Why you MUST have a Wedding Day Plan B!
When planning your wedding it is absolutely crucial to have a Wedding Day Plan B. A plan of attack when Plan A fails. My favourite moto is ‘If you fail to plan, you plan to fail ~ Benjamin Franklin’ and it’s so true. If you don’t make the effort to plan ahead then you’ll end up with a whole lot of sadness if/when things go wrong. Now having a Wedding Day Plan B doesn’t necessarily always have to be about wet weather. ALTHOUGH you MUST always have a wet weather plan. You can have Plan B’s for all aspects of your wedding that you feel might change due to weather or other circumstances. I’ll give you an example. And away we go. I had a couple wanting to get married at a particular spot on the beach. Now the first question I asked was what’s your wet weather plan? There venue is very close by and agreed if we are in for some wet weather we will have the ceremony at the venue. Done, perfect. Here comes my other questions…. A lot of council spots where you can get married you can book through the council so that you are guaranteed that spot for a couple of hours. In this instance this spot allowed for ceremonies however you could not book the spot. Whereas they just have a first in best dressed situation. So here comes another Wedding Day Plan B should another couple ‘get there first’. Therefore, we decided to get there early and put up signs so that the public knew what was going on and then we also chose another spot along the beach should someone get there before we did. Why do I need a Wedding Day Plan B? These plans are put in place so that on your wedding day your vendors aren’t panicking and contacting you what to do. This is why also having a Wedding Planner or On the Day Coordinator comes in handy. They will go through and help you create any back up plans prior to the day and then they will be the first point in contact for your vendors and be the ones to action your plans. The last thing you’d want to be doing on your wedding day is taking multiple stressful calls from your vendors. So not all Wedding Day Plan B’s are weather related however generally most are. But if you can think of something that can go wrong with your Plan A always, always, always, have a Plan B. You’d rather have a Plan B that you don’t use than no Plan B at all. Make Plan B Amazing! Now what I also wanted to say … Wedding Day Plan B’s always gets the wrap for being ‘not as good’ as Plan A. But what if you created your Plan B as amazing as Plan A??!! Then you wouldn’t have any disappointments on the day. Amazing right!!!! There have been so many instants where Wedding Day Plan B’s have been wayyy better than Plan A. Myself included. It absolutely pelted down with rain on my wedding day. We were meant to have an outdoors wedding on top of a mountain, but instead setup inside the venue. It was soooo beautiful and magical as the venue had a huge clear window that looked down the mountain and was covered with mystical fog and fairy lights. BEAUTIFUL! I’m glad it rained. P.S Rain makes for amaaazzzzing photos. So don’t ever stress about the weather … as long as you have an amazing Wedding Day Plan B in place just roll with the punches. It’ll be perfect. Click the link below to view my video about Plan B’s. https://www.instagram.com/tv/BxqyDJll4cQ/ Written by Janette Newell Olive Rose Weddings & Events Photography by Jess Took This I help couples plan, organise & create the wedding of their dreams. Feel free to look around my website, & keep an eye out for my FREE downloadable checklists. WANT AWESOME INFO, INSPO & ADVICE? Sign up below to our mailing list! Don’t worry, we don’t spam. Unsubscribe at anytime. 🙂
What’s in my bag? Wedding Emergency Kit
As organisation is my middle name it’s natural for me to be super prepared for any situation. No matter how well your planning skills are something completely out of your control ALWAYS happens. This is part of my role as a Wedding Planner / Coordinator, I’m there to snuff out the fires before they get out of control, I get my super problem-solving skills on and get it done so that people are none the wiser. Hence my Wedding Day Emergency Kit. This small suitcase is taken with me to any event I do to #1 hold my crap and #2 defuse any unexpected situations that may arise. No matter how big or small the problem is generally the answer always lies in my Mary Poppins bag of tricks. So lets go on a little walk through of what exactly I like to have on hand for my