Ruffles & Cake | Edition 9 | March 2015

ruffles & cake EDITION 9 / 1ST IN PRINT / MARCH 2015

FOR THOSE WHO LOVE THE TRUE CELEBRATION THAT WEDDINGS ARE ABOUT

MEET BRENDAN AND STACEY OUR HE SAID / SHE SAID COUPLE

THE FANCY ELOPEMENT READ ABOUT THIS BRAND NEW WEDDING TREND COMING TO NORTH QUEENSL AND

HOW TO WRITE REALLY, REALLY AWESOME VOWS REAL WEDDINGS THREE INSPIRING WEDDINGS INSIDE WE PROMISE YOU'LL WANT TO SEE

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03 EDITOR'S NOTES

HELLO AND WELCOME My engagement n, shoot in Brookly New York

I'M S O PL E A S E D TO WE LCO M E YO U TO R U FFLE S & C A KE, A PR E T T Y, N OT S O L IT T L E M AGAZ I N E B O R N WI T H O N E M A I N P U R PO S E: TO I N S PI R E T HO S E WH O LOV E T H E T R U E C E LE B R AT I O N T HAT WE D D IN GS A R E A B O U T.

__ _____ __

I couldn't be more delighted that you're holding Ruffles in your hands, and while technically this is our first issue in print, we've been around the traps for a little while now. In Autumn 2013, Ruffles launched online as a digital wedding magazine. So far, we've literally shared hundreds of pages with our readers, overflowing with inspiring stories of real people, real vendors, and real weddings from our very home of North Queensland, and afar. So, what's changed? Well, we've given ourselves a fresh new look for print, but our main purpose is still the same. So, pats on the back are in order for those who've read, liked, shared and supported us to grow to where we are today - my sincerest thank you!

MY FAVO U R ITE THIN GS

SKIN LO VE Our wedding will be a little while

away, but I'm getting in early making a daily habit to ensure my skin is perfect for the big day.

I'm prepping with Dermalogica, my favourite find from Michelle's Skin And Body Solutions.

Love is a pretty awesome thing; and not only am I lucky enough to share it with you through Ruffles & Cake, I also get to spend my weekends with a camera in hand, capturing the stories of two people who love each other to bits, enough to make it official. On a personal note, I'm so very grateful to have returned from my Christmas holiday engaged to my best friend, and like most of you reading this, have a wedding to plan.

With capturing weddings and now planning to get hitched myself, I can promise I'll only feature the good stuff - the most inspiring weddings, awesome stories, tips you'll want to read about and lots of pretty pictures. So, grab yourself a fresh juice or icey beverage (honestly, it's way too hot for anything else) kick off your shoes and get ready to tell your friends about all the goodness inside our first print edition in collaboration with The Townsville Bulletin. I hope you enjoy the beauty of Ruffles & Cake as much as we've loved creating it for you.

samantha wills Win yourself one of my favourite rings (maybe ever) on page 6! No need to explain why this is a crushing fav of mine.

_____ ____ ring keeper La Pixie Ring Box, you will be mine.

A pretty home for my pretty ring – and doubling as a cute trinket for my beside table. Pick your favourite at fromtheowl.com

SKYE BREE EDITOR AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Connect with me

PHOTOS THANKS TO SAMM BLAKE

INSTAGRAM

sbcreativeco_

FACEBOOK

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PINTEREST

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04 CONTENTS

HE SAID SHE SAID PAGE 16

10

PALM COVE WEDDING SEE MICHELLE AND ERIN'S SPECIAL DAY ON PAGE 28

Win these plus more on page 6

LIAM AND BROOKE PAGE 26

30

05 CONTENTS

A big thanks goes tors! our contributo Josh Withers / Celebrant

M Y H A P P Y P L A C E I S in Britt's arms. I L I K E M Y

WHAT'S INSIDE

E G G S poached with mushrooms and hollandaise sauce.

Y O U K N O W I T ' S T R U E L O V E W H E N they're more excited by the marriage than the wedding. R I G H T N O W I ' M C R U S H I N G O N the Apple Watch with that milanese bracelet. Like, who isn't?

PAGE 03 / EDITOR'S NOTES PAGE 04 / CONTENTS

Brittany Snow Withers / Pop Up Wed

PAGE 06 / RUFFLES COMPETITION

M Y H A P P Y P L A C E I S New York in November. After living there for a while, it still remains my happy place I L I K E M Y E G G S chocolate. Fair trade if possible. Y O U K N O W I T ' S T R U E L O V E W H E N anywhere they are, feels like home. R I G H T N O W I ' M C R U S H I N G O N Emma Stone, major girl crush... I mean, Josh Withers, of course.

PAGE 08 / AWESOME WEDDING VOWS PAGE 10 / FASHION FEATURE PAGE 16 / HE SAID / SHE SAID PAGE 20 / POP UP WED PAGE 24 / MERCURE TOP THREE PAGE 26 / BROOKE AND LIAM

Clare Powell / Creative Team

PAGE 28 / MICHELLE AND ERIN

M Y H A P P Y P L A C E I S at the beach or on the water.

