Breathtaking Backdrops

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Let’s set the scene of two lovers soon to become one. To the alter the bride would traditionally walk to gaze into the eyes of the one she loves and there connects for the first time to be husband and wife.

It may sound theatrical, but really it is. People well up with emotions and grin from ear to ear for this joyous occasion. Families come together and unite through love.

We present to you what was the simple alter with a few minor decorating touches or a full blown creation. The “backdrop” now sets the scene………….

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Style Le Aisle

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Aaron Shum Photography – styling by Wholehearted Studio

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The beauty and rawness of our land – KISSstudio

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Rustic love

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A touch of class with a chandelier- (The real life bride and groom behind KISSstudio!)

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Boots Photography

AND Here’s a sneak peek into the future of a wonderful venue opening up on the Sunshine Coast. The Lakehouse. You can get married on site and with glorious shots of the lake behind.

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The Lakehouse is due to open in September and we are a tad bit excited! (insert squeal here!!!)

This beautiful shot was taken by Images by Lou O’Brien

Last but not least our beautiful location for The Sunshine Coast Wedding Fair 2013. The gorgeous The Chapel – Woombye.

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Styled by our amazing dream team: Style Le Aisle, Dear & Tine Photography, Willow bud, Marilyn Crystelle Bridal, Natalie Hunter Makeup, Altered Images Hair & Beauty.

You can meet all these amazing vendors mentioned at the Sunshine Coast Wedding Fair August 10th.

**Limited time to buy your tickets online and bring a friend for free.**

Just click here: https://adarlingaffair.com/tickets/

A Creative Genius – Wedding Flowers by Julia Rose

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Over the last few weeks we have had the privilege to work closely with someone who we just adore!

This is our tribute to Julia from Wedding Flowers by Julia Rose.

julia roseWhy we at A Darling Affair love Julia: She’s honest, caring, funny as heck, hardworking – when it looks effortless for her, a great teacher (as Carrie experienced at the Miami Marketta -putting together the floral installation) and she is A-MA-ZING at her craft.

jr instalationOur facebook page went CRAZY when we posted this image of here work and that was just a glimpse of what was yet to come!

jr heapieceJulia was a vendor at The Gold Coast Wedding Fair but was working hard behind the scenes creating the final touches for the outdoor dining table (where you could sit and have your lunch) and floral headpieces for the beautiful models for our fashion parades and adding floral flair to many of our vendors displays.

jr tablejr chairsjr s&cJulia is a teacher at TAFE and brought some of her students to get hands on experience to help decorate our wedding fair. We love hearing her talk about the flowers as a person – “you should weave her in here” or “he’s looking a bit droopy there so we’ll bring him up here”.

Julia has 20 years experience under her belt in the industry and just keeps going from strength to strength – writing for the Australian Floral Industry Magazine on “what’s hot and In trend”. That is just the tip of the ice berg!

For the last 10 years Julia has focused on Weddings & Events and is just loving it!

jr wedding bouquetJulia was Runner Up – 2nd place – in the 2012 QLD ABIA Awards and we wish her all the best to take out first place this year! You go girl!

We can’t wait to work with Julia again when we come to the Gold Coast and we hope that you don’t wait and secure her for florist for your wedding day!

Find her here:

http://www.weddingflowersbyjuliarose.com/

WE LOVE YOU JULIA! xxx

Vendors featured in images:  Fresh Honey, Sunshine & Confetti, Dear & Tine Photography, Arctic Fox Furniture and Prop Hire.

Images by: Wholehearted Studio, Amelia Jane’s Photography, Moffatt Photography, Florido Weddings

A night out on the Gold Coast – Miami Marketta

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We headed down to one of the Gold Coast’s finest art and design markets – Miami Marketta, at the invitation of the lovely event organiser Emma Milikins on Friday evening just passed.  We enjoyed the great atmosphere, food, music and meeting so many creative folk – yes, our pockets came away a little lighter. Such a great night out and a fabulous way to let the Gold Coast locals know about our upcoming Wedding Fair.

We put together a little sneak preview into what our guests can expect at our fair this Saturday by way of a bridal makeover for two stunning ladies.

Before joking copy

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Our living display featured a lavish floral installation by Julia Rose, gowns by Begitta, and of course our models – Tatiana and Elisha.

Elina Valttila was the talent behind the gorgeous hair and makeup styling to complete the bridal makeovers.

