Winter Wedding Planning

It's winter in the Southern Hemisphere and although, not the most popular time to wed, I think if you're going to have a winter wedding, Australia and New Zealand not only offers fab scenery but the winter chill is always a little less harsh than other parts of the world.

There are some extra planning considerations for a winter wedding though, so here's our top tips.

It goes without saying that when choosing you’re winter wedding venue you will need to consider, first and foremost, the weather.  Keep in mind that limiting movement between venues to avoid having wet and miserable guests, is a thoughtful idea.  Holding your ceremony and reception in the same place is ideal.

One of the key things to consider when selecting your venue, regardless of time of year,  is photo opportunities.  In winter, it will not always be possible to have photos taken outside so instead of lakes and vineyards, think cosy, romantic settings such as open fireplaces and sweeping staircases. 

Candlelight is the perfect accompaniment for a winter wedding because of the gorgeous, warm ambience they create.  For your table centrepieces try placing silver sprayed branches in tall vases, and hang crystal or silver ornaments from them.  Cluster candles on the table around the vase and the light will be reflected by the ornaments.  Tall vintage candelabras also make stunning centerpieces.

Flowers are important and there are an abundance in season in winter, such as the trusty rose, traditional tulips, wintery snow drops, sweet french Lavender and some good ol' Aussie eucalypts.

As for your attire, opt for a heavier fabric for your gown and compliment with a gorgeous white fur stole or fur lined and luxurious velvet wraps.  Think of your gown, veil and wraps etc as your props in photos. 

Favours are the easy part and your spoilt for choice if you're looking for a winter themed gift.  Hot chocolate sachets is a sweet and fun option, bags of dried lavender and little vials of essential oils is a lovely touch and if you're looking for something a little more personal, snow globes with the bride and groom inside is super cute.

In cooler weather we all tend to eat more so offer winter cocktails such as egg nogg, Bellini's, Whiskey or Baileys on ice for pre-dinner drinks and serve hearty foods such as lamb shanks with lots of roast winter veges, washed down with vintage reds, followed with any kind of dense pudding.

2011 Melbourne Bride Wedding Expo Countdown!

Melbourne brides, the countdown is on!  There's just 3 days until the 2011 Melbourne Bride Wedding Expo but never fear, if you still haven't bought your tickets, you still can through ticketmaster.com.au.

Rent Your Rocks!

I have a real obsession with jewellery these days, more so than ever before.  My new hobby is making pendant necklaces, earrings, bracelets and kilt pins.  I'm loving it and my eye is naturally drawn to anything bling related so it's really only fitting that my next post be along these lines ... Rent Your Rocks is THE place to go to hire fabulous jewellery, perfect for any special event.   So you won't find anything like my handmade trinkets, but you WILL find plenty of red carpet knock outs!  There's even a Bridal Collection.

Quaint Blue Mountains Setting

My late Grandmother lived in The Blue Mountains for more than 20 years and it always felt a million miles away from our home in western Sydney when I was a child - in fact it's just over an hour.  The seasons were always so defined - in autumn, the mountains shone with hues of red and gold and come winter, light snow would blanket the townships while patches of fog clouded the valley floor.  It's such a beautiful part of NSW and a gorgeous location to wed, which is why I gotta tell you about one of it's most romantic and picturesque wedding venues - the very quaint Chapel Hill.  There is just so much to love bout this place! 

Set in 80 rurl acres in the foot hills of Mt Tomah (the entrance to the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area) this stunning venue is a heritage property dating from 1832.  The extensive park like grounds, boasting stands of trees planted over 100 years ago, are the idyllic setting for an elegant, relaxed, out-door wedding with amazing views of the mountains for gorgeous photographic opportunities.  And the quaint non-denominational chapel (modelled on an early Australian country church), comes complete with stunning floor-to-ceiling stained-glass windows.

Here's where it gets good - Chapel Hill is strictly a one wedding a day venue (not many of these around unfortunately) meaning you have exclusive use of the gardens and facilities with absolutely no time limits.  BYO alcohol policy = HUGE savings!  Guests are served complimentary hors d'oevres with drinks in the gazebo while the bridal party is being snapped and there's luxury self-contained cottages each with their own separate entrance and a safe play area for children.

Doesn't get much better does it?

Memorywall Art

Memorywall is a fabulously unique product that literally transforms your memories into ‘art’, displaying your images in one beautiful frame or print for everyone to see, always.

The compilations are designed to permanently show case your photographs rather than stored away in an album, and unlike traditional albums the number of images you chose to display is unlimited.

It really is such a lovely idea and the perfect way to capture all the little details of your wedding, holiday, anniversary, birthday or any special occasion in one photo frame to appreciate every day.