Darling Dresses Down The Runway – Part 2

If you were at our Gold Coast Wedding Festival then you’d probably already know all about our four interactive fashion parades.  You would have seen our models strut their stuff in their gorgeous gowns and then perhaps you had a chat with them, got to see and touch the gowns up close, perhaps you took a few photos of the dress and spoke to the designer too?  If not, don’t feel too sad, we’re about to give you another look at our second fashion parade that took place that night.  This one featured stunning gowns by Begitta and our models we made (even more) pretty by Elina Valttila.

Thanks again to the amazing, incredible and all round nice guy Brian from When Elephant Met Zebra for these photos.

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You can always check out more of this prettiness by clicking on our vendor’s websites:

www.begitta.com   |   www.evhairandmakeup.com

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The Dapper Groom at A Darling Affair

We are loving all the amazing options for our Grooms out there at the moment.  You probably know by now that we’re not your typical ‘top hat and tails’ kinds of girls… we love a bit of creativity and our Grooms are all over these stylin’ designs by Urbbana.   You might also remember that we gave 2014 the title of the “Year of Colour” not too long ago, and that is creeping into our Groom’s attire too (which we couldn’t be happier about!).  Check out these incredible suits that were on display at our Gold Coast Wedding Festival (we think our models look pretty awesome too!).

Thanks again to our official photographer, When Elephant Met Zebra, for these images.

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And that’s a wrap!

Did you come to A Darling Affair – Gold Coast on Friday 21 February at Rabbit + Cocoon?  If you did, then this news will be no surprise to you… but if you didn’t make it, then let me be the first to tell you how FREAKIN AWESOME it was!  Seriously, we had the best and most amazing venue, vendors, models, and what a turnout!

 

Right from the beginning of the day when our vendors were putting in their hard yards setting up their incredible sites, the atmosphere was electric.  We all knew something really special was about to go down.  We had trucks, minivans, cars and caravans rocking up from 10am that morning and there were ladders, power tools, trolley’s and trailers filling up the amazing venue that is Rabbit & Cocoon.

Come 5 o’clock and we already had a line-up of people waiting for the gates to open.  Our vendors had put the finishing touches on their incredible stalls and we opened the gates to get the party started!  With a glass of bubbles or a beer in one hand and a totes-amazing A Darling Affair tote in the other (thanks Peachy Flamingo!), the crowds started visiting the stalls of more than 40 of the freshest and most creative wedding vendors on the scene at the moment.  The crowds continued to flow through the gates all night.

Our awesome DJ, Aaron from Cut-A-Rug, provided the playlist for the evening and along with our live music acts including Sarah Head, the tone was set for a night of fun and frivolity!

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Major highlights of the night included our four interactive fashion parades, made all the more enjoyable by our incredible models who were more than happy to join in the fun with the rest of our guests getting their pics snapped at our photo booths.  Thanks again to The Brides Market, Begitta, Bohemian Brides, Urbanna, The Beauty Case, Elina Valttila and our super amazing models!

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The piñata smash was another highlight of the night!  Guests lined up to take a hit at the incredible piñata supplied by Party Pony.

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And finally – the annual Dance Off was a huge success, with guests getting their dance on IN THE RAIN to win $300 off a DJ package with Cut-A-Rug.

By 10pm when we closed the gates, none of us could wipe the smile from our faces.  The evening was a huge success and we had received so much amazing feedback from Brides and Vendors, without whom, this event wouldn’t have happened.

I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again, we have the BEST vendors, venues, models and Brides any Darling could ask for… thank you for being so amazing!

To see a little video wrap up, check out this sweet little video from When Elephant Met Zebra:  www.whenelephantmetzebra.com/ada

Thank you to the super talented When Elephant Met Zebra for all of our official event photos. 

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A MIXED BAG of Darlings

WEDDING FLOWERS BY JULIA ROSE

A little bit about me, well to start with I LOVE my Job !  I am one of those lucky people who just adore what they do!  Who wouldn’t love helping inspire people for momentous moments & Special Occasions in their life.
And doing it all with Exquisite Flowers and Beautiful Styling Props.