events. INSIDE POCKET / MY APRON The inside pocket is where I like to keep the items that get used the most for quick and easy access. Generally, all of these items get shoved into my apron pockets so if any needs something it’s generally here instead of me running to and from my bag of tricks every 2 seconds. So Inside Pocket contains: My Olive Rose Weddings Apron Tissues Pen Mints Deodorant Business cards (People always ask at the most random times haha) Lighter (Gotta keep those candles burning) Now if you haven’t discovered packing cubes, then my friend you are missing out on extra space and just organisation sanity. These cubes may not seem like they would do much BUT they have magical powers where as if I didn’t have them I wouldn’t be able to zip the suitcase up. Thanks to my 3 packing cubes everything fits. Don’t ask me how they just do. Go get some! I bought 9 on ebay for $20 and I only needed 3. Winning!!! So let’s discuss the cubes. I have 3 cubes with 3 categories. General event supplies that get used all the time Personal use items / products and first aid Cleaning and Miscellaneous CUBE ONE – GENERAL These are all my items that I pretty much use at every event. All packed together nicely so that it couldn’t be easier for me to just grab the cube and go. 4 Extra lighters (You never know when you’ll have extra helping hands or that you just simply run out) Extra long matches (For those times that all your lighters have ran out haha) Pens Sticky tape Post it notes Sewing kit Twine Super Glue Measuring tape Velcro Emergency Poncho Scissors Blu Tac Permanent markers Bottle opener USB Zip ties Florist shears Torch CUBE TWO – PERSONAL These are items that may not get used at every event but you would be mad not that have them on hand. You just never know!!! More tissues First Aid Kit Panadol Hay fever tablets Lint roller Sunscreen Insect repellent Grooming kit Feminine hygiene products Shampoo and conditioner Soap Nail polish remover Floss Mouth wash Hand sanitiser Compact mirror Comb Moisturiser CUBE THREE – CLEANING/MISC These items are for tidying up before and during the event as well as a couple of random things. Squeegee (For those rainy days) Garbage bags Zip lock bags Gloves Multi purpose wipes Chux cloths Glass cleaner Air freshener Facial wipes Another emergency poncho Rubber bands Batteries More matches Safety pins Hair ties / bobby pins Cotton balls Earring stud backings Fashion tape And now when you think nothing else could possibly fit in this tiny suitcase … under all of that is a 10m extension cord. All of the items above are necessary for being prepared for anything. They may not all get used but every event is different, and you just don’t know what the day will throw at you. Most if not all Planners / Coordinators will have some sort of Emergency Kit like this so before you go crazy and go all out purchasing your own just check with them what they have. You might as well utilise their organisational skills. If you would like to see more click the link below to watch the video of me going through my bag. https://www.instagram.com/tv/BxGbl3jg_8d/ Happy planning, Janette xx Written by Janette Newell I Olive Rose Weddings & Events I help couples plan, organise & create the wedding of their dreams. Feel free to look around my website, & keep an eye out for my FREE downloadable checklists. WANT AWESOME INFO, INSPO & ADVICE? Sign up below to our mailing list! Don’t worry, we don’t spam. Unsubscribe at anytime. 🙂
Top 5 Reasons Why Chocolate Make Great Wedding Favours
Sweet memories…why fine chocolate works for wedding favours Wedding favours or bomboniere aren’t top of the to-do list when it comes to wedding planning. However they do contribute to the table or event styling and as take home gifts for your guests, can make an already special day something to remember. The traditional wedding bomboniere was typically five, sugar-coated almonds tied up in a delicate tulle bag, and symbolising the gifts of happiness, health, longevity, wealth and fertility. And while anything goes these days as couples choose to make their day unique, there is still something rather personal about edible gifts for wedding favours. They reflect that generosity of spirit and love associated with cooking and sharing food with family and friends. Chocolate is a food that has been enjoyed in its many forms for thousands of years. And there are many good reasons for using it in wedding favours now. Here’s why we think it