New Zealand's Top Wedding Hire Suppliers

Planning your wedding from a different location is all about 2 things.  Organisation and the internet!  So here's ididjeridoo's top pick of the kiwi bunch for all your accessories from chair covers to parasols.

Celebration Studio - Auckland's best event, function and wedding information centre.  Get advice from professional wedding planners, buy custom made stationery, hire parasols and wishing wells and even pre-loved wedding gowns.

Dreamlands – New Zealand's biggest supplier of wedding decorations and favours.

Hire Things – Hire just about everything fro you bug day from tea lights and photographers to karaoke to marquees.Party Hire – Hire anything from wedding arches to smoke machines for hire.

Style Etc – Creative concepts in a candy store style.  From vases, lanterns, colourful parasols, paper, ribbons to candle votives.  All accessories are for purchase or hire. 

The China Cabinet – Hire tableware, vintage tea sets, lolly jars and cupcake stands.

Tamburlaine Organic Vineyard

Listen up brideys, this little gem landed in my Inbox last week and I've been dying to tell you all about it!

Tamburlaine Organic Vineyard is a privately owned organic wine company, known as Australia’s largest organic wine producer and now also known as the best wedding venue in the Hunter Valley.

At its annual national awards, the Australian Bridal Industry Academy (ABIA) rated the Tamburlaine Organic Vineyard as one of the top 12 wedding reception venues in Australia.   (These awards are determined by ratings given by brides for quality of product and service, value for money and attitude of staff).

The reception venue (‘The Lodge’) overlooks luscious lawn and a picturesque dam, perfect for outdoor ceremonies and photo opportunities; so if you're looking for naturally beautiful surroundings and fab Aussie wine for your wedding, this venue's top of the pick!

Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa

Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa is Australia's most environmentally responsible tourist destination and is the ultimate wedding party playground.

Set amidst the stunning scenery of the rugged Blue Mountains World Heritage Area; the unique spa resort is built around a fully restored homestead within it's own private conservation and nature reserve.

With 40 free-standing luxury suites, each with its own private terrace and swimming pool, the luxury resort was built using today's cutting edge technology and yet perfectly echoes the original heritage architecture, blending beautifully with the dramatic beauty of Australia's Hinterland terrain.

Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa offers unique options for weddings, including romantic private decks in secluded bush locations with sweeping views of the valley and they have a dedicated wedding coordinator and guest services team to ensure your wedding day is stress-free and truly memorable.

It won't come cheap but Wolgan can assist with everything from flowers, photographers, catering, entertainment, transport, bespoke menus, treatments to licensed celebrants and with so much space, exclusive use makes for both romance and opulent luxury.

G for Genius Desserts!!

Oooh we are super excited about G Desserts - cupcakes in a jar!!  They come perfectly packaged and make perfect wedding favours (the cupcakes, jar labels and ribbons can all be customised to match your wedding theme), they're also impressive at dinner parties and make great gifts for friends and family and the jars can be reused or recycled.

Now, here's the good news - you get a bit more cupcake in a jar than a regular cupcake.   The regular size cupcakes come in jars which are 62.5mm (2.5") in diameter, 72.7mm (2.9") in height and 167ml in volume AND they have two layers of cake and two layers of icing!!   The cupcakes are also available in taster size jars (mini cupcakes) and unlike regular cupcakes, the jars seal in moisture, so they're super moist and squidgey!!

Lets hear it for Tanya!

ididjeridoo love love loves the wonderfully artistic, Sydney based photographer, artist and illustrator Tanya Rochat.  In fact, so much so, that the Kiwi and I had hoped to have her as our wedding photographer back in 2008 but sadly, it wasn't to be.  Tanya was already booked!!

Tanya now offers a unique range of greeting cards and Fine Art Stationery but ididjeridoo is inspired by the combination of fab photography talents and graphics designer skills to create stunning digital magazine style wedding albums.

Check out the website and fall in love.

New Zealand Wedding Events

All you brides-to-be heading to New Zealand before the big day, be sure to schedule in some time to visit some of the best wedding shows in the country.  There's loads to see but the biggest and best are:

The Grand Wedding Show Auckland at Sky City Convention Centre, Auckland on the 17th April 2011.  Take in fashion shows, chat to wedding pros and pick up some hot tips and advice at the exclusive seminars.  Plus there's prizes to be won!  Open from 9am to 4pm.

Bride & Groom Show on the 1st May 2001 at Ellerslie Event Centre, Ellerslie Racecourse, Auckland.  Experience all the ambience of a real wedding, set in elegant gardens with marquees, music and cars at New Zealand's biggest wedding event.

