Just in case you missed it…

Some start Mondays in a lull, we start it with bling!

We shared five ways to effectively pack for your destination wedding

The three-tiered white wedding cake can be very versatile, as it turns out!

We found you an awesome first dance inspiration playlist to help with this important choice

We finished the working week with a bang by sharing a Sunshine Coast country styled shoot complete with a floral-adorned horsey

////

Local Wisdom

Bill Scurry – Marriage Celebrant

Best coffee shop: Maleny Bakery (chai latté)

Best spot for being inspired: Overlooking the Glasshouse Mountains – Mary Cairncross Park

Fave restaurant: Spicers Tamarind – Maleny (Thai Cuisine)

Best place for guaranteed fun: At one of my weddings!

Where you always take visitors:  Hinterland, Montville to Maleny

Advice I give my engaged couples: Confide and be transparent, build trust and have fun.

Photo of the Week

Couple: Cara and Shaun, Photographer: Level Eleven, Location: Maleny

The post Weekly Round Up appeared first on The Bride's Tree.

We think her unbridled happiness must be because this very happily married woman sincerely enjoys being part of other couples’ journey into married life. But hey, enough speculating, because there’s simply no need – Fiona has answered all of our probing questions. So let’s train our spotlight on this star of the Sunshine Coast wedding industry and read all about being a modern, young celebrant on the Sunshine Coast.

Officiating a Kings Beach wedding, image by Phill Jackson Photography

Fiona, you’re a bit of a funky young celebrant. What keeps you young?

Why, thank you! I like to think that my positive outlook on life and a never give up attitude helps to keep me feeling young.

We happen to know you’re a bit of a cyclist. Where is your fave place to cycle on the Sunshine Coast?

My secret is out! Yes, I am part of the lycra brigade! I am currently training for the Ride to Conquer Cancer so I love to join my team in a cycle from our place at Kawana Forest up to Point Cartwright, then down to Pocket Espresso at Moffat Beach for a yummy hot chocolate or juice on a Sunday morning.

If you planned one perfect day, what would it involve?

Wow, what an excellent challenge…I may even put this on the bucket list to try! Most of it revolves around food, which isn’t surprising!

I would start with a climb up Mt Coolum – what better way to view the Sunshine Coast? Then head to some farmers markets to grab some breakfast and some local goodies for lunch. Next I would head up to the hinterland for a picnic, making sure I stop at Maleny Cheese for some more goodies.  Once I am stuffed to the brim, enjoy a leisurely drive back down the range before heading to our favourite restaurant in Mooloolaba – Via Italia – for a pizza and a drinks. To top it all off, I would then scoot down to Brisbane for a show at QPAC or outdoor cinemas.  Of course, my husband Ritchie would be right by my side, it wouldn’t be perfect without him.

What is something that is really important to you in your life?

My husband Ritchie, my fur child Rosie, my family and friends. But also maintaining a good balance between work and play

When you meet an engaged couple, what is one thing you love to learn about them?

I love to hear how the couple met and what they first thought of each other, but especially to see the reaction they give each other when asked – the whole unspoken look of ‘which story do we tell?’!

I give each of my couples a questionnaire to answer about their relationship and their dreams – the honesty in the answers I receive is just beautiful and I feel very blessed that they have shared such detail with me.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I am a first dan black belt in karate!

Fiona celebrated her 30th Birthday in style – on a flying trapeze lesson at Twin Waters Novotel Resort!

If you could offer one piece of sound advice to brides and grooms, what would it be?

I have two: 1) Make a wet weather plan. It will reduce the stress for all of us!  2) Don’t sweat the small stuff – only you will know if the small details aren’t exactly right.

What made you want to become a wedding celebrant?

It all started when we were looking for a celebrant when we got married 8 years ago.  We wanted someone who was younger and modern. The internet wasn’t as great with wedding blogs (no Bride’s Tree back then!) and websites so most of the research I did was through magazines. So I knew there was a market out there. Four years later and I finally did something about it. It appealed to me on many levels and I enjoy it even more than I thought I would.

Fiona in action, doing what she does best and having a ball! Image by Level Eleven Photography

What do you love most about your job?

Meeting new couples, being involved in their journey, even just for a fragment of time, but knowing that I played a huge part of their wedding day.

The post Spotlight on a Supplier: Fiona Duce appeared first on The Bride's Tree.

The stand outs for us at this wedding were Justine’s positively toothsome Manolo Blahnik blue heels a la Carrie Bradshaw (eep!) and the catering by Spicers Clovelly, which was a 5-course degustation! Talk about decadence! It was all lovingly captured by super dooper, super fun Sunshine Coast wedding photographer, Ritchie, from Level Eleven Photography. Enjoy! 

“Having breakfast with everyone and then going for a walk with Simon before getting ready just made things more calm.“

“Once I had the dress, I realised that the venue was tying in with the romantic, vintage-style of the dress. I think our wedding was romantic, intimate and vintage-inspired with a modern twist.”

