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  • 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


     


    Janette I Brisbane Wedding Planner 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. 

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  • 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 where I come in. Let me help you blend all your stunning ideas and dreams to make a day not to forget.” Janette Newell


    Janette I Brisbane Wedding Planner 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!


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    FREE Wedding Timeline Checklist I Olive Rose Weddings & Events


    DOWNLOAD OUR FREE HIDDEN COSTS CHECKLISTS

    Don’t be caught out with any nasty hidden costs. Use this checklist to make sure your budget is on track. 



    Click here to Download for FREE <<<

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  • 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. Selling it doesn’t get rid of your precious memories or remove any of the magic of the big day. It just makes sense sometimes.

    There are all sorts of things that prompt you to sell your wedding dress. It could be your New Year’s resolution to get the house in order. You may have lost weight and are overhauling your wardrobe. You might just need the money.

    Here are our Top Five Reasons why it makes sense that you should sell your wedding dress.

    Money

    Money is the main reason why we do anything really.

    Many brides spend thousands of dollars on their dress and even though they look amazing on the day and create many incredible memories, a wedding dress is an expensive purchase.

    Life rolls on after the big day, and expensive undertakings will continue to crop up. You might be trying to buy or renovate a home together. You could be expecting your first child and trying to get by on one income.

    Even if you do still fit into it (it’s ok not to – it happens to the best of us!), seriously, when were you planning on wearing this thing again?

    There is something you will never use in your closet that is worth possibly thousands of dollars. 

    Selling your wedding dress is starting to sound a bit more sensible now…

    If you list your dress online, you could recoup up to 50% of what you paid for the dress. A website like ours, http://www.onlydreamdresses.com only charges you a small fee of $19.90 to upload your dress for sale and/or hire.

    One savvy bride we know even bought her designer gown for her wedding day and sold the dress before she got married.

    This bride was able to afford to buy a dress a bit more than she budgeted knowing that she had already sold it for half the price she paid.

    There was obviously an agreement with the buyer that she would receive it after the wedding, but this could be a very clever option and a great way to get the dress of your dreams without the nightmare price tag.

    Declutter your Home and Reclaim your Space

    Face it, wedding dresses take up a lot of space (especially if you wore a dress with lots of volume or length!)

    Granted, you can shrink them down a bit into a box or bag, but they still do take up that valuable space in the wardrobe or cupboard that every woman needs.

    Think of what you could do with the space!

    You might be doing a big declutter (have you seen Marie Kondo’s show on Netflix yet? It is the BOMB!) or making room to build a nursery or home office.

     You Want to Share the Love

    Maybe you just want to share the love and feeling you had in your dress with someone else. You might subscribe to the whole ‘If you love something, set it free,’ philosophy.

    If you really adore your beautiful gown, why not let it continue to live and breathe and make new wedding dreams come true?

    I think this is a lovely thing to do and at Only Dream Dresses, we are all about sharing the dream with someone else.

    Green, minimalist and eco-friendly brides will also love the idea of recycling their gorgeous dress, and not just creating yet another possession in their lives. 

    Trends Change and Fashions Have a New Life

    As with every fashion item, trends change.

    If you have chosen a wedding dress that is very definitely on point this season, it may go out of style by the time next season rolls around.

    But there is no reason not to be spot on trend with your gown, as long as you sell your dress as soon after your wedding as possible. That way you have more chance of selling it quickly and at a good price.

    If your dress is still on a rack in a shop for full price there will be people out there that have tried it on and would love to buy yours pre-loved because it is that fraction cheaper.

    That being said, fashion trends do come around again many years later, and retro is most definitely in. If you were married in the 1990s, or even in the 1960s, you might find a real market out there for your vintage gown. 

    Clear Out Those Memories for a Fresh New Start

    Unfortunately, not all marriages have a happy ending.

    Selling a wedding dress is sometimes a person’s way of cleaning out those memories that they would like to forget, and this is okay too. Every dress owner and every dress has a different journey.

    We know that selling your wedding dress is not for everyone. Just as wearing a preloved wedding dress doesn’t suit everyone either. We know that the gown may have sentimental value for you, or you may just not be ready to let it go.

    But if the reasons are starting to sound a little bit sensible to you, it might be time to check out our website.

    There is no rush with this process and when you are ready you know where we are http://www.onlydreamdresses.com.

     

    Written by Natalie Churchill               |             Only Dream Dresses

    Author’s Bio

    Natalie Churchill is the founder and owner of Only Dream Dresses, an Australian wide online marketplace for pre-loved wedding dresses.  Like many brides, Natalie experienced the desire to wear a beautiful designer gown on her wedding day but didn’t want to spend the earth in doing so. So the idea of purchasing or hiring a pre-loved wedding dress was formed. Only Dream Dresses specialises in creating a service that personal, cost effective and efficient.

