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.

It’s time for some pin board love, our wonderful Sunshine Coast brides! Today we are crushing on this gorgeous pin board full of super cute Sunshine Coast wedding photography by Nicky Stone Photographer. For some sweet pose ideas, check out these 30 pics we just love. 

The post Pin Board Love: LOVE! appeared first on The Bride's Tree.

The Golf Club is, as you would expect, perfectly maintained to, well, perfection. Each blade of grass is always cut to just the right height. Each garden is pristine, and there are both wide open spaces and sweet spots for pretty posing for wedding photos. 

Take a peek at these amazing photographs by the ever lovely Lindy Photography. 

You can meet the wedding coordinators from Pelican Waters Golf Club the weekend at the

Sunshine Coast Bridal Showcase

Sunday 16th June 2013

Show Hours: 10.00 am – 4.00 pm 
Venue: Novotel Twin Waters Resort
Admission: $10.00 each

GIVEAWAYS
Each bride will receive a show bag filled with information and copies of FREE Brides Diary magazine, Ideal Bride, Sunshine Coast Brides, Queensland Wedding, Wedding & Bride, Queensland Bride Magazine and Your local Wedding Guide . Valued at over $75.00

FABULOUS PRIZES
Come along and you will go in to the draw for any number of lucky door prizes valued at over $10,000. Try your luck at winning one of two stunning wedding gowns – generously donated by Hills in Hollywood & Ferrara Formal & Bridal. Each gown will be drawn each of the fashion shows.

Total Prize Giveaways – over $10,000

The post A Wedding on the Green appeared first on The Bride's Tree.

Sunshine Coast Bridal Showcase

Sunday 16th June 2013

Show Hours: 10.00 am – 4.00 pm 
Venue: Novotel Twin Waters Resort
Admission: $10.00 each

GIVEAWAYS
Each bride will receive a show bag filled with information and copies of FREE Brides Diary magazine, Ideal Bride, Sunshine Coast Brides, Queensland Wedding, Wedding & Bride, Queensland Bride Magazine and Your local Wedding Guide . Valued at over $75.00

FABULOUS PRIZES
Come along and you will go in to the draw for any number of lucky door prizes valued at over $10,000. Try your luck at winning one of two stunning wedding gowns – generously donated by Hills in Hollywood & Ferrara Formal & Bridal. Each gown will be drawn each of the fashion shows.

Total Prize Giveaways – over $10,000

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

Of course this then brings up the question of what romance really is? It's a tough one, so we thought the best way to answer this question was to throw it out to the people who bear witness to romance at its peak every single day. We put the question to some of the Sunshine Coast's most amazing wedding professionals… 

What screams "romance" to you? 

Emma Nayler Photographer says… 

"Romance to me is a lot of little things. A lot of real, honest little things. There is nothing more exciting for me than being able to see the romance in the couples that I photograph, whether it be a tear or two during the ceremony as they promise to share their lives together forever, or a groom whispering a private joke to his bride during their portraits to make her smile and bring out all that natural beauty in her face. It’s easy to be romantic on your wedding day, when you are looking and feeling your best!

"And then after the wedding there is all the stuff that you already had, the stuff that made you want to get married in the first place! Holding hands, even on hot, muggy days. Always saying “I love you, sweet dreams” before falling asleep. Unexpected compliments when your hair is a mess and you’re wearing your pjs. Catching each other’s eye across a crowded table or room and smiling/rolling your eyes (that one depends on who you are stuck talking to at the time!). Listening to them tell you about their day, even if it is the same as every other day. There are so many more, but that’s what’s romantic to me. The real moments."

Because we are ALL about the romance at The Bride's Tree, we are bringing you MORE Valentines Day loveliness throughout the day… stay tuned! 

The post What is Romance? – Happy Valentines Day! appeared first on The Bride's Tree.

To me the best part about Christmas is the decorative factor – everything just looks so pretty! Sometimes tacky… but mostly pretty! And no Christmas decoration I have seen is more super pretty than the one we are sharing with you today. 

This wreath by Ginger Lily & Rose Floral Design Studio is positively toothsome, and would be the perfect way to decorate your Christmas-time wedding. How special to mark the occasion and special time of year! If you're not marrying around Christmas, a wreath is still a really beautiful and romantic floral arrangement idea for your Sunshine Coast wedding any time of the year. 

These beautiful images of the wreath are by Sunshine Coast wedding photographer, Andrea Sproxton Photography. 

Such care and attention-to-detail is put into this wreath, made with love and pretty petite blooms. J'adore!

This would make a lovely gift this Christmas or you could simply have one of these beauties to spruce up your home with Christmas joy and cheer. Perhaps have Miss Julia from Ginger Lily & Rose pop a little mistletoe in it for you and your sweetie to enjoy!

The post It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas appeared first on The Bride's Tree.

Since that first wedding, Andrea hasn't looked back and has become one of our most popular Sunshine Coast wedding photographers. As with the best photographers, it's about their personality as much as their talent when it comes to being successful in wedding photography. That's why we knew you would all want to get to know the lovely Andrea!

Today Miss Andrea of Andrea Sproxton Photography is in our spotlight!

The post Spotlight on a Supplier – Andrea Sproxton Photography appeared first on The Bride's Tree.