Hire In Style

A Recipe for Vow Writing Success

In today’s age, we are seeing more and more couples break away from traditional wedding customs, and instead introduce their own. Your wedding vows are no different.

Custom wedding vows are written from the heart and are personalised, authentic, and true to you as a couple – we mean, what is more real than that?!

Breaking away from tradition:

Gone are the days of using ‘thee’ & ‘troth’ in our everyday vocabulary, so you shouldn’t have to use these phrases when committing your love to one another. This isn’t to say that there is anything wrong with tradition, and if traditional wedding vows are meaningful to you as a couple then you should 110% use them as part of your marriage ceremony. Remember, it’s your day, you can do as you please!

So unless you want to use the tradition, it is more than okay (really it is encouraged) for you to write your own vows.

From the heart:

If it was up to us, we would say that writing your vows would have had to be the most heartfelt, rewarding and emotional part of your wedding planning journey. It brings you back down to reality to remember why you are actually marrying your person of choice, rather than worrying about your seating plan and if those last minute shoes you ordered are going to arrive on time.

There are many ways to write your wedding vows, but unless you are the next Tim Winton or Egdar Allan Poe, it may end up being a harder task than you originally had thought. With so many memories to reflect on, good times shared and reasons why you love your significant other, it can sometimes be hard to narrow it down and know exactly what to include and what to leave out.

To get to the point, we have put together a little recipe for vow writing success, that we hope will help you in crafting vows that will make your other half laugh, cry and confirm how much you love them.

Things to Remember:

1. Be thoughtful – your vows are meant to make your other half feel friggin’ amazing, so speak from the heart.

2. Be personal – use your fiancés name or nickname. Remember, you are talking to them.

3. Be considerate – though humour, and wit is encouraged in tasteful doses, hint at the funny stories or embarrassing moments rather than spelling them out. Your vows aren’t a script for roasting your other half. Remember point 1, make your partner feel friggin’ amazing!

4. The legalities – remember that there are some legal requirements for marriage vows, so be sure to chat to your celebrant, officiant, or whoever may be the one to make it legal, prior to writing to make sure you have everything you need to include. Also advise them of your wish to write your own custom vows, so they can plan your ceremony with this in mind.

5. Do it your way – If you are a singer, then sing! If you enjoy poetry, write a poem, do what is true to you.

6. Plan with your partner – make sure you are on the same page with your partner. Together, determine the length and tone of your vows, to help guide you both through the process.
For example:
Length: 5-8 sentences
Tone: (clarify the degree of humour) – No sexy stories, no mention of our trip to the slopes, only one cheeky comment allowed – you get the picture.

The Layout:

Like all great love stories, your vows will have a beginning, a middle and an end.

The Beginning

An opening statement. Set the scene and give context to what you say next. Make reference to when you knew you first loved them, or how you came to realise you knew they were the one.

Here are some sentence starters to get you thinking:

– Remember when…

– When we first met…

– When I think about…

– I love the way you…

– It will never be (something) without (something)…

The Middle

The why – everyone knows you are lovestruck, but what is it that makes you love your fiancé the most? This is your chance to tell them exactly what and why you love them.

Gather some descriptive words that best represent your fiancé, and tie them together with a few sentences on what makes them so amazing.

Ask yourself:

– What makes your fiancé unique / what are their best qualities?

– What do you look forward to the most about seeing them each day?

– How is your fiancé different from anyone you have ever met?

The End

The promises & your future together.

What do you promise?

– If there were only 3 promises you could make to your fiancé for the rest of your lives, what would they be?

Reflect on your future together.

– What are you looking forward to? This could be a long term goal you have made together like travelling the world or building a holiday house, or milestone such as starting a family.

– Pssttt; this is where you could add your touch of cheeky by saying something like ‘I can’t wait to grow old, wrinkly and cranky together’ or ‘I hope our future daughter has your brains, and my sass’.

Recipe for success:

Mind map and write down absolutely everything you feel is important & you want to bring to the table. Reread over it and circle the no.1s.

Make a list of descriptive words that best describe your future spouse, these will come in handy when you are wanting to bulk up or link sentences.