works. Chocolate says romance and love Chocolate is widely acknowledged as one of the foods of love as it appeals to so many of the senses. Glossy fine chocolate has the look of luxury. It has a distinctive aroma, which also stimulates our sense of smell – supposedly one of the strongest of our five senses at triggering memories. And of course chocolate tastes amazing – sweet and silky, multi-layered and luscious. All your guests will enjoy chocolate Chocolate is a winner for men and women; young and old; foodies and funsters. There’s something about that smooth richness and complex flavour that pleases most palettes. There’s also such a wide variety of chocolate – wedding white, sweet milk, classic dark and even pretty ruby chocolate. Combined with soft and textured fillings such as caramel, fruit gels, chocolate ganache or nuts, there’s something for everyone. But perhaps just choose your favourite for your wedding favours. Styled to suit your wedding Handcrafted chocolate pralines can be personalised to match your wedding colours and themes. Are you having a beach wedding and want to tie in the colour of the ocean? Ask about swirls of blue cocoa butter creating mini works of chocolate art for your guests. Want to pick up the rose pinks and peaches in your floral arrangements? Pink cocoa butter or ruby chocolate can create that. Or go further with edible gold leaf for a touch of glam. Chocolate can be versatile wedding favours. They fit equally well with elegant, sit-down wedding receptions or the most laid back, indie event Chocolate is for sharing The wedding favour or bomboniere is a small gift given by the happy couple to their guests as a thank you for sharing such a special occasion. And high quality, hand crafted chocolate is the perfect special occasion treat – unique, beautiful and delicious – and designed to be shared with loved ones. If you love the tradition of bomboniere with a contemporary spin, consider the gift of chocolate wedding favours. GUEST BLOG: Written by Alicia Chapman of Little Cocoa Little Cocoa is a Gold Coast-based business creating exquisite, chocolate wedding favours. Little Cocoa’s standard bomboniere is a two-piece box of handcrafted chocolate pralines – fine, soft-centred chocolates made to order from a choice of flavours and made fresh for your event. The white gloss packaging will suit most wedding tables and can be personalised with a couple’s names and wedding date in luxe foiling. Beyond bomboniere, chocolate pralines can also be used in wedding dessert buffets, served with coffee or incorporated into thank-you gifts for the bridal party. Website: littlecocoa.com.au Instagram: @littlecocoa_au Facebook: @littlecocoachocolate I help couples plan, organise & create the wedding of their dreams. Feel free to look around my website, & keep an eye out for my FREE downloadable checklists. WANT AWESOME INFO, INSPO & ADVICE? Sign up below to our mailing list! Don’t worry, we don’t spam. Unsubscribe at anytime. 🙂
10 Hacks to Make Planning Your Wedding a Breeze
Planning a wedding can be a stressful time for both you and your partner … but it doesn’t have to be!!! Check out my easy to implement wedding hacks to make planning your wedding that little bit easier. BRIDAL EXPOS Create and print out your own sign up form! THIS WILL BE THE GREATEST THING YOU EVER DO!!! Print and cut out your details including *** Your name, Email, Phone number and wedding date. Most vendors will have draws and competitions instead of writing your details over and over and over just use these pre-filled out entry forms!!! GENIUS RIGHT!!!! If you only do one thing from my list of 6 make it this! This will save you hand and your sanity. Create a specific wedding email address so that all your wedding information is in one place. This is such a great idea! It’s free to setup another email so why wouldn’t you. No need to sift through a million emails to find your wedding things. Make it cute like mrandmrsstafford@—- or jenandstandswedding@—- or weddingofthecentury@—-. Have fun with it. I also recommend creating folders within your new email address and label them for each service (Wedding Planner, Celebrant, Venue, Etc) so that later on when you need to find a particular email it couldn’t be easier. 