PAGE 30 / SKYE AND ERIC

I L I K E M Y E G G S scrambled, please. Y O U K N O W

PAGE 36 / VENUES AND SERVICE WE LOVE

I T ' S T R U E L O V E W H E N I let you share my bacon.

R I G H T N O W I ' M C R U S H I N G O N bacon.

Danielle Green / Account Manager

Connect with us

M Y H A P P Y P L A C E I S around the dinner table every Friday night at Mum's place. I L I K E M Y E G G S scrambled on toast with a side of extra pulpy orange juice. Y O U K N O W I T ' S T R U E L O V E W H E N you start cooking and baking (bye bye mi goreng). R I G H T N O W I ' M C R U S H I N G O N rose gold. Especially for weddings - it's so pretty and romantic.

WEDDING AND EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS

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If you think your wedding was awesome and think we'll dig it, email us with three favourite professional photos from your day along with your contact details to submissions@rufflesandcake.com.au SEE YOUR BUSINESS IN RUFFLES & CAKE

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SUBSCRIBE TO OUR ONLINE EDITION / READ OUR MAGAZINE / FOLLOW OUR BLOG

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We're always on the look out for exciting photography, illustration or editorial contributions. If you think we'll be the perfect fit together, get in touch at submissions@rufflesandcake.com.au

ALL ONLINE AT WWW.RUFFLESANDCAKE.COM.AU

ruffles & cake

EDITOR & CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Skye Bree Millard hello@rufflesandcake.com.au ph.0447 370 087 PUBLICATION DESIGN

SB Creative Co. hello@sbcreativeco.com.au

SUBMITTIONS

CONTACT US

submittions@rufflesandcake.com.au

Ruffles & Cake 2/2 Blackwood St, Townsville City ph. 0447 370 087

ADVERTISING

Danielle Green danielle.green@news.com.au ph. 0423 555 808

Copyright Ruffles & Cake Š 2015. Ruffles & Cake is a quarterly publication. Whist every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the information published within our magazine, no responsibility nor any liability can be accepted for inaccuracy for submissions by organisations or individuals and/or printers errors or omissions. The opinions expressed by individual contributors in Ruffles & Cake are not necessarily those of the publisher.

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08 ADVICE

WRITE REALLY, REALLY AWESOME WEDDING VOWS H E ’ S T H E M A N B E H I N D “M A R R I E D B Y J O S H ” A .K . A . J O S H W I T H E R S ; A F U N , Y O U N G C E L E B R A N T W H O L LY PA S S I O N AT E A B O U T M A R R I A G E A N D E Q U A L LY PA S S I O N AT E A B O U T W E D D I N G S B E I N G AW E S O M E . W E ’ R E S T O K E D T O H AV E H I M S H A R E H I S T I P S WITH RUFFLES FOR NAILING YOUR WEDDING VOWS! SO GRAB Y O U R S E L F A C U P PA A N D G E T S E T T O S TA R T W R I T I N G .

STORY JOSH WITHERS

In my profession as a wedding celebrant, my daily struggle is wedding vows. Not my own, thankfully, mine were awesome, but helping people with their vows. So many couples want to write their own vows because they find traditional vows irrelevant and dated, but then they go home and just start Googling. Then there are some people who are so scared of the thought of saying vows publicly, let alone writing them. So I wanted to tell you what I tell my brides and grooms who are scared of writing their own vows: the best wedding vows are personal wedding vows, vows that are real and true to you, in words you would actually say.

First of all, so we’re all on the same page, a vow is a statement you make, not a question you answer. So anything involving ‘I do’ or ‘I will’ is not a vow, it’s an asking or a question.

Secondly, your vow is for one person and one person only, the bride or groom standing across from you. It’s ok for everyone else to listen, to laugh, or to cry, but your vow has an audience of one. So writing jokes for everyone’s entertainment isn’t a great marriage vow. Also, the vow needs to be uplifting and encouraging, not disparaging or embarrassing.

Thirdly, your vow is the most honest, real, and meaningful thing you’re doing on your wedding day. Before the vow it’s been all about preparation, makeup, and tying

bow ties. Then your celebrant will encourage you on how awesome marriage is and why you’re making a really good decision to get married. And now, it’s a moment of reality and honesty as we hear from the “accused” (that’s a husband joke). After that it’s all drinks, food and party.

One more point while we’re defining what a vow is: there are no standard vows, normal vows, traditional vows or “the vows” that we celebrants have as a backup. There are Catholic vows, or Anglican vows, or the vows from that movie, or that list of vows from that blog post.

In Australia there are the bare minimum legal vows that are required by the Marriage Act of 1961, if you’re in a civil ceremony at least. But the legal vows are all about you identifying yourself and your bride or bridegroom in front of your witnesses and confessing that you would like her or him to be your wife or husband.

