I Heart Ceremonies Archives | The Bride's Tree

Stacey loves Darren | Wedding at Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort

Sally Townsend — Sun, 05 Jan 2020 16:30:14 +0000

The love between financial officer, Stacey, and electrician, Darryn, grew fast and is furiously unconditional. The Brisbane couple’s love story has taken place in some very special locations. The Sunshine Coast was their chosen wedding location since they’ve many fond memories holidaying together here. Then it was off to Bali for their honeymoon – a no-brainer since it’s where Darryn proposed.

Stacey has kindly shared all her Sunshine Coast wedding-planning secrets below, including how their chosen venue, Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort, helped them to save money. Might I add, they also have super fun golf buggies for the bridal party to get around in, and very photogenic bungalows over the water to get your wedding morning pamper on.

Wedding Planning Priorities

Our most important priorities were to secure a stunning venue on the beautiful Sunshine Coast where we could have everything at the one location which could also provide lovely accommodation for our guests. It was also very important to us for our guests to enjoy flowing drinks, delicious food and live entertainment pre-reception and throughout the reception until close.

We both holiday regularly to the beautiful Sunshine Coast and find it such a beautiful tranquil location. We also wanted to have our wedding closer to the ocean.

Our Dream Team

Each and every one of our suppliers were amazing, and we would highly recommend each and every one of them, they made our day the most amazing day of our lives.

Images by Forever in This Moment Photography

The Proposal

In December 2017 Darryn got down on one knee to propose whilst we were on a beautiful romantic getaway in Bali, he decorated our suite with balloons and flowers which came as a huge surprise to me after a relaxing massage.

How I Knew He Was The One

We fell in love very early, and our love is unconditional. We complement each others lives in so many ways, our relationship has grown effortlessly and honestly, and the life we have created together has been build upon respect, friendship, humour and of course, love.

Wedding Secrets

Biggest splurge: My beautiful wedding gown.

Best money-saving decision: Having our ceremony and reception at the same venue.

Bride’s dress: Pearl Bridal – Beautiful Zavana Bridal Gown

Bride’s accessories: Mother of Pearl Earrings, Pearl Bridal Clips & Pearl Bridal Bag

Bride’s shoes: Saint Laurent Tribute

Groom’s suit: Politix

Groom’s accessories: Tommy Hilfiger Belt & Watch

Groom’s shoes: Aquila

Bridesmaids’ dresses + accessories: Forever New

Bridesmaids’ shoes: Nine West

Groomsmens’ attire: TM Lewin

Honeymoon: Bali

Number of guests: 50

Wedding budget: $30k

Actual cost of wedding: $40k

The Music

Walking Down the Aisle Song: – Brian Adams – Everything I do , I do it for you

Reception Grand Entrance Song: – Calvin Harris – Feel So Close

First Dance Song: Lionel Richie – All Night Long

Leaving Song: Higher Love – Kygo/Whitney Houston

Check out our Spotify playlist of songs to Walk Down The Aisle to – compiled from songs recommended by real couples, and a few of my own suggestions…

Advice for Future Brides and Grooms

Have some R&R time the week prior to your wedding to pamper yourself and to relax you for the biggest day of your life.

Our Next Adventures…

For now we are planning to travel to many more amazing destinations together and work hard so that we can achieve all of our lifelong goals.

The post Stacey loves Darren | Wedding at Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort appeared first on The Bride's Tree.

Beth Stevenson | A-List Vendor Profile

Sally Townsend — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 19:00:07 +0000

What started off as a quirky thing Beth could do for her many friends who were getting married at the time she was working for Flight Centre, became her now thriving full time gig as a Sunshine Coast celebrant in her own business – I Heart Ceremonies. Beth found her experiences in travel and living in Japan with her husband gave her the confidence to put herself out there, meet new people and experience new cultures. She says this, along with her respect for the the thoughts and feelings of those around her, are all essential elements to being a professional, kind and compassionate marriage celebrant.

And I tell you what, I’m totally sneaking in on Beth’s next free day on the Sunshine Coast – it sounds like heaven to me! Read on to learn all about it, and an exciting launch Beth has planned for this month…

Beth, you have a very important job – to say the least – on the wedding day. Take me through your wedding day process as the celebrant.

On the day of the wedding, I try to always try to do a tiny bit of yoga first. It settles me and gives me an opportunity to set an intention and narrow my focus for ceremony ahead. After yoga, I get more into the practical details of what’s required for the day. I double check all your paper work is ready to go (which I always prepare the week prior), give my PA system a quick sound check and then start to get ready with hair, make up and clothes.

I always arrive onsite an hour prior to the ceremony start time. This gives me a chance to set up my PA, check the sound levels and co-ordinate with the vendors onsite. I always meet with the photographer and videographer, and run through the flow of the ceremony, so they know when to expect, and then capture, the most photographic moments.

Each ceremony is different, but normally, the groom or partner would arrive about 30 minutes prior to the ceremony start time, and this is when I chat with him and get a feel for how the morning has been. I offer water (as the groomsmen always offer beer or whiskey), and settle any nerves he may be having. The guests would then start arriving, and whilst they mingle, I would casually discuss any housekeeping items, such a no cameras, timelines, hashtags etc. I always prefer to discuss this in small groups as the guests mingle, rather than blast the rules through my speaker – it’s just more my style.

With about five minutes to go, I gently guide the guests to the seats (if applicable). I then get the groom or partner in position, along with their peeps at the front, being careful to make sure the positioning is even and will look balanced in the photos once the other squad arrive over the other side of the aisle. Once I’ve got the thumbs up from the venue manager or co-ordinator, I cue the music, and off we go!

What’s trending in wedding ceremonies this year?

Elopements, micro weddings and ‘legals only’ ceremonies are huge! There is a definite shift towards smaller celebrations, for sure. But just because they’re smaller, doesn’t mean they’re any less opulent!

What do your clients always say after having worked with you?

My clients are always telling me they love how calm I am, and how relaxed and grounded I make them feel in what would would otherwise be quite a nervous, emotive situation. I put that down to my pre-game yoga sesh!

You have a completely free day to hang out on the Sunshine Coast. Get out about! Where are you going, what are you doing and who are you with?

I am super grateful that my celebrant business gives me flexible working hours, and allows me a lot of time to spend with my friends, my family and my kids. That said, I would actually love to spend the day A L O N E ! I would drive to The Velo Project for breakfast (eggs benny with extra hollandaise, obvs) and a large soy latte.

After that, I’d go for a walk from Mooloolaba to Alexandra Headland and then back, finishing with some time hanging out, gazing out to the ocean, at the lighthouse at the river entrance. I’d then lie on the beach at Mooloolaba Spit, and read for hours, with naps interspersed at various points throughout the morning. Lunch would be fresh sushi, straight off the boats at the fisheries.

I’d head back to the beach for some more reading and napping, then make my way to Zenko for a late afternoon yoga class. After that, it’d be home for a swim, a glass (or two) of pinot gris and a pizza from the place round the corner, then collapse into bed with a grateful heart and a full tummy.

Share something people may not know about you.

I absolutely love tap dancing, I speak Japanese and can cook a damn good curry.

We heard you have an exciting new launch coming very soon! Please, do tell!

Love + Elope is a team of premium wedding professionals offering styled elopement packages and luxury intimate weddings from Noosa to Maleny. Launching in March 2019, we will be offering couples unique and elegantly styled spaces within which to begin their marriage, along with designer florals, an uber-creative photo and video team, and sumptuous grazing platters and drinks packages to suit any budget or taste. Register your interest now, and let’s create something beautiful together.

Images by Janneke Storm + Luke Middlemiss

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