😉 RSVP CARDS On your RSVP cards, put a space for your guests to request a song. This way you will know what your guests want to hear and they will get excited when their song comes on! Number your RSVP cards so you can easily see at a glance if you’re missing any. BUDGETING Weddings can be extremely expensive and can get seriously out of hand when you don’t keep to your budget! Firstly, work out how much you are willing to spend on your wedding. Secondly, can you afford it? Do you need a longer engagement to save the money, or are your parents chipping in? These questions need to be answered before you start planning your wedding. If other parties are willing to help pay, organise a chat with them regarding how much they are willing to pay. Or perhaps delegate certain aspects of the wedding each party can pay for. E.g. Reception catering, bar tab, etc. Once a plan of attack has been made create a budget spreadsheet and keep those (if any) helping pay for your wedding updated with expenses. This will avoid any surprise payments at the last minute. BE PREPARED Create a Plan B for unexpected weather. I could not recommend this any higher. If you don’t have a Plan B chances are everything that could go wrong will go wrong. So you need to be super organised and on top of this. Talk to your planner or coordinator to discuss a wet weather plan. And to be perfectly honest … wet weather weddings are my all time favourite and they make for STUNNING photos with a chance of a rainbow. Amazing. Create an emergency kit! This is super fun to create and why not make it a fun scavenger hunt between you and your bridal party!!! (Wishing now I did this with my girls). This kit should enclose important lists and schedules for your day as well as health, beauty, sewing, items as well as anything you can think of. Try searching Pinterest for lists you can use. THE DRESS Make sure someone in your bridal party knows how to strap you in and bustle your dress This comes in under being prepared but really needs its own section. No point on buying the most beautiful dress in the world and not having a single person that knows how to strap you in or bustle your dress after the ceremony. I suggest taking your mother and one of your bridesmaids to your fitting to learn how to do these 2 things. Don’t just rely on a safety pin and your girls knowledge of wedding dresses. Get your seamstress to add a bustle to your gown. If you’re like me and can’t stand the thought of buying an expensive dress only to have to buy a second one for the reception so you can dance in it! Crazy right! By getting your seamstress to sew a hook or button into your gown allows you to hook the bottom of your train up to the lower outside back part of your gown so that it’s lifted off the floor and you can dance the night away. PAWFECT ATTIRE When dressing up your pet for your wedding you to make sure what they are wearing is not constricting or distracting for them. You want to make sure they are comfortable and not irritated. We suggest a floral collar or bow tie which can be situated behind the head or under the chin, this also reduces the chance of them pulling it off before the ceremony. Be mindful that clothing will often result in overheating your precious pet especially in Summer. Just remember you can’t control everything! And if something goes wrong it’s not the end of the world and in most cases, can be fixed without any issues. But if something really bad goes wrong, well you’ll have a fantastic story to tell for years to come. If your smiling the whole world will smile with you. Have a fantastic day and just relax and enjoy all the things we take for granted because it’s your day to shine and sparkle. You deserve it. Written by Janette Newell I Event Planner of Olive Rose Weddings & Events About the Author: “My passion for weddings showed itself to me when my handsome husband proposed to me. I had always loved weddings but had no idea of all the little details that tied such a beautiful day together. This is when the obsession started. I will tell you now Pinterest will be your best & worst friend! There’s so many amazing ideas that it can become a little overwhelming. That’s
5 Top Reasons it Makes Sense to Sell Your Wedding Dress
Selling your wedding dress has become one of those controversial topics. Some brides would NEVER consider selling such a treasured item – preferring to pay to box and store it carefully.
For many modern and practical brides, selling your wedding dress is not only a sensible idea, but we think, should become regularly accepted practice.
Of course, it is a treasured item, but it is also just a physical object. […]
Bridal Shower Games … That Don’t Suck!
