Information :: Open Day at Sharla Park Country Weddings & Events

On the 18th of May, Sharla Park Country Weddings & Events held their first Open Day. We were delighted to showcase our business; even more delightful, however, was the opportunity to meet all the lovely couples that visited & other wedding vendors on the day. We will introduce the fellow vendors in the post below. A huge thank you to David & Kerri from Sharla Park Country Weddings & Events for hosting such a fabulous day! You will find Sharla Park Country Weddings & Events listed on our recommended vendors page. Here are some fast facts about this stunning venue:

  • It is located approximately 45 minutes from Brisbane CBD (A3->M1->you are there)

  • it is also located approximately 45 minutes from Caloundra (M1)

  • It features 31 acres (some of which is a blank canvas so that you can create your own dream event; other parts feature country-inspired structures)

  • It is family run (David & Kerri will take care of you)

It was a pleasure to be able to showcase our business alongside other wedding vendors at Sharla Park Country Weddings & Events’ Open Day on the 18th of May.

We asked Emunah Events to style our table - incorporating their stunning floristry, of course. This was their take on our ‘still life’ brief and we could not be more delighted with their expression.

This bouquet featured on Emunah Event’s table. We decided to include this image directly under the one above as it perfectly showcases the team’s talented spectrum of work. They created the still life for us - classic brief - and they created something on-trend (soft & romantic) - modern brief - for themselves. <3 All other work we have done with the Emunah Events team to date can be seen here. Otherwise, a brief visual recap can be found on our recommended vendors page.

We had never heard of/seen ‘cow’s udder’ before! Trusty Wikipedia informs readers that, “Solanum mammosum is commonly known as nipplefruit, fox head, cow's udder, or apple of Sodom” and “is an inedible Pan-American tropical fruit”.

These biscuits were made by Diana from The Sweet Society Co; more about Diana soon as she was the cake vendor present on the day.

Emunah Events with all the floristry & styling on the day.

Diana, from The Sweet Society Co, showcased cakes that demonstrate her keen eye for detail & beautifully unique artistic flair. We also sampled her cakes and they were perfect. Highly recommend friendly & personable Diana for your big day.

It was a pleasure to meet Yvonne, the owner of Exquisite Gowns by Yvonne. Yvonne has a lovely, diverse collection of gowns. Yvonne provides the following statement on her pricing structure: “For all those that have not yet been to visit: I am often asked how can I offer dresses at such low prices. Please be re-assured that all my dresses are as I describe, brand new, with labels and offered at a fraction of the RRP. I source my suppliers very well and only buy dresses that I feel are excellent quality. I also buy from actual wedding shops here in Australia and America and I pass on any savings I can to you, the customer. I believe that a wedding is about the love and commitment that 2 people share for each other and not about the costs. Nowadays, money is hard come by and more and more couples are having to budget. With this in mind, all my dresses are worthy of a high price tag yet nothing in store is over $900. So please be confident in knowing that I am genuine and passionate about my work and well worth a visit. Yvonne”

It is always a delight to see Moe & Samantha around. They are the memorable characters behind Roaring Twenties Vintage Wedding Car Hire. We did a shoot with Moe & Samantha recently and we can’t wait to share what magic we created together.

All lighting on the day was provided by Jesse from Brisbane Festoon Hire. More from Jesse’s website: “Brisbane Festoon Hire is a professional lighting hire provider for weddings and events requiring unique and specialty lighting hire and installations. Our massive range includes festoon, pendants, chandeliers, fairy lights, lanterns, light up letters, LED lighting, site lighting, power distribution, cabling and more! We can provide DIY equipment hire or a complete hire, delivery and installation service”.

Anna Staines (celebrant) is vivacious and full of personality. We often see threads in online wedding groups asking if the celebrant is really worth being pedantic about (in other words, “Should we just choose the least expensive option in front of us?” or “What value do they really offer to us?”). Our opinion from the sidelines is that a celebrant can make or break a ceremony. Yep, make or break. If they are dry and dull, the tone of the ceremony is dry and dull. You get the picture! As you chat with Anna, it soon becomes evident that she is passionate about her role. Also, there is always a laugh just around the corner - perfect match for any concerns about nerves or awkwardness. Or your priority is to have a fun & memorable wedding experience - Anna is your girl!

Chillingworth duo, Holly & William, are the sweetest. We had the pleasure of hearing them perform and, honestly, you can’t go wrong. Put them at the top of the list for music options. More about them here: “Chillingworth is an Australian based pop duo that formed in 2017. William and Holly Chillingworth started their music career playing acoustic covers at parties and weddings. William then made the duo official by ‘putting a ring on it’ in 2017, and the couple have since been working hard, writing and recording their own music in their home studio. William brings the sweet guitar tones while Holly graces the vocals”. A little more from their bio on Triple J Unearthed: “Their synth pop sound is complete only with William's glorious guitar tones and Holly’s sweet vocals, and the pair are already making a name for themselves with their debut single ‘Young Love’ released late 2018”.

