White by Gossip Gowns

The magical experience of finding the perfect wedding gown is one we’ve all dreamt of, and it’s seriously a special, often teary, step along the wedding planning journey. And while there can be multiple hiccups within that search for The Dress, an all too common one that really hurts is when your dress loses it’s ‘unique’ factor.

Imagine stumbling across your dream gown, ecstatically ordering it months in advance, and then, as the wedding date swiftly approaches, that same design starts popping up seemingly on every bride in town. It’s the curse of the ‘trendiest dress in town’, and this is where ‘exclusivity’ saves the day. And more specifically for our Brisbane (and surrounds) brides, a new showroom in Newport, White by Gossip Gowns.

They boast an incredible selection of exclusive gowns, all lovingly selected, bespoke and unique. Although incredibly difficult to choose favourites, we couldn’t help but share these stunning examples below. Make sure you source them out at A Darling Affair and book an appointment with them ASAP. Every bride deserves to look and feel unique and special, as well as stunning, in their wedding dress.

White by Gossip Gowns

White by Gossip Gowns White by Gossip Gowns

Meet Winston Wolfe Custom Leather Jackets

When we first came across Winston Wolfe we were instantly head over heels in love. Firstly, what is not to love about timeless leather jackets? But secondly, when we realised they could be hand painted and customised for your wedding day, then we were ready to make it facebook official.

Established in 2012, Winston Wolfe is the go-to leather label for the cool-femme woman. Winston Wolfe leather pieces can be paired back with slip dresses, trainers, denim and lace. You can also have them customised in hand painted typography to make it really personal to you. Jackets come in black and ivory leather as well now too and are the perfect addition for the non-traditional bride who would like to bring some edge to their wedding day ensemble. 

Winston Wolfe has fast evolved into a cult brand and boast being worn by people such as: Pip Edwards, Elle Ferguson, Amanda Shadforth, Katie Modern and Jennifer Hawkins to name a few. Their Instagram account alone will have you super inspired for your edgy wedding and get you looking the part with a jacket created especially for your wedding day.

Make sure you head over to their website and Instagram and get acquainted!

How To Be The Best Bridesmaid Of All Time

For those who don’t know me, my name is Hayley, and I was invited to put together this blog post for you all today, not because of my work with Wholehearted Studio, but because I am a seasoned and experienced Bridesmaid.

Now… I don’t want to gloat, but I give Katherine Heigl from 27 Dresses a run for her money. I have to date been a bridesmaid 6 times, styled 5 weddings for friends, not to mention I have been the friend that inherited all the sub-par wedding jobs that no one else wanted to do (like making sure the port-a-loo toilets were ‘safe’ for use. etc.) It was like I was destined for it really, because when I was little my Dad had a wedding horse and carriage business and my job was to be the little flower girl that put the step out for the brides. And make sure their dress didn’t land in horse manure.

So it is fair to say that I have been around the traps for a while and know what I am talking about when I tell you that I know for sure, how to be the best bridesmaid of all time. So for those of you recruiting bridesmaids, or who have already gone through the process and want to remind them how it is done… feel free to send this link on to them and brace yourself for the most efficient bridesmaids of all time. #wingwoman

Photography by Florido Weddings

TIP ONE – Remember the day is not about you. It could be likely that you will be wearing a dress, makeup or shoes that aren’t exactly your personal style. Suck it up princess, pick up your bridesmaid pearls and keep walking. Chant to yourself on repeat: “I am not the priority today”.

TIP TWO – Put your hand up early on and offer to help on a couple of jobs so that you can have first dibs at the ones you want and will enjoy. It will make for a way more enjoyable lead up to the day and give you the chance to enjoy some nights in front of Netflix doing craft, or planning the biggest hens in the history of mankind. Whatever you offer to do, do it heartily.

TIP THREE – Make BFF’s with every other bridesmaid. Even the high maintenance crazy ones if your bridal party has one of those. A fun bridal party has no place for tension or dysfunction… so make peace with everyone you can.  If you notice any tension arise, make it your job to be the peacemaker! And if each Bridesmaid does the same, you will be on your way to a ‘tension free’ wedding day. #squadgoals

TIP FOUR – Remember the wedding day is show time. Sure it might be the first time you’ve had your makeup done in ages, but it is not appropriate to spend the whole entire wedding getting new selfie profile pics for your Tinder profile. Get your good photo and then put the phone away. Help with veils, flowers and dresses as much as you can. Make the day as easy on the bride as possible.

TIP FIVE – If you are a single bridesmaid, don’t spend the whole lead up to the day Facebook stalking every single eligible bachelor that is going to be in attendance at the wedding. Chances are he’s going to have a secret girlfriend that isn’t Facebook official anyway. Instead, spend your spare time planning for amazing and thoughtful times with your Bride-To-Be girlfriend.