Then add it to a table like this:

**Another tip: keep all of your sentences short & sweet. This will help with the overall flow and will also work in your favour when reading aloud.

Remember:
A draft is better than nothing at all! And finished is better than perfect. Once you have your points, you are pretty much there. Don’t over think it and don’t pick it apart. Your vows are meant to come from the heart.

What’s next:

YOU DID IT, well done! Now it’s time to re-read and rehearse.

First of all, make sure you can read them. Make yourself two copies; a nice presented version which you can give to your other half after the ceremony, and a version you can read. Think black, san serif block letters printed on white paper, in a size you can see.

Practice speaking out loud, and in front of a mirror. Even if you are the best public speaker with nerves of steel, you never know what kind of emotions are going to hit you on your wedding day. So, practise speaking your vows with confidence and calm, remember to look up and pretend to practise making eye contact with your partner, imagine you are speaking directly to them.

And last but not least, try to memorise as much as you can. Your vows will be so much more heartfelt if you are looking into your partner’s eyes than reading off of a piece of paper.

Champagne Towers – How to master the basics

They are big, they are beautiful, and they are bold. Champagne towers are a showstopper, and a (somewhat) easy way to add a level of opulence to your event.

A fancy New Year’s Eve party, wedding, or 50th Birthday celebration, whatever your occasion, is there really any other way to celebrate than with yummy bubbles trickling down a majestic tower of champagne saucers?

Like with most great things, there is still some science behind building a dazzling tower that will totally WOW your guests. So, if you are considering showing off to your friends and family with one of these bad boys, keep reading. Because let’s face it, no one wants to be the next ‘champagne tower fail’ hit on tok-tok.

Image @katiegrantphoto

WHAT YOU NEED:

– A super sturdy base or table of some sort

– Spillage tray & a fancy tea towel or napkin – spillages are a risk

– Coupe champagne saucers, NOT flutes

– Bottles of bubbly!

THE STEPS:

1.Determine your tiers & number of glasses

First thing is first, figure out how many tiers you want your tower to be. The number of tiers will determine the number of glasses you need. We suggest you start from the top and work your way down!

For example:

Top = 1 glass (1×1=1)

Tier 2 = 4 glasses (2×2=4)

Tier 3 = 9 glasses (3×3=9)

We have put together a little cheat sheet for you:

Image: @peterthephotographer.co

2.Start with a base

Your base must be solid, sturdy and not on wheels!

Be sure your base has enough room to hold enough coupes without it being too squishy, though still within arms reach.

It’s also a good idea to think about its placement. Try and keep the tower out of congested areas, as there would be nothing worse than someone accidentally knocking it as they walk past.

3.Build from the bottom up

Create the bottom later – then build her on up!

Your tower should consist of squares that get successively smaller as the tower rises.

For example, if the base was 6 x 6 coupe glasses, then the second bottom tier will be 5 x 5 glasses, the next 4 x 4 glasses and so on until you finish with one solitary glass sitting at the top.

NOTE | The glasses must sit snug and touch, creating a diamond shape in the middle of every 4 glasses. The glasses need to be placed directly in the centre of the diamond below it.

DOUBLE NOTE | Remember to use coupe style glasses, not flutes. Also be sure that all of your glasses are the same size so they balance easily when stacked on one another.

Our ribbed champagne saucers & premium champagne saucers are the perfect option.

Image: @emmamacaulayphotography

4.Watch the magic happen

IT’S TIME TO POUR THE CHAMPAS!

Start slowly with a steady hand and let the champagne trickle down the tower.

TIP | Top up the side coupes as you go to make sure there is an even weight throughout the tower to avoid it collapsing!

If you can’t reach the top, grab yourself a small step ladder so you can pour from the top and not knock any glasses in the process. Or rather, as your 6’ft friend to do the honours!

Image: @photogerson

THE TAKEAWAYS:

Coupe style champagne glasses
A solid, sturdy base
A steady hand

4 Wedding Traditions to Leave Behind in 2022

Have you ever wondered why some wedding traditions are still going strong?

Tempted to toss tradition at your wedding and make your own rules?

Dropping customs that don’t resonate with you means you can discover more authentic ways to mark those important wedding moments.

Swap these for something more your style. And maybe spark a new trend!