“Our parents gave us to each other; it was a joining of families, rather than a traditional giving away.”

“We invited immediate family & grandparents only as we always wanted a very intimate wedding“

Gorgeous hair styling by Hair by Nicola

Beautiful makeup by KJ Artistry

“Everyone was asked by the celebrant, Natalie Banner- Celebrant of Noosa, to make a vow to support us etc at the beginning of the ceremony and everyone blew bubbles at the end as we walked back down the aisle.“

Wedding Secrets Revealed

Biggest splurge: 5-course degustation dinner, where each guest made their own selection for each course.

Best money-saver: We made our own playlist on an iPod for our ceremony and reception music so we could have exactly the type of music we wanted. We didn’t need a DJ.

Bridal gown: Allure Bridals

Accessories: Earrings I had bought at Nordstrom in the US years ago but hadn’t worn. I guess they needed a special enough occasion!

Shoes: Manolo Blahnik Hangisi in blue for the ceremony (my something blue) and Manolo Blahnik Sedaraby in silver for the reception. I’m very much a shoe girl so having special but not ‘bridey’ shoes was important to me. I always knew I wanted my something blue to be my shoes.

Groom’s suit and shoes:  A tailored Zegna suit with peaked lapels and no vent (like Daniel Craig’s in Casino Royale) & Julius Marlow shoes.

Number of guests: 10

“All photos were at Spicers Clovelly Estate because it was such a beautiful setting with lots of great locations for photos.”

“We did everything our way & didn’t let ourselves become influenced by others so we felt completely relaxed on the day. Having everyone staying on site was great, especially at the end of a long day. Everything was wonderful, from the ceremony to the cake and stay at Spicers Clovelly Estate.“

Justine and Simon’s Hand-picked team That Made It All Happen

Photographer: Level Eleven Photography

Celebrant: Natalie Banner- Celebrant of Noosa

Makeup Artist: KJ Artistry

Hair Stylist: Hair by Nicola

Venue: Spicers Clovelly Estate

Florist: Mondo Floral Designs

Cake: Eden’s Cakes & Cupcakes

Decorators: Spicers Clovelly Estate

The post Intimate Wedding at Exclusive Hinterland Estate appeared first on The Bride's Tree.

For transportation, the couple hooned around town in awesome hired red and yellow Mustangs, first to their ceremony at Ravenwood Park, Noosa Sound, and then on to their reception at Trio’s On The River at Noosa Marina.

When planning their wedding, Larissa and Lewis placed their highest level of importance on finding the right photographer. They wanted to be able to look back and relive their magical day for years to come with beautiful images that told their story. They couldn’t be happier with the result in these amazing photos by Level Eleven Photography.

“My mum was amazing, without her there wouldn't have been a wedding!”

 "We met through a mutual friend. It's funny we lived in Noosa for our whole lives, had mutual friends, even went to the same school, but never met!"

“At Trio’s we were able to have a formal area for dinner and speeches then an amazing area for dancing and celebrations.”

A Word of Advice From the Bride

“Slow down, enjoy and remember if something doesn't go according to plan on the day it’s okay, you’re most likely the only one that's going to know about it!”

Larissa & Lewis' Wedding Secrets Revealed

Biggest splurge: The reception took over half the budget, but they say it was worth every cent

Best bargain: Alex & Alex shoes from a vintage store in Eumundi

Bridal gown: Sugar & Spice Bridal

Accessories: Nan's wedding band, Swarovski 

Shoes: Alex & Alex ruby slippers

Bridesmaid dresses: Paco from Sketch Noosa

Bridesmaids’ accessories: Swarovski tennis bracelet & earrings 

Groom’s suit and shoes: Yd 

Groomsmens’ suits and shoes:  Yd

Jewellery: Rosendorff Jewellers  Bombonnieres: DIY Jars from online and conversation hearts and lolly buffet lollies sunshine coast confectionery warehouse

DIY: The table place cards, invitations, the gorgeous L&L wedding sign was made by Lewis, all the table setting birdcages and signs were made by the couple, flower arrangements, flower girls' and junior bridesmaid dresses, lolly buffet.

Number of guests: 80

Total cost: $12,000

The Hand-picked Team That Made It All Happen

Photographer:  Level Eleven Photography

Florist: Noosa House of Flowers

Caterer: Trio's On The River

Cake: Chocolat Patisserie

Transport: Stangfever International

Makeup Artist: Makeup by Jana

Hair Stylist: Ziggies Hair

Decorators: First Class Functions

DJ: Elite Sounds Entertainment

Stationery Supplier: DIY

Celebrant: Joyclyn Humphries  

Other: Digi-Diary video guest book kiosk, nails Shellac by Pia Pedersen 

The post 1950’s Style Wedding at Noosa Sound appeared first on The Bride's Tree.

Ritchie is a passionate Sunshine Coast wedding photographer, who runs Level Eleven Photography, an awesome photo studio located in The Strand in Caloundra.

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