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Creative Wedding Decor
Decorating your wedding day can be such fun. There are ideas for special themes, colours or designs.
Sometimes it is helpful to have a specialist help you, sometimes you just want to DIY the entire day. At a recent wedding at Kenilworth Homestead, Jess co-opted her female family and friends, and they did it all themselves. From bunting to cocktails, through to vintage teapots full of cottage garden flowers, and hand picked crockery from op-shops. Read about Jess inspiration.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”40045″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]
Something rather different
Here is a totally unique and environmentally friendly solution, not yet seen in any Bridal mag, from local cane, coconut frond and festival artist, Kris Martin.
His new wedding and event decoration business called Artisean was recently launched at a wedding on Stradbroke Island.
The business, based in Mapleton in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, uses natural materials such as bamboo, coconut palm leaf and vines top create fabulous wedding arches, aisles and arbours.
Coconut frond wedding decor
Kris Martin, artist and founder of this creative endeavour is excited to bring some of the magic of the festival and event work that he has been doing for over ten years, to the wedding industry.
Along with his partner Alex, and a team of artists, they have been recognised for their dedication to environmental arts through winning the Glossies award in 2012 (for ‘Ship of Fools’ Project, Floating Land, 2011) and 2011 (for ‘Kabi Canoes’ Project, Woodford, 2010).
Here’s a peek at some of the current designs being developed. But Kris will design something all new for you too, made to order. Check out Artisean.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”40047″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_single_image image=”40046″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]
Something elegant in wedding decor
Carly Laczko runs a gorgeous decorating and wedding planning business, CL Weddings & Events, creating beautiful weddings using simple ingredients that together make that ‘wow’ feeling when guests walk into a room.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”40051″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]
Wedding Styling
Wedding styling can be so variant, from sparkling prettiness to elegant dark shades or charcoals and rich red over to fun vibrant colours that pop with personality. The main aim of styling, Carly espouses, is to ensure it reflects the couple and your personalities together as a couple.
Styling themes
Cl Events’ style is so broad, there really isn’t a certain theme that they don’t like! And they specialise in creating a theme with the couples name on it, rather than a ‘modern vintage’ or ‘rustic’ tag. Sometimes the best styles are when they get to make a mix of themes to create unique look.
Carly says: “The décor on your day should be handled much like the way you dress, it should fit you.”
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DIY Wedding Decor
But if it’s DIY you’re into, then check out Jessica and Joel’s wedding decor.
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The girls, did it all. Mum, Aunties, Gran and the bridesmaids all chipped in making all the decor.
It came together over a fun evening the night before the wedding, when the bridal party went to town in a rustic old Barn.
Here is their story:
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Beach wedding
Congratulations Kylie and Todd Peters, married in view of their favourite surf break.
Why the beach?
When I met with Kylie and Todd they told me that they had to have a large wedding, as they simply could not exclude anyone from the guest list. So a large wedding it was, with family and friends gathered outside by the beach to accommodate all.
We have heard the traditional wedding phrase, “we gather here today…”
So let’s ask why?
The beach has always held a special place in Kylie and Todd’s lives. They surf, fish and live by the beach, enjoy the outdoor life. A lifestyle around water is intrinsic to, and a significant part of who they are, so it is very appropriate that they chose an ocean view for their marriage ceremony.
In View of the surf
They chose one of their favourite surf breaks, Point Cartwright. Which was possibly a dangerous choice, as the surf was quite divine that day. Might there have been a temptation to delay the wedding and hit the break? The guests had politely left their boards back in the carpark, I imagine, as there were no board shorts in evidence as the ceremony began!
Todd resisted every wave temptation, as the temptation of his bride was far more important. Kylie was more than gorgeous in her pure silk, filmy wedding dress by Elizabeth de Varga. Her red shoes gave a delightful splash of colour as she strolled down the path on the arm of her Dad, negotiating high heels and the grassy park, with panache.
I’m beginning to know the extended family quite well, as I have now done a few weddings within this circle of family and friends. It puts me in the wider picture, of generations.
Three generations of women
One of the beautiful things about weddings is the evidence of the continuum of life through the generations. At the occasion of milestones, we witness the extent of families. Parents, grandparents, children are all present. It is a time to remember other weddings, in the near or distant past. It is a time for children to know their place in a wider family.
A favourite photo that I could not resist taking, is of Kylie with Mum and Grandma, three happy, strong, down-to-earth matriarchs. Kylie’s Grandma is a Great Gran many times over. And she still practices yoga! I’m sure Kylie gets some of her gentle and quiet strength and determination from her Grandma’s legacy.
The view was a guest
Todd and Kylie wanted a simple wedding ceremony; not too long, but not too short either. Something reflective of who they are. Given I write each ceremony from a fresh canvas, all their wishes were accommodated. The view was a guest at the wedding, the weather was perfect, and the guests could relax in the park setting, watching the perfect rollers in the background.
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~ with Sunshine Coast wedding celebrant Kari ~
Congratulations to Fanny & Tommi married in both French and English at Flaxton Gardens in brilliant sunshine.