Sam & Jacqueline, from Something for Catering, created some magic for the vendors and attendees at the Open Day. The food was delicious and the service was second-to-none. In their own words, “We are South-East Queensland’s leading food, beverage catering and planning service.

If you are planning any outdoor or indoor event (wedding, corporate function or festival), we know it can be so much fun but also equally stressful for you. We are the experts in events and when you work with us we happily guarantee that you will enjoy the highest quality, food, beverages, planning and professional services so that you can sit back, relax and enjoy your event stress-free.

We provide high-end, restaurant quality food from our purpose-built, unique mobile catering van. We can travel far and wide no matter the location. Accompanied by a team of professional caterers, you couldn’t be in better hands”.

You can find out all about White Wings Dove Service here.

Finally, we had some fun with the reception lighting on the day and took the following images to showcase some non-traditional reception photography. It was all made easier working with Jesse’s lighting installations (see feature above).

All in all, it was a fabulous day. Thank you to the couples who visited on the day. To the fellow vendors, we really enjoyed meeting you, too!

Meet Kitty & Mark :: Requiem Images (United States)

We kicked off a new series in January featuring traveling photographers from around the world (most recent feature here; to date, the list includes Italy, Canada, United States and Australia). We make no secret of the fact that we love travel. We love learning about other cultures. We love contributing to a smaller, more interactive space. With this in mind, we are going to be sharing local stories by local photographers from around the world throughout our posts this year.

This month, and our 125th blog post (random fact!), is all about Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (United States), through the eyes of Kitty & Mark from Requiem Images. One of our favourite aspects of organising these features is getting to know the individuals involved; lovely Kitty & Mark are no exception. We have really enjoyed learning about their colourful corner of the world (showcased beautifully through their emotional photography) - and the personalities behind Requiem Images, too. (Our little one is a fan of Daniel Tiger; there is an interesting connection below!) Enjoy and thank you for joining in, Kitty & Mark! (All images below were taken in Pittsburgh.)

 

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Photography by Requiem Images

 

Tell us about where you live:

We travel regularly and try to experience as many cultures as possible so my family and I like to consider ourselves more global citizens than anything; however, the home we own and where we spend most of our time is in Pittsburgh, PA.

 

Photography by Requiem Images

 

What makes your town, state or country unique?

Our city is unique because it’s like a hybrid of a small town and a city. We have a downtown with skyscrapers, lots of museums, parks, highways - so many things happening at any given time - but everyone knows one another and it’s essentially just a grouping of small, unique neighborhoods.

Also the bridges - Pittsburgh is rated 4th in the cities with the most number of bridges in the world.

 

If I traveled from the opposite side of the world, what should I visit in your town, state or country?

Mattress Factory, Warhol Museum, all the restaurants, Strip District, Lawrenceville - just make a week of it and experience all the little neighborhoods and see what each has to offer!

 

What is something quirky we would find in your town, state or country?

I wouldn’t say that Pittsburgh has one specific quirky feature, but rather that Pittsburgh is awesome because it is comprised of lots of little quirky aspects throughout the city and even its suburbs. Some great examples are The Mattress Factory (the worlds first museum dedicated to installation art), Picklesburgh (the highest-rated specialty food festival in the nation), the mass of dinosaur sculptures that can be found scattered around the city, monthly community ‘undies only’ bike rides, and so much more!

 

Coffee or chai tea?

Coffee. Because kids.

 

Best breakfast cafe?

Oooo that’s a good one! There are so many killer places to brunch in this town. If I absolutely have to chose, it's not necessarily a breakfast cafe but if I had to chose one place to go for brunch this weekend I would probably chose Eleven. My husband and I had brunch there for one of our first dates in Pittsburgh, so not only is the food great but the memories, as well. But seriously… there are tons of awesome places to brunch in Pittsburgh!

 

Photography by Requiem Images

 

Three reasons for why someone should visit your town, state or country?

It’s super friendly, has an amazing art scene, and an even more amazing food scene.

 

Photography by Requiem Images

Photography by Requiem Images

Photography by Requiem Images

Photography by Requiem Images

Photography by Requiem Images

 

Any local legends?

If we’re talking about people, there are loads! Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips, Andy Warhol, Mr Rogers, loads of actors and musicians, etc.

If we’re talking events, I’ve mentioned several awesome happenings throughout the interview that are totally worth checking out!

 

Photography by Requiem Images

 

Train, bus, car or walk?

