Menswear Trends we can’t get enough of

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In case you missed the memo, men’s suiting is gaining some great style momentum at the moment. We’re loving seeing bolder trends and variations on classic styles. Grooms are absolutely spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing wedding outfits for themselves and their crew. Here in Brisbane we have some incredible local talent who will be represented well at A Darling Affair and will no doubt catch your attention strutting their tailored stuff down the runway.

We have noticed a particularly swoon worthy trend around lighter tones, lots of pink and purple hues, linen blends and soft patterns which we just love love love. And when we find a trend we like, we’re soon lost down a rabbit hole of inspiration boards, magazine cuttings, style forecasting heaven.

Here is a gorgeous selection of some of our favourite finds from our three local favourites, Urbbana, Will Valor and Institchu.

Intitchu Linen Suits

Intitchu

Wil Valor Suit Collar

Wil Valor

Wil Valor Wedding Suit

Wil Valor

Institchu Linen Suit

Institchu

 

Urbbana Pink Check Suit

Urbbana

 

To come and see the mens style for yourself, grab your tickets now.

How to be The Greatest Groomsman of All Time

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First of all, well done! You must be a loyal and enjoyable enough friend to be summoned as essentially a ‘wedding wingman’. Or you simply share genetics with the Groom and willingly or not have to stand by your brother’s/cousin’s side for his big day. Regardless, your title has been bestowed, but you quite possibly have no idea what you’re meant to do with it.

Sure, Hollywood may lead us to believe that groomsmen are led by a single goal of complete inebriation and blinding Vegas lights, and only produce issues and roadblocks to the success of a wedding day. But, we know that’s all lies and an epic groomsman loves nothing more than saving the day, providing solutions, and essentially becoming the Groom’s hero.

So to help you on your path of heroic wedded deeds, here are our 5 ‘I’m the Greatest Groomsman of All Time’ Solutions that you can essentially print out, give to the Groom and earn yourself some serious pat-on-the-back kudos.

Solution 1: Don’t get overwhelmed by all the planning.
You can see it, your mate is obviously excited for the impending nuptials but the 100 bridal magazines, 20 varieties of roses and guest list whittling is starting to make his eye twitch. Give him a reassuring pat on the back and load Groomology on his phone for him. They are simply a ‘no BS Wedding Resource for the Modern Groom’. And bonus, sign up to their newsletter and you get a Free Vow and Speech Writing Kit.

Solution 2: Become The Master of Beverages. All beverages!
Not just a crate of whatever stubby the bottle-o had on special that week, but read up on some great whiskies and show off your knowledge when culturally swirling them in a glass. And line up some top drop coffee for the morning after your bucks’ celebrations.

Solution 3: We’ll all be looking Mighty Fine come Show Time!
Yes some of us may have sported a 5 o’clock shadow for the best part of 10 years but fear not… we know a guy! Specifically The Mobile Barber Shop (you’re welcome). A fully decked out barber shop van ready to park up for the morning of the big day and work some clean-shaven magic.

Solution 4: Wow everyone with our outfits just/almost as much as the other halves.
Well fitted and seriously dapper is the order of the day. Yes, it’s time to leaf through some style magazines, even scroll some red carpet slideshows and find a style that suits the Groom to a ’T’. Call your tailor and set up a date. Don’t have a tailor? Give the team at Urbbana a call, they’ll look after you.

Solution 5: Do what you do best.
Either use your witty one-liners to calm the Groom’s jitters, or be the level headed one who remembers to pack breath mints for everyone. There will be reasons the Groom wants you around for the day, so figure out what that might be, and own it!

Because over all, your mate getting married to his other half is the main goal of the day… but if you can make it smoother, more fun or brilliant then congrats! You are a Epic Groomsman!