Fanny contacted me to request a marriage ceremony on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Range, that both her family and Tommi’s family could understand. In fact they wanted the entire ceremony in both languages! Now there’s a challenge I love.
I always offer to create bespoke ceremonies to suit each couple, so that part was not difficult. For Fanny and Tommi, I simply had to translate the custom ceremony into French as well. Now whilst I converse in passable French, I will admit to seeking guidance from my dear French friends, to ensure the grammar was all correct.
The outcome was a delightful ceremony ….read twice, as French & English took turn about during the ceremony! On top of the usual wedding day nerves, both bride and groom made their promises to each other, first in their love’s language, then in their own. It is not an easy task when one of those languages is not your mother tongue. The guests were particularly encouraging, and warmly congratulated them for their efforts. It made for amusing times as half the guests would laugh then moments later the other half got the joke! As long as everyone understood, in the long run.
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Fanny surprised us all arriving in a retro red Kombi with her two beautiful sisters and her charming father, all of whom had travelled from France to be here for Fanny’s day. She walked down the aisle on the arm of her Dad, under brilliant blue skies to her waiting groom, Tommi. Their ceremony was not complicated; simple and chic, elegant yet relaxed, with some laughs and I noticed some tears of emotion too.
Tommi and Fanny I wish you well in your future lives together and congratulate on including both your mother tongues in your wedding ceremony. Thank you for the opportunity to use your poetic and musical sounding language.
One of the specialities I can offer couples, is a ceremony with other languages. Some of the requests I have fulfilled are a French poem, a prayer in Afrikaans, and a blessing in Sanskrit, to name a few. My background as a musician means I have a trained ear for catching sounds. So even when I do not speak the language, I will learn something in your tongue for you. I’ll try anything, and with a bit of practice I have delivered so far.
However two languages are my specialty. I speak fluent Indonesian, having lived there for years in my youth, and Fanny says my French was perfect. Well at least her family who flew out from France for the wedding day could understand the whole ceremony, and not feel at all left out.
It simply helps to know that a wedding in Australia can encompass whatever tradition or culture you wish to include. Languages are no barrier, and I welcome customs from other traditions.
Photos by Alan Hughes
“Thanks Kari for everything you have done. We had a great day and the ceremony was amazing; your french was perfect 😉 Thanks again” Fanny
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~ with Sunshine Coast wedding celebrant Kari ~
Many a bride wishes to arrive at her wedding in a glamorous car. However when I was a bride, I arrived with my husband-to-be in a retro wooden canoe …… but that’s another story.
Cars have been the traditional wedding arrival vehicle for as long as the car has graced our lives. And many modern weddings hark back to that early era of cars with classic vintage wedding cars and lovingly restored retro beauties for their wedding day.
I have had the privilege of working with some absolute classic wedding cars. Today I’d like to share some Sunshine Coast classic cars with you, one totally vintage and two definitely retro.
First cab off the rank, actually is a cab!!! It’s a genuine London cab, residing in Australia, at Maleny. Classical with poise.
BLACK LONDON CAB
Steeped in history and full of stories this shiny black Taxi Cab was originally used by the London Metropolitan Police as an ‘undercover’ vehicle. Then he was used as a cab in London. If you’ve ever been to London, you’ll understand how iconic these cars are…. and how roomy they are in the back. I nearly sat on the floor when I jumped into one the first time! So there’s heaps of room for a large bride dress, train and bridesmaids.
But back to the tale of the car….the cab was next brought out to Australia by Lumley’s Insurance to be used as a chauffeur cab for their directors. They restored the cab, together with a new engine. It was next purchased at Shannon’s Auctions and driven to the hills of the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
“After many years of working in London, I now live in Maleny. My name is Dickens. Boris is my uniformed chauffeur. He provides a professional service to our clients. Let us roll out the red carpet for you!”
If you have chosen a classic hinterland wedding location, this car will enhance your wedding photos with absolute class and vintage English style. Your love story will add to Boris’ already colourful tale. See Dickens in the background here:
Next is for the Elvis within you. A topless car treat.
RED MUSTANG
As I promised in another story, here is the Red Mustang. Absolutely immaculate, shiny as new, upholstered in creamy white leather, this car is a classic wedding car with attitude. Matt, the young handsome chauffeur brings his pride and joy to put the rock’ n ‘roll into your wedding day. The fellas will adore a ride in this car, and the girls can’t wait for their turn. Shiny and red, with the top wound down, this classic car is a hoot. Please can I have a turn?
And for the laid back and casual beach wedding for the surfing spirit within you.
A CLASSIC KOMBI
If you’re into red car or classic car how can one go past the newly restored 60’s Kombi from Kombi Deluxe. Rescued from a car graveyard and restored over four years by a local family business with a passion for Volkswagons, this van has most of its original features and is maintained impeccably. You can hear it coming with its classic VW sound, and watch the guests smile. This classic and genuine Kombi car is beautifully finished in lotus white over salmon red. Hm-Hmmmmmm.