I love creating & designing Beautiful Pieces of Floral Art, for Weddings, Sweet & Simple…through to the Spectacular! Creating a Brides Vision of her Special Day.
Working with Event coordinators to help bring a Room, Marquee or Simple Area to life, filling it with Flowers helping to create an atmosphere which will relax, be-dazzle, Impress and Evokes Guests senses, Visually or Emotionally through Sweet perfumes.

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ELYSSIUM BLOOMS

Elyssium Blooms is about design, love, passion, family and of course FLOWERS.

We are a small team of florists, providing specialist service within the Wedding and Event industry. We LOVE flowers and everything to do with them, and we are here to make your floral dreams come true. We don’t try and fit you into a “one size fits all” style wedding. Instead, we provide personalised service to create something seamless, unique and gorgeous for your special day.

Elyssium Blooms has a reputation for having the freshest flowers, creative new ideas, and a team of florists with a true passion for flowers and design. Creating beautiful bouquets, ceremony displays, draping garlands and reception flowers to take your breath away.

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GRACE BIJOUX

Grace Bijoux is a boutique designer and manufacturer of individually crafted Headpieces, Body Chains, Body Armour , and Shoe Jewels. Also making statement necklaces, rings and many other unique jewellery pieces.

Grace Bijoux is based on the Gold Coast Australia and is a regular participant at the Village Markets, Bondi Markets and other specialised designer markets throughout Australia.

Lisa McDonald, the head designer (and model in many of the shots on the site) has clients throughout the world, including France, UK, USA.

Lisa started the business in 2012 after completing a silversmithing course in 2011 to realise her vision to individually craft stylish and affordable jewellery to the Australian and world fashion scenes.

Be sure to check out these super cool websites too!

www.gracebijoux.com.au   |   www.weddingflowersbyjuliarose.com   |   www.elyssiumblooms.com.au

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Introducing HAIR & MAKE-UP!

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THE BEAUTY CASE

In a nutshell, who are you and what do you do?

We are bridal hair and makeup specialist that love looking after Brides on their Big day! We help create the perfect look so that you can feel amazing walking down the aisle

What do you do in your free time?

Khesanh- I’m a mum to a rocking 2 year old- Lola- so that keeps me pretty busy otherwise I love to spend my free time thinking of fun photo-shoot ideas and grand plans for The Beauty Case- boring I know!!!

Elisse likes to attend Rockabilly gigs when she can and hangout with her friends. Loving all things 40s and 50s Elisse draws a lot of her inspiration for hairstyles from here.

Luckily for us we get along famously as we spend a lot of our free time together learning new styles and conjuring up our next projects.

If you were a colour, which colour would you be, and why?

Khesanh- Well my favourite colour is black! But if I were a colour I would like to be yellow! Yellow instantly makes people happy and feel fresh and alive. And I hope that when people meet me that’s how I make them feel.

Elisse- PINK!! It’s fun and bright and I wear it well!!!

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KYLIE’S PROFESSIONAL

In a nutshell, who are you and what do you do?

I am a Hairdresser, a make-up Artist and the founder of Kylie’s Professional Mineral Goddess products. I have been in the hair and makeup industries for over 20 years. I absolutely love what I do.

I have a salon at Burleigh heads where I do hair and make-up for photoshoots, fashion parades, special occasions and weddings.

I love to create everything from soft natural looks to dramatic styles.

What is the most unique thing you’ve seen at a wedding?

The most unique thing I have seen to do with a wedding is a Bride giving a gift of a photoshoot to her bridesmaids before the big day. It was a bridezilla gothic style photoshoot. The girls were all such characters.

What do you do in your free time?

Enjoy Family time, Surf and enjoy healthy food.

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EV Hair & Makeup

EV HAIR & MAKE-UP

Professional Make-Up Artist and Hairstylist servicing the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Australia wide.

