WEDDING BLOG

Jaw-Dropping Australian New Year’s Eve Wedding

July 10, 2022 | justine

High school sweethearts Hannah and Nick decided to ring in the holidays and celebrate new beginnings with an Australian New Year’s Eve wedding. Using a neutral color palette, lush floral arrangements, and vintage touches—the couple brought to life a celebration overflowing with personality and excitement on the biggest night of the year, surrounded by their closest family and friends.

The pair transformed Hyde Park into a romantic setting for their big day with white Hercules chairs and a white aisle runner leading up to the breathtaking florals and pampas on pillar columns. And under a canopy of trees, the couple exchanged sweet vows at their favorite park. Following the ceremony, they brought the garden vibe into their elegant Moana Hall reception with an eye-catching overgrown floral installation and a dramatic tablescape filled with artful blooms in mismatched ceramic vases, tall tapered candles, and sculptural busts. These elements beautifully blended with the venue’s dramatic vaulted ceilings, distressed white walls, and arched windows.

From the yellow vintage bridal car down to the Daft Punk cover band that kept the party going all night, Hannah and Nick’s big day was spectacular and unforgettable from beginning to end. Scroll through these stunning images to see all the perks of a holiday wedding. All the romance and energy captured by S. Rose Photo might just convince you to say “I do” on New Year’s Eve.

The Couple:

Hannah and Nick

The Wedding:

Moana Hall, Perth, Australia

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Personalizing The Ceremony By Having Mom Walk The Bride Down The Aisle, Writing Their Own Vows, And Adding Humor

I walked down the aisle with my mum. Seeing all our gorgeous family and friends looking amazing and smiling at us was incredible. We also wrote our vows. Our celebrant asked our guests to put their hands up and vow to drink too much and party. It was fun, and everyone laughed, setting the night’s mood.

The Venues They Chose For Their Australian New Year’s Eve Wedding Were Meaningful To Them

We chose our local park for the ceremony as it’s a charming park and we spend a lot of time there. For the reception, we chose Moana Hall, where we had our 30th birthdays, and the style helped set a theme and mood for the wedding.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – S. Rose Photo
Ceremony Venue – Hyde Park
Reception Venue – Moana Hall
Floral Design – Amber Jasper Stylist
Catering – Comestibles
Officiant – Kirk Goodsell
Live Music – Doin it Live
Invitation Design – One Mimosa Please
Makeup Artist – Renata
Hair Styling – Milena Milio
Bride’s Purse – Mode and Affair
Rings – Halo Diamonds

Congratulations to Hannah and Nic on their jaw-dropping Australian New Year’s Eve wedding. Many thanks to S. Rose Photo for capturing all the special moments and sharing them with us. A holiday wedding like this has all the excitement and fun already built in. But an NYE wedding is no easy feat and requires extra care. Check out our wedding planning and budget guides for inspo and expert advice on how to throw a party of a lifetime.

Intimate Outdoor Micro Wedding Inspiration

July 9, 2022 | riley

kelly green terracotta yellow

Playing off the historic ruins and medieval gardens of Abbaye d’Aulps, this outdoor micro wedding inspiration shows us how two contrasting elements can beautifully tie into an elegant, cohesive look. Using a vibrant color palette, airy florals, and glittering details, Prune Weddings and a talented team of vendors brought to life a styled shoot by combining old-world charm with modern romantic elements.

This former Cisterian monastery proved to be the perfect backdrop for an intimate ceremony with overgrown floral pillars setting off the stone architecture. For the courtyard reception, a tablescape of florals in mismatched amber vases, gauzy accents, and gold flatware brought a touch of whimsy to the otherworldly atmosphere. Meanwhile, a lavish grazing table and a two-tier wedding cake with yellow flowers added a splash of color to the celebration.

Tying it all together is the couple’s bold and glamorous attire. The groom rocked his terracotta suit while the bride’s sparkly dress lit up this styled shoot. Scroll through these gorgeous photos captured by Dall’k Photography. There’s so much inspo to use to create your own romantic outdoor micro wedding.