When it comes to games I am all in. If I attend a party, no matter the age of the attendees I expect that there are games to be had. And if not, I’ll force people to play one with me as I am not one for boring dinner parties. Haha So I have searched the internet looking for the best bridal party games that your guests will absolutely love so you don’t have to. 😉 #1 Put a ring on it Starting with a simple classic, each guest as they arrive receives a beautiful cheap plastic ring (super classy of course). The aim of the game is to be the person with the most rings at the end of the night. To steal someone else’s ring they must say the no no words e.g. ‘wedding’ or ‘bride’ and if you catch them on it you steal one of their rings. #2 Minute to win it games You remember the show right? A player is given a simple task to do and must complete it within 1 minute. I absolutely loved this show and it’s super fun to play. Just YouTube the show to search for hilarious games to play. I’ve found 4 that will be sure to get your guests roaring with laughter. Either print out the below instructions or at the party play the instructional YouTube video. > Separation Anxiety A standard pack of m&ms contains approximately 50 individual candies they come in a variety of colours including red, orange, yellow, green and my favourite blue. In this challenge using one hand the contestants will use speed, focus and organisation to separate and redistribute them in order by colour into individual containers. First contestant to complete the challenge will earn a point for their team. ~ Minute to Win It https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmvK5yMsPzg > This Blows The sound of a rapidly deflating balloon is amusing and rather embarrassing. In this challenge the contestants must blow up a balloon and then use its escaping air to knock down plastic cups. This must be repeated until 15 cups have been blown completely off the table. First contestant to complete the challenge will earn a point for their team. ~ Minute to Win It https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jd6aV2DAs1Q > Face the Cookie The human face is composed of many muscles with 2 large groups that help make a smile or a frown. In this challenge the contestants must move a cookie from their forehead to their mouth using only their facial muscles. If a cookie drops the contestant may reset another cookie on their forehead and try again. First contestant to complete the challenge will earn a point for their team. ~ Minute to Win It https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qwn4kfeRfpg > Elephant March In this challenge 8 unopened bottles are placed in parallel rows 8 feet apart. The contestants must wear a standard pair of panty hose over their head with a tennis ball placed inside the end of one leg. The contestant must swing their trunk back and forth using its momentum to knock down all 8 bottles. First contestant to complete the challenge will earn a point for their team. ~ Minute to Win It https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zycg87fmLvM #3 Say Yes to the Dress I think you might know where this is headed haha. Teams are given toilet paper to create a beautiful TP wedding dress. Have a little fun with it and create a runway where the team members present their gown to be judged by the bride. Photo Credit: https://thehenplanner.com #4 Desperate Housewives This is a charades like game where on index cards you write down the names of celebrity husbands. E.g. Ryan Reynolds, Kayne West. Teams have 1 minute each to select a card and then act out in charade form the wife of their selected cards. Repeat until your minute is over. #5 Guess who said it Get the couple to write down (prior to the party) certain phrases each other have said. The crazier the better. Guests are then asked to choose which of them said it. You could either have print outs or have paddles with their names on either side. #6 Brides Against Showers So you’ve played Cards Against Humanity right? Duh of course you have! 😉 This is just like that only it’s a wedding version. Brilliant. You can either go online and purchase a pack or DIY it and create your own cards. #7 Bridal Jeopardy Create your own fun game show board. You know how to play. Under each category are numbered envelopes the higher the number the harder the question. You could have some real fun with this! Other printable games you may like Guess the Disney song Bridal bingo Who knows the bride best What’s on your phone Does the bride really know the groom Happy planning / gaming … and may the odds be ever in your favour. 😉 Happy planning, Janette xx Written by Janette Newell I Olive Rose Weddings & Events I help couples plan, organise & create the wedding of their dreams. Feel free to look around my website, & keep an eye out for my FREE downloadable checklists. WANT AWESOME INFO, INSPO & ADVICE? Sign up below to our mailing list! Don’t worry, we don’t spam. Unsubscribe at anytime. 🙂
Creating Your Seating Plan
