Groom Bling

Personalise the for your wedding

Now your Groom can have if own 'Flip Flop Bling'
These are hand crafted and can be personalised to a max of 10 letters

'GROOM' $25

'GROOMSMAN' $35

Personalise them in your name

These were made for PARIS & BERNIE, who are getting married this weekend, and then travelling round WA in a combie. The perfect accessory. POA

Allow 2 weeks for delivery.

Order now through Your Special Day

Happy Planning xx

My Wedding Monday - The Cars

In the modern way, most men get a say in what type of cars will be used for their wedding.
Bathurst rocked yesterday when Holden took a clean sweep of the finish line, unfortunatley there was no cheering when it came to our Holden support at our wedding.
As you all know we had a budget to 'stick' to. My dad had, still has a 1973 red convertible FORD Mustang. 'No' was the blunt response that I got from hubby to be, 'over my dead body'.

I made a really strong point that our  budget was tight and we could get them for free and they would look great in our photography. I also promised (with a plan up my sleeve) to find him a HOLDEN for him and his groomsmen to at least arrive in.
Got it! (I had a girlfriend who's hubby had the perfect vehicle)

While we could rub in the HOLDEN win yesterday, my poor hubby is constantly reminded of the 1 day that a ford (not in caps for a reason) had to take the front run.

Happy Planning xx

The Wedding Sitter

If you have a bundle of kids coming to your wedding, why not hire a Sitter to look after them at the reception?

Some local Tourism areas will be able to direct you to a business in the area that offer this type of service.
They will be able to direct kids with meals, help feed younger ones, organise games (that fit into your reception), provide kiddy activities to keep them out from under other guests feet and keep them quieter in those formal times.

Offer this option to parent guests, to see if they would be interested in putting in for the cost, as they will also benefit from the extra attention that will be given to their children.

Don't just hire a babysitter!

• Ensure that they have childcare qualifications
• Interview them first so you know what their personality is like and that the attending kids won't get yelled at or dislike them
• A first aid certificate in Child Resuscitation should be part of their qualifications

Your Special Day can help you find the entertainment that will keep your guests kids enjoying your wedding now.

Thanks to my mere model son, for the perfect poses

I love.... her

Via FB I got a link to http://www.stylemepretty.com/ and instantly fell in love.

This is her... created  by Timeless Vixen

Only available in the US (as far as I can tell), I have told my hubby that we will have to travel to the US for our impending vow renewal, so I can buy this dress for the occasion. I think it all fits together... really well.

For more gorgeous inspiration check out this http://www.stylemepretty.com/

Dressing on a Beautiful Budget

Wow how times and budgets have changed.
When Mat and I were planning our wedding, we were limited in every way. We lived in a small coastal town with only 2 Bridal shops. 1 I could purchase a dress from, the other I could hire.
I didn't have an issue with the hire option, except that their styles were outdated by about 10yrs and definatley now what I was after.
I went off to the towns only Bridal shop that I could purchase my own dress from and in my first visit found and laybyed my dream dress.

The best part... is cost $345 brand new.

There are so many options available when it comes to dress shopping for the bride or even bridesmaid. Through out Sydney and here on the Coast there are plenty of shops that not only hold dresses thousands of dollars out of your budget but sale items that are not 10yrs old.

If your budget stretches, consider a couture gown, where you can have your perfect gown made to your specifications.

Don't forget to care for your dress by getting it professionally cleaned and boxed after.
I was naughty, never got my dress cleaned, so now I am considering a 'Trash the Dress' photography session... but that is another blog!

Happy Planning xx

Vintage Ice

The vintage style of clear, crisp and simple colors is the inspiration of what I may call to be my own

Vendor Spotlight - WedbyKez

This woman is an inspiration to me. After a follow on Twitter, it took only a few tweets for Kerryn and I to do coffee, talk business and weddings (of course).

Kerryn is a young vibrant authorised marriage celebrant that services Newcastle, the Central Coast and the Hunter Valley, specialising in tailored ceremonies that capture the individual couple.