Always try to walk if possible. It’s best for the environment and it can do a world of good, especially for someone who is self-employed, to just get outside for a few minutes. Luckily, we live in an area in Pitttsburgh that’s very walkable. One thing that makes Pittsburgh awesome is that there are lots of little walkable neighborhoods around the city - but if we have to get somewhere on the other side of the city we drive. (I would KILL to have an awesome train system in town!)

 

Best accommodation?

As a wedding photographer, I am pretty familiar with a lot of the hotels in town and I definitely have my favorites. My first choice would probably be the Ace Hotel - it's a former YMCA facility with a super cool vibe, amazing natural light pouring into all the rooms, a restaurant with great food, innovative cocktails, and it's in the perfect walkable part of town. If Ace is booked, some other faves include Hotel Monaco, Hotel Indigo, and the Fairmont downtown.

 

Must-see vantage point?

Mount Washington. Hands down. It offers a view of the entire city that can’t be beat.

 

Who is the most note-worthy person to come from your hometown?

Of course as an artist I’m biased, but I’d have to say Andy Warhol. My husband argues that it’s Mr. Rodgers (even though it often rains, Pittsburgh is a city filled with beautiful little neighborhoods).

 

Most colorful character in your hometown?

I’d have to say Tracy the Trailer Trash Girl. However, Sharon Needles and Alaska both deserve honorable mentions.

 

Photography by Requiem Images

 

Number one thing you miss when you’re away?

Pittsburgh is amazing and wonderful but my honest answer has to be my comfy bed.

 

Photography by Requiem Images

 

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You will find Kitty & Mark here:

Information :: Perfectly Imperfect Memories

When you strip everything back and map out your wedding day, what is the key driving influence(s)? As Josh Withers succinctly points out, “The legal simple act of getting married only requires 120 words and five signatures. The answer to this question is interesting. It can range from “we want to celebrate the new chapter in our life with the people we love” to “we want to ensure that we don’t have regrets down the track” to “a celebration is important to my partner so I am going along for the ride” - <insert whatever reason here>.

In terms of photography, is the key driving influence to have perfect images of a perfect day? It is easy to get swept up in a current of pinterest boards, instagram hashtags, wedding planners, blogs - all of the things! - and lose sight of what makes the two of you exactly that: the two of you.

We were recently flicking through Deborah Needleman’s beautiful & relatable book The Perfectly Imperfect Home. The following stood out to us, in particular:

“Growing up, I was struck by the fact that our house had nothing personal in it. Nobody ever tacked up a picture she found amusing. No momento was brought back from a holiday and put on a shelf. No bunch of flowers was ever cut from the yard and stuck in a vase.

In fact, nothing ever got moved around or changed, until the day the decorators were brought back for an update. There were certain rooms, like the dining room and the living room, that we rarely entered. And there was a piano that no one knew how to play.

It was by no means a sad house. We were loved and cared for and the house itself was neat and attractive. But I have come to realise that the soul of a house needs attention. Our house had very little life - it wasn’t heavily used, engaged with, or loved. It didn’t add much to my conception of childhood or happiness.

This led me to appreciate deeply homes that are imbued with a sensibility and spirit-homes with a strong personality and signs of life. It made me long for a home with interesting people and dinner parties and friends spending the night. And it made me dislike homes that look perfect and unlived-in, or that have no whimsy.”

As you read the following two paragraphs, substitute the word “home” with “photograph” (okay, it’s somewhat of a tenuous stretch but please bear with us!):

“…Embracing imperfection in a home does not mean that anything goes. Here it means aiming for beauty tempered by reality. If real life involves mess, accidents, memory, and the incidental, then so too must decorating account for serendipity, and even embrace it.

…Good decoration solves problems elegantly. A stylish home is highly functional and reflects the best possible look for your life, budget, and mode of living (even your peculiarities), and the problems and advantages of the place you live in. This will lead to a home that enhances your sense of well-being, that inspires you and looks after you. Luxury cannot be defined by expense or by grandeur. Style is luxury, and luxury is simply what makes you happy.”

Our advice to you:

1) Take a deep breath

2) Don’t lose sight of the two of you

3) Enjoy & embrace the moments - even the perfectly imperfect ones! They are all part of your uniquely beautiful story.

Emunah Events :: Event Styling & Floral Design

We will start at the start.

We have worked with Emunah Events on a few projects now:

You will find Emunah Events listed on our recommended vendor page. We believe the following shoot will reinforce why they are highly recommended in our books. Not only are Carissa & Serena brilliant florists & stylists but they are all around lovely people, too. It is always a pleasure to work with both of them.

This shoot took place at the stunning Gabbinbar Homestead located in Toowoomba, Queensland. It is a truly magical venue. The beautiful cake was created by Cake House (more information here). Katrina, from Cake House, thoughtfully left some mini cakes for us to enjoy; they were delicious and were much appreciated.

Emunah Events Brisbane Wedding Photography

Information :: Please Check Spam

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