     Only Dream Dresses is due to launch for business in the next few weeks.

     Only Dream Dresses

    http://www.onlydreamdresses.com.au

    CLICK TO READ MORE

  • 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


    Janette I Brisbane Wedding Planner 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. 🙂


    FREE Wedding Timeline Checklist I Olive Rose Weddings & Events

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  • 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.

    1. 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.

    1. 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.

    1. 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.

    1. 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


    Janette I Brisbane Wedding Planner 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. 🙂


    Wedding Planning Workbook I Olive Rose Weddings & Events

    CLICK TO READ MORE

  • 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:

    1. set rate per kilometre – calculated on a return to base round trip
    2. 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 and taller be delivered to your venue by your cake artisan.

    Lastly, we’d like to cover

    How do I choose the right cake artisan?

    Cakes are very popular at the moment and there is no shortage of cake artisan; be them professional or hobbyists, so how do you choose the right cake artisan for you?  Well I suggest there are four main questions you need to ask or know about your cake artisan before making the final decision.

    Question 1

    Is your cake artisan council licenced and insured?

    I know it may seem silly to be asking this question but it’s a very important one.  Of course, nothing is going to go wrong with the hobby baker, your friend, mum, aunty, grandma, sister that you chose to make your cake.  But what if something did go wrong and your guests got sick from bad cake?  Who will compensate them or who will your guests sue if they are incapacitated and unable to attend work and loose valuable income?  When you are catering for large numbers of guests it’s important to ensure that everything is going to be perfect and that all foods at your event have been prepared to a high standard.  This also includes your venue/caterer not just your cake artisan.  All professional cake artisans should be licenced by their local council.  The process to get licenced is not an easy one so if your cake artisan has been licenced then you know the council regularly inspects their premises and that there are strict regulations and paperwork to adhere to.  If a cake artisan is not licenced, then it is very difficult for them to obtain the all-important public liability insurance that is also required of anyone running a business or accepting payment for cake.

    Question 2

    Have you tried the cake artisan’s cakes, and do they have a variety of flavours to choose from?

    If you haven’t tried a sample of their cake how do you know it tastes good.  It’s important when choosing a cake artisan for your wedding to actually try the cake before making your decision.  There is no use having a fantastic looking cake if you and your guests are disappointed by the taste.

    Question 3

    Have you checked out their social media pages and read their reviews?

    These day’s it’s very easy to check out your cake artisan’s work on social media and read their reviews, and this is something you really should do before making your decision.  You want to look for real reviews posted by the clients after their events.  Some people will offer a great run down on their experience with the cake artisan and comment on their ease of contact, professionalism, helpfulness, or taste and look of the cake whilst others may just comment on how much they enjoyed their cake.  Of course, not everybody has the time or inclination to post a review but the ones that do you can rest assured they were pretty happy with their final product.

    Question 4

    Have you meet your cake artisan and feel comfortable they are going to be able to make your vision come to life?

    When choosing a wedding cake artisan, I feel it’s important to be able to meet with them face to face and discuss your vision and design.  That’s why we offer cake tasting consultations for our wedding clients, I believe it’s important to meet face to face and discuss designs and options thoroughly to make sure that your vision is my vision, I will also do up a rough design sketch at the consult just to ensure we are both on the same artistic and visual page and as a bonus you get to try up to 5 flavours of cake which ties into question 2.  But not all cake artisans will offer a sit down consultation for various reasons, but the majority will and if they are unable to do face to face they will most likely be able to offer sample packs of cake for you to try.  I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t be choosing a cake artisan I was not able to meet or at least try their cakes prior to spending a lot of money with them.

    I really hope you have found this article useful and it has answered some of the questions you may have had regarding cake.  Remember if you wish to get a quote or book in for a cake tasting consult you can do so by contacting Jo Lawinski from Cake My Day by Jo xoxo.

    Written by Jo Lawinski from Cake My Day by Jo

    Cake My Day by Jo is a boutique cakery located in Brisbane Queensland, baking Wedding, Engagement, Birthday  and Celebration cakes, cupcakes, cake pops & cookies. Cake My Day by Jo provides a delivery service to the Brisbane Metro area, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast.

    There is nothing more delicious or tantalising than walking into
    Cake My Day by Jo’s kitchen and smelling freshly baked cake!

    hello@cakemydaybyjo.com.au     http://www.facebook.com/cakemydaybyjo   http://www.Instagram.com/cakemydaybyjo    http://www.cakemydaybyjo.com.au


    Janette I Brisbane Wedding Planner 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.

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  • 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/

    Hannah-Lea-1

     

    “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.”