You’ve finally gotten to the stage where you have drawn up your guest list and have received the RSVP’s and now you need to figure out who and where to seat them. … ‘but where you put you’ #harrypotter Keep reading to find out my 3 tips to creating your seating plan and well as my personal method. Table Style The first thing you need to decide is what table style you think would best fit you and your guests. This would be decided prior to booking your venue or hiring furniture. Are you wanting grouped round or square tables or maybe 2 long banquet style tables or multiple tables lines in a row? Knowing the table style as well as the floorplan of the venue/room/marquee is very important so as to decide how many guests can sit at one table. BONUS TIP: Ask your venue for a floorplan printout so it will make it easier for you to map out your reception. Group Guests into Categories Next step is to group your guests into categories such as: >Bridal party >Immediate family >Family >Friends >Work Colleges >Partners of bridal party >Kids >Etc Consider grouping guests on who knows who especially for the single guests or partners of the bridal party as I’m sure you’d feel quite uncomfortable at a table where you didn’t know anyone. Also consider having a kids table with activities to keep them occupied. This is especially good for during the speeches as this is generally a long period of time and the activities can keep them entertained. Seat VIP Guests First By seating your VIP’s first gives you a rough idea of the layout you are wanting for your reception. Depending on the couple, VIP’s will generally be the bridal party and their parents. Do you want both your parents at the same table or at different table to accommodate the other member of the family? It’s totally up to you. The Post-It Method So how I map out a seating plan is I would have in front of me the guest list which I have colour coded their names into the categories. I also have in front of me a copy of the floorplan of the room/venue with the tables drawn in as well as any other features e.g. bridal table, bar, cake table, gifts table photobooth, etc. So, I know how much room I have to work with. Next I grab my trusty Post-It notes (You can either get the small think ones like I do or simply cut the normal sized ones into strips so that each one has a bit of the sticky end … this is important.) Each coloured sticky note represents the coloured category e.g. work colleges and the names of the guests on them. I then start sticking the named Post-Its where I would like to seat them on the floorplan. The great thing about using this method is that it’s super easy to swap them around until you’re happy with the placements. Remember to also factor in the maximum number of seats that can be placed at one table. Once you’re happy with the result take a picture of it just in case some of the Post-Its loose their sticky and fall off. Then I like to make a final typed version, or you can just hand right on the floorplan itself. And then YAY you’re all done and ready to send this onto your Wedding Planner or venue coordinator. Also don’t forget to click the link below to download our free Wedding Timeline Checklist. It’s FREE! Happy planning. Janette xx Written by Janette Newell I Olive Rose Weddings & Events Post It note picture credit from https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/121737996157769919/?lp=true I help couples plan, organise & create the wedding of their dreams. Feel free to look around my website, & keep an eye out for my FREE downloadable checklists. WANT AWESOME INFO, INSPO & ADVICE? Sign up below to our mailing list! Don’t worry, we don’t spam. Unsubscribe at anytime. 🙂
Everything You Need to Know About Wedding Cake!
Having just been to a bridal expo and talking to hundreds of couples looking for wedding cake, it became clear to me that not everybody understood some of the important things they should be aware of when looking for a cake artisan. Let’s face it if you’re not in the industry or aren’t up on the lingo you may find some of the terminology used by professional cake artisans a bit confusing or think your cake artisan is speaking another language. So, to help couples get a better understanding about all things cake related I thought it was timely to write a post to answer some of the most popular questions we get asked about wedding cakes. So, let’s get started with the number one question we get asked… What size cake do I need? The size of cake you require for your wedding will depend on a few key things, like how many guests are you having, and do you require dessert or coffee serves. It’s important to remember that not everybody will eat cake at your wedding so it’s not essential to get a cake to serve the exact number of guests. The size of your cake will also depend on the design of cake you have your heart set on having. For example, if you are having 80 guests and want a 5-tier cake then you are going to have left overs and be eating cake for many months to come, and that’s fine if you’re a cake lover. But the best size cake for you would be a 3 tier (6”, 8” & 10”) which will serve 78 dessert serves or you could even get a 2 tier (8” & 10”) which will serve 70 dessert serves. You can get a good idea of how much cake you need from the diagram below: The second question we get asked is… What’s the difference between dessert and coffee serves? It’s important to remember that for weddings and special events a serve of cake is not a wedge of cake you would get when you go to the coffee shop and have cake and coffee, the portion sizes for events are much smaller. This is because your event will have more of a formal feel to it and you will generally be serving cocktail style canapés, a buffet or a sit-down dinner which means people don’t need