazing Sunshine Coast wedding professionals once again. 

Monday we kicked off with one of our faves… Alan Hughes Photography never disappoints with his amazing wedding photos, and this particular lot featured a creative wedding colour palette we simply adore. 

Tuesday was all about bridal beauty as we shared some of the stunning photos by Matt Rowe Photography that didn't make it into our latest The Bride's Tree free online bridal magazine. These images show just how clever some of our local Sunshine Coast makeup artists and hair stylists are. 

We amped up the pretty yet again on Wednesday with some bridal bouquet inspiration with florals by Blooms of Noosa. 

Thursday was really exciting as we broke news that you could win $1,500 cash to spend on your wedding! And you can still get in the running, so get onto it! 

Continuing the week of pretty, on Friday we brought to your attention the amazing work of Sunshine Coast makeup artist, KJ Artistry, so you could be inspired by our gallery of her amazing work.  

Yesterday's Photo of the Week featured a ring-bearing owl – so awesome! 

Have a beautiful Sunday, lovely Sunshine Coast brides! 

The post Just in case you missed it… appeared first on The Bride's Tree.

Maria and Jarryd decided to do something a little bit special with their anniversary shoot. They asked the amazing Sunshine Coast stylist extraordinaire Hayley from Wholehearted Studio to help them come up with fantastic vintage styling for a woodlands portrait shoot on the Sunshine Coast in Caloundra.

I’m sure you will agree, these photos are positively stunning. Not only is the styling by Hayley Shum itself superb, but the photos by her handsome hubby, Aaron, are to die for. To make the most of the session, Sally Townsend Makeup Artistry was brought in to do Maria’s makeup and style her amazing hair.

Now, if you’re not already aware, you currently have the opportunity to win a styled photo session with Wholehearted Studio, including hair and makeup by Sally Townsend Makeup Artistry. The winner will be able to use their shoot as an engagement session, or anniversary session, or just a lovers shoot.  For information on how to enter, head to our Facebook page and click on the promotions banner up the top. It’s easy to enter and there is still plenty of time to get involved. Good luck in the competition and enjoy the amazing vintage woodlands anniversary shoot below.

Photos by Wholehearted Studio Styling + Photography

The post Woodlands Styled Anniversary Shoot appeared first on The Bride's Tree.

This striking design is a charcoal smokey eye makeup design with distinct feminine touches with pretty pink detail and a lilac-based nude lip. The focus is on the eyes with super glamourous false lashes and defined eyebrows, creating a vintage style with a modern twist.

Photo by Emma Nayler Photographer.

Location: Anna Bella The Wedding Chapel

Photographer: Emma Nayler Photographer

Stylist: Hayley Wholehearted

Flowers: Flax Flower

Makeup: Sally Townsend Makeup Artistry

Hair: Boho Bello

Stationery: Kerrie-Anne Design and Photography

Bridal gown and accessories: Supplied by Angels Noosa

Fascinators: The Sweet Life Fascinators & Accessories

Model: Jana Robinson

The post Makeup Design of the Week appeared first on The Bride's Tree.

Never fear, Sally Townsend Makeup Artistry is here. Sally's whole job is to make the bride look like her most beautiful self on her wedding day, so she highly recommends making sure your skin is in order well before the big day. Sally has offered up her favourite basic skin care practices, which she recommends to all of her brides.  

IT'S WHAT YOU PUT IN 

This is not news to you. You've heard it said a million times – what you put into your body comes through in your complexion. Here are Sally's top tips for getting the best out of your skin from the inside out. 

1. Eat some form of salad with every meal. Yes, even breakfast – try avocado, baby spinach and tomato on toast. 
2. Drink at least two litres of water every day (an oldie, but a goodie.) Filtered or bottled spring water is ideal. 
3. Avoid eating too much sugar, which will bring out the worst in your skin. If you need a sugar fix, opt for vitamin rich fruit, like mangoes, cherries and bananas.
4.  Take flaxseed oil for the Omega 3 found naturally in it. 

DON'T BE LAZY

"Oh… it was late, I was tired… I couldn't be bothered… It's only mineral foundations…." I don't wanna hear it! You get your cute little butt in that bathroom and wash your face before bed, missy! The following is what you need to do, without question. 

1. Cleanse. Be it a cream cleanser or foaming one, just get it done morning and night. 
2. Tone. Now, if you have previously reacted to the harsh alcohol found in some toners, you may like to try The Body Shop's Hydrating Toner in their Vitamin E range. 
3. Moisturise. Even if you think your skin is oily, choose an appropriate moisturiser and use it consistently every night. It is often your pores over-producing oils to make up for lack of hydration that causes oily skin. 

Photos by Talina C Photography, Makeup by Sally Townsend Makeup Artistry

And some added optionals to the twice-daily routine: 

1. Serum. There are a lot out there, but my fave is The Body Shop Vitamin C skin boost, which simply makes your skin undeniably radiant. 
2. Eye makeup remover. For a more gentle cleanse. 
3. Eye cream.

Things to do at home weekly: 

1. Exfoliate. 
2. Do a mask. Mix it up with ones that draw out impurities and those that put goodness back in to your skin. 

TREAT YOURSELF

To a day spa! Get recommendations from friends first, and get a few facial treatments leading up to your wedding. Just be sure not to get anything in the last week (in case you break out!) Not sure what to ask for? Consider trying one of these: 

1. Galvanic Spa treatment (is like getting a mini facelift)
2. Any facial treatment that claims to increase your skin radiance. 
3. Microdermabrasian
4. Extractions if you have noticeable black heads. However, be sure to go to a very trusted beauty therapist for this one, and be ready for it to hurt. 

Do you have any facial treatments booked in for the lead up to your Sunshine Coast wedding? Do you have a fave skin care treatment? Show us some comment love below! 

The post Top Tips for Perfect Wedding Day Skin appeared first on The Bride's Tree.