There’s nothing in there about death doing you part.

Then there’s the search engine problem. The problem with googling vows or even using traditional church vows is that they are someone else’s vows for someone else’s wedding that was celebrating someone else’s marriage. Not yours.

So now you’re left with a blank page after I’ve smashed all of your googling and tradition (sorry about that!) and you can create some personal vows!

This is how I recommend you write your wedding vows: write a response to the awe-inspiring moment you will be taking part in, your marriage ceremony, and in response to the even more inspiring person you are partaking in that ceremony with, your bride or groom. Awesome wedding vows are simply a response to an awesome moment.

Respond to that moment, and make a vow. I’m not going to tell you what to vow, but in Australia at the very least you’ll need to vow to take them as your wife or husband. From there on I’ll let you choose what you would like to vow to, after all, I don’t know your fiancé or your relationship.

The final thing I would encourage you to do is to make your partner feel like a million dollars. The rest of the wedding day is an ‘everyone affair’, but for five minutes forget about everyone else and make your bride or groom feel like the princess or prince they are.

Make sure they leave the ceremony with no doubts about how you feel; how they make you feel; and what commitment you are making to them. If you can do that I vow to you that your wedding will be the most memorable day! •

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13 FASHION

14 FASHION

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16 REAL COUPLE

17 REAL COUPLE

M E E T B R E N DA N A N D S TAC E Y

26

real Couple

25

HE SAID / SHE SAID PHOTOS SB CREATIVE CO.

HOW WE MET

He said: Pretty sure it was at a Crocs game. We both love the sunshine, we love the game time and we love the Crocodiles.

She said: Our first meeting was at a Crocs game in grade 9. I’d seen him once before and I thought he was the biggest babe. The night we first actually met he told me I looked like Norah Jones (my favourite singer). My teenage heart almost exploded out of my Roxy t-shirt.

THE FIRST DATE

He said: We went and watched The Grudge at the movies and had ice cream. It was a long time ago.

She said: The first time we went somewhere alone together was to the movies but I told everyone including myself we were ‘just friends’. Our first proper date was to The Strand.

THE FIRST KISS

He said: It hasn’t happened yet but I’m really looking forward to it. Hopefully it will happen at our wedding - I’ve been practising.

She said: We were watching Anchorman at his house.

18 REAL COUPLE

THE BEST MOMENTS

He said: We’ve had a lot of great memories together; I couldn’t imagine spending the last 10 years without her. It’s hard to choose just one, but traveling around Europe and the UK was great - in particular walking around an active volcano. We had an awesome night when we got engaged in Sydney with a couple of great mates as well. We’ve also recently purchased our first home together after a few years of hard work saving, so every day we spend in our home together is creating great memories.

banner e g u h a de a m n "Brenda iversaries n n a r u o f o e n o for think) I s th n mo e in n (eight or ence. I’m f l o o h sc y m n o and put it I said e m ti t s r fi the pretty sure was around then."

I loved him -STACEY

She said: It’s so hard to think of the best moments. The weekend we got engaged in Sydney would have to be one of them, and so would the time we spent in Europe.

Every day that we get to spend together is a good one, especially if it involves a cold beer on our new deck.

THE FIRST I LOVE YOU

THE PROPOSAL

SMALL THINGS YOU LOVE

He said: I can’t remember the first time, but I think I was on the dance floor at the Mad Cow burning holes in my shoe soles with some slick moves. She knew then that I was the one and told me she loved me.

He said: I organised the ring to be made because I thought it was time to get engaged after nine years together. I made a plan to go and visit some friends of ours in Sydney and stay at the Park Hyatt on the Harbour - and that’s when I would pop the question. When we arrived, I was pretty nervous, so I went to the hotel’s gym and worked out, even though I hadn’t been to a gym for a long time. I didn’t really work out though; I just walked around the gym eating the free apples until I built up the courage to ask. I tricked her into thinking there was a great sunset on the roof, and that’s where I asked her to marry me.

He said: Stacey is an awesome cook, she always invents new things and puts in extra effort to make the meals amazing. Stacey is extremely unselfish and puts everybody before her. She always makes sure the people around her are ok before she worries about herself.

She said: Brendan made a huge banner for one of our anniversaries (eight or nine months I think) and put it on my school fence. I’m pretty sure the first time I said I loved him was around then. I couldn’t (and still can’t) believe how lucky I was. We just celebrated our ten-year anniversary so I’m finding it really hard to remember the details of all of our ‘firsts’ together.

FINDING THE ONE

He said: I first realised Stacey was the one because she’s the funniest person I’ve met, and she comes out with some great lines that crack me up. I guess outside of work we don’t take things too seriously, enjoy each other’s company and don’t really fight or argue. We just clicked straight away and it’s been fun ever since.

She said: Bren made a big sign and put in on my parents’ front lawn in the first few months that we started going out. He made a love heart around it in tealight candles and then set the sign on fire. I realised he was the one the first time I met him because he’s easily the biggest babe from here to Charters Towers but when I was looking at the big burning sign I knew I couldn’t live without him.