Image Credits: Groomsmen: Groomology; Florido Weddings Barber images: The Mobile Barber Shop

Amazing Event Hire

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Let Me Entertain You

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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

Blooming Lovely Style

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The Sunshine Coast Wedding Fair has come and gone for another year! We had such an awesome line up of vendors, it’s hard to put our excitement and love for them all into words…but we’ll try! First off we have some big love to share for all of the talented florists and stylists. These guys brought their A game!
In an industry where trends are constantly changing, Nat from Heavenly Blooms is a florist that evolves with the times. Her unique style inspires her to take risks and think outside of the box, designing floral creations that are wild and organic. Nat is such a talent and Heavenly Blooms creations beautifully mimic nature while also reflecting the vision drawn from the world around us.
Gloriosa Florals brought some magic to the fair with an array of beautiful blooms and an absolutely fabulous floral arbour that wowed all of our guests. Florist, Sarah, is a genius at creating breathtaking arrangements and is known for her bouquets, reception florals and showstopping hanging chandeliers. Based in Brisbane, Gloriosa is a full-service florist specialising in weddings and their team travel to the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Toowomba, Tweed Coast, Byron Bay and many other amazing venues in between to bring some magic to your special day.
Cloud Nine Weddings is a multi-award winning business and an absolute must for anyone planning a wedding or celebration on the Sunshine Coast. This awesome business has everything you could ever need to create your dream wedding. Cloud Nine Weddings can organise decorations, help with finding the perfect ceremony location, assist with council permits and just about anything else you can think of to help make your celebration seamless. They also supplied A Darling Affair with some stunning signs on the day of the fair, we couldn’t have loved them more!
Is there anything better than working with your BFF? With backgrounds in Visual Merchandising and PR/Marketing, besties Demi and Emily decided to put their heads together and start Harper Arrow, a bespoke events business that could cater to any number of guests.
Based in Brisbane, Harper Arrow offer a range of styling packages that can be individually tailored to create your dream celebration. Whether you’re after a DIY hire or someone to handle all of the nitty-gritty details for you, Harper Arrow brings a little bit of magic to any event.
A big shoutout to Boho Sisters! These girls know how to turn heads! Their team created a chic and relaxed oasis on our Picnic Lawn, making it the perfect spot for couples to unwind in between cruising the fair. We still get googly eyes just thinking about this beautiful space.
Boho Sisters are known for their unique styling talents.  Based on the beautiful Sunshine Coast, their fresh take on wedding and event styling is refined with a personalised, relaxed approach. The girls have made a name for their romantic and intimate affairs and the gorgeous spaces that they create have made them in-demand in and around this beautiful part of the country.
Photo credit: Daisy Chain Weddings

Imperial Hotel Eumundi

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A cornerstone of the hinterland village of Eumundi, The Imperial Hotel has been welcoming locals and tourists since its opening in 1911. An iconic venue on the coast, the majestic Queenslander was in need of some love and attention when it was bought by a group of locals in 2014. The hotel had fabulous ‘bones’ but really needed some TLC. 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 is now a dedicated art and entertainment space with five diverse areas offering settings for every occasion. With its sweeping verandahs and creative décor, this jewel of the hinterland overlooks the leafy main street below, bustling with the activity of the town’s creative community.

Their premium wedding space ‘The Brewery’ has an industrial vibe and looks over the tops of the stainless steel tanks of the working Eumundi Brewery. Equipped with a fully operational bar, your guests will be able to enjoy the Eumundi Brewery beers tapped direct from the tanks below. For a more intimate wedding, consider the enchanting space they call ‘The Green Room’. With its French doors and old world ambience, The Green Room features a private bar, raised stage space and themed restrooms. It opens onto the sweeping upstairs verandah of the hotel, which can be also cordoned off for the exclusive use of your guests. Or for a smaller wedding with an edgy groove, consider the space they call ‘The Bunker’. It’s underground; fabulously raw with concrete walls and exposed pipes, and is seriously soundproofed!

These guys have thought of everything and when it comes to florists, stylists and photographers, they have partnered with the best in the business to ensure the space looks exactly as you’ve dreamed of for your special occasion. And don’t get us started on the food! Head chef Cale Dempsey’s functions menu incorporates fresh, seasonal produce from the region and offers a selection of modern global foods. They go above and beyond to tailor a menu that compliments your event and delights even the pickiest of eaters.

This is a venue not to be missed and the wonderful team from The Imperial Hotel will be at the Sunshine Coast Wedding Fair ready for you to pick their brain! To find out more about The Imperial Hotel Eumundi, visit their website or find them on Facebook.