Menswear Trends we can’t get enough of

A Darling Affair 08/10/2018 0 Comments

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

Wil Valor

Institchu

Urbbana

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

How to be The Greatest Groomsman of All Time

A Darling Affair 07/09/2018 Groomsman, Humor, Humour, Wedding Advice 0 Comments

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

Top Reasons To Get Married On The Sunshine Coast!

A Darling Affair 04/10/2017 0 Comments

So, you’re starting to plan your wedding and tossing around the pro’s and con’s of getting married on the Sunshine Coast. Everyone knows that this beautiful part of the country is known for it’s stunning beaches, but there’s more to this part of the coast than meets the eye! From the breathtaking natural backgrounds of the Sunshine Coast Hinterlands, to amazing venues and top class local businesses, there are so many reasons to choose the Sunshine Coast as your dream wedding destination.

Looking for the ultimate spot for your ceremony? The Sunshine Coast has some truly fantastic venues…

The Chapel Woombye has been a favourite A Darling Affair Wedding Fair venue for years. This one of a kind, 100 year old church has been lovingly restored to make it a picture perfect backdrop. The largest of it’s kind on the Sunshine Coast, this beautiful chapel is perfect for couple’s who are dreaming of a quaint, love-filled ceremony.

The Rocks is an iconic landmark on the Maroochy River with sweeping water views and plenty of rustic charm. Stunning and relaxed, this amazing venue feature mouthwatering locally grown produce and wines on their menu list and are masters at creating a stress free day for couples by taking care of every little detail.

Nestled among the picturesque Sunshine Coast hinterland, Spicers Retreats Clovelly Estate has been renovated into a breathtaking luxury lodge. Boasting extensive gardens and top class accommodations, their experienced in-house wedding coordinator will guide you through every step of planning and make organising your wedding a breeze.

But what about the wedding cake and sweet treats that you want to WOW your guest with? Well….

The Little Bluebird Fine Cakes and Sweets are bringing a splash of elegance with their gorgeous range of delicious wedding cakes and baked goodies. A new addition to the Sunshine Coast, their distinct style is already creating buzz among brides and are quickly filling up their calendar for the new year!

Wild Child Kendra from Wildchild Catering creates incredible, bespoke wedding cakes and drool worthy dessert tables. She works alongside her clients to customise one-of-a-kind menus and no request is too crazy for this London trained baker!

SweetP Cakes and Cookies is a Noosa based cake and cookie artist that create Instagramable desserts and delectable treats. Perfect for wedding favours, your guests will be blown away by their scrumptious range of delights.

On the hunt for an out of this world wedding photographer? There are so many creative vendors on the coast, here are just a couple of our fav’s...

The uber talented Adriana Watson Photography is every couples dream! A Sunshine Coast native, she knows all the best spots and her skills reign supreme! Adriana creates an intimate connection with everyone that she works with to make sure that her photos are natural and in-the-moment.

Globetrotting Lani Carter Photographer is a wedding photographer with amazing style. She is all about capturing every romantic moment from your big day and her journalistic approach helps her to create images that you’re sure to fall in love with.

Dreaming of a beach side celebration or a bit of DIY flair? There are beautiful style options for every type of wedding…

The awesome team at Harper Arrow offer an exceptional range of styling packages that can be individually tailored to make sure that your celebration goes off without a hitch. Whether you’re looking for someone to do the heavy work or just need a bit of help with a little DIY style, they have you covered for your big day.

Boho Sisters are a unique event and styling biz based on the beautiful Sunshine Coast who create gorgeous modern Moroccan inspired set ups for any special occasion. Dreamers and travelers themselves, they design bespoke packages to give you the intimate and oh-so romantic day that you’ve been dreaming of.

Cloud Nine Weddings is a multi award winning business and a must for anyone planning an event on the coast. They take care of everything from the planning right through to styling your day to perfection.

It may not be the big city, but the Sunshine Coast has such a wide range of options for weddings. Our celebrants are all unique and we can help you find your perfect one, whatever your preference…

If you’re looking for a marriage celebrant with sass, then Hayley Belle is your girl! This rad young mum is a ball of energy and up for anything! With a background in radio, she’s now working in her dream job and uniting lovebirds across Queensland.