The Wellington Wedding Show on 15th May 2011 at TSB Arena, Queens Wharf, Wellington.  Designed to give you the chance to talk directly with wedding service providers, view their products and see examples of their work.  Open from 10:30am to 3:30pm.

Waitakere Wedding

Yet another fabulous NZ wedding venue; Waitakere Estate is an Auckland retreat and a stunning location for your special event. 

Specialising in intimate weddings (catering for a maximum of 70 guests), on offer you'll find a range of wedding packages, dining and luxury boutique hotel accommodation and all for exclusive use.

Waitakere Estate provides options for both indoor and outdoor weddings and civil unions.  Hold your ceremony in the landscaped gardens amongst the native greenery or in the quaint on-site chapel set beneath a large kauri tree.  Alternatively, there is a spacious reception room boasting a magnificent scoria fireplace and elegant furnishings.

Beautiful!

Pink Frosting!

If you’re planning an Aussie wedding and you haven’t yet visited Pink Frosting you need to ASAP!  There you’ll find fancy favours, wedding ideas, decorations, party supplies.   It’s no wonder it’s Australia’s NUMBER ONE online wedding shop.

Pink Frosting's stunning wedding and party invitations, decorations, accessories and supplies can be seen in the leading wedding magazines and children's magazines, as well as in home style and fashion magazines such as Real Living, InStyle and American Vogue Bambini.

Online you’ll find:

• Wedding Shop - wedding accessories, decorations, favours, bomboniere and invitations.

• Baby Shower Shop - resources for creating a memorable shower with games, invitations, baby gifts, decorations and favours.

• Kids Party Shop - themes, decorations, favours and invitations for kiddies with style.

• Christening, Baptism and Naming Day Ceremony Shop - accessories, bomboniere, favours, decorations and stationery available.

• Christmas Shop - decorations, accessories, gifts, ornaments and more online, right throughout the year, delivered anywhere around the world.

• Bridal Shower Shop - bridal shower and kitchen tea decorations, accessories, games, gifts and more.

• Entertaining and Party Shop - whether you're hosting an anniversary celebration, a swanky dinner party or a simple summer BBQ the Pink Frosting online party shop has all the supplies, decorations, invitations and favours you could possibly need.

Best of all Pink Frosting ships anywhere in the world so check out the wedding and celebration blog, Australia Entertains for daily inspirations on all of the above and happy planning!!

Aussie designer Amaline Vitale

Absolutely loving the work of Aussie designer Amaline Vitale.

Simple, classic, elegant and feminine, using beautiful European fabrics, Amaline Vitale Bridal & Couture produces timeless designs and commission fabrics which are exclusive to the brand.  It's also worth noting that all gowns and suits (yes they even style your groom) are crafted in their very own Melbourne workrooms.

Unique & eco-friendly ceremony idea ....

At our wedding venue there was a fee for confetti or rose petal clean up.  We opted for bubbles instead.  Free, non-mess and the guests had a ball drowning us with as many bubbles as they could. 

Another lovely and eco-friendly alternative to confetti is to have your guests armed with bags or tiny buckets of popcorn to throw.  This is particularly effective in photographs at winter weddings as the popcorn resembles snow. 

You can even produce gease free popcorn that won't stain by opting for an air operated machine rather than the microwaveable stuff.

You may incur a clean up fee but it'll be worth it!!

Another little Aussie Beauty!!

Whitsunday weddings are at the top of the list for brides across Australia and abroad and this little gem is one of the many reasons why.

Villa Botanica is now not only the jewel in the crown of Whitsunday wedding venues, it’s also regarded as the most beautiful and intimate wedding venue in the country.

This magnificent estate stretches along the water front meaning your ceremony, photography and reception are blessed with a dazzling back drop of turquoise water.  Renowned for its botanical gardens, private beach and exotic architecture, Villa Botanica is exclusively yours on the big day.

Packages are designed to meet all budgets, from economical cocktail receptions right up to extravagant affairs and the resort town of Airlie Beach (gateway to the Great Barrier Reef) is only 8 minutes away, so your guests will have a wide range of accommodation to choose from, with the Villa providing transport to and from the venue and discounts on hotel bookings.

Another little Aussie beauty!!

P.S. Book well in advance as Villa Botanica only accepts 80 events per year.

