WEDDING DAY ROLL CALL

Ceremony venue

The Chapel Montville thechapelmontville.com.au

Celebrant

Sommer Saunders, Sunshine Coast sommersaundercelebrancy.com.au

Dress

Luv Bridal, Maroochydore luvbridal.com.au

Stylist

Simply Style Co, Noosa simplystyleco.com.au

Florist

Willow Bud Wedding Flowers, Perwillowen willowbudweddingflowers.com.au

Photographer Ben Connolly, Dicky Beach benconnolly.com.au

“Life happens. The heat of the day affected the flowers, but the [florist] girls did amazing with what they had. You can’t control the weather. I said to every single supplier the week before my wedding that I would leave it all with them. This is what they do every single week. Don’t be a bridezilla, just let it flow. What is meant to be, will be.

“My only tip for a bride to be is to take your glasses if you need them! I wear glasses for reading. It didn’t dawn on me to take my glasses and I had to borrow someone’s glasses to read the ceremony.

“I would do my wedding day over and over again.”

And the best part?

“Getting married to my husband, and saying I do,” Mel says with a smile.

THE VENUE

Flaxton Gardens is one of the Sunshine Coast’s premier wedding venues. Nestled in the lush hinterland and offering sweeping coastal views, it hosts luxury weddings and events. Couples are assigned a professional wedding planner to help design their perfect wedding, with options ranging from a Tuscanthemed terrace celebration to an elegant marquee that offers views of the night sky above.

“I fell in love with the venue,” Mel says. “I wouldn’t change a thing at Flaxton. The wedding planner Alicia was so easy to deal with, and organised. She was the bomb. There was no reason for stress.”

Visit flaxtongardens.com.au

Delicate Dance

We’ve all heard of the couple’s first dance – it’s iconic. But in 2023 a trend we are seeing emerge at weddings is a PRIVATE LAST DANCE. Yep, that’s right, when all the guests have left for the night, loved up newlyweds embrace the magic of their special day a little longer. With just the photographer and videographer in the room it’s a chance to reflect on the day and savour the last few moments before embracing the world together as a married couple. How romantic!

Unique Lighting

In 2023 bespoke lighting is set to dominate weddings with candles and low-hanging bulbs set to add some soft backlight to the wedding pictures. The right LIGHTING can create a magical and ultra-romantic setting for a wedding wonderland. Delicate fairy lights, curtain lights or even Edison bulbs create a more relaxed and close-knit setting, matching the growing interest from couples in intimate gatherings. If you’re having an outdoor wedding why not look at lanterns on low-hanging tree branches? Another trend taking off is neon signage. These signs add a bright pop of colour and can be a fun focal point for photos. Have them made with a wedding hashtag, the couple’s names, or phrases like ‘love’ or ‘happily ever after’.

Dreamy Destinations

Destination weddings are receiving a shake-up in 2023. Although borders are open, couples are now choosing to recreate the look and feel of their dream destinations, right here in Australia. What a cool concept! They are drawing on inspiration from LUXURY EUROPEAN DESTINATIONS – whether it’s a Tuscan-themed wedding or the Greek Islands. To achieve this, be creative with styling, food and music, and add your own personal touches. This will allow you to experience the destination wedding of your dreams while in your own backyard. Another bonus of course is that all the friends and family who may not have been able to make a destination wedding will be able to experience Europe at home with you.

IHere are our picks of fashionable locations, must-have products, and the latest trends in weddings.

Back To Blue

This is one for the groom as the BLUE SUIT proves a continuing classic look for 2023. With blue already the colour trend of the year for weddings, it’s no surprises this is translating into the outfit choices. Blue can add a wonderful sense of masculinity to the groom’s attire and is versatile enough to go with your wedding colour palate. Try adding a touch of colour with a bow tie, tie, shirt or in a boutonnière. The groom’s tuxedo is another staple in wedding outfits today with linen also a popular fabric choice. Why not have some fun mixing and matching a couple of the trends for the perfect look?

Fun On Film

With all things retro making a comeback, it would be rude to ignore the re-emergence of film cameras. Whether it’s disposable cameras in the centre of the tables or POLAROIDS, analogue film is making a big appearance at weddings this autumn. This trend can lead to fun, candid one-off photos as guests capture the celebration. This is also translating to a fun new way of guests signing the traditional message book. Why not have a photo booth strip or polaroid printed and stuck into the book and each guest can write a little message next to their photo?

Let The Champagne Flow

Nothing says it’s time to party like popping a bottle of bubbles. If you are looking to wow your guests and make a statement, then consider adding a CHAMPAGNE TOWER to include a splash of sparkle on your special day. This trend is fast becoming a must-have interactive spectacle in the 2023 wedding season. The experience is the perfect opportunity to kick off your reception and get you and your guests excited for what’s to come. You can easily hire vendors that specialise in champagne towers, if the service isn’t already available at your venue. Now all that’s left is to say cheers!

Retro Return

The ’80s are back baby. We’re talking puffy sleeves, plenty of bows, thick dresses and dramatic detail. If Stranger Things can bring back Kate Bush and Tom Cruise can bring back Top Gun, then there is no stopping a dress revival from a bygone era. Cue the beautiful Princess Diana look and envision cathedral-length or embroidered veils. Why not opt for wedding gloves to give 1980s glam vibes? Brides can opt for empire-waist gowns with a square neckline and make use of delicate antique accessories such as teardrop earrings or a dainty tiara.

Eyes On Luminous

Makeup trends are ever evolving but this season minimal, DEWY LOOKS, fluffy eyebrows and foxy eyes are sure to be popular. Trends we are seeing online and from top makeup influencers are inspiring brides to opt for looks using cream products with a luminous finish that makes the skin look radiant, fresh and naturally dewy without looking like you’re wearing a full face of makeup. The salt team loves the addition of cream blush to lift the cheekbones and give an extra healthy glow. We all know big, brushed, fluffy eyebrows and brow lamination are in, so expect to also see this in bridal makeup. The fox-eye trend is designed to elongate and lift the eye. The look uses a soft, thin wing just on the outer corners of the eyes, which subtly blends away.