They don’t call her The Sunny Celebrant for nothing! Natalie Skye is full of life and injects her unique sparkle into every ceremony that she performs. A Sunshine Coast favourite, Natalie has brought together couples all over the globe.

The lovely Paula Koda has been helping couple and families celebrate milestones since 2010. A whole-hearted celebrant, Paula has a warmth and energy that radiates to all she meets.

Dazzling scenery and talented creatives make the Sunshine Coast an amazing wedding day option that ticks ALL the boxes with everything you need to create the once-in-a life-time, unforgettable day that you’ve been dreaming of.

Come and meet all of these amazing vendors (and more!) at the Sunshine Coast Wedding Fair on 28th October. And for more behind the scenes info and drop dead gorgeous wedding inspiration follow A Darling Affair on our Instagram or Facebook page!

Head Over Wheels

A Darling Affair 27/09/2017 0 Comments

Do you believe in fate? When Juliette left France to travel around Australia, she never expected to find her dream guy AND her dream job with Head Over Wheels!

Meeting her partner Bartley at a backyard party that he was throwing, that night was was the beginning of a roller coaster ride of crazy adventures and falling in love. With a shared passion for all things retro, good music and a love of hospitality, their common interests brought them together and their differences brought Head Over Wheels to life!

New to the Sunshine Coast, since May 2017 they have already helped celebrate multiple weddings, birthday parties and community and corporate events from Byron Bay to Noosa. Not a bad start for their first 6 months of business! 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 creates incredible photo ops!

Not only that, Head Over Wheels supply an extensive record collection and their brilliant vinyl DJ will have your friends and family grooving along to the original analog sounds of pressed wax. With records ranging from 1960’s surf to legendary Aussie Artists, there’s something in their selection for everyone.

Together, this rad team work with clients to understand their needs and tailor the services that they provide to create a bespoke dream event. Juliette and Bartley live and breathe this job and put 110% into everything that they do. Bringing a smile to someone’s face and helping to create amazing memories are just a few perks of this job that they love.

Head Over Wheels will be showing off their very cool set up at the Sunshine Coast Wedding Fair! Be sure to come and say hi to Bartley and Juliette and try some of their tasty beverages for yourself!

Want to know more about Head Over Wheels? Check out their website or find them on Facebook.

Sunset Shoot

A Darling Affair 18/09/2017 0 Comments

What happens when you combine an amazing bunch of creatives, the A Darling Affair team and the stunning Sunshine Coast mountains? Ummm…one of our favourite shoots ever!

A few months ago, one of our A Darling Affair dream teams put together the perfect Autumn photo shoot. The Sunshine Coast is home to some spectacular mountain walks and wanting to create something a little different, they weren’t afraid to be a tad adventurous and hike up beautiful Mt Ngungun, the ultimate backdrop for dreamy, love-filled photo’s.

Fun was the order of the day, and Babushka Ballerina provided the perfect dresses for a bride who loves a splash of adventure, The Beauty Case was (as always) on hand with stunning, on point wedding hair and makeup, amazing images were taken by the very talented Juddric Photoraphy and Rose and Heart provided a bouquet of flowers that would make Mother Nature swoon!

We just love how these images turned out! Be sure to come and meet some of the amazing vendors that put together this photo shoot at the next Sunshine Coast Wedding Fair this October. Early bird tickets available now!

LARK MUSIC

A Darling Affair 27/01/2016 0 Comments

Lark pic 2

A Darling Affair’s Wedding Festivals would just be a plain old boring ‘wedding expo’ if it wasn’t for the killer festival party till you drop sounds that Lark Music produce!

Lark Music will be performing live this Saturday in the Tote room near the Brisbane Racing Club bar for you to chill out to or shake your tail feather!

The band’s standard offer includes 180 minutes of live music across a 5 hour period, plus all music between sets taken care of and some basic MC duties. They can provide you with anything from a solo acoustic artist, our standard five piece lineup, up to a rocking ten-piece band, featuring both male and female singers, guitarist, bass player, drummer, latin percussionist, keyboard and brass (saxophone, trumpet and/or trombone).