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Alyce & Collette joined us to capture our shenanigans and certainly brought the party with them, those girls are bursting with energy and fun. Here are a few more of the images they snapped from the evening, enjoy!

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Thanks for a great night out Gold Coast! We’ll see you again on Saturday, and this time we’ll bring the fun. 10am to 4pm at The Abbey, Cobaki Lakes – be there or be square!

Cake Glorious Cake!

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Today we are lucky to have Rebel from Rebellyous Cake Co as guest blogger today to continue with our “The Sweet Things in Life” theme for the month of May.

Here she is to help you with all there is to know about decorating your cake:

“The wedding cake is one of the main focal points of the reception and should be both pleasing to the eye and mouth. So many options are available when it comes to YOUR cake, here are just a few things to consider:

The Outside

Fondant was once thought of as that “thick sweet icing” on a wedding cake. it can be now applied in a thin layer and is VERY versatile. Amazing effects can be created using fondant which can take on a fabric like texture – such as frills which are very popular right now.

image 1 rebel image 2 rebelimage 3 rebelThe Colour

Traditionally wedding cakes were only white or ivory in colour and whilst these options will always remain classical, more and more colour is making it’s way onto the cake. Don’t be afraid to use colour, it is a fantastic way to tie in the other elements of your wedding from the invitation through to the flowers and beyond.

image 4 rebel image 5 rebel image 6 rebelThe Design

Tiered wedding cakes no longer need to have matching layers. Stacking tiers of varying heights creates a modern, alternative look.

Flowers are always stylish and are an age old tradition when it comes to being on wedding cakes. Blooms will never lose their appeal. Almost all wedding cakes will have some tyoe of flower decoration whether they be real or handmade sugar flowers.

With themed weddings becoming more and more popular it is very easy to include your cake in the theme – everything from boho and vintage right through to steam punk.”

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Rebel kindly leaves us with a “Did you know?”…..

“The wedding night dream tradition – Single women traditionally have brought home a piece of wedding cake from a wedding they have attended and slept with it under their pillow. Folklore has it that the woman will dream bout the man she will marry.”

Rebel wishes you all sweet dreams! xxx

Photo credits: KISSstudio, Byron Loves Fawn Photography, Down Bangalow Road, Enigma Visions Photography.

Beautiful Blooms

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Let me tell you a story about me – Carrie.

I love flowers! As a young girl i used to explore my grandma’s wild overgrown garden. I loved watching the seasons change in her garden. I remember putting together little bouquets and pretending that i was getting married. I was in my own little world whilst my brothers were bashing through the scrub and climbing trees.

I shared my love of flowers with my husband to be and we hit the flower markets the day before our wedding and his eyes lit up with the variety of flowers that were on display. It was a cold wet Sydney morning but i loved that his eyes were opened to a whole new world of beauty.

The last stop was back at my Grandma’s garden to add the sentimental touches to my bouquet. This was the day i dreamt off as a little girl.

alex & carrie kissAs seasons change so do the style of bouquets. My bouquet mean’t something to me so make sure you convey that to your florist. Create something beautiful that reflects YOU, where you came from and your surroundings.

Here are some images from some talented florists who will be at both our wedding fairs.

julia rose bouquet blossom & twine willow bud willow bud white blossom & twine purpleginger lily and rosetwig & blossomCome see these beautiful ladies and their beautiful blooms at our wedding fairs.

Gold Coast Wedding Fair – June 22nd: Wedding Flowers by Julia Rose, Blossom & Twine.

Sunshine Coast Wedding Fair – August 10th: Willow Bud, Ginger Lily & Rose Floral Studio, Twig & Blossom

Wedding Flowers by Julia Rose will be collaborating her wonderful skills with Fresh Honey Weddings to style the Gold Coast Wedding Fair. Surely a sight not to be missed!

Buy your tickets here: https://adarlingaffair.com/tickets/

Photo credits: Boots Photography, Kirra Sun Photography, This is Peculiar, Brit Emma Photography

The snow fell upon our high tea…

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For the Month of May on the blog we are celebrating the “Sweet things in life”

Nakita from Jhar Binx and Zave Cake Artistry is inspired by flowers and her love of cooking to bring to the table what she knows to be “sweet”:

“Baby’s breath is known to be the cheap filler flower for old fashion bouquets, well not anymore.

Beauty can come from many places and to me this fine spray of snow inspired flakes is absolutely beautiful and should not be forgotten, in fact should be utterly embraced as a sprinkling of vintage beauty either adorning your tabletops in lavish sprays or being walked down the isle of a garden wedding or just sitting on the kitchen window sill in all its sweetness.