As a Sunshine Coast wedding celebrant I’m in love with retro weddings or vintage wedding style. My own car is a retro Pt Cruiser, so it is no wonder that I adore this Kombi. Many of us dream of a surf themed wedding, so here is the car to match. Hey I’ll even wed you on your surfboards if you wish, at your beach wedding!
On the other hand, up in the hills overlooking the coastal view, I have seen this car draw up at classic Hinterland wedding locations and cause the awaiting wedding party to go,”Awwwhhhhh” with delight. What a way to get the guests in a happy mood before the ceremony starts.
I can’t wait for a ride.
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Valentine love
Valentines Day makes us think about love; a valentine love.
Love poetry of Rumi
And the poetry of Rumi is often about love, in the deepest sense. Just like a wedding vow or marriage proposal. His poetry is not a Hallmark giftcard message. The love poetry of Rumi makes us pause and think, helps us to go deeper and reflect what love means inside and how to show it outside.
Your task is not to seek for love
but merely to seek and find all the barriers
within yourself that you have built against it
Rumi
Love is the Water of Life
Drink it down with heart and soul!
Rumi
The springtime of Lovers has come,
that this dust bowl may become a garden;
the proclamation of heaven has come,
that the bird of the soul may rise in flight.
The sea becomes full of pearls,
the salt marsh becomes sweet as kauthar,
the stone becomes a ruby from the mine,
the body becomes wholly soul.
Rumi
~ with Sunshine Coast wedding celebrant – Kari.
“You are thought and I am sound.
I am the words and you are the melody.
I am the melody and you are the words.”
Congratulations Belinda & Biju, married in an Australian Hindu wedding ceremony on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
Belinda and Biju came to me requesting an unusual wedding ceremony. Biju comes from India and wished to include several Hindu elements into the ceremony. Belinda is Australian and wanted a wedding ceremony that reflected this land and the traditions of Australia. And so we wove a truly multicultural ceremony, an occasion to honour both cultures.
The Golden statue was centre of the setting; an altar to Ganesha. Around the statue were placed several ceremonial objects; a candle, flowers and fruit in offering to Ganesh. The theme colours were vibrant and alive; deep pink, bold red, fragrant yellow and burnt orange. Gerberas in all these flame colours were placed around Ganesh.
And for the fun of colour and festive atmosphere, paper lanterns in deep orange and pink were hung in the branches of the centuries old fig tree; an ancient witness to the sacredness of the celebration.
Biju was very confident when he asked me, the celebrant, to sing the essential incantations in the Sanskrit language. For who else would do it, he asked. And so I did! His trust helped me to learn the appropriate blessings, and the role they played in the ceremony. And I sang for this lovely couple, to bless their married lives.
Photos by Darren Frankish of Kish Photography
In any culture marriage is a sacred and treasured union. According to Hinduism, marriage between two persons is a sacred relationship that is not limited to this life alone. It extends across seven or more lives, during which the couple help each other progress spiritually. The adage that marriages are made in heaven is very much true in the case of Hinduism. Two souls come together and marry because their karmas are intertwined and they have to resolve many things together upon earth in order to ensure their mutual salvation.
In an ancient Hindu text it is said that when the one man loves the one woman and the one woman loves the one man, the angels abandon heaven and go sit with the couple and sing for joy. Just looking around the guests we could see the angels present.
In Hinduism every auspicious occasion begins with an invocation to Lord Ganesha. Blessings are sought for a ceremony that will be free from impediments and for a marriage free from all hardships and obstacles. Ganesha’s grace is invoked for the health, happiness, prosperity, and peace of the bride and groom and their families. The offerings included flowers for beauty, coconut for fertility, rice for sustenance, and sweets to ensure a sweet life!
The ceremony included many traditions and customs from a Hindu Wedding in India, involving the family, water and fire, and song and walking circles around Ganesha and the altar.
A special moment is when the bride and groom take seven steps; steps towards their lives together, a set of wedding vows,
On the first step; Together we shall cherish each other in sickness and health, in happiness and sorrow
On the second step; Together we shall be lifelong friends
On the third step; Together we shall share each other’s ideals
On the fourth step; Together we shall nurture each other’s strengths, talents, and aspirations
On the fifth step; Together we shall make each other happy
On the sixth step; Together we shall love, provide and care for our children and our families
On the seventh step; Together we will look forward to the mysteries of the future with awe, open-mindedness, and inspiration
We have taken the seven steps. You have become mine forever. Yes, we have become partners. I have become yours. Hereafter, I cannot live without you. Do not live without me. Let us share the joys. We are word and meaning, united. You are thought and I am sound. I am the words and you are the melody. I am the melody and you are the words.
These vows are poignant and poetic. They are not dissimilar to vows from an Australian ceremony. Walking around the altar added an extra poetry to the steps of marriage they undertook. I congratulate Belinda and Biju on blending their two cultures seemlessly and with great love and patience.
As a marriage celebrant I am often requested to accommodate the unusual. This is my specialty. I have sung in sanskrit, read in Afrikaans, waxed poetic in French, and played my wooden flute or lap harp. Just ask me, you never know what I will agree to!