Elina has been described as fresh and flawless.  Her approach to beauty has made her indispensable to many designers, photographers and production companies.

Elina has been known to create unique and beautiful hair and makeup designs for Brides.  She brings out the best in every Bride enhancing their own individual and unique beauty.  Her passion and creative ability and innovative ideas have progressively built a reputation for attracting Brides and women in Australia and internationally.

For more hair and make-up inspiration check out our beauty star’s websites:

www.thebeautycase.com.au   |   www.kylies.com.au   |   www.evhairandmakeup.com

Introducing our SPECIALITY VENDORS!

Party Pony

PARTY PONY

In a nutshell, who are you and what do you do?

My name is Nicola; I operate Party Pony from my home based studio in Brisbane.

My main business is making bespoke pinata’s for Brides, professional stylists and DIY party stylists. I also make tassel garlands, balloon tails, bunting, custom confetti and feather crafts. Phew!

What is it about weddings that you love so much?

I love how modern weddings are a reflection of the couple and are often more of a party or holiday, than a formal event. Many Brides go with flowing, ethereal gowns and casual styling these days and that is so me .

If you were a colour, which colour would you be, and why? I am so pink, neon pink. I have no idea why!  I am so pink, neon pink. I have no idea why!

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Miss Poppins

MISS POPPINS

In a nutshell, who are you and what do you do?

Miss Poppins is a boutique nanny & babysitting agency, focused on providing a unique service for those couples who wish to have children be a part of their big day. From kids tables, to age-appropriate activities, games and off-site babysitting in hotels or homes. We are there to make sure that Mum & Dad enjoy the wedding, knowing that their children are being entertained and supervised by fully qualified nannies.

What is the most unique thing you’ve seen at a wedding?

The brides best friends performing one of her favourite songs for her and the groom. Three talented singers, an acoustic guitar, a violin, and a very emotional crowd.

What do you do in your free time?

Plan lots of exciting ideas for Miss Poppins, eat yummy food, explore and spend time with my wonderful boyfriend.

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LoveJar

LOVE JAR CANDLES

We provide Pure + Natural Soy Candles to the Sunshine Coast/Brisbane/Gold Coast and Tweed Coast areas.  They are eco-friendly & totally yummy (and will make your house smell amazing!)

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WEDDING PLANNING PLAYBOOK

We’re the wedding blog and magazine for South East Queensland and Northern NSW couples offering fresh planning tips, tools and real weddings, a calendar of regional events and a selection of great local suppliers.

Happy planning!

For more information on these super special vendors, be sure to check out their websites:

www.partypony.net.au   |   www.misspoppins.com.au   |   www.facebook.com/lovejarcandles   |   www.weddingplanningplaybook.com.au

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Introducing our MUSIC VENDORS!

Cut A Rug

CUT-A-RUG

In a nutshell, who are you and what do you do?

Cut a Rug – wedding DJ and sushi aficionado. I rock weddings.

What is the most awesome thing you’ve seen at a wedding?

Watching a groom ride his BMX around the dance floor for a while and another happy couple crowd surfing were pretty awesome.

What do you do in your free time?

Eat sushi. Drink coffee. Compost.  Not necessarily in that order.

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Sarah Head

SARAH HEAD (SINGER)

What is it about weddings that you love so much?

Weddings are magical! I absolutely love being able to be a part of a couple’s special day and to share in their joy, happiness and celebrations!

For me, creating the perfect atmosphere through music is pivotal. I love being able to make memorable moments on such a special day – whether it’s a relaxed ambience from live dinner music or flushing out great aunt’s famous dance moves on the dance floor.

What is the most unique thing you’ve seen at a wedding?

I recently sung at the wedding of a lovely Scottish bride and Aussie groom and instead of cutting a cake, they had a Quaich ceremony, where the couple drank from the two-handled cup. Sharing a cup was seen as a sign of trust between the people drinking from it, and was a lovely unique way of starting their lives together!