    Janette I Brisbane Wedding Planner 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.

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  • 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


    Janette I Brisbane Wedding Planner 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.

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    Sign up below to our mailing list!


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  • Wedding Stationery : What to Write & When to Send

    Are you unsure what stationery you are planning to use for your wedding and really don’t know when to send it all out? Well you’re in the right place 😉

    Wedding stationery can include Save the Date Cards, Formal Invitations, Thank You Cards, Programs, Menus, Guest Place Cards, Seating Charts, Signage. Obviously you don’t need to have all of these things, you just need to decide what’s important to you and your partner.

     

     

    Save the Date Cards

    What to write:

    • Your Names
    •  The Date
    • Location (brief/suburb)
    • Mention Formal Invite to Follow

    When to send: 6 to 8 months prior to wedding

    Formal Invitations

    What to write:

    • Your names (may include parents name or “Together with family…”
    • The date (day, month, year)
    • Ceremony time, location & address
    • Reception time & location
    • Food service (cocktail, 2/3 course, buffet)
    • Dress code (casual, formal etc)
    • RSVP instructions or reply cards

    When to send: 6 to 8 weeks prior to wedding (3 months minimum if it’s a destination wedding)

    Reply Cards

    What to write:

    •  Reply by date (3-4 weeks prior)
    • Number people attending
    • Menu options (if required)

    When to send: Send with formal invitation

    Other Insert Cards to include in an invitation: Directions, Map, Accommodation details, relevant information, etc.

    Thank You Cards

    What to write:

    • These should be hand-written
    • If a gift has been given mention the gift and wrire something about it (e.g. how you will use it, what you like about it).
    • Make it personal

    When to send: No more than 2 months after the wedding

    Want to find out more about stationery? Watch our video on ‘How to get your RSVP’s back ASAP’.

    Written by Janette Newell I Olive Rose Weddings & Events 


    Janette I Brisbane Wedding Planner 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.

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  • Wedding Day Traditions & Their True Meaning

    Here are some fun facts to ponder over whilst planning your wedding.

    SOMETHING OLD, NEW, BORROWED, BLUE

    Do you know what the meaning behind ‘Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue’ actually is? … Well I’ll tell you 😉

    Something Old : Represents continuity and the existence of unbroken love.

    Something New : Represents optimism for the future.

    Something Borrowed : Refers to ‘Borrowed Happiness’ as a possession that once brought someone else happiness and now they are passing that happiness and cherished memories onto you.

    Something Blue : Represents purity, love and fidelity.

    Fun Fact: All four items were traditionally used as ‘lucky charms’ to ward off evil spirits. Apparently evil spirits would pass on a curse called the Evil Eye that would make a female infertile…. Spooky and a little bit weird haha

    WHO GIVES THIS WOMAN AWAY?

    The meaning behind the brides father walking her down the aisle.

    In ancient times, arranged marriages were very common and in most circumstances, there would be a contract between the father and groom for such things as land, social status or political reputation, which back then was as significant as it is today.

    A female child in those times was known to be the property of her father and the tradition of ‘giving away’ was the legal process that the bride’s family would no longer have control over her or her possessions and that her husband would then respectfully take over that control.

    Obviously, that doesn’t happen today at a modern wedding … thankfully!!!

    Today, a father walking his daughter/or child down the aisle is his way of blessing their union and wishing good health and happiness to the couple.

    But again, traditions aren’t everything and you can have whoever you like to walk you down the aisle. The person you feel has been there for you your whole life, who has supported you no matter what.

    THE DRESS

    Do you know that before the 1840’s brides would simply wear the best dress that they owned until Queen Victoria started the white wedding dress trend for the Western world’s.

    GOOD LUCK

    >According to English tradition, Wednesday is considered the ‘best day’ to get married … however, apparently Monday is for wealth and Tuesday is for health … so you decide 😉

    >Hindu tradition states that rain on your wedding day is considered good luck!

    >At a Czech wedding, peas are thrown instead of rice. Unsure whether these are frozen or not haha

    COMPETITION

    At a Christian wedding ceremony, the bride would stand to the left of the groom as in olden times the groom apparently needed his right hand free to fight off other suitors. How was this ever a thing haha

    OLD WIVES TALE

    Should the younger of two sisters marries first, the older sister must dance barefoot at the wedding or risk never landing a husband.

    Just remember traditions aren’t everything! What you and your partner decide for your wedding will make it amazingly fantastic even if that means embarrassing you’re older sister.

    Happy planning, Janette xx

    Written by Janette Newell I Olive Rose Weddings & Events

     


    Janette I Brisbane Wedding Planner 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. 🙂


    Wedding Planning Workbook I Olive Rose Weddings & Events

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