She said: We were going to Sydney to visit some friends for a weekend, something we try to do a few times a year, so it didn’t seem unusual. The friend we were visiting works for the Entertainment Book and she always tells Brendan what hotel to book and gets us a good deal. A couple of weeks before we left, Brendan said Bec had got us a good deal at a really nice hotel close to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, so I still thought nothing of it. It was getting pretty late and I didn’t want to have to wash my hair before dinner so he talked me into just going to watch the sunset over the Opera House while he had a swim. I was taking a photo of the sunset and when I turned around he was on one knee. I can’t even remember what he said, I was so shocked. I called my Mum straight after it happened and all she could say was ‘he always treats you like a princess’. I think she summed it up perfectly. That night we went out for dinner at a fancy restaurant and Brendan fell over on the way out.

She said: I saw a quote online the other day that could have been written about us – ‘He is more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same’. Every romantic quote makes me think of him but I feel like this one was written about him. All of the little things he does for me make me happy. Just last week he packed my lunch and put a love note in with my sandwich. He also agreed to do the photo shoot that our friends bought us for an engagement present even though he really didn’t want to.

THE WEDDING

He said: We are hoping to go overseas and have a small wedding somewhere. We have discussed a few ideas for a location but we haven’t decided on much yet.

She said: We’re planning to get married overseas next year. We love to travel and we’ve both never wanted a ‘big traditional wedding’, so it would suit us perfectly.

He practises singing Angel by Shaggy to me every few weeks so I’m looking forward to that performance on the big day. •

19 REAL COUPLE

025 ADVICE

21 FEATURE

cy n a f the t n e m e elop WHERE DID THE CONCEPT COME FROM?

R U F F L E S C H AT S W I T H B R I T TA N Y SNOW, THE HUMAN BEHIND THE O R I G I N A L A U S T R A L I A N P O P-U P W E D D I N G C O. T O F I N D O U T M O R E ABOUT THIS BRAND NEW AND SUPER COOL WEDDING TREND C O M I N G T O N O R T H Q U E E N S L A N D. PHOTOS PAUL BAMFORD

We were so sad to see that so many couples felt that they had to squeeze their wedding day into the over the top, and sometimes boring, cookie cutter. We heard so many, 'We would love to, but can't because of... so now we are... and are just to grin and bare our wedding'.

WHATS DOES A POP-UP WEDDING ENTAIL?

A pop-up wedding is a fancy elopement.We organise the best celebrant, photographer, venue, stylist, and florist to host an awesome hour long elopement. Each wedding is completely unique, because each couple brings their own flavour. After walking down the aisle, with a handful of your closest friends and family present for your marriage ceremony, vows are exchanged and you are husband and wife. Our photographer takes a few group snaps and then whisks the newlyweds away for some couple shots. Before the hour is over you’re on the way to your celebrations, wherever you plan to party, be it at home, or at a restaurant, or elsewhere!

HOW IS A POP-UP WEDDING DIFFERENT TO THE MORE TRADITIONAL WEDDING?

We feel that we have taken the best of both worlds and combine them into what is known as a Pop-Up. You get an amazing venue, that is styled by the best and beautiful flowers to keep. For me personally, looking back at my own wedding, the vows and the photos were the most important things to me. I wanted to stand up in front of my nearest and dearest and pledge my life to this man- and have beautiful photos to show our grandkids. All of this is available in a Pop-Up Wedding. We throw the traditions and 'we shoulds’ out the window and invite them back only is they're important to you.

A traditional wedding is massive, long and has a similar kind of budget. A Pop-Up Wedding is usually done within an hour and you'll still have that house deposit afterward.

W H AT L E V E L O F I N P U T D O E S E A C H C O U P L E H AV E?

Well, they do have to get dressed and drive to the venue- that's about it in the lead up to the day. Even though it's a 'group buy' situation, it's still your wedding. Our favourite thing is when a couple asks to bring their puppies, or if their niece can be their flower-girl, and of course if they can exchange personal vows. It's a really intimate day, and the couple can have a little or as much input as they'd like.

W H AT I S T H E B E S T T H I N G A B O U T H AV I N G A POP-UP WEDDING?

In our opinion, the best thing about a Pop-Up Wedding is that you get to take your day back. You shouldn't be told what YOUR wedding has to look like, and you shouldn't have the pressure of inviting this person, because you invited this person. You should feel the most relaxed and happy that you've ever felt before, and that's what a Pop-Up Wedding provides.

WHAT SORT OF COUPLES BOOK A POP-UP WEDDING?

Pop-Up couples are desperately in love and usually well on

their way to creating a life together- they're saving for a house or started/starting a family together. They want to be married, but don't want a wedding, they want to elope, but the thought of the registry office makes them ill. They would run away together tomorrow and get hitched, but she's dreamed of her wedding dress, and he'd really like his mum to be there. *Insert the Pop-Up Wedding Co.* WHAT DO YOU WANT COUPLES TO TAKE WITH THEM FROM A POP-UP WEDDING?