And there you have it! A complete recipe for how to be the best bridesmaid of all time.

 

 

Amazing Event Hire

Whether you’re planning a DIY dream or need someone to do all the heavy work planning your perfect wedding, our event hire vendors are hard to beat. These amazing businesses pulled out all the stops to help us create the ultimate party space for our Sunshine Coast Wedding Fair and we couldn’t recommend them enough!
 Hat’s off to the amazing Out of the Dark Event Lighting! Their amazing team worked so hard from start to finish to create a cozy setup that our guests LOVED.
Recognising a gap in the market, Out Of The Dark was born to fill the need for modern and stylish lighting for events and celebrations. Providing a unique interior feel to all of their setups, Michael and his crew do everything from creating lighting plans, sourcing product selections, dreaming up custom designs and providing installation.
 
 Perfect Party Co. know how to do it right. With talent oozing out of them, this fab business gave 200% to make the Fashion Lounge look STUNNING.
The sister company to Out of the Dark, they offer an all-inclusive service of planning, styling, floristry and hire and can handle everything from proposal to reception pack up. Headed up by the lovely Amey, she and her team work with a network of creative wedding industry vendors and have managed events from Brisbane to Auckland and Fiji, with guest lists ranging from 20 to over 500!
A Darling Affair have been so lucky to have Equip 4 Hire onboard as a sponsor to make the Fashion Lounge possible. We love working with them and couldn’t recommend them enough! One glance at their product list is all you need to see that they are able to provide everything from the marquee, lighting, dance floor, tables and chairs, right through to the linen and cutlery. This awesome business can provide just about anything for your perfect DIY wedding and are more than happy to do the grunt work with set up and take down. Picturing something that they don’t have on their product list? No worries! Equip 4 Hire love trying new things and are always keen to hunt down that perfect item that their clients are dreaming of.
How gorgeous is that greenery wall!?? An established business in Sydney for 14 years, Fairylight Curtains owners Jayne and Inigo made a sea change to the coast and expanded their family business while they were at it. For them, this was the perfect creative outlet in an industry that they truly love. Fairylight Curtains provides stunning backdrops and ceiling drapery for weddings, celebrations and photo shoots, and since moving to Queensland they have expanded their product range to include flower walls and green walls. Every instagramers dream! Their gorgeous backgrounds look fantastic with props and have endless uses! Whether it’s for an eye-catching centrepiece, used as a photo backdrop or front and centre during a ceremony…if you can dream it, these guys can do it.
A big thank you to Asha Jane & Co. who made our gorgeous gold A Darling Affair sign that we had above the door of the chapel and some other lovely bits and pieces for the fair. Designer Kelly is the brains behind this popular Laser Cutting Studio based on the beautiful Sunshine Coast. Making ready made & customised wooden & acrylic products, they make the perfect keepsake for any wedding or home.
It’s impossible not to fall in love with this talented guy and his amazing creations! Twisted Mr provides everything that a balloon loving customer could want. From giving small intimate affairs a splash of wow factor, to working alongside stylists to brings a large scale venue to life. Specialising in organic balloon garlands, jumbo balloons, confetti balloons and tulle balloons, there’s nothing that he won’t do to create the magical decor that you desire.
Starting off by creating designs for family, Event Letters owners Dave and Katie were inspired to share their talents with other couples looking for a unique way to set their wedding apart from the rest. Each and every one of their letters and props are designed, machine cut and hand finished locally by the Event Letters team. Filament style bulbs recreate a vintage carnival feel that their clients love, while also having the option of customising the letters with coloured bulbs to perfectly match the palette of your celebration. All of their props are fully dimmable, making them able to create the perfect vibe and ambiance for whatever type of wedding you have your heart set on.
Photo credit: Daisy Chain Weddings

Wedding Inspo

Planning your dream wedding is one of the most exciting times of your life, but it can also be time-consuming and even a tad stressful. That’s where these amazing vendors come in! When it comes to unique and original wedding inspiration, these are three of the Sunshine Coast’s and the country’s top wedding resources. These guys help A Darling Affair be who we are today and are vital in helping us bring you Queensland’s ultimate fun-filled, alternative wedding fair.

These girls are everything that we adore about the wedding industry and our brides loved receiving their free copy of Hello May at the last Sunshine Coast Wedding Fair. Like A Darling Affair, the ladies from Hello May stay on top of trends, giving brides the latest news and fashion to help bring to life the wedding of your dreams, whatever your style may be.