Submit your business or wedding to ididjeridoo

ididjeridoo is all about wedding planning, tips and advice for brides, especially those planning to get hitched in Australia and New Zealand.  So if you have a fab wedding to feature or an exciting, innovative and relevant wedding article or service you'd like to share with our clients and would like to be featured, we welcome the opportunity to view your work and/or your wedding!

For Real Brides

Please include the following:

1. Information: Your name / Your fiancé’s name / Date and Location of your Wedding.

2. Images: 10-20 images that you feel best highlight your big day.  Images should be sent EITHER via jpgs or a zip file.

3. Description: We love to hear about your vision, the unique details that you infused, any DIY projects that you undertook.  The more info you provide, the better.

4. Vendors: Please list all applicable vendors that you would like to see credited.  We must have a photography credit to consider your wedding for publication.

We are ALWAYS looking for weddings that fall into the following categories:

DIY Inspired:  We love to see projects that you crafted to add personality and style to your wedding day.   Be sure to include step-by-step instructions and a picture of the final product for each DIY project that you would like to feature.

Budget Friendly:  If you managed to throw a gorgeous, super chic wedding on a budget, we’d love to see how it all turned out!  Fun, budget-friendly tips are a welcome addition to our posts.

Charming & Class:  If your wedding was all charm and style…we want to see it!

Cultural:  Did you infuse bits of your culture into your affair?  (Especially with an Aussie/Kiwi twist).  Let's hear about it

For Businesses

We are always looking for new businesses who are doing fab things in the wedding industry, especially if they're related to the Southern Hemisphere.  If you have a service or product or something extra special that you think is relevant to ididjeridoo brides and clients, please include the following:

1. Information: Your Company Name / Your Name / Service/Product

2. Your Images: 10-20 colour images that you feel best highlight your service or product. 

3. Description:  We love to hear details about exciting businesses in the industry.  The more information you can give us you and what you offer, the better.

Due to the high volume of submissions, you will be contacted only if we plan to use yours.  Please note submissions in any form, digital or hard copy will not be returned.

You can also email you submission to shadan@ididjeridoo.com.

Knicker-Making Class

Are you planning a hen party and in search of fun, unqiue ideas?

Party Pants offers a highly entertaining workshop for hen parties to quite literally stitch before they hitch in a ‘brief’ lesson in knockout knicker making.

Party Pants is a mobile workshop so they'll come to you with all the materials such as pretty ribbons, silk flowers, frilly lace, sewing machines and knicker shapes.  Then a demo the party begins! 

A photo shoot of all the creations rounds up the class and the best pair of pants goes to the bride (to wear perhaps on he wedding night?!)

These parties are particularly successful for hens to get to know each other in an entertaining new environment and champagne and delicious cupcakes can even be provided.
Best part is it's just £30pp to take part in a naughty knicker workshop (parties outside London will incure a travel fee), which includes all materials, a photo shoot of the event and most importantly a pair of your very own bespoke knickers to show off.

Planning a rustic Australian wedding?

Would you like to hold your ceremony in manicured gardens with the scenic rustic surrounds of a farm?

Belgenny Farm is a must see.  Offering a complete wedding experience from ceremony to reception, with an in-house catering company, specialising in contemporary Australian cuisine (with Asian and European influences) and a charming rustic function room, that provides a superb outlook over the vineyard and rural stunning setting.

Love it!

A new fave bridal designer

Auckland based designer Jane Yeh is a new fave.  Her signature designs are known for being stylish, romantic and elegant and we just love love love.

Jane also creates stunning pieces for bridesmaids and mother of the bride.  Visit the online boutique for the collection and pepare to get excited and perhaps a little carried away - gowns are priced at around $1000 NZD. 

Collette Dinnigan's Summer 2011 Collection

I've always been a huge fan of Aussie designer Collette Dinnigan and I'm super excited about the Summer 2011 collection - it's gorgeous!

Elegant light-weight fabrics with delicious details like pearl beaded bodices, silk organza blooms, soft, cascading ruffles, beautiful embroidery all of them perfect for year round, indoor or outdoor celebrations.

 

Pacific Treasures

Looking for beautifully crafted jewellery with a unique Kiwi connection?  Pacific Treasures have a huge range of designs inspired by New Zealand's natural beauty in a mix of traditional and contemporary design.  Greenstone and bone, koru, silver fern, paua shell, Maori, weaving and seashell themes and you can have custom made pieces.

The romance of a country wedding

We love a unique wedding venue to rave about and this one’s a winner.