Plenty of happy memories with zero stress, lots of laughs, and of course, a marriage (plus some hot photographs of their special day!)

22 FEATURE

" We are reserved and quite bashfulg people. Havin a wedding with all the bells and nt whistles in fro ople of loads of pe r just wasn't ou style" -NATALIE

ie

Andrew and Natal

W H Y I S A N E L O P E M E N T A N AW E S O M E I D E A ? W E C H AT W I T H A N D R E W A N D N ATA L I E A B O U T T H E I R P O P U P W E D D I N G T O H E A R W H Y F I R S T H A N D...

HOW MUCH OF YOUR WEDDING HAD YOU

HOW DID THEY REACT TO YOUR

WHAT MAT TERED MOST TO YOU WHEN IT CAME

PLANNED BEFORE YOU DECIDED TO ELOPE?

ELOPEMENT IDEA?

TO THE WEDDING?

Zippo. Having been together for 11 years and engaged for five of those, the notion of planning a wedding in the traditional sense always seemed like too much hassle.

We knew very early on in our relationship that we would spend our lives together, and marriage was something we discussed often, it was just the idea of planning a wedding that held us back.

Our respective families knew we didn't want too much fanfare when it came to getting married and they had all but resigned themselves to the idea that we would remain engaged for life. They were extremely excited and happy to hear we were finally taking the plunge. The Pop-up idea was new to them as well but when we explained how simple it was going to be to have our wedding, they were all surprised and commented on how fantastic an idea it was.

Standing together hand in hand, sharing our vows and being connected in the moment, just the two of us. The rest was a bonus!

WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO ELOPE, AND WHAT DREW YOU TO THE POP-UP IDEA RATHER THAN A TRADITIONAL ELOPEMENT?

WHAT DETAILS DID YOU ORGANISE?

We are reserved and quite bashful people. Having a wedding with all the bells and whistles in front of loads of people was not our style. We would have happily remained perpetually engaged but the desire to be connected by matrimony was always foremost in our minds. We explored the idea of getting married at a registry but it just seemed so impersonal. It was by pure chance and word of mouth that we heard about the Popup idea and it set wheels in motion. What more could we want, a beautifully styled venue, minimal guests - or none if we preferred, a non-stuffy celebrant and a professional photographer to capture the special moments, and it was all co-ordinated for us! We could have our cake and eat it too!

We had very little to organise for our wedding. That's the beauty about Pop-Up, it's all co-ordinated for you.

Apart from some mandatory registration forms we had to fill out in advance to ensure the marriage was legit, if we wanted we could simply show up on the day in shorts, shirts and thongs knowing we would be legally married soon after. But truth be told, we only needed to arrange our intimate guest list and invites, our wedding attire along with hair and makeup, our wedding dinner and our honeymoon, of course!

W H AT WA S T H E B E S T PA R T O F H AV I N G A P O PUP WEDDING?

All of it! The pop-up team was amazing, the pop-up wedding was beautiful and fuss free and we were able to really enjoy the lead-up without becoming a bride or groom-zilla and losing sight of what we were about to experience. •

Ready to elope?

We're so excited to share with our Ruffles readers exclusively that Pop Up Wedding Co. will be coming to NQ in 2016. If your keen, get in touch with the team at hello@popupwed.co

wedding bookings open for 2016 our greatest stories can be made when good people are bought together

GENUINE / AUTHENTIC / DOCUMENTARY STYLE PHOTOGRAPHY

FOLLOW THE JOURNEY INSTAGRAM / @SBCREATIVECO_ FACEBOOK / SBCREATIVECO

EMAIL HELLO@SBCREATIVECO.COM.AU FOR AVAILBILIT Y LOCATION. 2/2 BL ACKWOOD ST, TOWNSVILLE CIT Y

PH. 0447 370 087

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24 STORY

TOP THREE WIN V O T E D I N T H E T O P T H R E E B Y N E W LY W E D S , W E W E R E T H E R E T O H E L P M E R C U R E T O W N S V I L L E C E L E B R AT E T H E O N LY WAY W E K N O W H O W ( W I T H B U B B L E S A N D C O N F E T T I , O F C O U R S E !)

STORY FRANCINE PULLMAN

Reaching the pinnacle of one’s profession is a goal which every business aspires to achieve. Designing dreams is also a pursuit which every wedding business strives to deliver to their brides.

Wedding Services in Australia over a consecutive period of four years. Each year the ABIA conducts the Annual Bridal Industry Awards in each of the five mainland states of QLD, NSW, VIC, SA, and WA.

On Sunday, February 8, one of Australia’s foremost V.O.W.S. (Vendors Of Wedding Services), Mercure Townsville, was recognised for their consistent achievement of designing the dream of a bride’s perfect day as the Australian Bridal Industry Academy presented the 2015 Palazzo Versace Designer of Dreams Awards. Mercure Townsville was voted 3rd top “Hotel Reception Venue” in Australia.