1. Walking down the aisle

Don’t like the idea of being walked down the aisle?

Swap it: Walk down the aisle with your partner and both your families. It’s symbolic of you entering an equal partnership and future together.

2. Wearing a white dress

White not your colour?

Before Queen Victoria made the white dress viral in 1840, brides wore whatever they wanted. It was usually something they could re-wear, and colour was the norm.

Swap it: Do you feel amazing drenched in green sequins? Go for it. The choices are boundless (and more affordable).

Photographer: Ben and Ebony

3. Ghosting your partner before the wedding

Not seeing (or even meeting) your future spouse until the ceremony was once common practice.

It was feared the groom would back out when seeing his future wife (hence the veil only being lifted after the vows).

Yup. Not a lot of romance there.

Swap it: Help each other get ready. It’s a deeply intimate way to connect, build anticipation and slow down before the wild day ahead.

Photographer: Lindsey Taylor Photography

4. Bridal party

In Ancient Rome, legal marriages needed 10 witnesses. Cue bridal posse.

Here’s another fun fact. The bridesmaids would wear the same gown as the bride, and the groomsman would dress identical to the groom.

Why?

This was thought to trick evil spirits and prevent them finding and cursing the couple.

Swap it: Deviate from the norm with a more diverse squad. Bridesman? Groomsmaid? How about your pet chihuahua? Or is your nan your main girl?

Photographer: Pete The Photographer Co

So, make (or break) the rules. When it comes to your day, we advocate doing what’s culturally significant and important to you.

Want to read more wedding tips and advice like this? Check out our other posts

Winter, Weddings & Wonderlands

Our checklist for pulling off the ultimate winter soiree

There is something truly magical about a winter wedding. The beautiful lush scenery, intimate indoor ceremonies, the warmth of a fire and elegant moody lighting all make for a cosy and romantic affair. Is there really a better excuse to celebrate love by toasting with red wine and kick starting the d-floor to get the blood pumping?

We have been lucky enough to be a part of many magical winter soirees which maybe has made us a little biassed. So if you are planning on tying the knot in the ‘down season’ we have a list of items to add to your checklist list:

Photo: @mayflowerweddings

PLANNING

First things first, plan ahead!

Although vendors may have more flexibility during the winter months, it’s also a time where a lot of vendors take some well-deserved R&R. So first in, best dressed.

Plan B:

We have said it before and we will say it again, your plan A should always be to have a plan B.

The truth is, no one can control the weather. Heck, who is to say you won’t be struck with a drizzly, 10 degree day in the peak of summer? If you have pictured an outdoor vineyard ceremony since you were a little tacker then we are all for it #doitforthephoto. But be sure to have a backup plan in case torrential rain is thrown your way. Talk to your venue to see if they have an option to move your celebrations inside, or otherwise, hire a marquee!

IDEA: Add a basket full of cosy blankets at your ceremony for your guests to take the chill off. Why not even add some umbrellas to the mix in case of a little sprinkle.

Photo: @keepercreative

QUEST COMFORT IS KEY

Heating:

Sorry if we are stating the obvious here, but nothing kills the mood more than a bunch of shivering guests who can’t feel their toes. If you are having a marquee wedding, put heaters on the top of your list (do it now). Otherwise, make a big fat note to talk to your venue or marquee supplier about heating requirements.

Kick it up a notch:

Planning a small, intimate affair? Maybe an open outdoor fire is something to consider. We mean, is there anything better than snuggling up around a fire with your nearest and dearest? Red wine is optional but highly recommended.

ATTIRE

Dress to impress:

Long sleeve dresses and fur coats. Do we need to say anymore?Or maybe custom denim jackets and statement leather boots are more your style… This is your moment to shine, so why not dress to impress? Winter fashion brings layers, textures, beaded details, plus a ton of accessory options!

The Details:

This may be common sense, though reminding your guests of the season is never a terrible idea. Pop a little note under your ‘dress code’ or instead add a details card to your invitation suite and mention there will be a cloak room at the reception as a hint. The more details the better we say.

Photo: @coolafweddings

LIGHTING

We are placing double emphasis on this one.

Firstly, winter comes with shorter days and longer nights, so make sure you consider lighting in ALL aspects of your day, especially your photos!