We have been using bunches of these white soft specs on our high tea tables and I must say it has out done the rose as one of my favourite flowers.

Baby’s breath for us has added a soft vintage touch to our High tea décor and a little bit of something unique.

Remember that sometimes the most insignificant things can be the loveliest of all.

Happy caking baking and creating!” – Kita xx

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Nakita has so kindly shared a little treat for you from her own kitchen:

INSPIRED RECIPE – SNOW WHITE MARSHMALLOW

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500grams Caster Sugar

2 Tablespoons Liquid Glucose

2 Tablespoons Gelatine Powder

2 Egg Whites

2 Teaspoons of Vanilla

2 Cups of Desiccated Coconut

Grease and line a 18cm x 25cm x 4cm lamington pan. Combine the caster sugar, liquid glucose and 200ml water in a saucepan over low heat, stirring, until the sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil and cook over medium heat for about 3-5 minutes until a sugar thermometer reaches 120°C.

Place 200ml cold water in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the powdered gelatine, and then stand for 10 minutes. Place the bowl in a saucepan of simmering water and stir until completely clear. Stir the gelatine mixture into the sugar syrup.

Beat egg whites with electric beaters until stiff peaks form. Continue to beat while you gradually add the sugar syrup, and then beat for a further 10 minutes until mixture thickens and becomes glossy. Fold in the vanilla and pour the mixture into the pan. Chill for 1 hour until firm.

Cut the Marshmallow into Squares, the easiest way to do this is to run your knife under hot water, wipe of quickly on a tea towel and cut each line with the knife still hot but not wet.

Take each square out and roll in coconut

MMMMMMmmmmm….

Things we love – Fanciful Feathers

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Feather on Ground text

There’s a strong boho-vibe in the wedding industry at present and along with that we’ve noticed an emergence of feathery details. I’ve always had a “thing” for feathers; I would often be found sketching feathers in my notebooks when I should have been taking notes. There is just something so whimsical about their delicate, floaty nature; something so day-dreamy about them – it’s easy to get carried away. Maybe it’s that dreaminess that makes them such a welcomed addition to a wedding celebration.

Kicking off with stationery, add that extra detail and texture with a feather – much like these designs from Gemma Lauren Invitations…Gemma Lauren Invitation

[Photo by Anna Gilbert Photography]

Or create a more dramatic bouquet by incorporating some stunning plumes…Feather Bouqet

[Bouquet by Lavish Floral Design, Photography By Dear & Tine]

Add some finer details to your centrepieces by placing feathers in vases,

Feathers in vase

[Styling by Fresh Honey Weddings, Photography by Dear & Tine]

Or take the boho-vibe that step further with some dream-catchers…Alyce and Collette Dreamcatcher

[Styling by Cherry Red Styling Co., Photography by Alyce & Colette]

I absolutely adore the boho-luxe golden feather embellishments on this cake by Rebellyous Cake Co.Rebellyous Cake Co

[Photography by Down Bangalow Road]

And last but certainly not least, by way of Bridal accessories ask your florist to incorporate feathers in your floral wreath…Lavish - head piece

[Wreath by Lavish Floral Design, Photography by Dear & Tine]

Or absolutely indulge your fancy for feathers with this stunning “Maine” head piece, created by Heidi of Shut the Front Door.maine - shut the front door head piece

[Photography by Karen Buckle]

All these feathers are leaving me little light headed, and certainly light hearted! I hope they’ve lifted your spirits and send you floating away with some inspiration for you big day.

Emily xxx

Vendor Feature: Inspired Bouquets by Gabriel

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Brooch Bouquets are a stunning and unique alternative to the traditional fresh flower bouquet. They are also fast becoming very popular!  Gabriel from Inspired Bouquets creates lovely arrangements that will last well beyond your special day.

Each Inspired Bouquet is made from a variety of different high quality materials including brooches, buttons, jewellery, lockets, crystals, fabric flowers and sparkle! For a more personal touch, and added sentimental value, Gabriel will include your own special pieces.

Every custom order is quoted according to your own personal requirements and budget. Having been a bride on a budget herself, Gabriel is more than happy to work with you to make sure that you can have one of these stunning pieces without breaking the bank.

Undoubtedly a gorgeous accessory for a bride – though why not order a one-of-a-kind brooch bouquet for a birthday, graduation, formal, or any special occasion?