Basically Lark music has any musician you want right at their finger tips and you just need to decide what vibe you want for your unique wedding celebration. Lark Music promises you a live soundtrack that you and your guests will never forget!

Check out their website HERE and grab your tickets to come party with us at the festival via the following link: https://adarlingaffair.com/buy-ticket/

See you on Saturday Darlings!

lark 1 lark pic 3 lark pic 4

THE BRISBANE RACING CLUB – THE HOSTING VENUE

A Darling Affair 26/10/2015 0 Comments

We are so excited for our lovely Darling guests to experience A Darling Affair’s 2016 hosting venue – The Brisbane Racing Club.

We fell it love with it’s old school charm and it’s nooks and crannies. You will discover something new around every corner and it’s exactly what we look for when we hunt out venues to hold our events. A good blank canvas ready and waiting to be filled with wonderful wedding suppliers and inspirational creations.

Jacqueline Moore is the lovely lady behind the scenes when it comes to booking your wedding at the Brisbane Racing Club. Jacqueline is lovely, down to earth, quick and efficient, thinks outside the box, on top of current trends and is up for a creative challenge.

With different indoor and outdoor locations to choose from at the Brisbane Racing Club you can have your ceremony, photo’s, sit down reception and night time festivities all in the one place.

The Tote Room is a popular favourite to hold a reception. It is a long hall like room with polished floor boards and gorgeous bridal room for the bridal party to have a rest in and touch up the make up in a divine full length mirror. A bar is located at the other end with room enough for your guests to kick up their heels and dance the night away.

Ceremony locations where do we start? Pick your spot! The Racing Club is open to suggestions when you tour onsite but our favourite is under the glorious ST Leger Figtree.

Contact them HERE to learn about the venues wedding packages. You will be pleasantly surprised with their eagerness to help relieve your wedding day stress.

We can’t wait to show off the Brisbane Racing Club to you and your friends, so instead we’ll just give you a sneak peek before we come in and take over the joint on January 30th!

SOPHISTICATED WEDDING STYLISTS

A Darling Affair 09/09/2015 0 Comments

A wedding stylist sets the atmosphere for your wedding day. We like to think we can do it all ourselves and do the DIY thing, but sometimes we should leave all the stress and hard work to the experts.

Did you think about getting the items to your location, the set up, or the beautiful little touches that someone who has a keen eye can add? It’s hard work and you could be left with a bad back or unpleasant memories of the last minute rush to have everything in place.

We have worked closely with two styling businesses for quite some time now. They have direction, they know their clientele and they have passion for styling and the finer details like it runs through their veins.

We highly recommend them and both have a different edge to their business.

STYLE LE AISLE

Two gorgeous sisters – Jacinta and Scienta – are the brains behind this beautiful style and hire company based on the Sunshine Coast.

Travellers and dreamers at heart, these sisters thrive off their personal experiences and the things they’ve seen around the world, to give a different edge to styling. You can either hire some of their set range found on their website or tap into their creative minds.

They are dedicated to the design process and personal touches down to the most intricate detail. We are always wanting to touch, feel and explore their table settings not just sit down, eat and leave the table.

If you want to capture the attention of your guests, then this incredible duo is your perfect match.

SIMPLY STYLE CO.

Chelsea and her husband Jimmy launched Simply Style Co well before their own wedding day. They basically were all set up to style their own wedding with their amazing hire range and love to be able to relive this experience over and over again with loved up couples

The Simply Style Co hire range is crisp, fresh and beautiful. You just want to relax on their adorable lounge and arm chair sets all day and they are perfect for gorgeous styled shots of the happy couple. We have tested them out many times.

This beautiful couple put their heart and soul into their work. Simply Style Co is a thriving business that is just bursting with life and creativity. You can expect nothing less than a beautifully designed and styled romantic wedding.

Get it in your belly! – Wedding Catering

A Darling Affair 09/09/2015 0 Comments

It’s hump day AND it’s lunch time so we thought we’d grab your attention and write about some of the yummo food and drink caterers who tickled our taste buds at The Sunshine Coast Wedding Fair.

The great thing is when you come along to our events is you get to sample everything. The Food, drink and our vendors personalities are all taken for a test run and it is safe to say that the next few businesses come highly recommended by our staff and guests on the day.