Consider starting your ceremony an hour earlier so you have enough natural light for your bridal shots. Or, if you are open to it, why not have your bridal photos pre ceremony?

Secondly, lighting sets the mood, so have fun with it. Think fairy lights, festoons, pendant droppers, rattan pendants. Make a statement that lights you up inside.

Oh and we can’t forget candles! Nothing screams winter wonderland like the warm glow and flicker from a candle, TO DIE FOR.

Photo: @alexcohenphotography

OUR TOP FURNITURE PICS

Anything VELVET! It’s a statement in itself. Not only is it moody and elegant, it is also super plush and comfortable.
- To lounge: Velvet lounge in navy, pink or black, or have you seen our black curved velvet lounge? Pair these with our Interchangeable coffee table
- To dine: black velvet dining chair
- To socialise: black & nude velvet bar chairs

Dance floor – this is a must have so you can warm up with a boogie

Fairy lights – to set the mood. Whether they complement the stars from a clear top marquee, or decorate the ceiling of your reception.

Photo: @petethephotographer.co

Make it memorable, make it personal: How to add a little personality into your big day

A stunning ceremony, kick-ass cocktail hour, and totally WOW reception, what more could you ask for when putting together the look and feel of your big day? It’s your day after all, so why not make it all about you and your partner to be?

Our advice; if you really want to make your day one to remember, fill it with things that are important to you as a couple.

We have put our brains together and compiled a list of simple ideas you can use to personalise your wedding day. So, if you are wanting to add a little extra zing or something that is totally unique, something that will be memorable to all of your guests and will set your day apart from the rest, then you have come to the right place.

Take a look below, we hope some of these spark some interest!

PLANNING:

▪️ Elope and party after!

Nothing is more personal than sharing your special moment with just you and your other half, (or a handful of your nearest and dearest if you wish). Our very own Kristy did exactly this and tied the knot on holiday in NYC with her husband, then celebrated the news with loved ones on their return. SO SWEET!

▪️ Surprise wedding:

Surprise your guests with a wedding at your engagement party. We have all heard of this before, but it’s not something you see all the time. If a big traditional white wedding isn’t your style, then this may be something you consider.

▪️ Surprise location:

On the topic of surprises, why not keep your venue a secret from your guests? Instead of putting a venue on your invitations, put a pick up location instead and organise transport for your guests to the secret spot. And make sure the spot you choose is unique to you!

▪️ Glamping Tents:

Planning a private property wedding? Invite your guests to glamp under the stars. If you are a fan of camping yourself, then it’s only fitting you incorporate it into your big day. This will be a totally unique experience for your guests and one they won’t forget.

CELEMONY:

▪️ Include your audience:

Whether it be at random, or pre planned with your Celebrant, include your audience in your ceremony. Whether you surprise your Dad, childhood best friend, or your Grandma with whom you share a special bond, in front of all of your guests, asking them to sign your wedding certificate calls for a seriously heartwarming moment. Asking those who mean the world to you to be involved with your ceremony is truly special, not only to you but also to them and your guests!

RECEPTION:

▪️ Get creative with your table names:

Name your tables after things that represent you as a couple. Are movies your thing? Do you both share a passion for a particular band, country or series of books? Choose something that reflects your interests, your guests will get a kick out of it.

▪️ Backdrops:

Create an epic backdrop that showcases you as a couple. Display a custom neon sign with a quote symbolic of you both, or create a love map like the one below, a visual of the couples’ travels together made out of coloured string. AH-MAZING.

CATERING:

▪️ Signature cocktail:

Create a cocktail that represents you as a couple. Pair your favourite flavours, give it a fun name and offer it to your guests at your pre reception drinks. It could be inspired by your first date, the first holiday you went on together, or the restaurant you both love. Oh and need we say that taste testing is a must?!

▪️ Serve something special:

If you are both a lover of gelato, popcorn or even a cheeky late night chips and a kebab, serve these favourite foods at your reception! A gelato cart makes for the perfect dessert and dare we say it, hiring a kebab van for a late night snack may be just what the doctor ordered.