or want to eat a large portion of sweet cake. So, to answer the question if you are having your cake as your dessert then the portion size of cake is measured at 2” x 1”. This may be served on a platter for guests to help themselves or it may be plated with some coolie and cream. If your venue has already included dessert in your package or you are having a dessert table then you will only need coffee portions which is measured at 1” x 1”. This may be plated on a platter next to the coffee station or as part of your dessert buffet and guests will be able to serve themselves. Depending on who your cake maker is each serving will have either 3 or 4 layers of cake per serve. Here’s a simple diagram of what all this means. Another important question we get asked is… How much does a cake cost? This is one of those age-old questions that I don’t think will ever have a standard or simple answer too. Sorry, I know it’s frustrating but it’s important to remember that every cake artisan has different costings for different types of cakes and the cost of your cake will ultimately be determined by the size and the type of cake (buttercream or fondant) and the decorations on the cake. The end price of a cake will factor in the above items but will also include labour, and this is where pricing will vary significantly between one cake artisan to the next. An experienced cake artisan will be able to make a cake in less time than a hobby baker, but a hobby baker won’t charge as much because for them it is still something they do from time to time where as a profession cake artisan it is their job. But to try to help answer this question as best I can you should expect to pay anywhere from $6 + per dessert serve. If you are having fresh flowers or sugar decorations on your cake, then the price will increase accordingly. It’s important to set yourself a realistic budget for your cake. Don’t expect to pay $1 per dessert serve for a 7 tier extravagantly designed cake with cascading flowers to feed 200 guests, you may be lucky to find someone to do this for you, but I wouldn’t be trusting the quality of work or the taste. We also get asked… Can we collect our cake to save money on delivery charges? This is a YES and NO type of question and will depend on the size of your cake and where you will be transporting it to. I know that delivery charges may seem high but once you take into consideration that the cake artisan is an expert at delivering and setting up cakes (we do it day in day out) it’s totally worth the cost. Having piece of mind and knowing that your cake will be sitting grandly on display as you enter your reception and not on the floor of your or your friend’s car (who kindly offered to collect your cake for you). Delivery charges will vary from cake artisan to cake artisan but as a guide you can expect to pay one of two ways: set rate per kilometre – calculated on a return to base round trip set rate per hour/part there of – calculated on a return to base round trip or a set minimum fee) We suggest that single & 2 tier cakes can be collected, and we highly recommend anything 3 tiers
Top Tips to Consider When Choosing a Celebrant
Your wedding celebrant sets the tone for the celebrations to come. A boring, slow and flat ceremony is tough to come back from, at least until the champagne kicks in! So, selecting a celebrant that complements your couple vibe, and suits your dynamic, is one of the most important decisions you’ll make (sure, I’m a little bias). We celebrants (and when I say we I mean a small but mighty bunch of passionate peeps) put a great deal of energy and effort into ensuring your ceremony is one that you’ll thoroughly enjoy and a memory that will last a lifetime. I believe it’s our responsibility to create a celebration that tells your love story in an authentic, vibrant and entertaining way. When selecting your celebrant, narrow it down to at least 3 celebrants you like. Keeping in mind, every budget is different, and your celebrant will be a reflection of that. As with anything, you get what you pay for. Then, ask yourselves the following questions; What is most important for your ceremony?(Your story, your family, laughing, intimacy, tradition, joy etc). What is our couple vibe?(Quirky, relaxed, energetic, traditional, warm, charismatic etc). Who would we want to hang out with?(If you’d like to hang out with that celebrant, and be pals, it’s likely they’re the right person to be trusted with sharing your story and performing your wedding.) Your celebrant should put you at ease, be a total nerve killing ninja and have a real enthusiasm for the beautiful universal commitment that is marriage. At the end of the day, you’ve got to love LOVE. Both professional party starters, and hopeless romantics, we celebrants understand how special this moment is. From vowing down to sealing the deal with a smooch, we adore celebrating that brilliant kind of magic of two people getting together and promising forever. May your ceremony be the perfect representation of your journey, your love and your future together. May it symbolise the courage, passion, dedication and friendship you share, as you step into forever. Happy hunting! Written by Hannah Lea Wedding Celebrant https://www.hannahlea.co/ “I’m an energetic and enthusiastic Wedding Celebrant, based on the Gold Coast, servicing Brisbane to Byron Bay, and beyond! I create ceremonies that are charming, modern and vibrant, that celebrates your love story.” I help couples plan, organise & create the wedding of their dreams. Feel free to look around my website, & keep an eye out for my FREE downloadable checklists. WANT AWESOME INFO, INSPO & ADVICE? Sign up below to our mailing list! Don’t worry, we don’t spam. Unsubscribe at anytime. 🙂