Over the past four years, the ratings received by each vendor in the state awards are accumulated under a structured computer-based algorithm to determine the contenders for the national awards.

The Chairman of the ABIA, John O’Meara, said it was a great privilege and honour to have one of the world’s most lavish and opulent Hotels, Palazzo Versace, as the major sponsor of the Designer of Dreams Awards. Just like a wedding is a day to remember, the 2015 Palazzo Versace Designer of Dreams Awards was a night to remember for all 190 attendees who celebrated a night of entertainment, extravagance, opulence and haute couture cuisine.

The 2015 ABIA Designer of Dreams Titles is a national program designed to determine the best Vendors Of

The 2015 national awards were determined by the votes of 126,216 couples who were married over the past four years. These newlyweds nominated a total of 3476 wedding vendors across Australia, of which 697 qualified for the national titles, culminating in 199 finalists and 36 winners.

Mr O’Meara said that Mercure Townsville should be extremely proud of being honoured by Australia’s peak industry body as one of the country’s top Vendors Of Wedding Services, especially when one considers the level of passion and commitment required to consistently excel in the design of products and services which culminate in the delivery of the bride’s perfect day.

Mr O’Meara went on to say that the Australian bridal

market was one of the most demanding of industries as it gave wedding vendors a one-off opportunity to deliver excellence the first time, every time - there are no second chances. Repeating this outcome year after year after year, bride after bride after bride, is a daunting task which thousands of wedding vendors strive to achieve.

It is all the more daunting when the entity who determines this outcome are newlyweds who have been through the process of selecting and engaging wedding vendors who have demonstrated their ability to design the ingredients which culminate in the delivery of the perfect day. Mercure Townsville is one such company which has consistently delivered these dreams over a consecutive period of four years.

Since 1997 the Australian Bridal Industry Academy (ABIA) has been conducting performance appraisals of businesses engaged in the supply of wedding products and services. More than 37,000 wedding business have been through the ABIA performance appraisal.

For further information on the ABIA go to www.abia.com.au and view Award Results. •

Local Wedding

T H E D AY

Brooke: Liam and I both wanted the day to be simple and relaxed. With this in mind and a lot of time spent looking through wedding magazines, I ended up planning a wedding that had a rustic yet still classic feel to it. I ended up with a simple lace strapless gown, with a beautiful belt to finish it off. I knew it was 'the one' because my mum and sister cried when I put it on! The dress was absolutely perfect and I got so many compliments on the day. Our bridal party was slightly unconventional; we had three bridesmaids and five groomsmen.

We didn't mind it being lopsided though, as it meant that we were able to include all the people we wanted by our sides - and that was more important than having an even bridal party.

THE RECEPTION

Brooke: We had our reception at the Riverside Gardens Community Centre and it was the perfect setting. We had a cocktail wedding with canapĂŠs rather than a traditional sit-down dinner.

It felt so much more relaxed and gave us and our guests more opportunity to mingle and most importantly, plenty of time to rock the dance floor.

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Local Wedding

MICHELLE AND ERIN 8 OCTOBER 2014 / PALM COVE

Michelle: It was new year’s eve 2013, and Erin took me out for lunch and wine tasting at Yering Station Winery. It was a beautiful day and Erin suggested we go for a walk in the vineyards after lunch. He led me through the vines, climbing through fences (which was difficult in my heels!) but I followed. We then came to the middle of the vines and there was a champagne picnic set up. That's when he got down on one knee and proposed! We enjoyed the moment and the champagne picnic, then returned to the house and surprised our friends who were waiting there. It certainly kicked off the New Year’s Eve celebrations!

PHOTOGRAPHER HEART & COLOUR BRIDAL GOWN JANE HILL VEIL / HAIR PIECE JANE HILL FLOWERS NINE BLOOMS RINGS MG JEWELLERY DESIGNS STYLIST THE VINTAGE HIRE COMPANY BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES VIOLET & I GROOMS SUIT V & J MENSWEAR CEREMONY ALAMANDA CHAPEL, PALM COVE RECEPTION THE REEF HOUSE, PALM COVE MAKEUP GEORGIE PICKETT HAIR SHAE HOWLETT / TROPICAL BEAUTY CINEMATOGRAPHER THREADLESS FILMS

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THE VIBE

Michelle: As our wedding was by the beach, we aimed to have a relaxed vibe that fit perfectly with the setting. We wanted it to reflect our personality and took inspiration from bohemian and tropical themes whilst keeping colourful, romantic and fun. To set the vibe we had a man cutting open fresh coconuts as we left the chapel for guests to enjoy, with Pina Colada refills awaiting at the reception! It was perfect for our tropical location.

alm Cove "We loved P timate e an in it feels lik radise" tropical pa

- MICHELLE

THE RECEPTION

Michelle: When we pulled up in the VW Kombis, it looked magical - it was everything we had envisioned. We had a mix of bohemian furniture, gold candles, pineapples, palm trees, lots of stunning flowers which covered the tables and hung from the ceiling with tea light candle lanterns.

n o i at n Desti edding W

SKYE AND ERIC 15 MARCH 2014 / SYDNEY

Skye: It was in Europe while we were on a beautiful holiday when Eric proposed on a beach in Positano as we made our way down the Amalfi Coast, and it was pretty much perfect. I knew it was love for me when Eric had been away on holiday with some friends for two weeks. He came to my apartment the minute he landed. I remember waiting for him to arrive and I watched him walking into my building from my balcony, he looked up at me and smiled. It felt like it was in slow motion for me, and I knew he loved me just as much as I did him.