Photographer’s Thoughts On This Outdoor Micro Wedding Inspiration

For this shoot, everything started from the venue, the Abbaye d’Aulps in Haute-Savoie–a remarkable and grandiose place. The idea was to organize an outdoor wedding in the intimacy of this extraordinary place which inspired us a lot with its grandeur and immensity. It was a colorful and festive intimate wedding, just like the Brazilian couple who warmed up the day with their shimmering smile! Ybine and Alessandra are radiant, giving off that good mood we all need.

The Ultimate Guide to Planning An Engagement Party

July 7, 2022 | kailey

Image by Brandi Potter. See more of this real wedding here.

After saying “Yes!” you’re probably ready to jump into planning your dream wedding. But first, we celebrate. Think champagne, loved ones, and a whole lot of congratulating. That’s right– we’re talking about your engagement party. Being the first of many pre-wedding parties, it’s the perfect way to kick off your wedding planning season.

If you’re ready to get to planning, here’s everything you need to know about pulling off an engagement party worthy of celebrating your love.

Who Should Plan Your Engagement Party?

You’re not bound to strict rules when planning an engagement party. And modern-day couples are bending traditions, making their wedding—and everything leading up to their wedding—unique to their love. When deciding who will plan this important celebration, there is no “right” answer.

While it’s traditionally standard for parents to plan the engagement celebration, that doesn’t have to be the case. You can recruit your parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends, or plan the celebration yourself. No matter who plans your engagement party, make sure you’re on the same page about all details, including budget, theming, and even your guest list.

Image by Erin Roberts Photography.

When Should You Plan Your Engagement Party?

The purpose of an engagement party is to actually announce your engagement, which means it should take place within the first few months of saying “yes!” Planning your celebration between two and four months after the proposal is a good rule of thumb. The wedding planning stress hasn’t kicked in yet, and you can celebrate the news in real-time.

Determining A Guest List

When determining a guest list for your engagement party, think small. Engagement parties are typically more intimate, casual affairs. A smaller guest list allows for you to soak up time with close friends and family while also allowing them to get acquainted with each other—that is, if they haven’t met already.

When finalizing the guest list, keep in mind that it’s standard practice for those invited to your engagement party to be extended a wedding invitation.

Secure A Venue

There’s a lot of flexibility when it comes to your venue. If you’re of a more casual couple, throw a backyard soiree. Wanting a more formal celebration? Rent out a private dining space at a local restaurant. Your budget, guest list, and desired theme will play a big role in narrowing down your venue options.

Image by Elisa Lopez Photography.

Engagement Party Decor

Like any pre-wedding party, there are a variety of directions you can take your theme. Whether you’re planning a laid back, at-home party or a more elegant celebration, there are decorations fit for every style and budget. Think balloons, banners, and even photo backdrops!

Here are a few of our favorite decor items:

1. Engagement Party Welcome Sign ($38); 2. Diamond Ring Donut Topper ($9.49); 3. Personalized Party Napkins ($34); 4. Custom Can Cooler ($5.21); 5. Eucalyptus Balloon Arch ($36.51); 6. Engagement Party Favor Bags ($6)

Sending Out Invitations

If you want to send invitations through the mail, send them out three to six weeks before your party. This will give guests proper notice and will also give you time to sort out the small details in advance. After receiving the finalized RSVP list, you’ll be able to better estimate the amount of food and drinks you’ll need to provide.

Engagements Gifts

Not sure about the etiquette regarding gifts? You’re not alone. It can be confusing. But, gifts are not typically given during an engagement party, and this is something you should note on your invitations.

Junebug tip:

Though it’s not required, some guests may still choose to bring “congratulations” gifts. If you or the hosts receive a gift, thank them quietly and tuck them away. This will prevent those who arrive empty-handed from being embarrassed.

Image by Nikki Nikki Daskalakis. See more of this styled shoot here.

Engagement Party Outfits

Want to rock an all-white ensemble? You should. Dreaming of a pop of color moment? Do it. No matter what you wear, make sure it’s equally stylish and comfortable. It’s also important to keep in mind the season—spring, summer, fall, and winter—and the chosen venue.

Casual Engagement Party Outfit Ideas

Formal Engagement Party Outfit Ideas

Now that you’ve properly celebrated your engagement, it’s time to find a wedding photographer and schedule those engagement photos. Start by checking out our directory or top wedding photographers from around the world, pick out a location, and hunt down the perfect engagement outfit.

Image by Brandi Potter. See more of this real wedding here.

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