Wedbykez.com is a website full of tips, trends and information for all things wedding and sometimes beyond. Follow her blog or check out the Wedbykez Directory for reputable suppliers in these areas.

To day we are sending our L.O.V.E.

Kerryn, this weekend will slip into a beautiful wedding gown of her own to exchange vows with the love of her life Mickey. I can't wait to see her memories, but most of all wish her an awesome day, a happy, healthy and joyful life with her hubby-to-be. Oh, and of course a plentiful calender full of wedding dates for her business future.

White Wedding Classic

wedding set by Pyru featuring 1928 jewelry

The simplicity of this White Wedding collection, allows for bling and splashes of colour, while still creating the perfect occasion. Classic option for a garden wedding, where you can enjoy the colours of nature.

Real Wedding - Shelley & Scott

Saturday 26th September, we saw Shelley Klum and Scott Mitchell, become husband and wife.
The morning mini dust storm, was a little concerning, but as I drove higher into the hills of Yarramalong, NSW the air and view cleared. With a view of the east coast Shelley and Scott were preparing for their perfect wedding day.
Ceremony and Reception were held at Forest Park. At noon Shelley and her 6 accompaning bridesmaids strolled down the isle to "Love Me Tender" by Elvis, and met Scott at the with Pastor Phill Pallas.

After all the congratulations they were lead to the onsite forest for some of the most spectacular photography I have seen in a while. The forest, water tower, driveway and bushland openings all held such beauty for this perfect day.

They themed their reception in the simplicity of white. Roses, linen, lanterns, crystals and cake encased 130+ of their family and friends for a celebration, supported by End of August and their musical entertainment. Cocktail style catering with mouth watering choices, made for an elegant and relaxing afternoon wedding for all their guests.

Shelley & Scott shared their first dance to "L.O.V.E" by Nat King Cole and will enjoy a honeymoon in Thailand.

Linen, Vases, Sashes, Decorations from

Glamerous Gatherings

Cake from Renaissance Cakes

You may recall that Shelley and Scott were the winners of 'Complete My Wedding Please...' as part of the Getting Hitched Wedding Expo held in June 2009. As part of their prize, the suppliers that were included in completing their wedding were:

• Your Special Day - Wedding Planner
• PhilOptics - Photography
• Relive-the-Day - Videography
• Renaissance Cakes - Cake Designer
• Erina Scrapbooking - Stationery
• Buttercup Florist - Flowers
• Glamorous Gathering - Decorating
• Kel-Leigh Couture - Jewellery & Shoes
• Scott Ford Entertainment - DJ

My Wedding Monday - Meet Mr Shark & Mrs Fishy

When planning our wedding we lived in Coffs Harbour, we were also getting married beside the ocean at Long Reef Aquatic Reserve, so we wanted a beachy theme.
There are shells and starfish, sand and waves, but we are a fun couple and didn't want the norm. I searched (very hard 10yrs ago, with limited internet) for other options and found Mr Shark and Mrs Fish!
I have only one photo below that identifies the theme of our invitations and that is from our table name cards (above).

The invitation was a pale violet colour with Mr Shark and Mrs Fishy top centre. I designed it all on the computer, printed and as they were A5 cut them to size. Envelopes matched in colour but no pictures.
The set for the entire wedding included (with cute fish pic) name cards, telegrams and thank you cards that went out in the weeks following.

With paper, print and post our entire stationey set cost about $200

Happy Planning
Your Special Day

Dust Storms and Weddings

Wow, what a way to wake up this morning. I really thought that there was a possibility that there was a major fire storm or the earth had become Mars. This is the back of my house and it had me worried for
all the weddings that are planned for this weekend.