I’ve also seen some fantastically choreographed first dances, and a memorable father-daughter dance which was a mash-up of a range of songs with set moves (such as Grease & the chicken dance), where both the bride and her father broke into the actions in perfect synch. It was hilariously entertaining!

If you were a colour, which colour would you be, and why?

If I were a colour I would be aqua, because life couldn’t possibly be dull if you’re the colour of the sea! It’s calm, peaceful, enduring, happy and creative – everything I love about life!

To hear more about these groovers, head to their websites:

www.cutarug.com.au   |   www.sarahhead.com.au

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Introducing some more WHEELIE COOL vendors!

Olive & Co

OLIVE & CO.

In a nutshell, who are you and what do you do?

Olive is a travelling vintge café and bar who is endearing, delightful and sure to make your guests gush with her gorgeousness.

She is a 1950’s inspired, hand crafted, bondwood caravan and loves nothing more than to be a part of making happy memories.  I am the Co. which makes up the Olive & Co.

What is it about weddings that you love so much?

I am a hopeless romantic and believe in a happily ever after.  There is just nothing like a wedding to bring people together and the name of love and to restore our hope and faith in something that lies at the very core of every human being.

The world needs more love!

What do you do in your free time?

Give free hugs…

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WINNIE COOPER

Winnie is a limited edition Roadhaven Van. There were only 200 vans ever made and Winnie is number 197. She was originally built in 1970 and has now been restored to her full glory!  Winnie is a gorgeous girl and is available to hire for weddings, parties and fun times!

For more information on these gorgeous travelling vintage vans, check out their websites:  

www.oliveandco.com.au   |  www.facebook.com/WinnieCooperVintageCaravan

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Introducing our SWEET-TOOTHED DARLINGS!

Perfectly Sweet

PERFECTLY SWEET

In a  nut shell, who are you and what do you do. 

Hi I’m Alicia from Perfectly Sweet and I specialise in creating a distinctively unique lolly and dessert buffet that is personalised to the theme, style and mood of your specific event.

We specialise in Weddings, Engagements, Birthdays, Baby Showers, Christenings, Kitchen Teas, Corporate Events, Product Launches or any special event. Whatever the occasion Perfectly Sweet can sugar coat your event and have your guest buzzing with excitement

What is it about weddings that you love so much 

It’s such a special feeling being able to set up a buffet for someone’s wedding and seeing there reaction when they walk into the room.  I love being able to be apart of someone’s special day and sweeting their event.

If you were a colour, which colour and why

YELLOW…… I love all things bright but yellow would best describe me. Bright, Crazy, Happy…..and a lot of fun!

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Rebellyous Cake Co

REBELLYOUS CAKE CO.

My name is Rebel, I live with my family in the hills behind Byron Bay.  I love the simple things in life, a cool breeze on a sunny day, crusty bread with freshly made soup and I LOVE to bake and decorate!

Rebellyous Cake Co was born out of a love baking and has grown into a business after many years of creating for family and friends.  I only bake from scratch and use quality ingredients, I have a passion for what I do and this is what drives me to improve my skills with every cake I create.

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Sweet Ruby Cakes 

SWEET RUBY ARTISAN CAKES

In a nutshell, who are you and what do you do?

I am a cake artist who makes wondrous edible centrepieces from the most delicious of ingredients. I transform the sweetest unexpected ideas into gorgeous, romantic, whimsical visions in cake.

What is the most unique thing you’ve seen at a wedding?

A marquee built over the swimming pool so it was transformed into a large bridge.

(Unfortunately the weight of the bridal table caused it to collapse.)

What do you do in your free time?

Dream up creative ideas; share them with my friends and family, play with recipes to create unusual edible art.

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Milk & Sugar 

MILK AND SUGAR HIGH TEA EVENTS

What is it about weddings that you love so much?

The anticipation of the future. Families. Friends. Champagne and dancing. All polished off with the most delicious cup of tea you’ve ever tasted of course!

What is the most unique thing you’ve seen at a wedding?

Arial artists suspended from the ceiling on silks pouring champagne into the guest’s glasses. It was AMAZING!