After the Wedding – The Legal Checklist
Firstly congratulations. After you get married, there are a few legal things you might want to consider so we’ve made a checklist of things to go through with your new spouse. Name change There is no requirement to legally change your new, many people do this out of custom. Some people combine names (i.e. “Smith-Baker”). If you are going to change your name, then you don’t necessarily have to register the name change. Rather you can usually update your formal documents by making a request to the various bodies (banks, department of transport, passport office etc). Almost all bodies will accept the name change if you provide a marriage certificate. If you wish to change your name to combine it with your spouses, depending on how you want to change it you may need to formally request a name change at the Birth, Deaths and Marriage registry. Wills When you get married it’s important you ensure your Will is up to date. While your new spouse passing away might be the last thing you want to think about, it’s important you don’t put your head in the sand. Many newlyweds assume once married that they will automatically inherit any property upon the death of the other space. This belief is a semi-myth in Queensland. If you die without a will, it’s called dying ‘intestate’. Part 3 of the Succession Act 1981 Queensland sets out the rules on what happens to your property. If you don’t have a valid will your spouse may not necessarily be entitled to your entire estate, particularly if there is children of another marriage, unborn children or existing children of the marriage. Power of Attorney If something terrible happens having a power of attorney is important. This simple document can cut through the bureaucratic red tape and gives the power of your spouse (or any other person you wish to nominate) to make decisions in your best interest. This can include important medical decisions and financial decisions. Unfortunately, accidents happen, but life goes on and bills need to be paid. A power of attorney will make it easy to keep your new spouses life on track in the event they become unable to make their own decisions. If you require more specific powers for medical wishes, you can also use an Advanced Health Directive. Asset Protection It is hard to talk about what happens to property if the relationship doesn’t work out, but it’s important to have a frank and honest discussion about the state of each other’s finances. There is a common myth that getting married gives each of you entitlements over each other’s property. This usually isn’t the case. Family law is complex and the rules surrounding how property is distributed require much more thought then “we were married, so it’s 50/50”. You see property can include DEBT. So it’s very important you understand what you’re getting yourself into and seek legal advice from a family lawyer early if you want to protect your assets. Asset protection is not just protecting yourself if the relationship doesn’t work out (we hope it does) but it’s also protecting your assets from creditors. You can enter into a binding financial agreement with your spouse about what happens to each other’s property before, during or after the relationship. Update Superannuation and Life insurance policies It’s important to contact your superannuation and life insurance providers. Superannuation and life insurance doesn’t automatically flow to your estate after you die, instead, it goes to wherever the fund’s trustee nominates it to go. To ensure it goes to your spouse you should contact your providers, they will provide you with a form to fill out and send back. It’s important to remember each fund or insurance has its own rules surrounding who you can nominate and how long for. It’s important you discuss your requirements and review your wishes at least every 2 years. Add your spouse to property title There is no legal requirement to change property title upon marriage, however, keeping it in your sole name won’t necessarily protect it in a separation or against creditors. If you do wish to add your spouse to your car or house title, check with the Titles office in your state. Fees, including stamp duty, might be payable. Disclaimer – It’s important to seek independent legal advice specific to your situation. This blog is for informational purposes and not to be relied upon as legal advice. Guess blog written by Lauren Costanzo I Cudmore Legal Family Lawyers About the Author ‘Lauren Costanzo is the practice manager of Cudmore Legal Family Lawyers Brisbane. Cudmore Legal is a legal firm based on Brisbane northside at Aspley (near Chermside) and Bowen Hills. They handle family law and estate planning matters.’ Cudmore Legal Family Lawyers – https://www.cudmorelegal.com.au I help couples plan, organise & create the wedding of their dreams. Feel free to look around my website, & keep an eye out for my FREE downloadable checklists. WANT AWESOME INFO, INSPO & ADVICE? Sign up below to our mailing list! Don’t worry, we don’t spam. Unsubscribe at anytime. 🙂