Located in the historic village of Gundaroowas settled in 1825 and just 29km from the heart of Canberra, The Royal Hotel is a landmark building originally built in the early 1830s. Classified by the National Trust as a building of historic significance, it lay dormant until May 2003 when it was re-opened after extensive renovations.

The building itself is charming with two foot thick stone walls, five huge open fireplaces and hand cut ironbark ceilings and floorboards. It provides guests with a fantastic ambience to enjoy award winning cuisine and the premises even include stone stables that can be used for a stunning wedding reception, with seating for up to 160 people, pitched dark timber ceilings and a beautiful garden pavilion that offer views out over the garden.

Nestled in the historic setting of Gundaroo, Grazing is the perfect location for your wedding. Gundaroo Village has three historic "picture book" churches. St Joseph's - a gorgeous bluestone Catholic Church; St Mark's - a stately Anglican church; and the Uniting/Community Church - a quaint stone church in the middle of a picturesque green field. There are also several civil ceremony options available.

Burnard Gardens

If youre planning a garden wedding in Wellington, this is a must see.

Burnard Gardens is situated in the Reikorangi Valley, 3kms from Waikanae on the Kapiti Coast and an hour north of Wellington.

The garden has been a venue dedicated to wedding ceremonies since it first opened to the public in 1990 and is open from mid-September to the end of March.

There are several gardens to choose from such as the Daffodil Paddock and the Woodland Garden but I think my fave is the Spring Garden because I just love the over-hanging white cherry trees.
The website's basic but the images are enough to reel you in!

White by Vera Wang

The White by Vera Wang collection just opened at David’s Bridal stores across the US and will launch in Canada in March at very affordbale prices of $600-$1400 USD with bridesmaids, shoe and accessories line soon to follow.

Vera herself describes this collection as youthful, whimsical and romantic, inspired by Edgar Degas.

I fell in love with this blush pink organza strapless fit-and-flare gown.

Maleny Manor

Venue of the week is Maleny Manor; a stately and secluded homestead located on the Blackall Range in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

Purpose-built as a wedding reception venue, Maleny Manor offers stunning ocean views to Noosa and the Sunshine Coast, wide wrap-around decks and lush manicured lawns with a lake and pontoon, ideal for small gatherings and wedding photos and a hilltop pavilion.

Offering twelve different wedding packages, luxury accommodation and fine food Maleny Manor is the perfect choice for a wedding on the Sunshine Coast.

Bridal Trends for 2011

Flowing gowns - Chiffons, white organzas, satin and tulle are the fabrics of choice especially for brides down under as the popularity of marrying outdoors increases.

Lengthy veils - Cathedral length, embellished, lace, veils are surpassing the once fashionable fascinators and again, I gotta say, when else do you get to wear one?  If you're on the fence about to wear or not to wear a veil, get off it and go for it!
 
Less is more - Cutting back on the bling with bare necks and just a touch of bling on the ears.  Simple and classic.

What will your style be?

Gear Homestead

With a trip to the Southern Hemisphere fast approaching, I found this little gem that I will definitely be visiting on the Kapiti Coast.

Nestled among the rose gardens Gear Homestead was built in 1882 by the pioneer business magnate, James Gear and is now a gorgeous wedding venue catering for up to 80 guests (for a formal seated dinner and 100 for a standing cocktail function) with on-site catering and extensive menus to suit all occasions.

Set on 4 hectares of manicured grounds it offers ornate verandahs and stunning views of Porirua’s sparkling twin harbours. 

For more info visit http://www.pcc.govt.nz/A-Z-Services/Gear-Homestead

Portobello Bride Boutique Wedding Market

For all you Melbourne based brides, the first ever Portobello Bride Boutique Wedding Market is just a little over two weeks away and I'm filled with envy for those of you that actually CAN make it!  Darn geography!

It's at St Kilda Town Hall, Melbourne, March 26 and 27.  To book your tickets click here and check out the The Boutique Wedding Market page on the Portobello Bride Blog to find out who'll be there.

Modes New Zealand

Just been browsing the website of the largest occasionwear store in New Zealand.  Featuring exclusive designs from leading fashion houses around the world such as Pronovias, Manual Mota, Matthew Eager Australia plus an in house collection, Modes is pretty impressive.

Located in central Newmarket (NZ’s Fashion Capital) the main occasion wear store houses cocktail dresses, ball gowns, bridesmaid dresses, mother of the bride and race wear collections and the gorgeous separate bridal showroom in a beautifully lit private courtyard houses couture bridal and accessories.

All you NZ brides, check it out!