The Bride’s Tree is a super friendly, super knowledgeable team who every Sunshine Coast bride needs to know! From a spark of an idea between two besties, The Bride’s Tree is now a leading free resource for couples to find everything they need when planning a Sunshine Coast wedding. We absolutely love these ladies and couldn’t recommend them enough! They’ve even taken the time to research all of the best spots for your special day and have created their own comprehensive e-book “Sunshine Coast’s Best Wedding Venues”. This e-book has made finding the perfect venue so easy for couples during the planning process, it’s a life-changer!
Groomology knows that it’s not just the bride that thinks about their wedding day. These guys pride themselves on being a no BS resource for the modern groom and make it easy for guys to play an equal part in planning their wedding with awesome resources like free vow and speech writing kits, original groom interviews and a schmancy supplier directory in the works for 2018. Plus, our guests couldn’t stop raving about the delicious cold brew coffee they gave away on the day. It’s all about those little extra’s that make a business great!

So Delish

On the hunt for some delish grub for your guests? From cakes and desserts, to sit down feasts, our catering vendors have all your food bases covered.
Wild Child Catering specialises in creating 100% bespoke cakes and drool-worthy dessert tables. Creator Kendra is a master at putting together the most amazing, Instagrammable dessert spreads and is a genius at eclectic, vintage and boho-chic themes. Kendra works closely with her clients to customise one-of-a-kind menus based on couples wants and needs. You want a pie table? She can do that! A skyscraper of Parisian macaroons? You got it! Have your heart set on a donut tower? No problem!!!
We were so lucky to have Icecream Curls with us at the fair! It was an absolute scorcher and they had us cooling down with delicious, super fun ice-cream curls. This fab biz create delicious frozen treats that have people craving more up and down the Sunshine Coast! The first of it’s kind in Queensland, Icecream Curls is made from scratch by husband and wife team Sam and Dannii.  All of their fresh ingredients come from local suppliers and they’re strong believers in keeping things local and supporting others chasing their dreams. Community over competition!

The Little Bluebird Fine Cakes and Sweets create gorgeous individually designed wedding cakes and coordinating sweets for lovely couples who are looking for something special on their big day. With a timeless and distinctive style that makes them unique, The Little Bluebird offer crisp, elegant and designs that are executed with perfection and taste out of this world.

Hat’s off to Parma Street Food (formerly known as Maribelle’s Street Food) for not only being a favourite with our guests, they were also one of the friendliest vendors at the Sunshine Coast Wedding Fair! The only food truck of its kind on the Sunshine Coast, Maribelle’s offer different menu choices for any occasion, ranging from Italian antipasto platters, cheese and fruit platters, canapes and even a buffet and restaurant style option for the couple looking for a sit-down feast. They really have all the bases covered for a delicious and original wedding menu that will keep your guests talking about your day for years to come.
Thank goodness for Head Over Wheels! These guys kept everyone cool with their refreshing drinks on such a hot day, plus they looked great and tasted soooo good! New to the Sunshine Coast, since May of 2017 they have already helped celebrate multiple weddings, birthday parties and community and corporate events from Byron Bay to Noosa. Not a bad start! Their gorgeous mobile caravan bar is an absolute wow factor, guaranteed to make your celebration even more memorable. Operating as a BYO alcohol and beverage service, the Head Over Wheel’s friendly and talented bar staff ensure that your guests are happy and hydrated at all times. Plus, their amazing decor and relaxing ambiance create incredible photo ops!
Photo Credit: Daisy Chain Weddings

Gorgeous Venues

We all know that the Sunshine Coast is known for its pristine beaches, but there are also some amazing venue’s tucked away in this beautiful part of Queensland. We had some of the coast’s best as part of our line up at the last Sunshine Coast fair and they didn’t disappoint!
The Rocks Yandina were a crowd favourite and the winner of The Best Stall on the day for their gorgeous flowers and beautiful styling. Not only that, their lovely team gave away homemade marmalade made from fruit from their property! Talk about going the extra mile! The Rocks has long been adored by natives of the Sunshine Coast. Located at the base of a mountain and facing the beautiful Maroochy River, this well-loved spot oozes charm and personality. With a prestigious history as an award-winning restaurant, The Rocks Functions reopened its doors in 2015 and will be continuing it’s transformation over the coming months to include amazing Sunday seafood lunches along with a stunning space designed especially for weddings.
We just love The Wedding Chapel Woombye! This is the perfect venue for our fair and their team who went above and beyond behind the scenes to ensure the fair went off without a hitch – we wouldn’t hesitate in recommending them for your wedding! With a unique vintage flavour, The Wedding Chapel Woombye has the beautiful Blackall Range as it’s backdrop and is located centrally in the Sunshine Coast region. The Chapel’s classic character and charm provide the perfect ceremony location as-is or can be turned into a DIY dream.
A cornerstone of the hinterland village of Eumundi, The Imperial Hotel has been welcoming locals and tourists since its opening in 1911.  After extensive renovations, The Eumundi Brewery was officially opened in August 2017 and has become a magical mix of historic hotel, bohemian art, and colourful creative groove. The hotel now has five diverse entertaining areas offering settings for every occasion.
Spicers Retreats
This amazing company boasts relaxed luxury accommodation and breathtaking scenery fit for the wedding of your dreams. The perfect backdrop for a relaxed celebration, both Spicers Tamarind Retreat and Spicers Clovelly Estate are popular destinations for couples hunting for an intimate five-star venue.
Photo credit: Daisy Chain Weddings