PHOTOGRAPHER HEART & COLOUR DRESS MARIANNA HARDWICK VEIL / HAIR PIECE JANE HILL FLOWERS DUSTY MILLER / SOPHIE HENSON CAKE BRIDES IN BLOOM RINGS ERIC / TIFFANY & CO STYLIST THE VINTAGE HIRE COMPANY BRIDESMAIDS ZIMMERMAN GROOMS SUIT V & J MENSWEAR CEREMONY ST BENEDICT’S CHURCH, CHIPPENDALE RECEPTION THE REEF HOUSE, PALM COVE MUSIC LOMBARDO ENTERTAINMENT MAKEUP AMY SARTOREL HAIR LIZ TAGLA TRANSPORT 7TH HEAVEN WEDDING CARS CINEMATOGRAPHER CINEMOTIVE

THE DRESS

Skye: I am not too much of a dress person myself, so the process at the beginning felt a little daunting. I thought the best process of elimination was to book a fitting to help decide what style I would wear. On this visit I tried a Mariana Hardwick Gown , and once it was on I knew 'yes this is the one, this is the wedding dress'. So, I ordered it and a few months before the wedding the gown arrived, made to measure and it was beautiful.

THE VIBE

Skye: We wanted a classic wedding, and not much conversation was had around a particular theme.

Everything just fell into place as it did and I think it all looked amazing. We knew we wanted a wedding that represented both of us though, and it actually took a while to find a venue that we were happy with as we wanted something that was a little unique.

e to celebrate together "Everyone is ther ng a life your love and starti day of love.

- It’s really a big It’s just beautiful."

-SKYE

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36 DIRECTORY

VENUES AND SERVICES WE LOVE

IN THE BOOTH

RYDGES SOUTH BANK

Phone / 1300 026 684

Phone / 4726 5265

Phone / 4724 2929

Studio-quality photo booths for special events.

Unlimited instant prints, video messaging and a range of custom options make the booth your own.

Let us make your wedding the most talked about night of the year!

Classic North Queensland architecture, elegant presentation and a magical ambience are supported by contemporary cuisine and service, making Rydges Southbank Townsville one of Townsville’s most sought after wedding venues.

Michel Flores now offers catering for all occasions and locations from his Bundock Street Delicatessen, Essentially Fresh. Let us create lasting memories for your guests and take the stress away from your big day.

WWW.INTHEBOOTH.COM.AU

WWW.RYDGES.COM/TOWNSVILLE

WWW.ESSENTIALLYFRESH.COM.AU

QT PORT DOUGLAS

CATHOLIC DIOCESE

FERRY

Email / townsville@inthebooth.com.au

TOWNSVILLE

Email / functions_townsville@rydges.com

ESSENTIALLY FRESH

Email / info@essentiallyf resh.com.au

OF TOWNSVILLE

PHOTOGRAPHY

Phone / 4099 8900

Phone / 4726 3200

Phone / 0437 715 500

Mad Men meets the Hamptons in Tropical North Queensland, QT Port Douglas is a unique designer resort with a contemporary yet quirky tropical feel.

The Office for Life, Marriage and Family is dedicated to providing support, resources and programs that will assist every couple in creating a ‘love that lasts a lifetime.

At Ferry Photography we document every aspect of your wedding. From Dawn until those roll on the floor, tears of laughter dance floor antics get out of control. We are there for you. All day.

WWW.QTPORTDOUGLAS.COM.AU

WWW.TSV.CATHOLIC.ORG.AU

WWW.FERRYPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

RESORT

Email / sales@portdouglas@qthotels.com.au

Email / diocese@tsv.catholic.org.au

Email / info@ferryphotography.com

37 DIRECTORY

VENUES AND SERVICES WE LOVE

SACRED HEART

SOUTH PACIFIC BRIDAL

DENTAL BAL ANCE NQ

Phone / 1800 334 683

Phone / 4755 1360

Why spend thousands on a dress when you can hire?

Find your perfect, exclusive custom made wedding dress with South Pacific Bridal.

The smile of your life, for the best day of your life.

Commence the new chapter of your life as husband and wife in the historic Sacred Heart Cathedral in the heart of the city.