Here are some precautions to consider:

• Consider moving most of the days preceedings inside, if possible.
• Request venues to clean down outside areas, so as no clothing is marked from the dust when sat on or utalised for photography
• Ask your photographer or planner to bring a white sheet for seated photography just in case
• I am sitting inside with no windows open right now, but I am still having the dust irritate my breathing, which means it will settle on all my furniture as well. Again, ask venue to ensure that all furniture is cleaned down
• Check with your photographer on their suggestions for avioding red photography, again have your planner/photographer to an emergency search for indoor photography opportunities
• Call your transport providers to ensure all vehicles are cleaned for your special day
• Keep your guests hydrated by offering water throughout the day/evening
• If you are wanting photography without the red tint, first check with your photographer on fees to remove this (their camera may even eliminate it already), secondly if bride and groom can schedule another shoot for a clear day. While this sounds expensive, just remember these are you memories. Don't go the whole hog to get makeup and hair done again, just keep it basic. Again will make for more interesting photography if your don't look exact in all pics

My Wedding Monday - My Wedding Planners

While I can't directly plug my own business or anyone elses business for my wedding, today's entry is a thanks to our family and friends.
Mat and I were planning our Sydney, from the far north coast town of Coffs Harbour, so we needed to enlisted the help of our family and friends to organise our wedding.

• I trusted my matron of honour and bridesmaids, with the single instruction of 'lavender'. Tick
• My mother-in-law to be had the job of arranging my flowers. Tick
• My mum and a handfull of great girlfriends, decorated our venue. Tick
• The bestman was to acquire sizes of other groomsmen for their suits. Tick
• My dad organised our transport. Tick
• My father-in-law picked up suits. Tick
• My mother-in-law had a friend make our cake. Tick

We were kept in the loop with all the planning and decisions that we asked our family and friends to look after for us, but with the distance between our home and wedding venues, it was important that we could trust our delegations.

Not everything was perfect!

• While I made a fashionably late entry, the car for my Groom and his guys was late.
• Caterers forgot milk and sugar for the reception
• We forgot to organise someone to bring our guest book and Bride & Groom Toasting glasses

While I am not an advocate of having family be directly involved in your services, eg, making your cake, dress, flowers or being your only photographer (incase of accidents or something not being right on the day), I do support your family supporting and assisting you, so that you are able to enjoy and relax on your wedding day.

If you don't have family that you can rely on in this situation, we suggest that you contact us to further discuss our Planning and Wedding Day Coordination Services... Your Special Day.

Thanks to my brother-in-law Greg, for looking after my shoes!

If you need help, ask for it.

Pink Ribbon Fundraising

Between now and October 31st, 2009 we will be supporting the National Breast Cancer Foundation in their research for a cure. As part of support we have designed our Personalised Flip Flops in Black, Pink or White and we have added a pink ribbon.

We will donate 10% of each sale to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Our current wedding range is available for Bride, Bridesmaid, Flower Girl, Brides Mum.

If your not getting married, then make sure your feet beat the heat anyway by personalising the flip flops with your name (up to 10 letters)

Order your Personalised Flip Flops now at Your Special Day

Sunset Times

Sunset times for 2009/2010

Ensure that you consider when the sun is going down for your photography

(These times are approximates only)

September 5:45pm

October 7:10pm

November 7:40pm

December 8:00pm

January 8:00pm

February 7:45pm

March 7:10pm

April 5:30pm

May 5:00pm

June 4:55pm

You don't want to miss that perfect opportunity to take a great shot, without sunlight or falling shadows over your chosen shoot area. In the case of these featured sunset photos, Laura from LK Photography has used the sunset to her customers advantage, creating some gorgeous memories of their wedding day.

A Tasty Invitation

I personally love all things cute. I have become so much more of a girly girl, since working in the wedding industy. Love my bling, love my pretty dresses and love my hairdresser.

Today my inspiration started with The Brides Guide by Darcy Miller, offical Wedding Guru to Martha Stewart, then led to Flour Pot Cookies - A Cookie Boutique. 

These  biscuit creations are a great way to invite pop the big question to your Bridesmaids, Flowergirls, Ring Bearers and even Groomsmen.

Start by Saving The Date

Invite your groomsmen

Flowergirl

  

Ring Bearer

Finally the Thank You's

Designs also available for Bomboniere, Corporate Logos or just for fun

I would be interested in knowing if there is a supplier in Australia that wholesales as similar product, feel free to let me know.

Happy Planning