THOSE LITTLE EXTRAS:

▪️ Temporary Tattoos:

A totally unique and fun way to show your personality as a couple to your guests. Your faces will literally be all over your reception!

▪️ Caricatures:

A lover of art, jokes, or expressing yourself in unique ways? Hire a stationery designer or artist to draw your guests’ faces! Incorporate these into your stationery through your place cards or drink coasters. You will be guaranteed a few laughs, plus not to mention, it’s a great icebreaker.

▪️ Live painting:

Hire a live painter to capture the moment you said ‘I do’. Not only will you have it forever, but it can also form part of your pre-reception entertainment for your guests while you have photos.

Although these are all unique ideas in their own way, our number 1 tip for making your wedding special and personal, is to only choose things that you and your partner love. Your story is one of a kind, so make it shine through all of the details on your wedding day!

A vodka soda and espresso martini please – Our guide on determining how many beverages you need for your event

Hens parties, milestone birthdays, launch events, weddings, what do these things all have in common? They all call for a reason to celebrate!

It goes without saying that people seem to drink on special occasions and it’s very easy to underestimate how many beverages your guests will consume during your event.

We think it’s always a good idea to be over prepared rather than under, so we have put together a few things to consider when trying to pinpoint how many bevvies you may need at your next event.

Photographer: Jarrad Seng

Determine your event style

The who, what & why are you celebrating.

If you are hosting a baby shower, your drinks list and budget will look a whole lot different to if you were hosting a ball or a gala. If you are throwing a hens party and the aim of the game is for your guests to dance into the night, then go big and have fun with your drink selections we say! Otherwise, if you are throwing a more sophisticated soiree, perhaps invest more in champagne, or drinks with a lower alcohol content for your guests to enjoy.

The question of sit down vs cocktail also comes into play. Guests can more freely wander over to the bar at a cocktail event than they can a sit down event. So keep this in mind!

Photographer: Cool AF Weddings

Set your budget

Put simply, the more guests you have = the more drinks you will need = more money you will spend.

An ol’ faithful, rule of thumb you can use as a starting point to determine your drinks budget is:

1 drink per guest every hour

BUTTT, if you have a guest list of heavier drinkers, increase this to 2-3 drinks every 1 hour.

Another thing to keep in mind is people tend to drink less when food comes into play, or when speeches and presentations are thrown into the mix. Add in a 3 course sit down dinner over a 3 hour period, you may not need as many drinks per hour as you may think.

*SUGGESTION* Play the guessing game

Have some fun with it, sit down with a glass of vino (or two depending) & go through and mark next to each guest how many drinks you think they will consume. You might be pleasantly surprised with how many non-drinkers you have on your list i.e. your ‘mocktail’ or pregnant friends, Under 18’s, elderly guests that only need one sherry and dry to have a good time.

Consider your options

Some venues offer a mixture of beverage packages, ranging from an open bar – to a selection of beer, wine & and one spirit – or purely a beer & wine only menu. This may also be a ‘cost per head’ scenario, making your life a lot easier when it comes to calculating how many drinks you need per guest.

Our tip, clarify with the venue how many drinks per guest their packages work out to be. From there, you can decide if you need to top up the beverage package to suit your event style. You may feel the need to add a ‘party starter’ to the menu and offer a cocktail on entry, or rather a late night espresso might be more your style.

BYO & DIY

Private property events, or venues that allow you to supply your own grog are great. They give you free rein of choosing and supplying the beverages you wish, rather than choosing a select few options from a list. This means you can shop the sales, consider every guest’s personal taste, buy in bulk and overall, choose whatever you want!

One other positive is, some alcohol suppliers allow returns on unopened cases. Meaning you can over-cater, and return anything that has not been touched.

Photographer: James Simmons Photography

Some other handy hints:

– Hydration is key – H2o is a must and you can never have too much of it.

– Temperature – if your event is in summer, and the temperature peaks, there is a good chance your guests will be thirsty! Make sure you consider this in the amount of beverages you provide.

– The Season – have you considered weather appropriate drinks? Think light beers, cider & froze in Summer, or mulled wine in Winter as an example.

– And last but not least, don’t forget about your non-alcoholic options. Soft drinks, sparkling water, juices, or tea and coffee should always be included on your beverage list.