WWW.SPB.COM.AU/CAIRNS-WEDDING-DRESSES/

WWW.DENTALBALANCE.COM.AU

WWW.TSV.CATHOLIC.ORG.AU

Email / weddings@spb.com.au

Email / dentalbalance@mail.com

CATHERDRAL

Phone / 4771 4461

Email / cathedralparish@tsv.catholic.org.au

WWW.SPB.COM.AU

TOWNSVILLE INJECTABLE

WEST END TEA HOUSE

WALL ACE BISHOP

Phone / 44310 880

Stockland / 4421 7100 Willows / 4444 5754

Phone / 4772 7214

Come and indulge at the West End Teahouse to host your bridal shower high tea in our beautiful lush garden surroundings and visit our gallery featuring local artists. Comfortable lounge area and airconditioned seating available.

Over the past 97 years, generations of Australians have chosen our diamond jewellery and watches to signify milestone celebrations. Trust us with your special moment.

Townsville Injectable & Laser Clinic is your new destination for quality, rejuvenation treatments, including cosmetic injectables, laser rejuvenation and skin treatments.

FIND US ON FACEBOOK / WEST END TEAHOUSE

WWW.WALLACEBISHOP.COM.AU

WWW.TOWNSVILLEINJECTABLEANDLASER.COM.AU

Email / outworx@bigpond.com

Castletown / 4755 3200

AND LASER CLINIC

Email / info@townsvilleinjectableandlaser.com.au

38 DIRECTORY

VENUES AND SERVICES WE LOVE

HERITAGE TEA ROOMS

JANINE’S CAKE ART

Phone / 4778 0199

Phone / 4773 2060

Email / scones@heritagetearooms.com.au

Email / cakes@janinescakeart.com

MALPARA FLORIST

Hermit Park / 4771 6767 Kirwan / 4723 2383 Email / sales@malpara.com.au

Bring the rustic charm of the Tea Rooms to your wedding celebration; picturesque bush land and a natural ambience, create a stunning backdrop.

Making your wedding cake an artistic showpiece in design, colour, balance and beauty - a sight and taste sensation.

Malpara Florist the boutique flower specialists have you covered, from wedding bouquets and buttonholes, through to reception flowers, personalised to fit your special day’s theme.

WWW.HERITAGETEAROOMS.COM.AU

WWW.JANINESCAKEART.COM

WWW.MALPARA.COM.AU

BELLADONA BRIDAL

T H E H O L I DAY I N N

NORTH QUEENSLAND

TOWNSVILLE

Phone / 4771 5580

Phone / 4729 2021

We are a locally owned, long established bridal salon offering friendly expert advice and good old fashioned service. In store you’ll find a large range of affordable designer gowns.

With a unique rooftop venue for ceremonies and the stunning Pandora room for receptions, we’ll make sure your wedding is special from start to end.

WWW.BELLADONNABRIDALNORTHQLD.COM

WWW.HOLIDAYINN.COM/TOWNSVILLE

Email / margaret@belladonnabridalnorthqld.com

Email / events.townsville@ihg.com

Keen to be seen?

SEE YOUR BUSINESS IN RUFFLES & CAKE

For advertising opportunities please contact Emily Roebuck at the Townsville Bulletin on 4722 4471 or email emily.roebuck@news.com.au

Say I do...

In one of Townsville’s spectacular outdoor settings >> Anderson Gardens Wellington St, Mundingburra

>> Magnetic Island Beaches >> Palmetum University Rd, Annandale

>> Queens Gardens Corner of Gregory and Paxton St, North Ward

>> Townsville Beaches Anderson Gardens, photography by Tella Photography

Other stunning settings include: >> >> >> >> >> >> >>

Anzac Park Rotunda – The Strand Burke Street Headland – The Strand Tobruk Headland/Foreshore – The Strand Perfume Gardens – CBD Soroptimist Park – Rowes Bay Walter Nesbit Park – Palleranda Black Weir Park – Kirwan

>> >> >> >> >> >>

Raintree Grove – Riverway Rossiter Park – Aitkenvale Monument Park – Douglas Loam Island – Rasmussen Apex Park – Kelso Paluma, and many more...

Visit www.townsville.qld.gov.au to download the Townsville City Council Ceremonies Guide or call 1300 878 001.

Make your smile the best it can be on your special day Make sure your smile is the centre of attention for all the right reasons! Dr Darren Burch, a general dentist from Dental Balance NQ is an accredited provider of the revolutionary Cfast™ and Fastbraces® orthodontic systems. They’re fast, discrete and affordable with most results achieved in less than 6 months. In addition, we offer a number of cosmetic dentistry solutions to make sure your smile shines all day and forever.

Remember, your smile is the prettiest thing you will wear.

BOOK YOUR COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION Call now on 4755 1360 to see if Cfast™ or Fastbraces® is the perfect fit for you.

Dental Balance NQ / 599 Ross River Road, Kirwan / 4755 1360 / dentalbalance@mail.com / www.dentalbalance.com.au