Stationery Love

 

The Sunshine Coast Wedding Fair sparkled with old world charm thanks to our darling stationery vendors. These talented ladies got us all inspired with their dreamy calligraphy skills and gorgeous paper goods.

Artist Danielle is the talented creator of Lindqvist Ink. Specialising in fine art stationery suites for weddings and events, her range includes invitations, save the dates and RSVP’s, plus on-the-day items such as place cards, menus and seating charts. Danielle’s skills have seen her published multiple times in publications across the globe, it was a treat to see her work for ourselves!
 The Frankie Collective partner with brides, mums-to-be or event planners to create luxe paper stationery. From the first mention of ‘save-the-date’,  all the way through to individually hand-lettered place cards and thank-you’s, stationery has the ability to leave a lasting impression. On top of paper stationery, designer Jane Hill also offers custom or hire options of signage for your wedding or event, as well as stunning wall prints and beautiful little bits and pieces to make your house a home.
 Little Duck Calligraphy
Designer Tess is the brains behind the oh-so-gorgeous Little Duck Calligraphy. Tess is highly sought after for creative collaboration both in Australia and internationally and has been featured in magazines worldwide.  Tess works together in a partnership with each and every client she has to create the wedding stationery of their dreams, from save the dates to thank you notes and everything in between.
Photo credit: Daisy Chain Weddings

Celebrating our Celebrants

One of our favourite things here at A Darling Affair is matching couples with their very own personal wedding dream team. Finding your perfect celebrant is such a great feeling, and we had three of the Sunshine Coast’s best sharing their work and talents with us at the Sunshine Coast Wedding Fair.
Hayley Belle is not your average marriage celebrant. At 30 years old, this rad mama has a full sleeve tattoo and a wild sense of humour! Hayley brings her signature spark and personal touch to every wedding, so whether you’re planning a backyard affair with your pets as your bridal party, in a sailor outfit on a yacht, or on a stage at a heavy metal gig…you name it, she’s game!
The lovely Natalie Skye is a hip and happy celebrant that presents a sincere, genuine and authentic wedding ceremony. Known as the Sunny Celebrant, her lighthearted and relaxed service is full of enthusiasm, passion and fun. Not only is Natalie a seasoned celebrant, she also runs another business Fancy and Free Wedding, which create elopement packages uniquely designed around couples, so it’s pretty obvious to see that she lives and breathes all things wedding related!
Paula Koda’s cheerful outlook and passion for her job are what makes her such a fantastic celebrant. She has a wholehearted approach to supporting couples and families in celebrating love, whether in a marriage, welcoming a new little family member or celebrating a life well lived! She is a skilled navigator when it comes to the organising process and helps to reassure by making ceremonies warm, relaxed and personal by offering couples oodles of inspirational ideas for their special day.
Photo credit: Daisy Chain Weddings

Let Me Entertain You

Looking for something a little special to entertain your guests? The Sunshine Coast Wedding Fair had some great ideas for fun and memorable ways to get your friends and family smiling and in the party mood.
We fell in love with the oh-so-fun Sunshine Coast Vintage Photo Booths! Their energetic set up is the perfect icebreaker for any event. They supply laugh out loud props and affordable tailored packages to suit whatever needs you have. Their team have created an enjoyable, no stress option to create memories and keep a grin on your guest’s faces.

 

Tired of the cheesy, old-school wedding vibe, The White Tree decided to put their collective minds and talents together to create a one-of-a-kind wedding experience where couples can get film, photography and live music all under one roof! Their energetic live shows, cool cinematic films, and naturalistic photography have made them a fan favourite and their tight-knit team are one of the country’s top creative talents for modern weddings.

In The Booth
We were so happy to have In The Booth join us as part of our fair lineup! This award-winning business provides retro-inspired enclosed booths, perfect for creating a little privacy for your more reserved guests to get a little silly, or even a space at your event for you and your sweetheart to steal a quick moment away. With convenient locations across Australia, every booth in their network is identical, keeping it easy with no confusing options, colours or styles. Just striking, classically styled booths that command attention in any venue.
Photo credit: Daisy Chain Weddings