What do you do in your free time?

When we aren’t busy with our high tea events we love searching for treasures in any place we can find them. We love op shops, garage sales, fetes, bazaars and salvage yards; there is no end of magical things you can find. Of course we also have to partake in “market research” so you might also find us sipping tea or coffee (yes, we also drink coffee) and sampling delicious sweet treats in our favourite little cafes or coffee houses.

 

For more information on these sweet-toothed vendors, check out their websites:  

www.perfectlysweet.com.au   |   www.rebellyouscakeco.com.au   |   www.sweetrubycakes.com.au   |   www.milkandsugarevents.com

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Introducing our FILM STARS!

Jasperandruby

JASPER AND RUBY

In a nutshell, who are you and what do you do?

We make kick ass wedding films. We try to push our own creative boundaries at every wedding. Also, we are husbo and wifey.

What is it about weddings that you love so much?

We believe in marriage and it is such an emotional experience to be part of a couple’s day when they take the leap together and to witness the tangible love in the air. It sounds lame but it is so real. Delyse actually does cry at every wedding.

What do you do in your free time?

Family is very important to us so we spend a lot of our spare time with our son Israel going for bike rides, to the beach, the skate park.

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Yellowbullmedia

YELLOW BULL MEDIA

In a nutshell, who are you and what do you do?

We are Martin and Kehra- partners in film and partners in life. Our passion is capturing beautiful and cinematic imagery, then cutting it together to tell a unique story and what story is more unique and beautiful than two people joining together for the rest of their lives? We have both been trained in the art of filmmaking and audio and bring our knowledge and creativity to each wedding we have the pleasure of filming.

What is the most unique thing you’ve seen at a wedding?

We have seen a few pretty interesting things. Brides dancing on tables. A bride and a groom jumping in water puddles as their marquee flooded (talk about making the best of a tricky situation). We’ve had a wedding that had a petting zoo and recently our first Jewish wedding where they lifted the couple up on chairs for their traditional Haka dance.

If you were a colour, which colour would you be, and why?

Yellow of course. It’s in our company’s name, happens to be my (Kehra) favourite colour and it’s a part of the man I loves name. Not to mention that it is such a pretty and happy colour.

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savethedate

SAVE THE DATE CINEMA

In a nutshell, who are you and what do you do?

First and foremost a husband. Then a gun slinging cinematographer and coffee drinking editor.

What do you do in your free time?

I’m a pretty normal guy, I love my family, travel, fishing and sports. In addition, what I do in the full time I also do as a part of my free time. I love photographing/filming the moments and saving the memories.

If you were a colour, which colour would you be, and why?

Teal and turquoise of the sea – as it is pure and pristine yet full of life.

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Moose and co

MOOSE & CO.

In a nutshell, who are you and what do you do?

Ever since I started making short films in 2006, I’ve loved the creative freedom that stop-motion offers. To make a stop-motion wedding video, I go to a wedding, with my DSLR camera, just like any normal wedding photographer—Only I take thousands of photos, and then edit them all together, to create the illusion of motion. Through use of stop motion, I can get really creative, and make unique, funny, and quirky videos that can’t be achieved through traditional wedding videography or photography. I take the charm from a beautiful wedding photo and the life that video brings, and I meld them together. The best of both worlds.

What do you do in your free time?

I write articles for various websites, including Your Friends House. I also write scripts for short films that I intend to film.

If you were a colour, which colour would you be, and why?

Brown. Because I like a lot of old-fashioned things that are brown. Laugh if you want. Most people think it’s a boring, ugly colour. Yes, it’s the colour of poo. I don’t care. I love vintage, brown leather. Brown shoes, brown chairs, brown cars, brown everything. Fun fact: My hair is also brown.

 

Head over to our Film Star’s websites to see some of their work in motion: 

www.jasperandruby.com.au   |   www.yellowbullmedia.com   |   www.vimeo.com/savethedatecinema   |   www.vimeo.com/mooseandco

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