THE BAR BOYS COMPANY

Our dear James – owner of The Bar Boys Company – was a real character as you can tell from the above image. Super friendly, pleasant to our darling guests and knows how to mix a mean mocktail! Toffee apple and pina colada were on the menu and we can tell you that those things got guzzled down, however their beverages go far beyond these two flavours. Just ask James, he will be happy to rattle them off to you.

If you were lucky enough to be on the back lawn at The Chapel Woombye, like some of our darling models, you were treated to a chocolate shot with a Oreo cookie for the garnish. It was real good!

The Bar Boys Company is classy, sleek and they have some lovely styling décor to suit your wedding day theme. Add a little pizzazz to your wedding celebrations and hire them to not only entertain your guests but to keep them refreshed so they can party the night away.

L&L Co. EVENTS – JIMMY’S CATERING

The wonderful crew behind L&L Co. specialise in helping you plan your perfect day. They have great contacts that they collaborate with to provide you with the best of the best on the Sunshine Coast. One of those services is Jimmy’s Catering.

Jimmy’s Catering has been around for some time now on the coast and he sure knows how to mix the perfect spices and seasonings to make mouth watering food. At the fair they served up delicious sliders that were so delicious that we all kept going back for more!

Clean, quick and ever so polite, Jimmy’s Catering is top notch when it comes to serving up some of the best wedding reception food. Check out L&L Co. Events today!

THANK YOU SUNSHINE COAST FOR HAVING US! – WEDDING FAIR RECAP 2015

A Darling Affair 03/09/2015 0 Comments

We were so thrilled to be back on our own turf on The Sunshine Coast last Saturday! We have a soft spot in our hearts for our local crowd, both the vendors and the new brides and grooms to be, that come through the gates.

A Darling Affair’s events are all about creativity, inspiration and the friendliest vendors who are genuinely excited for you on your engagement to the love of your life. There were darling guests and wedding suppliers grinning from ear to ear and having a good old laugh as we walked around the venue of The Chapel Woombye.

When Elephant Met Zebra – our official photographers captured the days events to perfection for you to relive all over again, OR if you couldn’t make it you can see it for the first time and think damn I should have gone!

The weather forecast was a high percentage of rain. However, the heavens were kind to us and the sun shone down for us all to have a ripper of a day.

There was live music, food and drinks on the lawns and photo booth fun. Workshops by Trent & Jessie Photographers on wedding day photography and Coco Bride ran one on stationery styling, were bonus features at the event.

Simply Style Co decked out a beautiful bridal and suit collaboration with their gorgeous hire range. But wait there’s more!

The Fashion Parade was the highlight of the event and it still gives us goosebumps thinking about it. It was located under a magnificent nordic tipi by TIPI LUXE. Seriously you will fall in love with them. Just glorious!

Simply Style Co once again added simple touches of styling to the catwalk and Heavenly Blooms out did her self and created a beautiful hanging feature along with crowns and bouquets for the fantastic models from Katz Management.

The Fashion Parade was orchestrated by the wonderful talents of our fashion team led by Khesanh from The Beauty Case. With Khesahn at the helm, her team whipped up flawless make up and feminine natural hairstyles that were topped off by Komorebi Brides beautiful headpieces. The talented wedding gown and suit suppliers such as – Bohemian Brides, Willow Hastings Designs, Erin Clare Couture and Wil Valor inspired our darling guests who took front row seats.

We’d like to say a HUGE thank you to our incredible sponsors Hello May and Sunshine Coast Brides Magazine for their coverage of our event to get A Darling Affair out there to you darling people.

We were so stoked with the amazing talent. Thank you for putting on a fabulous show our incredible vendors. You make us so happy. It just keeps getting better every year! Let’s do it again sometime!

So feast your eyes on these wrap up images and don’t forget to head to our Sunshine Coast Vendor Directory to find the vendors who were there in all their glory!

There are more images to come in the next few weeks and we can’t wait to show you EVERYTHING!!!

Wishing you all the best for your wedding planning. We hope you made some great connections and enjoyed your A Darling Affair experience!

The ADA Team xxx